• From the Publisher's Desk

• Subaru Teams with Nordica

• Snowboardregistry.com On Line to Help Stop Snowboard Theft

• Sports Illustrated for Kids and Snow Monsters to Launch National Talent Search for the Best Kids on Skis and Snowboards

• Your Guide to Alpine Skiing

Utah, New Mex & Colorado Favorites

Destination Northeast

New England Favorites

• Big White's $127.9 Million Expansion Includes New Lifts, Trails, A Terrain Park and Luxury Accommodations

• Explore The Canyons Resort in 2004-05

• Panorama - New, Bold and Friendly

• at Salt Lake Resorts It's All About the Snow

• Ski Village Resorts Offer Prime Vacation Properties

• Sun Valley Opens with Lodge Renovations

• Sun Valley Holiday Packages Offer Value

• Utah Resorts Upgrade Programs & Infrastructure for 2004-05

• Exploring Alternate Technology: Ski Boards & Short Shaped Skis Add Dimension

by Tony D. Crespi

FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK:

Publisher and Editor, Dave Leonardi

SUBARU TEAMS WITH NORDICA

Partnership enhances Subaru “Master the Mountain” program

SNOWBOARDREGISTRY.COM ON LINE TO HELP STOP SNOWBOARD THEFT

“It’s just bad karma to buy and ride a board that was stolen from a fellow snowboarder.”

POUND RIDGE, NY – Snowboard theft has been a consistent unspoken problem at many mountain resorts, and now a snowboarder has taken an active step to help the snowboard community stop snowboard crime.

SnowboardRegistry.com is a free online database where snowboarders can enter their snowboards’ serial numbers and have them appear in an easy-to-read chart online. The registry is designed to help snowboarders in two ways:

First, if a missing snowboard is recovered, the owner of the board can be identified and contacted, as long as the board was registered at SnowboardRegistry.com. Owners names and contact info do not appear online.

Second, buyers of used boards can check the registry before buying a second-hand board to ascertain that the board has not been reported as missing.

“It’s just bad karma to buy and ride a board that was stolen from a fellow snowboarder. Be a good citizen of the Snowboard Universe and check online to make sure you’re not buying someone else’s stolen board,” says Lauren Traub Teton, founder of SnowboardRegistry.com. “And of course keep your board locked when it is out of your sight.”

Teton plans to spend as many days as possible riding snow this winter and spring, and she loves to ride in the East. She has two other snowboard websites that readers find valuable: the largest Snowboard Events Calendar in the Eastern US, in an easy-to-read format, at www.WhatsOnSnow.com, and a website to help snowboarders evolve and stay safe, at www.SnowboardSecrets.com. She emails the “Snowboard Szine” newsletter to keep readers up to date on the snowboard scene. “I started these sites to share my passion for snowboarding and supply information that I couldn’t find anywhere else,” says Ms. Teton.

Lauren Traub Teton is a member of ski writer organizations ESWA and NASJA.

TRAVELERS “WEIGH” LUGGAGE OPTIONS FOR SKI SEASON

DURANGO, CO – For as long as people have been flying to mountain resorts for a winter vacation, they have been faced with a challenge far less pleasant than those found on the slopes. That challenge is; how are you supposed to carry all of that luggage and ski gear to, through and from the airport?

The hassle factor of traveling with ski and snowboard gear has increased in recent years, as airlines have been pushed towards new restrictions and fees, and are strictly enforcing rules that were once overlooked by many ticket counter agents. Since 9/11, increased security measures have made traveling with additional and oversize items even more unpleasant, as travelers lose valuable time waiting for their items to be searched and scanned.

Fortunately for skiers and snowboarders tired of paying fees for excess, oversized and overweight baggage—for the privilege of lugging heavy gear through the nation’s airports—there is an another option.

Sports Express, in association with trusted shippers like FedEx, UPS and DHL, arranges for your luggage, skis, snowboards and other sports equipment to be picked up at your home or office and delivered directly to any destination. Sports Express guarantees that your equipment will be waiting for you at your destination, and offers $500 in free insurance on every order.

Two major trends make Sports Express’ service a newsworthy travel tip. First, having baggage and sports equipment delivered allows vacationers to travel without the hassles associated with lugging bulky items to and through the airport, and on to their final destination. Another is that the risk and uncertainty of checking baggage with airlines, and the loss of valuable time waiting at baggage check-in, screening and claim areas for your skis, etc., is eliminated.

Then there are the hidden costs of flying with your gear. Using Sports Express reduces or eliminates costs associated with excess, oversized and overweight baggage charges of $50-$80 per bag, each way. Your need to rent a larger vehicle (or one equipped with racks) just to transport your gear to and from your hotel is also eliminated.

Deliveries can be arranged online (www.SportsExpress.com) or by calling Sports Express toll-free (1-800-357-4174). The website provides 24/7 online booking, instant price quotes, and delivery tracking. If you need a carrycase, the web site visitor can also purchase sportspecific travel cases. At the call center, Sports Express’ friendly, professional Travel Concierges™ offer personal service and expertise. Sports Express provides personalized notifications via email or fax to keep travelers informed, and coordinates deliveries and pickups with hotels, resorts and other destinations.

Winter vacationers are discovering what business travelers have known all along: it is more enjoyable to travel without being burdened by lots of luggage. “Traveling light is the vacation mindset these days, and Sports Express offers travelers the ultimate in convenience and peace of mind,” says Jay Marqua, CEO of Sports Express. “A truly worry-free vacation starts when you know your gear is already waiting for you at your destination.”

To schedule your pick-up, or to learn more about Sports Express, log on to www.SportsExpress.com or call 1-800-357-4174.

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED FOR KIDS AND SNOW MONSTERS TO LAUNCH NATIONAL TALENT SEARCH FOR THE BEST KIDS ON SKIS AND SNOWBOARDS

SNOW MONSTERS is the national ski & snowboard program for kids. Snow Monsters promotes on-snow safety, courtesy, an active outdoor lifestyle, environmental respect, and respect for other people. It is endorsed by the National Ski Areas Association, SnowSports Industries America, Professional Ski Instructors of America, American Association of Snowboard Instructors, National Ski Patrol, and the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Teams. www.snowmonsters.com.

YOUR GUIDE TO ALPINE SKIING

McLEAN, VA -- There are few sensations that can match the joys of alpine skiing. You soar down a snow-covered mountain, the wind in your face. You are enjoying a winter playground with your friends, your family. You control your speed and your destiny with subtle body movements. You reach the bottom of the hill energized, invigorated and with a smile so big your face hurts.

But skiing also can be intimidating for first-timers or those who are re-entering the sport after a long absence. The uninitiated can be confused by what seems like complex equipment choices and a bunch of strange-sounding words. This guide is designed to soothe those fears and provide some basic information that will help get you started the right way.

• Gear Up — should you rent or purchase, types of skis, boots, bindings and poles?
• Measure Up — what size do you need?
• Get Going — where you can take lessons?

GEAR UP

Before renting or purchasing equipment, ask yourself a few questions: How often will you ski? Will you ski only on a vacation or also near where you live? Determining your projected commitment level will help you decide whether to rent, lease or buy equipment.

Your equipment options include:

Consider renting equipment at a local ski shop or at the ski resort. You can rent equipment by the day or week. This is often recommended for first-time skiers. Some ski shops will apply the price of rentals toward purchasing new equipment.

Consider leasing equipment for an entire season. Some ski shops offer this service and it can especially make sense for children who quickly out-grow gear.

A less expensive than new equipment option is to buy used equipment at a local ski shop or ski swap. If you are new to skiing, stay away from garage sales. Also, be careful at ski swaps because you may wind up with gear that is outdated and inappropriate. Ski shops often sell their rental equipment after a couple of years. These skis may show surface damage, but shop personnel check them to be sure they meet safety performance standards.

You can buy new equipment. You might want to consider a package deal that offers a discount when you buy skis, bindings and poles together, as well as boots.

Ultimately, owning your equipment provides you with continuity as you progress through skiing’s learning stages and can also save you time and money in the long run.

In general, alpine skis are made of a wooden core wrapped in fiberglass and coated in a fiberglass or plastic cap with metal edges. All skis do not perform the same; a number of things influence the performance of a ski, including combination of materials, stiffness, length, weight and sidecut, which refers to the narrowness of the waist, or middle part of the ski, in relation to the wider tip and tail.

Shaped skis, also known as super-sidecut and hourglass skis, have narrow waists and wide tips and tails. These skis are designed for use in shorter lengths than traditional models and make it easier to carve turns and stop.

Fat skis are designed for skiing powder and chopped-up snow. They tend to be wider and have less sidecut than shaped skis.

There are a number of different styles of boots, but the most important thing is that the boots are comfortable and fit your feet.

Bindings hold your boots to the skis and are designed to release when you need them, during a fall. Many bindings also have vibration-reducing features that allow you to ski more smoothly. Your ability and weight will determine the binding you choose.

Poles are used to help you with your balance and rhythm while skiing. Poles can be made from fiberglass, aluminum, graphite or some combination of these materials.

MEASURE UP

Skis are measured in centimeters (cm). Your ski length will depend on your ability, height and weight. A shop employee will help you decide on the appropriate length.

• Ski boots come in traditional American sizes and “mondo point,” which is simply the length of the boot in centimeters.
• When trying on boots, wear one pair of medium-weight or light-weight socks.
• The fit should be snug and your heel should remain in place when you flex your knee and ankle forward into the boot.
• Your toes should barely touch the inside of the boot and then, when you bend your knee forward, your toes should slide back slightly.
• Make sure there are not any pressure points or spots that pinch your feet and legs.
• Remember, the boots will stiffen in the cold.

The retention setting on bindings are measured in “DIN,” which stands for Deutsche Industrie Norm. In general, the higher your weight and skiing ability, the higher the DIN setting. Have a ski shop technician determine and set your DIN for you.

Poles are measured in inches.

GET GOING

First-time skiers should always take a lesson from a qualified ski instructor. Do not trust a friend to teach you to ski, and do not jeopardize your relationship by allowing your significant other to serve as instructor.

• Call ahead to the local area or destination resort to find out about beginner lessons and any special deals that might be available.
• Make the ski school your first stop.
• Take a group or private lesson. Ask about classes or groups organized by age or gender. * If you have shaped skis, ask if the area offers any lessons for that type of gear.
• Once you have mastered the basics, consider taking lessons from time to time to help you improve your skills and handle different types of terrain.

FAMILY MATTERS

Skiing is one of the few sports that families can enjoy together, and many areas and shops offer special family discounts.

Keep a few things in mind when you are getting equipment for junior skiers:

• Avoid buying equipment that is too big. Do not use the rationale that the child will “grow into it.” Kids are happier and more confidant when they are skiing with the right skis and proper-fitting boots.
• Ask your ski shop about leasing programs for young skiers.

This information is provided by SnowSports Industries America (SIA), the national , not-forprofit, member-owned trade association that represents snow and winter sports companies. SIA sponsors an enthusiastic program “Winter Feels Good” designed to assist with preparing participants to enjoy the outdoors in winter. More info on this program can be found on the web site www.winterfeelsgood.com.

BIG WHITE’S $127.9 MILLION EXPANSION INCLUDES NEW LIFTS, TRAILS, A TERRAIN PARK AND LUXURY ACCOMMODATIONS

KELOWNA, BC (WESTERN CANADA) — Big White Ski Resort Ltd. began a massive construction project this past summer that is ready for skiers for the start of this winter season. The total value is $127.9 million spent on infrastructure and luxury accommodation. Added are two new chair lifts, a state-of-the-art ski and snowboard terrain park, new on-mountain day lodge including viewing deck, and six new intermediate and advanced trails. This expands the resort’s skiable terrain by 200 acres, and two new grooming machines are added to keep the snow smooth. Aluxury resort accommodation bringing the on-mountain bed base total to over 14,000 beds was also begun.

“What a day it is for our customers and residents of the Okanagan Valley.” said Michael J. Ballingall, Senior Vice President, Big White Ski Resort Ltd. “These new facilities, runs, and grooming machines will enhance our world-wide reputation and enable athletes to train for Olympic glory.” he continued.

The Schumann family, owners of Big White and Silver Star Ski Resorts located in the Okanagan Valley, are committed to providing world-class skiing and snowboarding at affordable prices. “Our commitment to family entertainment and affordable vacation packages are the foundations for our company’s success,” said Peter Schumann, President of Big White Ski Resort Ltd. “We are happy to announce (and complete) projects that will enhance our customer’s enjoyment of the resort. We’re all about creating a fun family winter wonderland.” continued Schumann.

Here is a description of the improvements that await skiers at Big White this season. While lodging comprises the bulk of the investment, millions have been spent on making Big White an even greater mountain to visit and enjoy.

Terrain Park

The new Terrain Park area will centralize the snowboard and ski park, rail garden, half pipes, boarder/skier - cross, and Big White’s fun family race area. It will be one of the best training facilities for snowboard and free skiing in North America. The park incorporates an Olympic size 450 foot-long Super Pipe with 17-foot transitional walls that meet World Cup FIS and X Games standards. Other features include a regular-sized Half Pipe with 12- foot walls that are 450 feet in length, an intermediate terrain and rail park and an Advanced Combined Terrain and Rail Park. Also built is a Boarder/Skier-Cross Course that is capable of hosting Olympic FIS qualifying events, World Cup Ski and Snowboard Events, X Games qualifiers and National Championships. To compliment and help maintain these features, there will be snowmaking throughout the park area. This will allow the features and half pipes to be opened earlier in the season. This area will also be the home of the 2010 Go for the Gold Fun Race, with lanes for skiers and snowboarders.

Overlooking all of these venues will be an on-mountain lodge with food and beverage facilities, a large outdoor deck and restroom facilities. Servicing this entire area will be a 1,800 foot double chair for fast turn around times, allowing better training, convenience, and a great view of competitors and events. The park will also be lit for night skiing and riding, making it a truly one of kind facility. The lighting will provide another venue for fun evening activity and great training.

“This area will provide something for everyone from kids and families to world class athletes. We have been moving in this direction for a long time and now it is a reality!” said Flynn Seddon, Director of Snowboarding. The cost of this project is $2.5 million.

New Cliff Chair

A project much discussed and anticipated is has arrived. The Cliff area of Big White will see construction of a Double Chair to allow both skiers and snowboarders better access and turn around times to the famous Cliff Area. The lift will be approximately 1800 feet long with a vertical drop of 800 feet. Along with this construction, the area boundary will be expanded to include the East Peak. “This is a tremendously exciting project for both local and destination skiers and snowboarders alike. I know a lot of people have talked about this for years and now it’s here,” expressed Blair Ireland, Director of Guest Services. The cost of this project is $1 million.

New Runs at Gem Lake

To the west of Blue Ribbon off the Gem Lake Express lift, six new intermediate runs were cut. This added almost 200 acres of skiable terrain and increased Big White’s overall skiable terrain to almost 2800 acres. Adding more intermediate terrain to Gem Lake will make this area more attractive to both Kelowna area skiers/snowboarders and vacationers, and increase the variety of trails. This is the first phase of expansion of the Gem Lake area, with more in the future. The cost of this project is $500,000.

New Grooming Machines

To help groom and maintain all of these new areas, Big White Ski Resort Ltd. purchased two additional grooming machines. Slope grooming maintains the trails; covers terrain with snow, makes bumps flat, and lays down a carpet of corduroy. The machines also groom and cut the halfpipes, build the terrain park features, construct the Boarder/Skier-Cross, and maintain them all. Big White Ski Resort has received various awards for high quality grooming and has a world-class reputation for its half pipes. Big White added two grooming machines to its fleet last year as well. The cost for the new groomers is $500,000.

Bigger Planes to Kelowna

With all the new features that await visitors to Big White, now it is easier to get there. Americans want easy access and Kelowna in central British Columbia Canada may just well be North America’s next great ski destination city. Despite the fact that most Americans have never heard of Kelowna, you can easily get there.

Every major U.S. airline carrier can get you to Seattle, Wash.; from there it is an easy Horizon Air connection to Kelowna. Many airlines code share with Horizon so it is as easy to book a flight to Kelowna as it is to any other major ski destination.

Horizon Air will use larger planes than past years (flights that SKIER NEWS staffers have taken) to service Kelowna from Seattle. The Q400, 70 seat aircraft will effectively double the passenger capacity of Saturdays and Sundays. Scheduled departure times on Saturdays and Sundays from Seattle are at approximately 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Again, this allows for connections from many western and eastern gateway cities. Kelowna International Airport is the 11th busiest airport in Canada and is the gateway for easy travel to either Big White or their sister resort Silver Star.

For more information on Big White or to book your fantastic western Canada ski trip, please call 1-800-663- 2772 for Big White, or 1-800-663-4431 for Silver Star. You can also visit www.bigwhite.com or www.skisilverstar.com.

BRECKENRIDGE EASILY ACCESSIBLE FROM SKI VILLAGE RESORTS

EXPLORE THE CANYONS RESORT in 2004-05

Utah’s newest and largest ski resort offers skiing vacation packages year-round for destination travelers

PARK CITY, UT — The Canyons is one of the most exciting stories in the ski and snowboard world. Since its inception in 1997, The Canyons has grown to be the newest and largest resort in Utah, and fifth largest in the United States. Located three miles from downtown Park City and just 32 miles from the Salt Lake International Airport, The Canyons is one of the most accessible destination resorts in the world. The Canyons welcomes skiers and snowboarders alike with 3,500 acres of terrain, a progressive terrain park, seven natural half-pipes, and seven acres designated for first-time skiers and snowboarders. The Grand Summit Resort Hotel and Sundial Lodge provide guests with more than 500 slopeside rooms just walking distance from The Canyons Village.

Buy two or more days of skiing or riding at The Canyons Resort, and you will get an additional day on the slopes free. The Canyons Resort is offering a free day of skiing and riding to guests who purchase two or more day tickets to The Canyons. In order to redeem this offer, guests must log onto www.thecanyons.com/freedaydeal to pre-register. After registration, participants will access an online certificate. By presenting the certificate at the ticket window, guests can redeem an additional day of skiing with the purchase of a multi-day ticket.

Be the first on the slopes of The Canyons on Wednesdays and Saturdays with a resort “insider.” First Tracks at The Canyons makes its debut during the 2004- 05 Season. For $30 plus a lift ticket, guests will have the pleasure of being the first on the lifts, and the first to make tracks at Utah’s largest resort. When you are done exploring, breakfast at Red Pine Lodge will be waiting and is included with your First Tracks ticket. Reservations are required. Call (435) 615-8042 for meeting times, reservations and details.

Sample Utah’s famous powder at The Canyons Resort, and ski free when you stay at the Grand Summit Resort Hotel or Sundial Lodge between Feb. 27 and March 31, 2005. Each adult will get a free lift ticket for each night they stay. Prices start at $254 per night for two adults at the Sundial Lodge, and $312 per night at the Grand Summit. For more information on this special vacation package and others, please call The Canyons Reservations toll-free at 1-866-766-9464.

The Canyons makes bringing the whole family to the slopes affordable and fun. “Celebrate Children SKI FREE” packages are available throughout the 2004-2005 Season. Bring your kids to The Canyons Resort and celebrate with free skiing and riding for Mom and Dad, free lift tickets for kids 12 and under, 50 percent savings on kids’ equipment rentals and 50 percent savings on group ski clinics.

Celebrate Children SKI FREE packages are available during the following weeks when you stay Sunday through Thursday night (ski Monday through Friday) at the Grand Summit Resort Hotel or Sundial Lodge: Nov. 28 - Dec. 2, 2004; Dec. 5 - 9, 2004; Dec. 12 - 16, 2004; Jan. 2 - 6, 2005; Jan. 9 - 13, 2005, and Jan. 23 - 27, 2005.

For reservations and additional information about the free and affordably priced ski vacations, learn more by calling 1-877-766-9464 or visiting www.thecanyons.com.

CRESTED BUTTE HAS THE RIGHT FIT FOR FAMILIES

WHAT’S NEW AT SKI BANFF – LAKE LOUISE - SUNSHINE

PANORAMA – NEW, BOLD and FRIENDLY

Special to SKIER NEWS by ski writer Yvette Cardoza

Taynton Bowl was full of fresh snow, two feet of it, at least. And there was nobody else in sight even though this was turning into the busiest skier day of the season at Panorama.

“Busy” is a relative term. A light day at Whistler just means you are not squished flat in the gondola. The heaviest day in years at Panorama, 100 miles southwest of the Lake Louise/Banff/Sunshine “biggies” in Canada, means you have a five-minute wait at the base and you might actually have to search for a brief moment for an empty table in the lodge at lunchtime.

There are advantages to skiing the “little” guys, especially these days when the backwater resorts are renovating as fast as they can and the amenities are just fine, thank you.

Oh yes, we remember the Panorama of 10 years ago. Those were the days of tatty, run down base lodges, glacier- slow chairs and little, if anything, in the way of luxury items. Those days are long gone. Today, there is the New Panorama.

Panorama, now owned by skiing giant Intrawest, is pouring $250 million into a place where powder is legendary. There are new lifts, new lodges, new hotels.

There is a funny thing about this place. Though most people think it as a small ski hill, it is not. Panorama, with 2,800 acres and a 4,000-foot vertical, ranks right up there with Snowmass and Steamboat Springs.

Okay, you can call it “Intrawest Lite.” Everyone else does. When Big Daddy Intrawest swallowed Panorama in 1993, the resort honchos locked a group of planners in a hotel room with orders to come up with Panorama’s theme.

“Every Intrawest resort has a theme,” explained Panorama Marketing Director Ken Wilder. Mont Tremblant is “Intimate Quebecois,” Whistler is “Expansive West.” And Panorama? Panorama is “National Park.” But while Panorama (near Radium Hot Springs in British Columbia) is surrounded by three national parks, it is not in a park, and that is a huge distinction.

That means, unlike Lake Louise and Jasper, Panorama could build hotels right at the mountain base.

“You want to know why someone should come here instead of elsewhere?” Wilder asked. “ We’ve got ski in, ski out lodging like Whistler but with a much more mellow feel.”

Not to mention, there are way fewer bodies.

In 1993, there was one hotel, an A-frame lodge and a trailer for a ticket window at Panorama. Today, there are 12 lodges, with one more on the way, a golf course, giant slopeside hot pools that operate year round, an on-site helicopter ski facility and the kind of operational efficiency you expect from Intrawest. All this is for a resort with legendary powder that is almost as big as Blackcomb Mountain. The plan is to keep further base expansion to a minimum, hence the quips about Intrawest Lite.

As for skiing here, Panorama is much more than it first appears. There is a pattern to the place. The easiest runs are near the base. Wide open cruising runs line the middle of the mountain. In fact, cruising is Panorama’s trademark.

And then, there is the top. Taynton Bowl is a former heli-ski slope. It is a series of steep alpine and tree runs that catch waist deep powder. On the other side of Taynton, the Extreme Dream Zone has the kind of runs that even instructors think twice about trying. As we stood at the top of a run named Gunbarrel, all we could see was tight trees, the tips of sharp bumps and a drop-off that disappeared in free fall. It is a place where extreme really does mean extreme.

There is, however, one intermediate route down from the very top, should you want to ride up for the scenery, which is truly worth the trip. (Ed. Note: There is one run at the top aptly named "View of 1,000 Peaks.")

Panorama does three things that many US resorts would not even consider because of liability issues:

• There is a late afternoon Fondue dinner in the hut at the very top, followed by a patrol-led ski down at sunset for the equally breathtaking price of only $30.
• There is also a catered BBQ dinner at the mid mountain Elkhorn Cabin followed by an instructor-led torchlight ski down for $39 per person, minimum six.
• Also available is an overnight stay in Elkhorn Cabin, leaving you to enjoy the mountain in solitude and catch sunrise over the facing Purcell Mountains for $269 per couple including dinner and breakfast.

We ended our skiing in the Canadian Rockies the way we started it, making our way down pristine powder on a trail that was absolutely empty of other skiers. Taynton has the kind of terrain that makes skiers at Vail and Whistler fight to make first tracks. But on this day and it was well past morning, we had the place to ourselves.

For more information, contact Panorama at 1-800-663-2929 or visit www.skipanorama.com.

at SALT LAKE RESORTS IT’S ALL ABOUT THE SNOW

SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Call it geology, luck, or divine providence: the four ski resorts closest to downtown Salt Lake City receive the lion’s share of Utah’s powdery snowfall year after whitewashed year. Topping off at 500 inches (more than 41 feet) the resorts of Alta, Snowbird, Solitude and Brighton get more snow than other resorts in Colorado, Canada, or Utah.

Nestled high in the Rocky Mountains, a half an hour from the city, the Ski Salt Lake resorts benefit from a “lake effect” jet stream. Regular mountain storms travel across the Nevada desert, lift water from the shallow Great Salt Lake, and dump their moisture on Salt Lake’s mountains before moving east to Park City, Utah and then Colorado. More snow means powder that is more consistent and a better ski experience.

“When people from Utah brag about the greatest snow on earth, this is what they are talking about,” says Jason Mathis, spokesperson for the Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Copious amounts of snow and easy access to a major metropolitan area may be two reasons the Salt Lake resorts have resisted the large-scale real estate development that has fueled growth at other ski areas. Instead, the four Ski Salt Lake resorts have focused on maintaining an alpine ambiance that increasingly sets them apart from competitors.

“It’s no secret that a lot of resorts around the country have shifted their focus from skiing to building condos over the past two decades,” Mathis said. “There’s nothing wrong with making real estate development your primary measure of success, but it changes the mountain experience, making it much less alpine and far more suburban.”

Each of the four Ski Salt Lake resorts offers a unique base area that reflects cautious development. Alta has a string of five family-owned lodges that range from rustic to retro to elegant. Snowbird has a slopeside pedestrian village with five buildings, highlighted by the luxurious Cliff Lodge. Solitude has an intimate European-styled village anchored by one hotel and three low-rise condominiums, while the 20-room Brighton Lodge is adjacent to a small mountain village that includes bed and breakfasts and family-owned inns. More than 1,500 total slopeside rooms are available at the Ski Salt Lake resorts. In Salt Lake City, more than 16,000 rooms are available within 30 minutes of the mountains.

After the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, a loose coalition called Ski Salt Lake was formed between the resorts and the Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We knew after the Games there would be a lot of momentum for Salt Lake as a ski destination,” said Mathis. “We came together with the resorts to capitalize on that momentum by branding all resorts as one destination.”

The four resorts share 7,500 acres of skiable terrain, 350 different runs, 34 ski lifts and one Super Pass. The Super Pass, sold for as low as $42 per day, is available through tour operators, travel agents and hotel packages at the resorts in Salt Lake and Park City.

The partnership has been successful in most respects. Ski Salt Lake Super Pass sales have grown exponentially from 12,000 passes when the program was launched to nearly 50,000 passes last season. Last year, the Ski Salt Lake Resorts reported their best season ever with 1.2 million skier visits.

“We are stronger working together than we would be working independently,” Mathis said. “This coalition works because the resorts share so many things like snow quality, access to Salt Lake, and a commitment to keeping the skiing pure and simple.”

To get info and learn more about the Ski Salt Resorts, please call 1-877-SLC-4FUN (1-877-752-4386) or find them on the web at www.ski-saltlake.com.

SKI VILLAGE RESORTS OFFERS PRIME VACATION PROPERTIES

BRECKENRIDGE, CO — When you sit down to plan your next vacation you will soon realize that there are so many things to think through that sometimes it’s hard to keep them straight. What you really need to do is put your watch and worries away and leave it all to Ski Village Resorts. With work and family chores you have enough on your plate on a day-to-day basis, so Ski Village Resorts brings their personalized service right to your fingertips. Ski Village Resorts is located in the picturesque town of Breckenridge, Colo., and specializes in clean air, clean water and good, clean fun.

Ski Village Resorts offers all its customers the same quality service and years of experience. All of their properties have one thing in common – Location, location, location! Ski-in/ski-out condos offer the convenience of leaving your front door, snapping on your bindings and cruising to the lift. Why bother lugging around all of your equipment if you don’t have to? No matter which property you choose, you can simply park your car and be done with it.

With a base elevation of 9,600 feet and over 2,200 acres of skiing at your doorstep, you will be in awe of this legendary resort. The average snowfall is 300 inches, so soft cruising terrain and powder is almost certain to await your arrival on the four fabulous peaks and 146 exceptional trails at this one large ski resort. And it doesn’t matter how much skiing you have under your belt. Breckenridge has plenty of skiing for all abilities, from the bunny slopes, to the cruiser runs, to the bumps and the double black diamonds. Breckenridge’s high-speed lifts give you easy access to all types of fun. And don’t forget that you are in the middle of America’s ski country. You can expand your options by choosing Breckenridge, Keystone or A-Basin with the same lift ticket – for the same price. Vail and Beaver Creek are right around the corner as well. Consider this your invitation to our winter playground. It is all available through Ski Village Resorts.

If hitting the slopes is not your style then choose accommodations within easy walking distance of all this historic town has to offer. At the base of this world famous ski resort awaits the Town of Breckenridge, a 145-year old Victorian mining town with all of the modern conveniences. Art galleries, shopping and fine dining await you. The town is full of friendly people who enjoy life and the gift of a beautiful, fun place to live. They live life to the fullest. Now it is your turn to wake up, open the curtains and enjoy Breckenridge. After all, it is about the town’s motto - Real Town, Unreal Skiing.

So, whether you’re traveling on a solo adventure, looking for a romantic getaway for two, vacationing with the family, or gathering for a wedding or reunion, Ski Village Resorts has something for everyone – from studios to five-bedroom town homes. No matter what your needs, the people at Ski Village Resorts are happy to have you, and they’re happy to serve you. Your trip is just one phone call from being a reality.

The majority of the accommodations have hot tubs for a little rest and relaxation, and all have kitchens or kitchenettes for your convenience. Comfortably furnished with all of the amenities, the Ski Village properties are a little slice of home without the hassle. If you need any help during your visit, just pick up the phone. Ski Village Resorts is happy to help you with dinner reservations, lift tickets, sleigh rides, ski rentals, and anything else that will make your stay the very best possible.

Life’s too short. It is time to live the experience. Don’t wait another year for the next ski season to come and go, because it’s gone in a flash. You will want to be part of this year’s powder, this year’s specials and this year’s fun. Contact Ski Village Resorts at 1-888-972-8200 to get started on your winter wonderland vacation or go to www.skivillageresorts.com for more information.

Quality accommodations, helpful people and an incredible vacation are awaiting you at Ski Village Resorts. Ski Village Resorts is a property management company in Breckenridge, Colo., that specializes in ski-in/skiout and slope side accommodations. Log on to Ski Village Resort's website for additional information.

SPORTS EXPRESS SAVES SKIERS AIRLINE COSTS

Ship your skis, etc ahead of your flight. Visit the Sports Express web site, or call one of their friendly, professional Travel Concierges at 1-800-357-4174.

SUN VALLEY OPENS WITH LODGE RENOVATIONS

ALL SUN VALLEY LODGE ROOMS and SUITES HAVE BEEN NEWLY REMODELED

SUN VALLEY, ID — Sun Valley Resort owners Mr. and Mrs. Earl Holding have raised the bar once again on Averell Harriman’s original dream in 1935 to build a resort where “roughing it must be a luxury.”

All 148 rooms of the historic Sun Valley Lodge have been exquisitely remodeled. The hotel room décor is elaborate and graciously appointed with the very finest European fabrics, carpeting and ornate wall coverings.

similar to the newly remodeled Sun Valley Inn, the rooms and suites in the Lodge carry a convivial color palette of rich earth tones of rose, forest and moss greens, porcelain blues and vibrant Sun Valley autumn gold.

State of the art technology also has been incorporated into the renovation with all rooms wired for high-speed Ethernet access, DVD players, flat screen plasma televisions, pay-perview, and refrigerators. A new heating and air conditioning system also has been installed to all guest rooms.

Plush pool robes, slippers and daily delivery of USA Today also are provided.

The Sun Valley Lodge opened its doors on December 21,1936, with all the amenities, so that each and every guest would exclaim, “there isn’t a single thing I could wish for that hasn’t been provided.”

All those amenities remain today – an outdoor glass enclosed heated pool for guests to soak in and bask, “in the liquid gold of Idaho’s sunshine,” a year round outdoor ice rink, an oldfashioned yet up-scale bowling alley and game room, two restaurants, Gretchen’s and the grand Sun Valley Lodge Dining Room, Duchin Lounge and the Salon and Spa.

And this winter season - the Lodge’s 69th - guests will continue to arrive in style under a newly expanded Porte Cochere, encircled by hydronically heated cobblestone pavers.

For reservations and additional information about their affordably priced ski vacations, you can learn more by calling 1-800-786-8259 or visit Sun Valley's website.

DOLLAR MOUNTAIN LODGE OFFERS WINTER WONDERLAND for CHILDREN and FAMILIES

SUN VALLEY, ID — As the new Dollar Mountain Lodge opens this winter season, it will be seen through the eyes of a child as a wonderful winter wonderland for learning to ski, enjoy snow sports and play in the Sun Valley sunshine.

And parents will look at this new and luxurious 26,000-square-foot family center as a warm and inviting facility, catering to their every need – and then some.

The two-story lodge incorporates a state of the art children’s ski and snowboard center on the main level, with direct and separate access to the Dollar Mountain ski teaching areas. The Ski School Center will be equipped with all the amenities including small-sized restrooms, dryers, kitchenette, television and game area.

Upstairs a new Pete Lane’s Ski Shop will provide rental, repair, ski and snowboard storage and retail. Adjacent will be a new restaurant where guests may dine, taking in expansive views of Dollar and Baldy Mountains. Food served, which also may be enjoyed on heated decking around the restaurant, will be comparable to Sun Valley’s other award winning day lodges.

The interior décor will be carefully detailed with children in mind in an Austrian Mountain motif, incorporating fine woodworking, stone and selected metal finishes.

Outside and to the left of the existing Quarter Dollar chairlift will be a new tubing hill and an innovative beginning terrain feature.

Sun Valley Resort owners, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Holding, began the reconstruction of the resort’s on-mountain day lodges in the mid 90s. All nationally acclaimed as some of the world’s finest mountain facilities, this newest development will embrace Sun Valley Resort’s commitment to providing an unparalleled winter family vacation experience.

The new Dollar Mountain Lodge also will provide a year-round venue for popular Sun Valley events such as the fall Swing’n’ Dixie Jazz Jamboree, meetings, conventions and weddings.

SUN VALLEY HOLIDAY PACKAGES OFFER VALUE

SUN VALLEY, ID — As traditional as turkey on Thanksgiving, Sun Valley’s 69th ski season will open Thursday, Nov. 25, 2004 with the popular Thanksgiving Package, complete with all the trimmings.

Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 24 and running through Sunday, Nov. 28, the Thanksgiving Package includes four night’s lodging, three days of skiing, with a lavish Thanksgiving feast included.

Package rates begin at $281, (per person, double occupancy, tax not included).

The Pre-Holiday Package begins Sunday, Nov. 28, and includes one night’s lodging and a one-day lift ticket for only $63. This package may be booked for multiple days through Saturday, Dec. 18, 2004.

And, because the first period of the Kids Stay & Ski Free Program runs in conjunction with these two packages, kids under 16 ski free when staying at a Sun Valley Resort property. This program is limited to one child per parent, two youngsters per lodging unit. The Kids Stay & Ski Free Program also runs Jan. 3 through Jan. 31, 2005, and March 5 through the end of ski season.

For reservations and additional information please call Sun Valley Resort Reservations, 1-800-786-8259, or visit their new website, sunvalley.com.

VAIL OFFERS SIZZLING WINTER DEALS

VAIL REPEATS AS NO. 1 RANKED RESORT

For more info or to book lodging at Vail, Breckenridge or Keystone please call 1-888-222-9440. For Heavenly in Lake Tahoe, please call 1-877-243-0018.

UTAH RESORTS UPGRADE PROGRAMS & INFRASTRUCTURE for 2004-05

SALT LAKE CITY, UT — The winter sport Mecca continues to hone, polish, create, add, build, renovate and revise its equipment, amenities, facilities, products and programs. Utah’s 13 mountain resorts have invested millions of dollars for on-mountain improvements this season. These vary from adding new chairlifts and terrain to creating new ski school programs, to opening improved terrain parks. Here’s what’s new this season:

Alta Ski Area: When skiers arrive at Alta this winter, it will be hard to not notice their new lift. For years, Alta has wanted a bottomto- top lift, and now, with Forest Service approvals, it has become a reality. The new Collins Lift is a 6,300-foot long detachable quad replacing the old Collins and Germania lifts. Skiers will ride one lift to the top in under nine minutes, accessing over 1,800 vertical feet of skiing. In addition to 2,200 acres of Mother Nature’s greatest terrain park, Alta opened its first Terrain Park last spring. It is located just off the top of the Sunnyside lift and offers jumps, a luge, a box and four rails.

Brian Head Resort: Brian Head has expanded its freestyle offering. Three large terrain parks, designated beginner, intermediate, and advanced will feature over 25 jumps, rails and fun boxes. Riders will also have a 364-foot long, 12-foot high halfpipe available, as well as tools and benches at the top of lifts and other assorted elements and freestyle terrain around the mountain. The Resort is offering $10 “Get Better” lessons for riders who have skied or snowboarded at least once. Guests who rent a full-day snowboard or ski package from the resort can purchase a two-hour lesson for only $10 when paying for a full-day lift ticket. The $10 lesson program is offered daily, with start times based on demand. Other “Get Better” lesson packages are also available for guests who already have their own equipment. The Lift House Restaurant will provide a new weekend and holiday on-mountain dining experience in Brian Head. Located in the Navajo Lodge, it features a varied menu including steaks, seafood, salads, sandwiches and a children’s menu. The Lift House Restaurant will be open from noon to 9 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and holiday periods, and will offer a full selection of adult beverages.

Brighton Resort: Brighton replaced their classic Majestic double-chair lift with a Doppelmayr CTEC fixed-grip quad. This change will offer skiers and riders a quicker, more comfortable ride to the heart of the resort and one of Utah’s most popular terrain parks. The new lift is named after its predecessor and has been dubbed the “Majestic Quad.” Installed in 1955, Majestic was the first double- chair lift in the intermountain region. The classic lift has been relocated this summer to Big Sky Resort, Mont.

The Canyons Resort: Buy two or more days of skiing or riding at The Canyons Resort, and you will get an additional day on the slopes free. The Canyons Resort is offering a free day of skiing and riding to guests who purchase two or more day tickets to The Canyons. Also new this year, you can be the first on the slopes of The Canyons on Wednesdays and Saturdays with a resort “insider.” First Tracks at The Canyons makes its debut during this season. Reservations are required. See the top article on this page for more.

Deer Valley Resort: Deer Valley has invested $8 million in improvements for the 2004-05 season. Two new chairlifts, the Judge Lift and the Silver Strike Express, have been installed in the Flagstaff area of the Resort. The Judge lift is a fixed-grip triple chair that runs parallel to the existing Viking chairlift on the south side of Trainer ski run. Its base is near the Quincy chairlift base with the top just below the merging area between Homeward Bound and Birdseye ski runs. The Silver Strike Express lift is a detachable quad chair running between the Red Cloud and the Northside lifts, ending at the top of Flagstaff Mountain. The Resort’s Flagstaff area is also home to two new intermediate ski runs. The runs are accessible from the new Silver Strike Express, Quincy Express, Red Cloud and Northside Express lifts. Additional glade skiing has been added in both the Empire Canyon and Flagstaff areas of the Resort. Due to great popularity during its inaugural season last winter, Deer Valley will offer its Fireside Dining at Empire Lodge two nights a week during ski season, on both Wednesday and Thursday evenings. The dinner features three courses served from Empire Lodge’s grand fireplaces.

Park City Mountain Resort: Park City Mountain Resort, ranked as a top ten resort by Ski magazine the last 17 years, has replaced its beginner lift with a new high-speed, four-passenger detachable lift. The new lift will give beginner snowboarders and skiers a better learning environment and more efficiently move riders and skiers out of the lower base area of the Resort. It was named “Terrain Park of the Year” by TransWorld Snowboarding and skiers and riders have plenty of options. The resort’s terrain parks have more than 50 rails, funboxes and jumps throughout. The newest park has been built under the lights on Payday run for after-dark riding. Park City Mountain Resort continues to host Olympic champions as they return to compete in world-class competitions. The Resort kicks off this season with the Roxy Chicken Jam — the first all-female slopestyle competition on Dec. 17, 2004.

Snowbasin Resort: Not one to be left out of the new-school trend, Snowbasin added a Superpipe for 2004-05 including the state’s only surface lift dedicated just to pipe users. The 340-foot long, 17-foot high Superpipe will be located at the bottom of the Wildflower Downhill Course.

Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort: Winter 2004-05 at Snowbird brings a new Superpipe to complement the recently expanded terrain parks. Located on the Big Emma run next to the intermediate Big Emma Terrain Park, the new Superpipe is 340 feet long and 50 feet wide. Other park and pipe upgrades include improved rails and boxes in the Baby Thunder Terrain Park and music to accompany the new Superpipe. Snowbird introduced a ZipRider to the activity lineup this past summer and it will be open for winter thrills too. Serviced by the Chickadee lift, the ZipRider carries harnessed riders over 1,000 linear feet down a suspended cable from the top of Chickadee to the Snowbird Center, reaching speeds up to 30 miles per hour. The ZipRider will be open to adrenaline seekers selected nights of the week. A new addition to Snowbird Mountain School’s myriad offerings is Snowbird University. Participants choose between Steeps for Skis, Snowboards, Telemark or Backcountry (skiers and riders) and focus on one discipline for all four days. It ends with a commencement party and dinner. The camp runs Feb. 6-10, 2005. The resort also used the summer to expand the snowmaking to cover Gad Valley from Hidden Peak to the base of the Gadzoom chair.

Solitude Mountain Resort: Solitude upgraded their snowmaking to ensure early and late season openings. The system, covering five lifts and 18 runs, will triple capacity and create snow faster while conditions permit. With the new village core complete, emphasis for improvement has shifted to the mountain. Preparation began this past summer for construction in 2005 of a new 12,000-square-foot base lodge and a high speed quad in the Moonbeam area.

Sundance: This year Sundance makes it more affordable for families to ski with the Sundance Family All Season Pass. Family Passes purchased before Oct. 31, 2004, are $700, which includes two adult passes. Children’s passes can be added for additional savings from the regular rate. Other early youth discounts are available.

THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

EXPLORING ALTERNATE TECHNOLOGY:

SKI BOARDS & SHORT SHAPED SKIS ADD DIMENSION

by Technical Editor, Tony Crespi

“These are fun!” notes Alison Clayton Cummings, a veteran Examiner for PSIA and Wings Coordinator for Atomic Skis.

Clearly, this insight is not new. After all, ski boards are, well, a blast. On the other hand, skiboards look – dare one say this - short. On the other hand, when it comes to half-pipes, skiboards have changed the mountain landscape. In fact, from Okemo to Crested Butte skiers are ripping on skiboards.

“I find the length is deceiving,” notes Cummings. “You might think that you cannot make a regular turn, but because of the design of the sidecut, the turn-shape and radius is similar to a more traditional shaped ski.”

Kneissl’s “Big Foot” was one of the first ski boards. A curiosity with “toes” for a tip, and with large smiles on the faces of their skiers, Big Foot broke new ground. Nowadays, the playing field has grown with several manufacturers offering skiboards.

“These are just fun in the terrain parks and halfpipes,” exclaims Cummings. “They allow you to catch more air than you might normally opt for and really bust out.”

Truthfully, I have spent a number of days on these boards, and the first turns can feel unstable. On my first attempt, I stopped and watched. Then I adjusted my position, beginning to work both boards simultaneously, and I added strong edging skills. The result was that the change was dramatic. I could rip! I could carve.

I’ve had fun, lots of fun. With a fairly aggressive sidecut, these arc. But the problem, I learned, is that they lack stability when not turning. When not on edge they, understandably, lack stability.

“When you get the feeling you realize it’s a true carve,” notes X-Games Medallist Mike Nick. “They’re fun in everything. You want your feet far apart on a super, deep carve and you want to drive your knee into the opposite boot.”

One fellow cruising by suggested I try real, adult, skis. Frankly, I blushed, but not for long. You see, these boards, are fun. And, without poles, and with solid twofooted skiing skills I was soaring.

Then, surprisingly, when I returned to my own skis I found my skills seemed somewhat sharper. More refined. My balance fine-tuned. And my edging free of minor (or maybe major) weaknesses.

“Skiboards can help your skiing,” reflects Cummings. “The learning can be powerful.”

Okay. Ski Boards are fun. But so are Short Shaped Skis

Short shaped skis are not ski boards. Whereas skiboards have twin tips, and typically are under 100 cm, short shaped skis are usually 110cm, 120cm and 130cm in length. They have typical ski bindings (skiboards use non-releasable bindings), and they resemble traditional skis. Short shaped skis, give a different type of ride.

You may have seen these. I actually had my wife, Cheryl, ski these for several days at Okemo. Enjoying a pair of 120 cm short shaped skis, she grinned.

“They were a lot of fun,” reflects Cheryl. “It was like a new toy. And I think it helped my skiing tremendously. It helped me get into a better stance, and I really got centered. I just really enjoyed the day. I was nervous at first but in a run and a half I made some adjustments and I was having fun. I had a ball.”

“They were a blast!” reflects Cheryl. “I’d love a pair.”

Clearly, from cruising on the upper mountain to “hucking rad air,” skiboards and short shaped skis can add a new dimension to mountain fun. Now, the only question for skiers is to select the right toy for the right condition at the right time.

What’s in your quiver of mountain toys?

Be Aware - Ski With Care - Seize The Day - Seize Short Skis

INSTRUCTIONAL POINTERS FOR SKI BOARDS

Ski Boards don’t ski like long skis. Which means you should adjust your technique to maximize performance.

If interested in a test ride, consider the following guide:

1) Begin without poles. Leave them at the base lodge.

2) Use gentle, moderate, terrain.

3) Maximize edging. When these skis are ridden “flat” the ride is less than stable. Move from turn to turn smoothly and quickly, maximizing edging.

4) Maintain a flexible, athletic, stance. Bend as if you were playing tennis. An athletic stance helps with edging.

5) Take a deep breath. Wiggle your fingers. Place your hands on your knees for a turn or two. Relax. Have fun. After all, that is the name of the game.

While ski boards cannot perform like race skis, they do offer a new edge of excitement. Smile. Have fun. Who knows, with practice, you may soon find yourself in the terrain parks and playing carving games.

Contributing Columnist Tony Crespi has served as both a Ski School Trainer and Development Team Coach. A contributor to publications throughout snow country, his instructional pointers are published throughout the season. Recent columns can be archived from SKIER NEWS' Previous Issues.