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NATIONWIDE SKI INFO
DECEMBER 2007 - JANUARY 2008
VOL. 21 - ISSUE 76 - 20th ANNIVERSARY DOUBLE ISSUE
| Editorials,
Updates & News and Technical & Instructional |
Feature Articles | Featured Lodging |
Technical & Instructional ... by Tony D. Crespi, SKIER NEWS Instructional Editor |
MORE WESTERN RESORT INFO 2007-08 Best ofUtah & Colorado TravelPlanner 2007-08 Tahoe's Best - Travel Planner 2007-08 Best of Western Canada & The Northwest U.S. EASTERN RESORT INFO |
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by Publisher and Editor, Dave Leonardi SKIER NEWS CELEBRATES TWENTY YEARS As we mentioned in our earlier issue, October-November, 2007, this is our 20th anniversary.SKIER NEWS first published in October 1988. Since then, we have traveled through 47 states to visit ski resorts and gain first-hand knowledge. All to provide our readers with accurate info. As also mentioned in the earlier issue, we are often asked, “Which s your favorite resort?” The answer is always obvious, the one that is having a good snow year. We have skied most of the major resorts in North America. In great snow, they are marvelous. When the snow year is not good, and the skiing is marginal then the focus must shift to the restaurants and bars, more on those later. Since we have been at resorts when conditions were far less than ideal and we hoped for better conditions elsewhere, other skiers may have been there and enjoyed the experience. Why? First, it depends on the type of skier you are. We like groomed runs, but we also like to vary those runs with some challenging mogul trails, a few deep powder runs through well thinned-out trees and cool, crisp temperatures. Other skiers may only like groomed runs, others warm, spring-like temperatures. Do not misunderstand, we are fairly relaxed when it comes to conditions. We try to adjust and make the best of it, as every skier should. Skiing in the East is very different than in the Rockies or in Lake Tahoe’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. Most Eastern resorts have extensive snowmaking and can recover from rain or warm temperatures very quickly. Grooming also plays a big part, turning unfavorable conditions one day into perfect corduroy the next. Each resort’s web site and specifically, their web cams are extremely helpful. The web cams show exactly what is happening at the resort. A great asset when the skiing weather is good, not so great an asset to the resort when the conditions sour. What I personally dislike the most is warm weather and wet, sticky snow. If you have not experienced skiing on a trail that grabs your skis, slows you down and then releases you for a few feet only to stick again, then you are lucky. I have tried all forms of waxes, sprays and rub ons and they are good for about two runs. They really do not work for me in the long run. Ski days can be challenging when the temperatures freeze at night and then thaw in the late morning. If you start too soon you may experience bulletproof ice. The trick is to start just as the terrain begins to soften and then those days can be fun. Recognize the pattern of the sun and the orientation of the mountain. Ski the south facing trails first, before they turn to mush. If the mountain only faces north, then ski the eastern trails first and be slightly ahead of the sun as it makes its way west, then you will stay in front of the thaw and ahead of the grabby snow. In the West, in Colorado, Utah, Lake Tahoe, Wyoming, Montana and Western Canada, I follow my own rules for the type of terrain that I ski. I have posted these rules on our web site, www.skiernews.com. Here they are again with an emphasis on checking the base depths. Less than 30 inches, stay on the beginner trails, go home or do not go in the first place. If you are in Lake Tahoe, go to a casino and win lots of money, see a show or go shopping. If you are Utah, there is a great deal to do in Ogden or Salt Lake City. In addition, remember that Salt Lake City is the only ski town with its own NBA franchise. With 30 to 40 inches, I would suggest staying on groomed trails only. I also expect some rocks, tree stumps and other natural debris close to the surface. The closer to 40 inches, the better the experience. Forty to 50 inches, expect good cruising on groomed trails. Take caution if you try to ski anything that is steep or ungroomed. Also, be careful of new snowfall that may superficially cover the top of a rock, especially if you are seeking an untracked path down the trail. Even with a 50-inch base you will find rocks on steep terrain, if that is your style, use an old pair of skis that you may affectionately call your “rock skis.” If there is more than a 50-inch base then you will have good conditions but be aware of any superficial coverage. More than 60 inches, wherever you are and whatever your style is, you will be on your “favorite mountain” and ours, because that is where the best snow is. So remember, check the orientation of the mountain, the path of the sun and most importantly the base depths. Now, for the bars, restaurants and quilt shops! Rather than list which is better than another, I realized that each year we return to the same eateries in each ski town, so they must be the best. We have tried other places in the past 20 years, but we return to the places we enjoy because of the staff, the food and the adult beverages. Here is a listing of towns and the establishments and some brief comments. Dillon, Colo. - The Dillon Dam Brewery, they have a pasta favorite named “Pasta Juan” and great rib eye steaks. It is always busy before 8:30 p.m., you can find us at the bar having dinner. Breckenridge, Colo. - The Breckenridge Brewery, they have great Buffalo Meat Loaf among other excellent entrees and award-winning Oatmeal Stout. The bartenders have been there since the place opened in the mid-90s. Ask bartender Dave about his line of fat, shaped skis called Fatypus (www.fatypus.com). Aspen, Colo. - Little Annie’s, everything there is reasonably priced and outstanding. Great burgers, pasta at the best price in town, outstanding ribs and my favorite is the blackened prime rib. We voted Little Annie’s the “Best Bar in Any Ski Town Anywhere” in 1997, and it still is. Durango, Colo. - Steamworks Brew Pub is where you will find great salads, great pizzas and entertainment. We wish we could get to Steamworks more often, it is a fun place. Salt Lake City, Utah - Our favorites are Squatters and Red Rock for brew pubs, and they are found in the heart of the downtown area. A few blocks away, on State Street is a private club called The Bayou. A few dollars will get you a temporary membership that is well worth it since the food is great, the drinks are good and the jazz happens most nights of the week. Whitefish, Mont. - The Great Northern, this is a locals bar and restaurant that has an amusing collection of Whitefish memorabilia. The food is ordered at the kitchen and delivered to you at your table or bar stool, and is very inexpensive when compared with other ski town food prices. Sun Valley, Idaho - The Pioneer, they are great for steaks and always crowded because of it. Get there early, or late, since there is always a big crowd at the usual dinner hour because it is some of the best food in town and great Western atmosphere. Lake Tahoe, Kings Beach, Calif. - On the north shore of Lake Tahoe, you will find Lanza’s, a great Italian Restaurant. Lanza’s is another place where you need to arrive early or late to avoid the dinner rush. Summer or winter, locals and tourists alike know great food and great prices and flock to the place. It is worth it. Lake Tahoe, Incline Village, Nev. - In the Hyatt Regency Resort, Spa and Casino, our favorite is Cutthroat’s Saloon. The Hyatt is one of our favorite paces to stay and when we are there, Cutthroat’s is a great place for burgers and salads. Lake Tahoe, Camp Richardson Resort, Calif. - The Beacon is on the shore of the Lake and in addition to the great views there are a wide array of excellent menu choices. If you are not driving, try their specialty drink, The Rumrunner. Lake Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe, Calif. - Mama Red Tomatoes Lotsa Pasta, always good pasta at reasonable prices. If you have a hobby, you may be able to indulge in for it while visiting a ski area. Lorie, our editor and President, is an avid quilter. She delights in visiting as many shops as time permits. Before each trip, she locates shops on the Internet or in a book called Quilters’ Travel Companion. There are quilt shops all over ski country. There are three shops in the Lake Tahoe area including one on Pioneer Trail in Truckee, Calif., four in Bozeman, Mont., near Big Sky, one in Breckenridge, Colo., another in Steamboat, Colo., and another in Durango, Colo. There is a wonderful shop in Ogden, Utah. For her favorites, Lorie especially likes Fabrics Unlimited in Stateline, Nev., at Lake Tahoe and Tea Time Quilting in Breckenridge. As long as you are travelling and shopping along the way, look for shops that nurture your other, favorite pursuits. We thank everyone for helping us achieve this 20-year milestone. Thank you for reading SKIER NEWS, we hope you continue to enjoy it. Once again, we ask God to bless our troops who continue to defend America against terrorism in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world so that we can continue to enjoy the blessings of liberty here at home. Please continue to travel and enjoy the freedom of skiing and thank our heroes for helping to preserve our outstanding way of life. And as always, think snow.
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| SUBARU CONTINUES ON-SNOW COMMITMENT with MASTER the MOUNTAIN and FREESKIING EVENTS MOUNTAIN SPORTS INTERNATIONAL EXPANDS 2008 SUBARU U.S. FREESKIING SERIES WITH SIXTH EVENT, The WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP at ALYESKA, ALASKA SALT LAKE CITY, UT, — In its third year, the Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Series & Freeskiing World Tour will become the largest cohesive competitive big mountain freeskiing tours in the history of the sport. The U.S. Series features six stops and the World Tour has three. The competitions, hosted by the best big-mountain Freeskiing resorts in North America, are all produced by Mountain Sports International (MSI) and sanctioned by the International Freeskiers Association (IFSA). Prize money will be awarded for individual events, U.S. Series and World Tour male and female winners. “The 2008 tour schedule is the most impressive I’ve ever seen,” said veteran tour champion Drew Tabke. “I’m really happy to be going back to Squaw Valley and Alaska really tops it off. This should be a huge year for freeskiing.” The newly redesigned www.USfreeskiing.com website will go live December 2007. New features will include a community section similar to myspace, where athletes will be able to create their own profile pages. The new site will feature completely new navigation and design, making it easier and more fun to access the world’s best freeskiing videos, photos and stories. Stay tuned and get ready to design your own personal profile. “We are very excited about the 2008 Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Series,” said MSI Winter Sports Director Dak Williams. MSI has worked hard to establish a new stop at Alyeska Resort in Alyeska, Alaska. This will be the new site for the 2008 World Championships in April. We will also be expanding with our other world class resort partners after receiving extremely positive feed back from 2007. We would like to invite everyone out to watch the best of the best battle for the title of U.S. Freeskiing Champion and Freeskiing World Champion.” SUBARU’S CONTINUES MASTER the MOUNTAIN CHERRY HILL, NJ – Subaru’s Master the Mountain is an instructional ski tour for skiers and snowboarders. At these events, you can demo skis and take advantage of ski lessons for all ski levels. You can learn to ski or improve your current skills from some of the country’s top professional instructors. This year marks the 14th anniversary of the Subaru Master the Mountain program that tours popular destination resorts throughout the U.S. The events provide skiers and snowboarders alike with the opportunity to learn to ski or improve their current skills through professional instruction. This year Nordica and Swix wax continue with Nitro Snowboards as sponsors of these free events. The events are designed for skiers, cross-country skiers and snowboarders. Subaru’s Master the Mountain and Freeskiing Schedule: Seven Springs, PA - December 15-16, 2007 - Subaru Master the Mountain Seven Springs, PA - January 5-6, 2008 - Subaru Master the Mountain Kirkwood, CA - January 5-6, 2008 - Subaru Master the Mountain Snowshoe, WV - January 12-13, 2008 - Subaru Master the Mountain Telluride, CO - January 19-20, 2008 - Subaru Master the Mountain Jack Frost, PA - January 26-27, 2008 - Subaru Master the Mountain Blue Mountain, PA - February 2-3, 2008 - Subaru Master the Mountain Durango, CO - February 2-3, 2008 - Subaru Master the Mountain Telluride, CO - February 7-10, 2008 - Subaru Freeskiing Open Camelback, PA - February 9-10, 2008 - Subaru Master the Mountain Squaw Valley, CA - February 14-17, 2008 - Subaru Freeskiing Open Taos, NM - February 16-17, 2008 - Subaru Master the Mountain Snowshoe, WV - February 23-24, 2008 - Subaru Master the Mountain February 20-24, 2008 - Subaru North American Freeskiing Championship @ Crested Butte, CO * Camelback, PA - March 1-2, 2008 - Subaru Master the Mountain Loveland, CO - March 1-2, 2008 - Subaru Master the Mountain Seven Springs, PA - March 8-9, 2008 - Subaru Master the Mountain Jackson Hole, WY - March 13-16, 2008 - Subaru Freeskiing Open February 20-24, 2008 - Subaru North American Freeskiing Championship @ Crested Butte, CO March 18-23, 2008 - Subaru US Freeskiing Nationals @ Snowbird, UT April 9-13, 2008 - Subaru Freeskiing World Championships @ Alyeska, AK * The NA Freeskiing Championships were moved from Kirkwood- the event is now at Crested Butte, CO and the new dates are Feb 20-24. ###
BANFF-LAKE LOUISE-SUNSHINE, SKI CANADA'S BIG 3 RESORTS BANFF, ALBERTA, CANADA – Ski Banff, Lake Louise and Sunshine, three resorts in the Canadian Rockies, boast one of the longest ski seasons in the world from mid-November until late May. They receive an average of 30 feet of the driest, fluffiest champagne powder there is. Together they encompass over 7,700 exquisite acres of skiable terrain. The resorts are located in Banff National Park, an area internationally noted for the pristine landscape and abundant wildlife, where development is closely monitored. This provides a careful blend of mountain wilderness and cosmopolitan luxury. The town of Banff is an easy 81 miles from Calgary, home to the 1988 Winter Olympics and one of the user-friendliest airports in North America. The smaller hamlet of Lake Louise is just 35 miles past Banff. Within the radius of these two towns, over 2,600 square miles of protected wilderness awaits your discovery. This natural playground, scattered with open valleys, stunning scenery and intriguing mountain wildlife, is the summation of three noted ski destinations – Ski Norquay, Lake Louise Mountain Resort and Sunshine Village. The three resorts combined their efforts 30 years ago to provide a “tri-area” lift ticket with unlimited access and free transportation to each of the resorts, including night skiing at Ski Norquay. As the only ski areas in North America located in a United Nations World Heritage Site, the combination of Ski Banff, Lake Louise, and Sunshine is a ski resort anomaly. Start your holiday at Ski Norquay. As the first ski area in Canada to open last year, Norquay is looking forward to another long season. Only 10 minutes from the town of Banff, families enjoy the quiet runs and short lift lines. Advanced skiers and boarders appreciate some of the steepest slopes in the Rockies. Solidifying Norquay’s commitment to skiing and snowboarding is the Snow Sports Centre, which offers a selection of introductory and advanced programs for adults and children. Off-piste free-riding, freestyle and extreme riding are among the upper-level specialties offered. Under new ownership since 2006, the resort offers unique features such as buy-bythe- hour lift tickets and a money back guarantee on groomed runs, continuing to set Norquay apart. Widely considered to be Banff’s best family ski resort since its opening in 1926, Ski Norquay has become a holiday tradition. Lake Louise Mountain Resort is consistently named one of the most scenic resorts in North America. Stunning scenery, incredible Rocky Mountain wildlife and a colorful history are just a few of the reasons why Lake Louise Mountain Resort is unique. With more than 4,200 acres spread over four mountain faces and 139 named runs, it is no surprise the World Cup starts its season each November at Lake Louise. Enhanced grooming, retail shop expansion, improved après-ski facilities and more terrain including the Minute Maid Wilderness Adventure Park and expanded back bowls are just the start of improvements to Lake Louise Mountain Resort in the past two years. Considered as the ultimate ski getaway, this winter retreat has attracted international royalty, Hollywood stars and heads of state. In addition, Ski, Mountain Sports and Living magazines have awarded the resort their prestigious gold medals for challenge, lifts, scenery, terrain, value, and snow quality. Consider it a must visit. Celebrating 80 years in 2008, Sunshine Village completes the tri-area. The resort first opened with guests arriving on horse-drawn sleighs. It now boasts over 107 runs and 12 lifts, including the most quads in the Canadian Rockies. Sunshine offers more than 3,500 feet of vertical with endless powder and perfectly groomed runs. Consistently praised as the best snow in Canada, Sunshine averages over 30 feet of natural champagne powder per season. Family-owned by locals, more than $35 million has been spent at the environmentally progressive resort over the past few years to build an exceptionally fast, efficient lift system capable of eliminating line-ups. Two years ago, Sunshine captured the prestigious Silver Eagle Award for water conversation, the premier honor within the North American ski industry. Significant renovations have also occurred at the Sunshine Inn – the only ski-in/ski-out hotel in Banff National Park. While beginners and intermediates enjoy a wealth of green and blue cruising runs, advanced skiers and riders can head for the steeps and glades of Goat’s Eye Mountain. Those with a real taste for the extreme should try Delirium Dive, Wild West and Silver City, newly opened areas requiring a transceiver and mandatory travel with a partner. Besides great skiing and riding, guests enjoy an impressive array of winter fun such as canyon walks, dog sledding, heli-skiing tours, ice climbing and ice-fishing, romantic horse-drawn sleigh rides, sightseeing tours, skating, snowmobile tours, snowshoe treks and tobogganing. Banff is proud to offer world-class dining and shopping, galleries, après-ski, nightlife and spas – all within an easily accessible pedestrian area. With three incredible resorts in its backyard, Banff National Park makes an ideal winter vacation destination. Unlike other popular ski destinations, winter is low season, which translates into affordable ski holidays for visitors. The snow, the space and the serene beauty of the Canadian Rockies is what a winter vacation should be. It doesn’t get much better than three world-class mountains all in the heart of Canada’s protected playground. The area’s unique heritage, coupled with the tri-area all access pass, is a combination not found anywhere else in the world. Please log on to their website via an easily found link on the home page of www.skiernews.com. You can also learn more about your vacation in Banff National Park at www.skibig3.com or call them toll free 1-877-754-8190. ###
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| EQUIPMENT RENTALS: FAST and HASSLE FREE DENVER, CO — For some skiers and snowboarders, renting their equipment at a destination resort has become an appealing alternative to dragging their skis and snowboards through busy airports and across lengthy parking lots. For others, the primary attraction is the chance to demo the latest equipment featuring the most cutting edge technology before purchasing new gear. Regardless of motivation, www.rentskis.com allows skiers to order their preferred equipment in advance. They can do this either on-line or by using the toll free number, and their selection is ready and waiting at any one of dozens of locations in major resorts in the western United States. The demand for rental equipment has grown sharply in less than a decade. By the end of last season, Rentskis.com had experienced a whopping 92.9 percent increase in reservations from its first season in 1999-2000. After choosing their equipment, skiers and riders select the shop closest to their lodging for convenient pick up. Gear, including boots, can be reserved either on-line at www.rentskis.com or toll free at 1-800-544-6648. Once guests arrive at the resort, they simply go to the shop to get their reserved equipment fitted and their paperwork signed before heading out to the slopes. With numerous locations throughout Colorado, California, Utah, and the Rocky Mountain states, skiers and riders can now simplify their winter vacation with the largest and most efficient rental equipment system in North America. Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz, Ski.com, and Skireport.com all use Rentskis.com as their preferred equipment provider. Most shops are slopeside for maximum convenience with additional locations in a variety of mountain communities as well as at metropolitan ski shops in Denver, Colo., Salt Lake City, Utah, and the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Area in Calif. Advance reservations receive up to 20 percent off the regular walk-in daily price. With every set of adult performance or demo rental equipment, at selected stores during non-peak periods, a junior (age 12 or younger) gets a free rental for the same number of days. Renters even have a rock solid guarantee - if the equipment is not satisfactory, they receive a refund for that day’s rental and can exchange their board(s) for another set-up. Options range from the Sport Package for beginners through intermediates, the Performance Package for intermediate to advanced skiers, and Demos for the most cutting-edge equipment including popular skis from K2 and the most sought after models from Rossignol, Salomon, Atomic, Volkl, and Dynastar. Snowboarders can choose from Burton’s entire line including their innovative Learn to Ride equipment as well as boards from Salomon and Ride. Skis designed specifically for women are available at all locations. Rentskis.com Gold For the time-pressed, the ultimate in convenience and extra service is available through the Gold program. In addition to the easy booking and guaranteed equipment satisfaction, this program also assures skiers will get the specific demo equipment they request. All that is required is a quick click into the bindings to confirm the settings and the skier/rider is out the door. The service also includes free ski and boot storage, daily tuning of equipment, and fitting appointments. This service is tailored specifically for skiers and riders with exacting standards and tight schedules. New this Year in Vail — Free In-Room Delivery with Rentskis2U.com Rentskis2U.com is the newest service offered by Rentskis.com and debuts for the 2007-08 season at Vail and Beaver Creek Resorts. The new service provides free ski and snowboard delivery directly to a guest’s hotel room or condo. Equipment is fitted and adjusted in the guest’s room - so there are no lines, no rental shops, and no hassles for customers. Once skiers are out on the mountain, if equipment changes or adjustments are needed, guests can take their gear to any slopeside Vail Sports or Beaver Creek Sports shop and voilà, skiers and riders can make the quick adjustment and get right back on the slopes. Plans call for additional locations of Rentskis2U.com in selected Colorado and California shops to be available in the future for those looking for great value and convenience. “Rentskis.com was created so resort visitors could maximize their time on the slopes with great equipment and minimal time in line,” said Chief Operating Officer Kat Jobanputra. “The simplicity and efficiency of the advanced reservations was so successful that our next step was to raise the service to an even higher level for guests who want exceptional service and convenience with our Gold service and our in-room hotel and condo delivery service. We’re continually striving to innovate and enhance our operations so that visitors and guests receive the best possible equipment, service, and experience for the best possible on-mountain experience,” he added. For more info or to rent please call 1-800-544-6648 or log directly on to www.rentskis.com or via an easily found link on the homepage of www.skiernews.com.
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| SKI SALT LAKE DELIVERS THE ULTIMATE EXTENDED WINTER WEEKEND SALT LAKE CITY, UT – The answer is Ski Salt Lake. For all you Jeopardy fans out there, here’s the question: Who can give you the most accessible, most convenient and most affordable three-day winter weekend? Salt Lake and the Cottonwood Canyon resorts are among the most accessible world-class winter vacation destinations in the world. Whether you live on the East or West Coast, or somewhere in between, it is likely there is a non-stop flight with your name on it, just begging to whisk you away to the Wasatch Mountains. With the addition of several more non-stop flights this year, Delta now offers over 114 non-stop destinations to and from Salt Lake. It is a likely scenario that you can leave your humble abode on an early flight and be skiing at Alta, Brighton, Snowbird or Solitude by noon. Please check Delta’s schedule to Salt Lake for accessing convenient flight times. Once in Salt Lake, skiers and snowboarders have well over 20,000 beds on which to rest their weary heads after an exhilarating day on the mountain. Hotels range from affordable to opulent. The Grand America Hotel, located in downtown Salt Lake City, pampers guests with fivestar service and amenities. Sample the fresh seafood at the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet, or soothe those aching muscles at the world-class spa. Imported textiles adorn the lavish walls as spotless marble floors echo live piano music in the lobby. Winter vacationers looking for more affordable luxury can choose from any number of moderately priced hotels that are located downtown or several miles south in Sandy. Most properties offer reasonably priced ski/snowboard packages. Often times these packages include meals and transportation in addition to lodging and skiing or snowboarding. Add the Ski Salt Lake Super Pass to the mix, and the three-day winter weekend becomes more convenient and affordable than ever. Celebrating a “decade of discount”, the Super Pass, now in its 10th season, has gained a loyal following among budget-conscious skiers and snowboarders everywhere. Load the pass with anywhere from one to seven days of skiing/snowboarding at any of the four Cottonwood Canyon resorts, and the rest is history. Don’t bother with a rental car if you dread winter driving— the Super Pass includes public transportation on Utah Transit Authority’s ski buses. This means skiers and snowboarders can make it to and from the mountain from several locations in and around Salt Lake without ever stepping on the gas. Utah’s ski resort association, SKI UTAH, reports that all 13 Utah resorts have significant upgrades for this season. After the fourth consecutive year of record-breaking attendance, the state’s resorts have worked hard to further improve the skiing experience in Utah. Here is what is new on the slopes for the four Ski Salt Lake resorts. ALTA SKI AREA Alta is implementing a skier-friendly, web-friendly, hands-free ticketing system. All ski products will be loaded on the Alta Card, which will have an RFID (radio frequency identification) chip embedded in it to allow access through entry gates to the lifts. The hands-free system means no more showing a pass at every lift. Skiers place the Alta Card, with a valid ski product loaded on it, inside a pocket by itself and leave it there for the day. Antennas will do the rest. At the end of the day, skiers can visit alta.com and enter the Web ID on the Alta Card to personalize the card, track their ski history and reload the card. On the next ski day, skiers can go straight to the lifts and skip the extra stop at the ticket office. Alta Ski Area is a Visionary Partner with Rocky Mountain Power through the Blue Sky program. Alta’s commitment to clean, renewable wind energy is reflected in its promise to purchase 900,000 kilowatt-hours for the next 12-month period, offsetting over 23 percent of Alta’s traditional energy consumption. The environmental impact is equivalent to avoiding 900 tons of CO2 emissions per year. BRIGHTON RESORT Brighton’s big news is the New Millicent High Speed Quad. The lift will replace the Evergreen and Millicent Chair lifts. The Millicent Chair was the first lift installed at Brighton in 1947 and then rebuilt to a Lift Engineering Chair in 1974. The new lift is a $4.2 million Doppelmayr CTEC Detachable Quad. The lift will be 3,920 feet long with a vertical rise of 1,110 feet. Brighton skiers will be able to enjoy a quick, safe trip, with great terrain on the Millicent side of the mountain. When the lift is finished, Brighton will be unique in that 100 percent of its terrain will be accessible by high-speed lifts. SNOWBIRD SKI & SUMMER RESORT Snowbird installed more snowmaking in Peruvian Gulch, providing snowmaking coverage from the top of the new Peruvian Express lift to the bottom. Snowbird modified a segment of Chips Run to make the terrain more intermediate-skier friendly. Big Mountain Camps: In 2008, Dean Cummings brings his Big Mountain Camps for skiers and snowboarders to Snowbird, providing guests with the ultimate big mountain experience. SOLITUDE MOUNTAIN RESORT Solitude Mountain Resort celebrates their Golden Anniversary. Fifty years ago, the first skiers descended off the slopes of Solitude in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Now boasting 1,200 acres of uncrowded terrain, including Honeycomb Canyon and a European style lodging village, Solitude has truly grown into a world-class resort. This monumental season will be celebrated with historical podcasts and retro events. For more information on lodging in Salt Lake, the Ski Salt Lake Super Pass, and everything else you need to know about a winter weekend in Salt Lake, visit www.SaltLakeSuperPass.com. You can also find their website from an easily found link on the homepage of www.skiernews.com. ###
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| 3 DISCOVER AN AMERICAN SHANGRI-LA at SUN VALLEY SUN VALLEY, ID — The history of the “American Shangri-La,” as Sun Valley is sometimes referred, is not too different from the magical village of legend. It all began in 1935, when Count Felix Schaffgtosch, under the hire of Union Pacific Railroad chairman Averell Harriman, set out in search of the perfect spot for a grand American resort. The Count spent months searching the mountains of the West and surveying many areas that would later become famous resorts, but none of them met his strict criteria. Feeling defeated and ready to abandon the search, the Count was preparing to wire Harriman the bad news when he heard locals talking about Ketchum, an old mining town in central Idaho. The Count postponed his return home and set out for the Ketchum area. Upon reaching the Ketchum valley, Count Felix Schaffgtosch was overwhelmed by the area and wired his employer, saying: “This combines more delightful features than any place I have ever seen in Switzerland, Austria or the U.S. for a winter resort.” The Count’s enthusiasm spread to Harriman, who rushed to join the Count, and within days purchased 4,300 acres of what was soon to become Sun Valley. Harriman was determined to build Sun Valley into a resort worthy of its breathtaking and majestic setting. “It is not enough to build a hotel and then mark with flags and signs the things you propose to do in time to come.” Harriman said. “When you get to Sun Valley, your eyes should pop open. There isn’t a single thing that I could wish for that hasn’t been provided.” Part of what he “wished for” included a timeless lodge complete with glass-enclosed pools, haute cuisine, impeccable service and nightly orchestra performances. After just seven months of construction, Sun Valley opened to the public in the winter of 1936. The resort was an instant success. Local wildlife was seen sharing the mountain with European nobility and Hollywood royalty. Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, Claudette Colbert, Bing Crosby and Gary Cooper were all regulars in the lodge, while world champions including Don and Gretchen Fraser, Gracie Carter Lindley and Andy Hennig used the mountain for Olympic training. In 1977, Sun Valley joined the Little America family, under the ownership of R. Earl Holding. Since then, Holding has redefined the standard of elegance and excellence subscribed to by Harriman. He has lavishly refurbished the Sun Valley Lodge and Sun Valley Inn, from the stairs and halls to the guestrooms and made profound improvements to the mountain amenities. However, Holding’s greatest accomplishment is Baldy’s “Triple Crown.” “Baldy,” says Holding, “is a regal mountain and it is only fitting that she wear a crown radiant with three precious jewels.” Those jewels are Baldy’s three distinctive and award-winning day-lodge facilities: the Warm Springs Lodge, Seattle Ridge Lodge and River Run Lodge. Unlike the Shangri-La of legend, Sun Valley welcomes the return of visitors year after year. The tradition of beauty and service, “roughing it in style” as Harriman called it, has become the tradition for families across the globe. So, do not be surprised if you catch a glimpse of a world champion as you carve your way down Bald Mountain. And just nod if you hear a familiar voice telling tall tales at the local watering hole. It is all part of the magic and mystique that has made Sun Valley the American Shangri-La. Learn more about Sun Valley by calling 1-800- 786-8259 or log on to www.sunvalley.com from an easily found link on the homepage of www.skiernews.com. Learn more about Sun Valley by logging on to their web site from an easily found link on the homepage of www.skiernews.com or visit Sun Valley's website.
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| 4 SUN VALLEY GETS NEW LIFTS and MORE SNOWMAKING on DOLLAR MOUNTAIN SUN VALLEY, ID – There can only be one original ski resort, and since 1936, Sun Valley has held that distinction. Born out of a desire to bring the magic of the European ski resorts to America, Sun Valley quickly became a phenomenon without peer on this continent or any other. From the crisp air atop Bald Mountain to the quaint walking village below, there is no other place quite like Sun Valley, regardless of the season. Two new high-speed detachable quad chair lifts will replace Quarter and Dollar lifts on Dollar Mountain. This will double the lift capacity on Sun Valley’s beginner and children’s ski mountain. In addition, 60 percent of Dollar Mountain’s ski runs will be under snowmaking, ready for Sun Valley’s upcoming ski season. Twelve acres of snowmaking and 27 new York Safyr Tower Guns will be added to the existing snowmaking system. Ski runs that will be covered include Sheepherder’s Dip, New Bowl, Graduation, Poverty Flats, and Quarter Dollar Bowl. The project will greatly enhance the early season snow coverage and ski conditions on Dollar Mountain. New ski technology is nothing new to this sunny and gentle old mountain. In 1936, one of the world’s first two chair lifts was installed here by Union Pacific Railroad, founders of Sun Valley Resort. From the opening of Sun Valley on Dec. 21, 1936, to the present day, Dollar Mountain has maintained its reputation as one of the finest ski teaching areas in the world. Lots of Sun Valley sunshine graces this 6,638-foot, treeless mountain. It has seven lifts and a lift capacity of 3,400 skiers per hour plus a state-of-the-art day lodge at the base of the mountain. Dollar Mountain’s base lodge, the new 26,000-square-foot family center, opened in 2004 and completes the ultimate ski experience for all ages – and ideal winter playground for the young and young at heart. Sun Valley Resort’s owners Mr. and Mrs. Earl Holding began the reconstruction of the resort’s on-mountain lodges in the mid Nineties. All nationally acclaimed as some of the world’s finest mountain facilities, this newest development embraces Sun Valley Resort’s commitment to providing an unparalleled winter family vacation experience. Learn more about Sun Valley by logging on to their web site from an easily found link on the homepage of www.skiernews.com or visit Sun Valley's website via this link..
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| 5 TELLURIDE SKI RESORT OPENS BLACK IRON BOWL Eight New Runs and 1,500 Feet of New Vertical Bliss TELLURIDE, CO — Backcountry enthusiasts eagerly await the opening of Telluride’s Black Iron Bowl terrain, adjacent to the challenging and breathtaking Prospect Bowl. Telluride Ski Resort plans to launch the new terrain as early as January 2008. The area sits against the dramatic backdrop of Palmyra Peak and offers a backcountry experience within the ski area boundary for the first time ever. “Black Iron Bowl is both challenging and exceptionally beautiful,” said Jeff Proteau, vice president of operations for the ski resort. “We are excited to offer our guests an unforgettable backcountry experience within the ski area boundary.” Black Iron Bowl is the highest point on Prospect Ridge. After a 30-minute hike from the top of lift 12 (Prospect Lift), the northwest-facing chutes and open faces reward skiers and boarders with 1,500 feet of vertical bliss with plenty of face shots and powder turns. New runs include previously guided-only terrain, Mountain Quail, Westlake, Lakeview, Review, Dihedral Chute, Dihedral Face, Jello’s Bowl and Nice Chute. “This exceptional terrain hosted some of the most talented professional skiers on the planet over the last two years with the Subaru Freeskiing Open,” said Proteau. “We are excited both our locals and our guests can now experience Black Iron Bowl for themselves.” Telluride’s new program is an excellent addition to the existing inbounds hike-to areas of Bald Mountain and Prospect Ridge, where advanced skiers and boarders enjoy fresh tracks virtually all season. Weather and conditions permitting, Black Iron Bowl will open as early as mid-January. For more information, please call (970) 728-7423 or visit www.tellurideskiresort.com via an easily found link on the homepage of www.skiernews.com
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| 6 TELLURIDE SKI RESORT OPENS ACCESS TO PALMYRA PEAK Resort continues to expand with addition of hike-to terrain TELLURIDE, CO — On the heels of Telluride’s opening of Black Iron Bowl to public access, the resort has gained approval for skiing and riding Palmyra Peak this winter. Located east of Black Iron Bowl and Prospect Bowl, this unbelievable hike-to terrain includes well over 200 acres and almost 2,000 vertical feet on the north face of 13,320-foot Palmyra Peak. What can be considered some of the most spectacular in-bounds terrain in the country, the runs Tram Shot, Sunrise and Electric Shock drain into Upper Moraine and Lower Palmyra Ridge, which lead into Black Iron Bowl. This opening has been made possible due to the addition of a new avalauncher this fall to the top of Gold Hill #5. “With the addition of a new avalauncher and ski patrol resources, we are now able to control Palmyra Peak for access to the area,” said Vice President of Mountain Operations Jeff Proteau. Prospect Bowl first opened in 2002, adding approximately 700 acres and nearly doubling the size of the resort’s terrain with fantastic beginner and intermediate runs. Guide-only access was offered beginning in 2005 to Black Iron Bowl, with open access coming this year. Palmyra Peak’s expert acreage will open this season as conditions allow. “Palmyra Peak was the natural next step in expanding the area,” said CEO Dave Riley. “Telluride has always been known for its legendary terrain, and opening Palmyra Peak will further demonstrate that Telluride Ski Resort is Unmatched in North America.” For more information, please log on to www.tellurideskiresort.com via an easily found link on the right side of the homepage of www.skiernews.com. You can also call Telluride directly at Resort continues to expand with addition of hike-to terrainFor more information, please call 1-800-778-8581. Please visit www.tellurideskiresort.com directly or via an easily found link on the homepage of www.skiernews.com ###
7 PERFECT GOGGLES, WHATEVER THE CONDITIONS OVERLAND PARK, KS – For more than five decades, Bollé has imagined, designed, tested and produced goggles that have become the industry hallmark. This year, with the help of their athletes, their Research and Development staff has reached a level of practical excellence never before achieved. For 2007, on select goggles, Bollé has added a layer of micro-fleece to the face foam to ensure maximum comfort and warmth. Thy also added several lens options including interchangeable optics to provide maximum clarity regardless of the conditions around you. This year’s goggle frames and straps were designed by innovative designers from around the world to help maintain Bollé’s leadership in style. Perfect for snow skiing, snowboarding and just snow fun, all Bollé lenses block 100% of harmful UVA/UVB rays up to 400 nanometers. They feature a double-lens thermal barrier, which provides exceptional optics and a superior seal. The Polycarbonate lenses ensure superior optical quality and clarity regardless of conditions. The P80 Plus® is a proprietary coating. This coating provides maximum protection against unwanted lens fogging and most scratching. The Flow-Tech® venting reduces fogging and optimizes the flow of air over the inside of the lens. These venting ports control airflow, while preventing clogging from snow and ice. Equalizer vent technology uses a waterproof, breathable vent to eliminate any moisture. The result is distortion free vision and, as Bollé claims, no fogging at any altitude with their Scream, Quasar and Simmer models. The Forestay™ System that Bollé employs in the goggles uses a swinging outrigger to maintain a perfect fit with helmets, so the fit is smooth. Here are two models, the QUASAR D8 and the NOVA QUASAR D8 Red Western/Amber Gun Flow-Tech® Venting Spherical Vented Lens Equalizer® P80 Plus/Carbo Glas® Triple Layer Face Foam Forestay™ Perfect Helmet Fit Suggested retail price, $89.99 NOVA Black/Modulator Citrus Flow-Tech® Venting Double PC Vented Lens P80 Plus/Carbo Glas® Double Layer Face Foam Perfect Helmet Fit Suggested retail price, $79.99 As with the HaberVision goggles, we will bring the goggles to the mountains and put them to the test. We will report on-line as soon as we test them, and print our comments in the February- Spring issue of SKIER NEWS. For more details and an explanation of Bollé’s trademarked terms, please visit www.bolle.com. ###
8 HABERVISION OFFERS HIGH PERFORMANCE GOGGLES ON-LINE DURANGO, CO – Responding to the digital revolution, HaberVision goggles are offered exclusively on the Internet. For the consumer this means savings up to 50 percent from suggested retail without compromising quality or style. HaberVision goggles are designed for high performance and are still very affordable. The company offers goggles and other outdoor eyewear on its web site at affordable discounted prices. You can also be a HaberVision rep to get in on the deal. Listed below are two of their more popular goggles. The PRIMA goggles feature a slightly larger fit for over-the-glasses capabilities and a wider field of view. PRIMA’s lenses feature an Optic Orange™ tint that addresses the need for low light perception and blocks bright light glare, delivering unbelievable performance in flat light or bright light conditions. HaberVision’s 100 percent polarized dual-panel no-fog lenses effectively reduce and eliminate reflected glare and increase clarity and perception while protecting against UVA, UVB, UVC and harmful blue light. The outer edge is coated with a Tri- Oxide™ rainbow blue flash producing a lens that performs in a variety of light conditions. The PRIMA’s frame is made from Protex™, a HaberVision exclusive highgrade polymer, specifically designed to maintain its elasticity at extremely low temperatures. The dual-face foam gives added comfort and enhanced fit. The PRIMA has an online, price of $65 and a retail price of $130. The RIVA is the little brother of the PRIMA. The main difference is that the RIVA goggles are smaller than the Prima by 10mm in width. The RIVA goggles are presented with the following features: Rainbow Flash Mirror, double Polarized lens, No-Fog coating, Optic Orange™ tint, molded face foam and the Protex™ highgrade polymer frame. The RIVA has an online price of $55 and a suggested retail price of $110. Both the PRIMA and RIVA are fully adjustable and comfortable and can be worn with or without a helmet. Located in Golden, Colo., HaberVision was founded by Steve Haber in 2005. Haber previously was successful in building the Bollé eyewear brand. HaberVision’s eyewear categories include cycling, water sports, snowsports, golf, fishing and fashion. All models meet or exceed U.S. and European eyewear standards and are produced in Europe and Japan. SKIER NEWS will test the two styles and report our experience with them in our February-Spring, 2008 issue. HaberVision goggles are offered on the HaberVision web site or through e-retail partners. Find your favorite among the 19 different eyewear styles, including the two goggles and 17 sunglasses, at www.habervision.com. ###
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