Posts Tagged ‘skiing usa’
Why Do Skiers Care About El Niño?
We’ve heard rumours that El Niño is set to make a return in 2015, which could be great news for ski resorts in North America. With increasing confidence that 2015/16 will see a return of this weather phenomenon, Nick has delved a little deeper into why ski resorts and skiers care about El Niño.
What is El Niño?
El Niño, which means “the boy” in Spanish (as in Jesus – because its effects are most strongly felt in South America around Christmas), is a phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) when things heat up over the tropical Pacific Ocean. Read the rest of this entry »
Fancy a powder day in Squaw Valley?
Squaw Valley, at Lake Tahoe, California, is a great resort for all levels of skier, but it’s also home to plenty of big mountain chargers who like nothing more than to try to outdo each other on a big snow day – often at the same time.
It’s become somewhat of a Squaw Valley tradition to line up early on a powder day at the base of the famous KT22 lift which accesses some of Squaw’s most raucous terrain, including Fingers – a particularly challenging cliff section. The results are often spectacular; the race is quickly on to ski the best/steepest/craziest line before everyone else, and the carnage can be witnessed from the safety of base village, which creates a natural amphitheatre for the action:
We currently have some fantastic early booking offers for trips to Squaw Valley, and also great deals on season passes and lift tickets which cover Squaw Valley, neighbouring Alpine Meadows, and other nearby Lake Tahoe resorts including: Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Alpine Meadows, Homewood, Diamond Peak, Sugar Bowl, Sierra-at-Tahoe, and Mt. Rose.
BIG SKY – Thanks for another great trip
Our flights out of the UK all worked well and our Air France card meant we got the ski baggage for free and helped ourselves to the lounge at Heathrow. The change in Minneapolis was fine, and we had an evening meal there before the second leg to Bozeman. The transfer to the Hotel was pretty good at around only 50 minutes and we got into our room at about 0030hrs so not bad and we were able to get up ready for the first day.
Our hotel, The Summit, was really great, not quite the Four Seasons in Jackson Hole but close and had good eating options at reasonable prices and the included breakfast was extensive and totally met our expectations. The staff were friendly and helpful and everyone we met was really nice …such a break from London. Our studio room was fine and the fold down bed comfortable plus it had a great bathroom and handy kitchen. We’d say a studio was good for two, probably a bit small for four. Our mountain view from the room was nice with only a hot tub between us and the lifts…not sure we have ever had to make so little effort to get onto the slopes before and the swimming pool sized hot tub was really good and even had bar service – highly recommended! Read the rest of this entry »
Life in the Singles Lane
There is a lot you can learn being single, skiing single that is. In one day you can meet a lovely couple from Chicago, a teenager from Venezuela, a father from the UK, a guy on a long weekend “business conference” for Oil & Gas who works in Paris but is originally from Scotland! However, it is the locals who are the best value in the Vail area singles lane – they know the mountain. I’m talking about the guys who’ve been skiing Vail for over 25 years. Now, I’m not going to say that the only way to have fun at Vail is to meet and follow around local skiers BUT they have showed me this year where the great snow is to be found!
The mantra on the slopes early this season was how great last season was – the excitement was intense and contagious. The new season didn’t get off to quite the same start, but more recently to my delight I have not been hearing how “great last season was” five times a day. The new mantra at Vail is that the snow pack is working its magic, the back bowls are fully open and even the bumps are fun and knee-friendly so be happy. How lucky we are! Even better, the normal weather patterns are returning. Even as I write we’ve had 5” overnight! Read the rest of this entry »
Ptarmigan Chalet, Vail
30 feet of light dry fluffy powder and an annual average of 300 blue sky days a year means Vail Colorado is always near the top of any list of the world’s best ski destinations. Vail Mountain offers a heavy mix of alpine bowls, glades and wide-open trails linked by a super quick and efficient modern lift system. The town of Vail serves up some exceptional après ski, dining and shopping – everywhere you go, superb service is the order of the day. Read the rest of this entry »
Breckenridge turns 50!
Breckenridge is 50 years old this winter, that’s nearly as old as our Product Manager Nick Laver (there is (not) a prize if you correctly guess how old he is/which one is older, answers on the website please!)
I am lucky enough to have visited Breckenridge a few times now and still love skiing the huge area and finding new terrain. There is loads of varied terrain, enough to keep the most diverse group of skiers happy with the gentle beginners slopes close to the town to the amazing cruisers and rollers off the Independence Super Chair over on Peak 8. The Imperial Super Chair drops you just shy of 13,000ft above sea level (highest lift access in Continental America) to access some incredible terrain, even for an intermediate skier like me, but I’m told that the double diamond skiing from here is even better! Read the rest of this entry »
Aspen Snowmass – Best Opening Weeks In History
This has been one of the best opening weeks in Aspen’s history as they were well above average snowfall for the month of November.
They’ve received over a foot of snow within the past week and more is on the way. Click here to view the opening weekend video highlights the Visa Aspen Winternational races, the Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series featuring Blind Melon and fireworks over Aspen Mountain.
Audi FIS Alpine World Cup, Aspen Winternational
Audi FIS Alpine World Cup, Aspen Winternational
Record Opening Weekend in Jackson Hole
What an epic opening day Jackson Hole Mountain Resort had on Saturday 27th November, simply incredible!
Justin Bird, from the Terra Resort Resort – Hotel Terra, was out on the mountain “Wow, it was deep and my aching legs are testament to all the fun I had! We have an incredible season ahead of us, please share the news with your friends & family. Let it continue to snow!”
Words can’t do conditions like this justice – watch for yourself:
Want to head out to Jackson Hole and experience this record start to the season? Take advantage of fantastic early season rates at the Hotel Terra – 7 nights at the beginning of December from £959pp.
Steamboat Snow Update
Very warm greetings from my cold, white world in Steamboat, Colorado! We’ve had 23cm of new snow in the last 24 hours, and we already have a 61cm settled snow base at mid-mountain at the top of the Gondola. I also see snowy days and/or cold days in the 10-day forecast, and although I would not dare second guess Mother Nature, all signs indicate an amazing Steamboat opening day on November 24.
I spent both weekend afternoons up on Emerald Mountain in downtown Steamboat Springs. On Saturday we hiked the 3-mile Lupine Trail up to the quarry in snow clogs, but after constant snow all day and night Saturday and through Sunday, too, we were very happy to have snowshoes and poles on the same trail yesterday. Read the rest of this entry »
Breckenridge Opening Day
Breckenridge Ski Resort opened yesterday for it’s 49th season . The sun was shining brightly and the snow was incredible, with a nice soft layer of powder on top of the groomed runs. Pat Barratt from Vail Resorts was in town for the special day:
The Colorado Super Chair on Peak 8 was running, as was Chair 5, carrying loads of happy skiers and snowboarders up to the more than 290 skiable acres that were open, including hike-to terrain on the Horseshoe and Contest Bowls!
Today also marked the debut of the Gold Runner Coaster on Peak 8. There was a ribbon cutting ceremony and several eager riders of all ages waiting for their turn to experience the new thrill ride.
