Section Contents - Quick Links to Articles

• 1 - BANFF - LAKE LOUISE - SUNSHINE; WHERE ALL THINGS REAL HAPPEN

• 2 - SCHWEITZER - A DESTINATION RESORT WITHOUT THE CROWDS

• 3 - SILVER MOUNTAIN IS A UNIQUE VACATION; A RESORT WITH VARIEY TO PLEASE EVERYONE

• 4 - BIG SKY CAN FILL ALL YOUR VACATION NEEDS

BANFF - LAKE LOUISE - SUNSHINE; WHERE ALL THINGS REAL HAPPEN

Real is a special place, a place so unique you can ski, ride, shop or enjoy an exceptional meal in surroundings so spectacular the United Nations has declared it a World Heritage Site.

This is where real happens. Three of the world’s finest resorts, almost 8,000 acres of terrain, all in the heart of Canada’s Protected Playground, Banff National Park.

Call 1-877-754-8190 or your travel agent to book your own REAL ski vacation WWW.SKIBIG3.COM/SN

BANFF, ALBERTA, CANADA – “Real” is a special place where there are more mountains than million-dollar condos, where real people get treated like celebrities and celebrities get treated like real people. It is where you will find snow and good times in surroundings so spectacular the United Nations has declared it a World Heritage Site. Welcome to Ski Banff – Lake Louise – Sunshine.

When skiing Mt. Norquay, Lake Louise Mountain Resort and Sunshine Village, you are in for a treat. With all three of the resorts located within Banff National Park, the resorts offer a unique experience that is quite different from the competitor’s development-driven destinations. With almost 8,000 acres of terrain covered with natural powder, vast forests and abundant wildlife, you will not have to be reminded that you are standing inside the world’s finest national park.

Majestic and pristine, Banff National Park stretches for 6,641 square kilometers. The grandeur of nature is alive and present everywhere you look. Situated in the middle of untouched wilderness, it is common to see an elk, deer or a bear in the unspoiled Canadian scenery. Jagged peaks, glacier fed rivers, remote woodlands and peaceful valleys surround you. The three luxurious ski resorts are located in the heart of this landscape, granting you access to a real ski experience.

At Ski Banff – Lake Louise – Sunshine, the resorts empower you to ski all you want, where you want, and when you want. In a single tri-area lift ticket, you gain access to unlimited skiing at Mt. Norquay, Lake Louise Mountain Resort and Sunshine Village with free transportation to and from the resorts. This is your ticket to limitless powder, incredible terrain and endless runs. Thanks to the lack of lift lines, you will spend your day skiing, not waiting.

At each of the three resorts, there are runs for every skier, from beginner to advanced. Knowing the resorts boast one of the longest ski seasons in the world from mid- November until late May, you can expect the fluffiest powder there is. The snow there is the envy of resorts in North America. From wide-open bowls and steep chutes to tree line glades and perfectly groomed cruisers, the snow is superb. With sparkling snow in your wake, the light and fluffy Rockies powder makes it easier to carve your path.

Mt. Norquay, Lake Louise Mountain Resort and Sunshine Village offer distinct skiing experiences, terrain and flare. Ski or ride the exquisite acres of the three mountain resorts. It does not get much better than three of the finest resorts, all in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.

Mt. Norquay is only 10 minutes away from downtown Banff and is Banff National Park’s pioneer ski resort. Family-friendly Mt. Norquay offers outstanding conditions to beginners, intermediate and advanced skiers/riders. Since its opening in 1926, Mt. Norquay has been the local’s gem. Offering the only night skiing in Banff-Lake Louise, including a fully lit terrain park, Mt. Norquay is the best-kept secret in the Rockies. This year is the first year that you will be able to snowshoe at Mt. Norquay. Easy to moderate snowshoeing will be available on trails that are one- to four-kilometers in length. Snowshoes are available for rent in the Mt. Norquay rental center located across from the Cascade Lodge.

Lake Louise Mountain Resort is traditionally one of the first ski resorts in North America to open each season, with dependable early season snowfall. With over 4,200 acres of terrain spread across four mountain faces, Lake Louise Mountain Resort offers unparalleled skiing and riding in an unsurpassed setting. This season, a new Leitner Poma fixed-grip quad chairlift will replace the current Ptarmigan lift. Comfort is not the only added valued; the quad’s top-drive system will significantly reduce power consumption.

If skiing more than 3,500 feet of vertical in natural powder is what you desire, then head to Sunshine Village. This resort is famous for its consistent snowfall and its ski-in, ski-out hotel. From extreme inbound lines and high alpine moguls to groomed trails and a variety of green and blue runs, Sunshine’s slopes have something for everyone. This year the Sunshine Mountain Lodge is getting a $6-million renovation. To add comfort to the luxurious new rooms, overnight guests will be able to view the ski runs in real time from their room’s TV.

When the lifts finally close, the quaint towns of Banff and Lake Louise have a variety of restaurants, boutique shops, spas and hotels to enjoy. Unwind and relax with plenty of après-ski options. Choose from a wide variety of bars and restaurants that cater to all palettes and budgets. You are welcome to explore the small mountain towns with traditional friendly Canadian hospitality.

Whatever your desire, a quest to ski the natural Rockies powder, a family adventure or a luxurious escape, Canada’s protected playground of Banff-Lake Louise is the ideal and real destination. Have a REAL experience in the Canadian Rockies at three of the world’s finest resorts, almost 8,000 acres of terrain, all in the heart of Banff National Park.

For more information, please log on to their website at www.skibig3.com/sn either directly or via an easily found link on the home page of www.skiernews.com

You can also learn more about your “real” vacation in beautiful Banff National Park by calling them, toll free, at 1-877-754-8190.

Call 1-877-754-8190 or your travel agent to book your own REAL ski vacation WWW.SKIBIG3.COM/SN

SCHWEITZER - A DESTINATION RESORT WITHOUT THE CROWDS

SANDPOINT, ID – Editors at Skiing Magazine picked Schweitzer Mountain Resort as the Best Place to Ditch the Crowds in their October 2008 issue. You had better get there soon if you want to know why.

Schweitzer is quietly becoming a premier destination resort and offers all that one would expect from a major ski vacation destination. Foremost is the huge mountain with amazing and diverse terrain. Add to that luxury accommodations, relaxing and welcoming gathering places, shopping, delightful restaurants, a burgeoning après-ski scene, and an array of non-skiing activities. Onthesnow.com ranked Schweitzer as Best Nightlife and Favorite Overall Resort in the Pacific Northwest in April of 2008.

Perhaps the crowds are stashed in the 2,900 acres of amazing terrain, the two massive bowls, the renowned tree skiing lines or the stellar Stomping Grounds Terrain Park. This really is a mountain that can handle a crowd. Located in the rugged Selkirk Mountains of the northwest Rocky Mountains in the northern Idaho panhandle, Schweitzer also offers excellent backcountry opportunities and guided snowmobile adventures through Selkirk Powder Company. Nestled above the town of Sandpoint with breathtaking views of Lake Pend Oreille, the mountain alone can keep one captivated for a day, a week or even a lifetime.

Having recently been honored with accolades in Powder, Skiing, Ski, Freeskier, National Geographic Adventure, Mountain Living, and other fine magazines, Schweitzer has a lot to live up to. Perhaps that is why they place such importance on great guest service. One of the most striking things about Schweitzer to a newcomer is the genuinely friendly atmosphere exuded by the staff and locals. The staff delights in providing terrific customer service unparalleled in the ski industry. This claim is quantified by extensive guest surveys that have been conducted for the last two winters. The results of these surveys indicate Schweitzer is setting the bar in the ski industry. Out of all the resorts that participated nationally, Schweitzer received the top ranking for a guest’s likelihood of a return visit and was ranked Number One for the likelihood of a guest to recommend the resort to friends and family.

Schweitzer has seen many positive changes in the past decade, and it is continuing those improvements, all with an eye to the guest experience. On the mountain, a fully automated snowmaking system was installed last summer in hopes of offering consistent early ski season openings. Subject to favorable snowmaking weather, this investment could allow Schweitzer to open for Thanksgiving vacations and offer a great kick-off to the winter holiday season.

The installation is the most energy efficient and low impact snowmaking system available with the latest proven technology. The system will have the capability to produce 25 percent more snow for energy consumed than other types of systems. It senses when conditions make snowmaking possible and turns on automatically. It also turns off automatically to conserve energy when conditions are not ideal.

Schweitzer’s snowmaking system is approximately 40 percent quieter than other systems on the market today. The retractable hydrants do not create obstacles for skiers and riders and have a negligible visual impact. The water and air mix can be adjusted to get just the right density for the purpose, whether it be building a base or topping off the run with fresh powder.

At full build out, the goal of the snowmaking system is to cover Midway Run, from the top of the Basin Express Quad down to the village, as well as Happy Trails, with a swath of snow 300 feet wide and 18 inches deep. This winter, the system will be tested and evaluated.

During the ski season, 10 lifts can whisk up to 15,000 people per hour to powdery bliss. An average of 300 inches of snow falls annually, often at a rate of eight to ten inches per night. This makes almost every day a powder day at Schweitzer. You can carve your own space at Schweitzer.

2008-09 SCHWEITZER WINTER EVENTS

Dec. 6 ........Holiday Kick Off

Dec. 19 ......Shot in the Dark Rail Jam

Dec. 24 ......Santa arrives

Dec. 27 ......Music with Altitude concert

Dec. 31 ......New Years Eve Parties - Book early.

Jan. 10 .......Music with Altitude concert

Jan. 16 .......Shot in the Dark Rail Jam

Jan. 17-19 ...Winter Carnival Celebration

Jan. 24 .......Music with Altitude concert

Jan. 31 - Feb. 1 ....College Daze

Feb. 7 .........Music with Altitude concert

Feb. 14 .......Shot in the Dark Rail Jam

Feb. 18-22 .. .Don Brooks Memorial races

Feb. 21 ...... ..Music with Altitude concert

Feb. 27-28 ....Outrageous Air Show

March 5-10 ...Western Regional Championship Races

March 14 ......Heuga Center Vertical Express for MS

March 14 ......Music with Altitude concert

March 15 ......Grom Stomp March 20-22 ...Stomp Games

April 4-5 ..........Tropical Daze

This is just a sampling of what is going at Schweitzer where they invite you to come up and join the fun. You will find 2,900 acres of powder, two huge bowls and famous trees with plenty of room to carve your own space.

Locally, you can contact Schweitzer at (208) 263-9555 or see www.schweitzer.com for more info.

For reservations and destination info please visit www.schweitzer.com via an easily found link on the home page of www.skiernews.com or call 1-877-487-4643.

SILVER MOUNTAIN IS A UNIQUE VACATION;

A RESORT WITH VARIEY TO PLEASE EVERYONE

KELLOGG, ID – Silver Mountain Resort, in the panhandle of northern Idaho, has something for everyone. From skiing and snowboarding to waterpark splashing, the variety of activities is sure to please. In addition, with Ski, Waterpark & Stay packages starting at $89 per person double occupancy, the value cannot be beat.

Silver has some of the region’s finest skiing.With 1,600 acres of terrain spread over two mountains, the resort receives more than 300 inches of snow annually. The 67 trails provide a great deal of variety, from beginner trails to double black diamonds. In addition, it is incredibly uncrowded midweek. The trails do not close when the sun goes down. Silver has night skiing on 50 acres of terrain with eight lighted trails, including the terrain park.

Snow Tubing is for fun lovers of all ages and abilities. It is easy and simply a blast. This popular family activity will keep you and your kids coming back for more. After each ride on your giant snow tube, a moving carpet effortlessly takes you back up to the top of the hill. Day or night – snow tubing is big fun.

Snowcat skiing provided by Peak Adventures is also available. With 13 years of experience, Peak Adventures professional, licensed guides will take you to open bowls, hidden glades, enticing trees and untouched powder fields. Call Peak Adventures at (208) 682-3200 or visit www.snowcats.com for more information.

What makes Silver unique is the new Silver Rapids Indoor Waterpark located at the in the heart of the Gondola Village. After a day of fun on the slopes, guests can enjoy the warm indoor fun of this major amenity. Admission is included with every room at the adjacent Morning Star Lodge.

PERFECT FOR A FAMILY VACATION

Silver is a true family resort.With the mountain for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing, along with the waterpark for sliding and splashing, your family will never forget their vacation at this resort.

Silver Rapids, the indoor aquatic playground, is the size of two football fields and will keep your family coming back for more. The waterpark includes body and tube slides, a lazy river, family raft slide, kid’s activity lagoon, and a FlowRider SurfWave. The FlowRider combines the thrills of surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding, all in a wet, wild and safe environment. Open year-round, Silver Rapids provides endless fun. It makes SilverMountain Resort an attractive multi-season destination resort.

INDOOR WATERPARK INCLUDED WITH EVERY ROOM

The Morning Star Lodge at Silver Mountain Resort is the region’s premier condominium resort with entrance to Silver Rapids included with every room.Avariety of lodging options are offered, including fully furnished studio, one- and two- bedroom condos and family suites with lofts. Most units have convenience kitchens, but some have full gourmet kitchens. Lodging at the Gondola Village allows you to enjoy rooftop hot tubs, equipment storage and special packages to enhance your stay. The lodge also offers complimentary high-speed internet service, a workout facility and concierge service. There is a community room with a big screen TV and a large kitchen in every building.

Silver Mountain is perfect for your winter ski vacation. The Gondola Village has a variety of offerings. You will find shopping, a luxury day spa, first-rate lodging and dining. Family activities include snow tubing and the Silver Rapids Indoor Waterpark. Located one hour east of Spokane, Wash., in Kellogg, Idaho., right of I-90, at exit 48, it is easy to reach, no matter where you live.

BOOK YOUR SKI, WATERPARK & STAY PACKAGE NOW

Stay in the Village at the new Morning Star Lodge and take advantage of the Ski, Waterpark & Stay packages, starting at $89 per person double occupancy. You can log on to www.silvermt.com via an easily found link on the home page of www.skiernews.com

For more information or reservations, please call 1-877-512-9787.

BIG SKY CAN FILL ALL YOUR VACATION NEEDS

Montana Resort offers 150 trails on 3,812 uncrowded acres - Groomed or steep and all things in between

BIG SKY, MT — Big Sky Resort offers the biggest skiing in America, with over 5,500 acres of terrain and an endless variety of runs with a Lone Peak ticket shared with Moonlight Basin. Located just 18 miles from the northern border of Yellowstone National Park in Southwest Montana, Big Sky invites you to enjoy the splendor of the mountains with all the amenities destination ski guests are looking for, including a full service spa, restaurants, retail and a variety of lodging options to fit any group.

Drop in to Big Sky’s 4,350 feet of vertical drop, and ride and ski over more than 150 named runs. Enjoy over 400 inches of annual snowfall, and relax in a winter resort destination with small town charm. Big Sky, itself, has 3,812 acres spanning three mountains, with an average daytime temperature of 25 degrees in the winter.

If steep and extreme is what you need, hop off the Lone Peak Tram into some of the best lift-accessible, double black diamond runs in the country. If your legs are not up to the Tram experience, enjoy the numerous beginner and intermediate trails that make up 40 percent of the mountain terrain.

While exploring the variety of terrain, do not worry about waiting in lift lines or squeezing between other riders on the runs. Big Sky’s priority has always been to keep the lift system ahead of the lift riders. With an average of only 2,000 people per day, the mountain experience is just as it should be, a place all your own. The mountain is always expanding, including the recent installation of the Dakota Chair, servicing over 300 acres of the newly opened Dakota Bowl and the exciting Bavarian Forest.

Big Sky has 17 different property types, with 800 units and over 2,200 beds available through Big Sky Resort Central Reservations. With everything from basic to a luxury hotel or condo to a cabin in the woods, Central Reservations will be sure to find the accommodation that fits any family. Come out for a relaxing quiet week, or bring the whole family and friends for a great time, and let the Big Sky guest service specialists take care of every need.

Newly opened last season is the Village Center, a fourstory building and centerpiece of the Village. Consisting of slope-side work/play suites and larger two- and three-bedroom luxury suites, it has everything to make Big Sky a great place to vacation. The pedestrian level features 10,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space and currently holds Andiamo Italian Grille, A new storage room for locker pass holders, the Painted Pony Art Gallery, the Big Sky Wellness Center, the Snowsports School Breakroom, and Café Flora, a coffee and gift shop. New businesses will move in this season as well. The 49 work/play business suites are 475 square feet with a fireplace, entertainment kitchenette, high-speed internet, flat panel television, a wall bed and sleeper sofa, and bathroom. Many units have direct snow access and a secure interior hallway. There is also a hot tub and pool.

The Big Sky Snowsports School is available for every learning need or guiding advice from never-ever instruction to guides off the Tram. Highly professional group lessons and private instruction can be reserved to elevate the experience for all riders.

Show off your skills in one of the three terrain parks, or try the super pipe and dial in your tricks. Regardless of your ability level, Big Sky’s 21 lifts will take you to any run and terrain you desire.

After a busy day of sliding on the snow, relax in one of the numerous Mountain Village bars or restaurants while enjoying live music with friends over a cocktail. There are 33 restaurant options, 14 within walking distance to the Mountain Plaza, including Andiamo Italian Grille, serving delicious Italian food, handmade pasta and entrees in a Tuscan eclectic atmosphere. Have a seat in the private wine/dining room or outdoors to soak up the Big Sky sun. A full bar is also available.

Do not miss the nightly après activities or the monthly free family-friendly events, such as the Dummy Jump, Pond Skim and Quarter-pipe. The full service Solace Spa will ease tired legs, and the Kids Club and numerous other activities will keep the whole family busy.

It is quick and easy to arrive on non-stop flights from Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Denver, Boise, Seattle, Las Vegas, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angles to Bozeman. A beautiful drive 50 miles south of the airport through the Gallatin Canyon will take you to the 11,166-foot peak of Lone Mountain at Big Sky to begin your vacation. To learn more visit www.bigskyresort.com or call Big Sky Central Reservations at 1-800-548-4486.

With virtually no lift lines, numerous lodging options and a mountain village with much to do, Big Sky invites everyone to come and see what makes them the biggest skiing in America.

For more info, please visit their website via a link on the homepage of www.skiernews.com or log in directly at www.bigskyresort.com or call them at 1-800-548-4486.