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NATIONWIDE SKI INFO
FEBRUARY-SPRING 2008
VOL. 21 - ISSUE 78
| 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 GREAT SNOW for OUR 20th ANNIVERSARY YEAR As you may be aware from the editorial in our December-January double issue and on our home page, this is our 20th anniversary of publishing SKIER NEWS. As of our printing this February-Spring 2008 issue in mid-January, it is also shaping up to be one of the best snow years ever. There is snow everywhere in ski country. Base depths are reported to be higher than previous years, and Colorado, Utah and Lake Tahoe have been getting pounded by storms. If you have not heard, in the early days of January, Lake Tahoe was hit by a snowstorm of massive proportions, 12 feet at some resorts. That is enough to have made the Donner Party drool. The storm moved across to Utah and Colorado. Sun Valley also picked up several feet from that same Tahoe storm. The northern Idaho resorts of Silver Mountain in Kellogg and Schweitzer Mountain in Sandpoint also received large amounts from the storms that moved across from the Pacific coast of Washington. Also in the previous editorial, I gave various base depth examples and what to expect. I wrote that anything over 60 inches, for a base, is outstanding. Most Western resorts have a base of 70 inches or more. The Midwest resorts are constantly getting snow. (It was great to watch Green Bay playing on their home field in a near blizzard. Well it was, unless you were rooting for Seattle.) In the East, most resorts had a great snow for Christmas week, then it became very cold, then it warmed and rained – all in a matter of a week beginning Jan 2. Cold temps and snow returned for a great MLK Weekend from the Poconos of Pennsylvania, to the New York resorts, to the Green Mountains of Vermont and White Mountains of New Hampshire. Maine’s Sugarloaf and Sunday River were also big winners in the natural snow category. Eastern snow and temperatures have been fickle the last few years. If you are an Eastern skier, take heart, we unscientifically predict a good winter of snow. Remember that conditions are always changing so please link to your favorite resorts via www.skiernews.com to check web cams, base depths, temperatures and forecasts. PART TWO - Recession??? Let's Not Participate! Recently the mainstream media is focusing on the economy and predicting that a recession just around the corner. For various reasons, many who fill us in on what they think is important in the country want us to believe that on the economic front everyone is doing badly. There are a wide variety of premises, the housing slump, the credit crunch and the weakening dollar all can be drawn into a persuasive argument that the economy is in a downturn. Surely some families are less fortunate than others are, and while many work to help boost everyone’s condition, not everyone can be helped. Nightly news reporters and even economists have political agendas from which they view the world and skew their presentations. Always be skeptical. Certainly higher fuel costs are contributing to rising costs, especially if you are few tankfuls from your favorite ski resort. But fuel costs always have risen. If there is a law of supply and demand, why are we not increasing the supply? Oil is the fuel of the engine of our freemarket capitalist system. Some day it will be replaced by an alternative. But not today or tomorrow, so we must first increase the supply from domestic sources. It seems as if one political party wants to have a scare-tactic issue more than working to actually solve any real problem by increasing our domestic supply in an environmentally friendly way. Please just remember this, no economic downturn was ever fixed by Congress taxing and redistributing the wealth. Tax breaks and tax cuts stimulate the economy and put people to work. Those who claim that they are the real agents of “change” will tax you more and leave you with only “change” in your pockets. As for any recession, the answer is simple, don’t participate. If we all do our part, any thought of a recession will be political rhetoric more than reality for most of us. Please continue to travel and enjoy the freedom of skiing and thank our heroes in the U.S. Military and our courageous first-responders for helping to preserve our outstanding way of life. And as always, think snow.
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| 1 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. ###
2 HEAD PARTNERS WITH COOL EARTH TO SAVE RAINFORESTS KENNELBACH, AUSTRIA – HEAD N.V., the company that produces HEAD skis, boots and bindings, this ski season announced an alliance with the global environmental charity, Cool Earth. The partnership will result in a worldwide environmental program, which is the first of its kind for a sporting goods company. Linking capital to climate. Cool Earth’s mission is to fight climate change head-on by protecting endangered rainforest, which play a vital role in the global climate by absorbing carbon. More than 100 tons of carbon are locked up in each acre of rainforest. When the forest is destroyed, the carbon that is released warms the earth’s temperature. “Keeping carbon where it belongs is the only way to fight climate change,” said Frank Field, Co-Founder of Cool Earth. “We are delighted to pioneer a new model of environmental responsibility, and with HEAD on board we will address this on a global scale.” HEAD is the first sporting goods company to “supercharge” its carbon responsibility. The company’s CEO, Johan Eliasch, partnered with Field to start Cool Earth and has made it part of the company’s mission to fight global warming. Through the partnership with Cool Earth, which began in August 2007, HEAD is matching ten times its annual carbon emissions with avoided deforestation credits (rainforest carbon credits). HEAD is committed to saving over 7,000 acres per year of mature rainforest from destruction. This equals the size of more than 100,000 tennis courts or 7,000 American football fields. “Educating sports enthusiasts about the affects of carbon emissions is an important part of why we’re doing this,” said Eliasch. “We all depend on a stable climate to ski, play tennis, or dive. If we don’t wake up and make a difference now we won’t be doing these things in their natural environments much longer.” It is time for action: The “Don’t pray for snow” Campaign Part of HEAD’s initiative with Cool Earth is to encourage sports enthusiasts and consumers to supercharge their own carbon responsibility with Cool Earth. All products HEAD manufactures and sells worldwide under the HEAD, Penn, Tyrolia, and Mares brands will soon feature information about Cool Earth and the global warming issue. The company also has a “Don’t pray for snow. Do something.” advertising campaign that will feature some of their well-known athletes including Olympic Medallist and World Champion ski racer Bode Miller. “I am proud to support such a worthy cause,” said Bode Miller. “Cool Earth provides an opportunity to get involved as individuals, and take a step towards saving our environment. Austrian ski champion Herman Maier, who is also part of the HEAD Racing Team, agrees. “HEAD’s commitment to making a difference with a global program like this is important to me as a skier and as a citizen. I’m proud to be a part of it.” For more info about Cool earth, visit www.coolearth.org For more info on HEAD products, visit www.head.com HEAD NV is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of premium sports equipment. Its shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“HED”) and the Vienna Stock Exchange (“HEAD”). The business is organized into four divisions: Winter Sports, Racquet Sports, Diving and Licensing. The Company’s products are sold under the following brands: Head (tennis equipment, squash and racquetball racquets, badminton equipment, alpine skis, boots and bindings, snowboards, bindings and boots), Penn (tennis and racquetball balls), Tyrolia (ski bindings), and Mares/Dacor (diving equipment). HEAD N.V. is a market leader in all these product markets. Its products are officially endorsed by some of the world’s top athletes, including André Agassi, Andrew Murray, Richard Gasquet, Marat Safin, Ivan Ljubicic, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Patty Schnyder, Amelie Mauresmo, Bode Miller, Hermann Maier, Johann Grugger, Marco Büchel and Maria Riesch.
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| 1 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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| 2 SUN VALLEY - A TRUE AMERICAN CLASSIC SUN VALLEY, ID — Sun Valley is a true American classic, the “American Shangri-La,” as it is sometimes referred. And it 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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| 3 TELLURIDE SKIING IS FREEDOM FROM THE ORDINARY NO CROWDS, NO LIFT LINES, NO HASSLES TELLURIDE, CO — Envision yourself immersed in the ideal mountain vacation, the ideal mountain location, with incomparable beauty; a town where walking distance is the only distance; unique, open, friendly locals; pristine slopes; and a fiercely blue sky. You are thinking of Telluride. Nestled at 8,750 feet among the highest concentration of 14,000-foot peaks in North America, Telluride blends historic buildings, quaint bakeries and local watering holes with luxury hotels, five-star restaurants, sophisticated shops and some of the finest spas in the world. The area’s trademark free gondola acts as the main source of transportation between downtown, Mountain Village, and the slopes. Telluride is about exchanging responsibilities and hassles of everyday life for precious time to play. Telluride truly does provide freedom from the ordinary. TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN More than 300 inches of snow falls on Telluride’s more than 1,700 skiable acres each year, continually blanketing the trails with fresh powder. With 300 days of sunshine annually, you get the perfect combination for ultimate conditions. And forget crowds, Telluride’s secluded location means that the trails are never packed. With natural separation of terrain, the east end of the mountain provides a formidable challenge for experts, the middle offers plenty of cruisers and corduroy for intermediates, and the west end has Colorado’s most gentle terrain for beginners to play. Long time favorites include the Plunge for experts, a classic run known for its breathtaking views of town, the intermediate See Forever running from the top of the mountain, and the ski-forever 4.6-mile Galloping Goose for beginners. Freestylers can hit any of of three terrain parks with features for all levels. TELLURIDE OPENS BLACK IRON BOWL 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 was opened in mid-January. For more information, please call (970) 728-7423 or visit www.tellurideskiresortcom. EXPANSION CONTINUES WITH HIKE-TO TERRAIN IN PALMYRA PEAK On the heels of Telluride’s opening of Black Iron Bowl to public access, the resort 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 inbounds 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. TELLURIDE’S WORLD CLASS SKI SCHOOL If you are looking to take your enjoyment of the mountain to the next level, the world-class Telluride Ski & Snowboard School can accommodate every need. Director Bobby Murphy leads a 240-member, PSIA-certified corps of instructors who will help you learn to ski the fall line or introduce you to snowboarding and telemarking. There is no better way to improve your skills than with a private lesson. You choose the time and what you want to accomplish: conquering moguls, approaching black diamond trails without fear or learning to snowboard. Please call 1-800-801-4832 for details. The Telluride Children’s Ski Program (1-800-801-4832) makes it easy for Mom and Dad to enjoy the day on the slopes while expert instructors teach their kids. Children as young as 3 can strap on their first pair of skis; snowboarding instruction is for kids 7 and older. Day care is available for children under 3 at the Telluride Nursery (970-728-7531). A REAL TOWN WITH A REAL HISTORY Telluride was born back in 1875 when miners struck a motherlode of zinc, lead, copper, iron, silver and gold. A Victorian town, complete with saloons, gambling, and a roaring red-light district, sprung up overnight. Telluride’s population swelled to 5,000, including Butch Cassidy, who started his bank-robbing career with a heist of the San Miguel National Bank in 1889. After the mining bust of the 1950s, snow put Telluride back on the map. In 1972 the Telluride Ski Resort opened with five lifts and a day lodge. With many upgrades over the years including the 2002 addition of Prospect Bowl, Telluride has become a world-class ski resort. SKI-IN/SKI-OUT Whether you stay at a charming Victorian bed-and-breakfast, a plush hotel or a condo, every room in Telluride is within close proximity to the lifts, and many offer ski-in, ski-out convenience. Properties both downtown and in Mountain Village surround their guests in luxury, with options from hotel accommodations to exclusive cabins. STROLL TO DINNER Telluride’s dining scene is as sophisticated as it is varied. The restaurants offer cuisine that can hold its own with anything found in New York or Los Angeles. From romantic bistros and Western steakhouses to pizza joints and Chinese restaurants, there is an option for every budget. For an evening you will never forget, ride the gondola all the way to the top, to Allred’s Restaurant for unmatched views and cuisine (www.allredsrestaurant.com - 970-728-7474). GETTING TO TELLURIDE IS EASY Telluride is conveniently served via the Telluride and Montrose regional airports by six commercial carriers: American, Continental, Great Lakes, United Airlines, and USAir, plus new direct routes on Delta. These carriers offer up to 119 weekly non-stop flights to/from nine major North American cities, including Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, Phoenix, and new service to/from Atlanta and Salt Lake City. For more information, please call 1-800-778-8581. Log on to www.tellurideskiresort.com via an easily found link on the homepage of www.skiernews.com.
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| 4 DENVER - THE MILE HIGH GATEWAY TO GREAT SKIING DENVER, CO — Contrary to public belief, Denver is not in the mountains; it is near them. The “Foothills” are a gentle series of peaks ranging from 7,000 to 11,000 feet high that start to rise 15 miles west of the city. Just beyond that point is the Continental Divide and a series of peaks soaring to heights of 14,000 feet, known locally as the “Front Range.” These Front Range peaks are home to Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Breckenridge, Copper and Vail. The city of Denver itself is located on high, rolling plains. Denver’s airport is east of town. Although considered Western in character, Denver is actually located in the center of the country, just 346 miles west of the exact center of the continental United States. With the exception of Kansas City, Denver is closer to the exact center of the nation than any other metropolitan area. As far as Denver’s altitude, everyone knows it as the “Mile High City.” In fact the 13th step on the west side of the State Capital Building is exactly 5,280 feet - exactly one mile - above sea level. As a help to mountain visitors, Denver can be a transition city, in terms of altitude, for those coming from near sea level towns. Many skiers begin their vacation with a day or two in Denver to help them become familiar with the higher altitude and it really pays dividends. Nothing can ruin a well-planned ski vacation more than altitude sickness when you move from sea level to 10,000 feet. Many skiers have little or no problems, and there are some helpful hints to avoid altitude sickness. Nevertheless, if you have a chance to visit this beautiful, cosmopolitan gem of the West, why not take it? Denver’s architecture reflects the city’s three boom periods: Victorian, when silver was discovered in Leadville; turn-of-the-century, when gold was discovered in Cripple Creek; and contemporary, when the energy boom added 16 skyscrapers to the downtown skyline in three years, 1980-1983. In Denver’s central downtown area you will find, within easy walking distance, 5,300 hotel rooms, the city’s convention complex, performing arts complex, a wide variety of shops, department stores, restaurants and nightspots. Also within easy walking distance are some of the city’s top attractions including the Denver Pavilions, Denver Art Museum and Colorado History Museum. Lower Downtown, called “LoDo” by locals, is on the northern edge of northern Denver and offers a great concentration of Victorian buildings and warehouses, many of which have been refurbished to house restaurants, art galleries, offices and shops. It is also the center of the city’s brewpubs. No matter what season you visit Denver, there will be a major league franchise playing baseball, football, hockey or basketball in new and modern arenas, close to the downtown area. Denver is one of the few cities in history that was not founded on a road, railroad, lake, navigable river or body of water. Denver just happened to be where the first few flakes of gold were found in 1858, and it was there that the first camp was made. Thus began the great “Pikes Peak or Bust” gold rush. The first permanent structure was a saloon. In its first few years Denver survived a flood, two major fires, several Indian attacks and even raised an army that defeated an invading force of Confederates from Texas during the Civil War. For a lodging location convenient to all of the above-mentioned downtown attractions, please check out the Grand Hyatt Denver hotel at www.granddenver.hyatt.com. For more info on this great city, log on to www.denver.org. ###
5 STEAMBOAT GETS RECORD $16 MILLION in IMPROVEMENTS ED. NOTE: At press time in mid-January, Steamboat’s website was reporting a 62-inch base at mid-mountain and 76-inch base at the summit. Since the resort opened on November 30, 2007, snow has fallen 32 out of 42 days (to Jan. 15) with 18 of those days recording four or more inches. Steamboat (to Jan. 15) has been blanketed by 205 inches (17.08 feet) at midmountain and 192 inches (16 feet) on top. STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO – For the 2007-08 season, the Steamboat Ski Area has made improvements valued at a record of more than $16 million. The investment complements the $23 million in the Steamboat Unbridled revitalization projects over the next three years. Most of the on-mountain capital were for the installation of the new Christie Peak Express six-pack chairlift, removal of several chairlifts at the base, Headwall slope re-grade, snowmaking improvements and enhancements to the Meadows parking facility. “Make no mistake, even with all of these incredible changes, what makes Steamboat different, and what is at the heart of the Steamboat experience will not change. These attributes are what set Steamboat apart and will remain a main stay of the experience.” said Andy Wirth, company vice president. ON-MOUNTAIN IMPROVEMENTS Steamboat installed a high-speed, six-passenger chairlift that replaced three lifts (Preview, Headwall and Christie II) in the base area. The lower terminal of the new lift is near the former location of the lower Headwall terminal. It has an angle station with unload capabilities just above the top of Southface. The lift ends at the top of Christie Peak. The Christie Peak Express has a length of roughly 4,700 feet and a capacity to move 3,200 people per hour, 400 more per hour than the Gondola. The new Christie Peak Express lift will cut the ride time to the summit of Christie Peak from 15 to 4.8 minutes. It will offset its electricity requirements by alternative energy, joining the wind-powered Burgess Creek and solar/wind-powered Sunshine Express lifts. For beginners, five magic carpets (Tenderfoot, Colt, Filly, Tumbleweed and Sidewinder) located throughout the base area have been upgraded, realigned and lengthened. The new Preview lift, using the repositioned Southface lift, is realigned to conform to the regrading of the beginner terrain. In association with the re-grade, the beginner trails of Main Drag and Boulevard, located off Christie Peak, are merged into one trail. This will significantly improve the trail width while maintaining a constant 10 percent grade, considered ideal for beginner or novice skier. Steamboat added new low energy, high-efficiency snowmaking guns. These guns use 30 percent less energy than conventional guns while producing the same amount of snow. Upgrades to five of the primary pump houses, to enhance water management, increase capacity and reduce energy consumption, were completed during the summer. The resort has begun the first phase of an allinclusive plan to replace all on-mountain trail signage. This includes using new iconic elements for the six individual peaks such as Storm Peak, Sunshine Peak and Thunderhead Peak. The new, re-designed signs will significantly advance communication at essential direction points across the mountain. STEAMBOAT UNBRIDLED Over 40 years ago, Steamboat was established by pioneering visionaries. Now, visionaries of today are forming the vision for the next decade of Steamboat. “Steamboat Unbridled represents a renaissance of every aspect of the resort, a transformed Steamboat/Hayden Airport, and exciting, new real estate developments,” explained Wirth. “It’s anticipated that nearly one billion dollars over the coming years will be invested in Steamboat Unbridled. Many of these changes are already underway and numerous projects will continue to take shape.” For excellent deals amd more info, please call 1-800-922-2722 or log on to www.steamboat.com/snowsaver via an easily found link on the home page of www.skiernews.com. ###
6 WHAT'S NEW at COPPER MOUNTAIN IN 2007-08 COPPER MOUNTAIN, CO – As resorts across North America upgrade to enhance guest experiences, Copper Mountain, located in Summit County, Colo., announced several for this ski season. Here are a few of them. Freefall Glade Copper’s trail crew and slope maintenance teams have gladed a portion of trail in between the Formidable trail and the Rosi’s Run and Treble Cliff trails on the eastern side of Copper Mountain. The Freefall Glade, open this winter season, is expert skiing terrain accessed from the Alpine or Super Bee lifts. Tucker Mountain Snowcats Copper’s free Tucker Mountain snowcat service might be the best kept secret around, at least it used to be. Snowcats deliver guests to Tucker Mountain, elevation 12,337 feet, where they will meet high alpine adventure terrain better known as The Taco, The Nacho and Fremont Glades. The snowcat service is free and on a first-come, first-served basis. It is the closest thing to a backcountry experience that you will find anywhere. USASA Nationals 2008 and 2009 Copper has been named the host venue for the largest snowboarding and freeski event on earth - the 2008 and 2009 USASA Nationals. Each year the top regional finishers are invited to attend the USASA National Championships. They will compete against some of the best male and female athletes from around the country hoping to become National Champions in slopestyle, halfpipe, boardercross, slalom and giant slalom events. Copper will host the USASA Nationals March 30 – April 4, 2008. Sunsation – April 5-6 and April 12-13 Copper will be sizzling when Sunsation, Copper’s end-of-season bash, returns for its eighth year. Guests will enjoy bright spring sunshine, loads of snow and free live music from some amazing national acts. Past Sunsation performances include Michael Franti & Spearhead, Galactic, Dark Star Orchestra, Keller Williams, De La Soul, John Popper Project, North Mississippi Allstars, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Blue Oyster Cult, Quiet Riot, Rusted Root and many more. For more information, please log on to www.coppercolorado.com. ###
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ASPEN/SNOWMASS HIGHLIGHTS for 2007-08 ASPEN, CO — Last season Aspen Mountain celebrated 60 years of skiing and this year Snowmass Village will celebrate its 40th anniversary. While Aspen/Snowmass is still deeply rooted to its history, many improvements and projects have come to fruition this season further enhancing the Aspen/Snowmass experience. The Aspen Skiing Company operates the four resorts located in and near the town of Aspen, Colo. They are Aspen, commonly referred to as Ajax, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk. Each resort is unique and appeals to different levels of ability. Ajax is the most difficult, Buttermilk is the beginners paradise. Aspen Highlands and Snowmass are havens for intermediates. This year’s highlights focus on Snowmass where in recent years, new lifts and gondolas have been installed and the base area is being completely redeveloped. This season Aspen Skiing Company unveils The Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center at Snowmass base village. This $17 million project is the largest capital project the company has developed in its history and opened in November for the season. The focal point of the new Snowmass base village, this two-story, 25,000-square-foot facility is located at the intersection of the three new lifts on Fanny Hill. The Elk Camp Meadows learning area has become a dedicated learning area with a new quad chair, two new surface lifts and a new ski school meeting area for beginners. The area is located at the top of the Elk Camp gondola giving beginners better snow conditions and a complete alpine experience that they did not have before. New trail alignments ensure that there is no cross traffic in this area, making for an ideal learning environment. The Snowmass Park was relocated and improved this summer. The new Snow Park Technologies layout allows for a longer, continuous line with no cross traffic. A new bridge was built over Lunchline, allowing park users the unique experience of riding over the skiers and snowboarders below. New dirt work, snowmaking and snow cats make for a truly world-class experience. Aspen Skiing Company (ASC) recently installed the largest solar photovoltaic array in the ski industry, a 10.64-kilowatt system on the company’s Thunder River Lodge. The lodge serves as an affordable housing complex in Carbondale, Colorado. The system is more than four times larger than the next largest system in the ski industry, ASC’s 2.3 kW system at Aspen Highlands. Ajax is home to two “Best-kept Secrets”. They are opposites, and they attract locals as well as guests. The first is the groomed, intermediate, uncrowded, cruising runs under Ruthie’s and Ajax Express lifts. The second are the steeper trails on the famous Bell Mountain. This is the local’s first destination on a powder day when Bell Mountain is covered in bumps and perfectly gladed runs that hold powder stashes well after a big storm. The Aspen area offers unparalleled nightlife and off-slope activities as well. Aspen/Snowmass is accessible by two of the most convenient airports in the mountains. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) is three miles from Aspen and Eagle County Airport (EGE) is 70 miles from Aspen. For more information on Aspen Skiing Company, please call 1-800- 525-6200 or 970-925-1220, or visit the company’s website at www.aspensnowmass.com ###
8 LAKE TAHOE GETS EPIC JANUARY STORM SKI LAKE TAHOE RESORTS RECEIVED UP TO 12 FEET OF SNOW FROM MASSIVE POWWERFUL STORMS ED. NOTE: Tahoe’s massive snowstorm in early January gave them bragging rights throughout the Western region of North America. Covered “live” on The Weather Channel and reported extensively on all major news outlets, the storm, totaling about 12 feet, was of Donner Party proportion. If you have never visited Lake Tahoe, this is the year to go. For most resorts, the season will last well beyond April. Of course, conditions change and perhaps warm temps or more snow may overtake the region by the time you read this. But in an era where global warming alarmists profoundly pontificate, it is nice to know that weather still happens. LAKE TAHOE, CA/NV – As of an early January report, skiers were rejoicing with up to 12 feet of fresh snow that has accumulated at Ski Lake Tahoe resorts. The snow began falling a few days after the New Year and began a massive winter storm heralded as one of the top 15 storms to hit the region in the last 50 years. The epic conditions at Lake Tahoe ski resorts offered patrons anything from deep groomers to up-to-your head powder that will be remembered for seasons to come. The snow continued to fall around the Lake region for several days. The intensive snowfall created a deep snowpack topped with several feet of incredibly light snow that enabled the resorts to open nearly all of their available terrain. With the deepest base measuring 130 inches, Ski Lake Tahoe resorts have the some of the deepest base totals in the country. “The conditions at the Ski Lake Tahoe resorts are incredible. This storm has secured an epic winter in Lake Tahoe with a deep snowpack now covered in several feet of light and dry snow,” said John Wagnon, president of Ski Lake Tahoe. “Winter storms like this are part of the Tahoe lifestyle. This is exactly what the region is famous for and a good reason why some of the world’s best skiers and snowboarders make their way to Tahoe.” The Lake Tahoe area typically claims to have better weather conditions than many resort areas in the U.S. They average more than 400 inches of annual snowfall combined with about 300 days of sunshine. The winter temperatures are said to be slightly more comfortable, also. Tahoe experiences weather systems generated from Alaska. They bring cold temperatures and significant amounts of Pacific moisture. This results in super-sized storms yielding excessive amounts of snowfall normally in the three- to five-foot range. Then the California sun takes over and makes for several pleasant ski days, until the next massive storm arrives. For up-to-date snow conditions information at the seven Ski Lake Tahoe resorts, please visit: http://www.skilaketahoe.com/skiresorts/snowconditions.php NIGHTLIFE & SCENIC BEAUTY ADD TO THE FUN LAKE TAHOE, CA/NV — With more than 350 ski resorts in 38 states, finding a ski area in the United States is easy. While many destinations claim to be unique, travelers to Lake Tahoe have experienced a truly different destination. There are several characteristics that make a winter vacation at Lake Tahoe special, including the quality and quantity of snow, its 24-hour nightlife and headline entertainment and the proximity of the seven Ski Lake Tahoe resorts - Alpine Meadows, Heavenly, Kirkwood, Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe, Northstar-at-Tahoe, Sierra-at- Tahoe, and Squaw Valley USA. At the centerpiece is spectacular Lake Tahoe, a national treasure with its crystal-clear waters. An easy drive from the Sacramento or Reno airports, it is one of the most scenic and convenient places to make that winter escape. QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF SNOW The quantity and quality of snow at Lake Tahoe rivals any other North American ski destination. For seven of the last eight seasons, Lake Tahoe has been home to North America’s deepest snowpack. The area annually receives an average of 440 inches – more than 36 feet – of snow. In fact, winter weather systems have brought the resorts as much as eight feet of snow in a 48-hour period. The high elevation of the region combined with the area’s low humidity result in high-quality snow that is typically light and dry. The elevation of the Lake is 6,220 feet and the mountains rise above it to 10,000 feet. LAKE TAHOE A visit to the Sierra Nevada is not complete without enjoying the pure waters of Lake Tahoe. Paddlewheel boats, with heated decks and indoor seating, ply the Lake on scenic dinner-dance excursions. Vantage points of the lake are available atop the ski resorts that surround this majestic setting. The views are so spectacular, many visitors forget they are on ski trails as they practice amateur photography. 24-HOUR NIGHTLIFE & ENTERTAINMENT At Lake Tahoe, après-ski activities consist of more than ordering pizza delivery and renting a movie. With the 24-hour world-class entertainment offered by the area’s 10 casinos and headline entertainers, comedy clubs and cabaret shows, new restaurants and chefs, visitors find the indoor playgrounds a perfect complement to the outdoor activities. Nightlife on Tahoe’s south shore began a new era in 2007 with the opening of MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa near the Heavenly Village. PROXIMITY OF LAKE TAHOE RESORTS Lake Tahoe is home to North America’s greatest concentration of skiing – offering visitors the opportunity to sample a variety of resorts and amenities during their vacation. Surrounding the lake, the seven Ski Lake Tahoe resorts are within 90 minutes of one another. Travelers can experience the area’s 17,520 skiable acres, varied terrain and resort-specific events and features, with a quick drive or ride on a shuttle. For the latest mountain news and conditions, you can visit many Lake Tahoe web sites through easily found links on the right side of the homepage of www.skiernews.com. You can also find info regarding Lake Tahoe summer acivities on www.skiernews.com, coverage begins to appear in May. These activities include the American Century Championship. This is America’s premier pro athlete and celebrity golf event. This year’s fun-filled event happens July 9-13. Please visit the “Info Center” page at www.skiernews.com for direct links to this outstanding event. You can also find the resorts plus many lodging options linked from the "Tahoe Section" on the homepage of www.skiernews.com. ###
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