September 24, 2011 - The ski season is inching closer and Lake Tahoe ski resorts are hoping for another La Nina visit this winter.

Long-range forecasts indicate ocean conditions this summer mirror last year, setting up the region for plenty of powder. The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center issued a La Niña watch for the 2011-12 season and the Old Farmer's Almanac calls for stormier-than-normal periods between November and December, with the heaviest in January.

With new terrain, wider runs and expanded resort options, skiers at South Lake Tahoe can anticipate bountiful skiing, boarding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing with arguably the best combination of beauty, recreation, dining, entertainment, gaming and nightlife in the country.

All-time records were approached in 2010-11 with more than 700 inches of snow at many Lake Tahoe resorts.

Heavenly ski resort: The south shore resort has several new mountain enhancements, including new and wider runs, new grooming machines, ground-breaking EpicMix technology and state-of-the-art learning tools for kids.

Heavenly added three new trails on the Nevada side of the mountain, accessed by the Galaxy Chairlift and providing a haven for intermediate and lower-intermediate skiers and snowboarders.

Trails have been widened on the California side making Heavenly’s 4,800 acres even bigger, spreading people out and allowing more groomed surface for skiers and riders to enjoy. Heavenly added two new Prinoth Beast grooming machines, increasing the largest fleet of the most technologically advanced and efficient groomers on the market to four.

A new 2,200 square-foot ski school facility at the top of the Gondola will match the level of its Heavenly’s world-class instructors. Kids can explore in the new adventure zone called Black Bear Hollow, a meandering, low angle skiing and riding trail with groomed whoop-de-doos, entry level progression park features small rails, gentle jumps and boxes designed to help youngsters explore.

The next generation of Vail Resorts’ popular ski and snowboard application, EpicMix will definitely change how guests take and share photos when it launches this season. Upon request, Heavenly’s photographers will take portrait and action photos and deliver to the guest’s EpicMix account by scanning a guest’s RF-enabled lift ticket or season pass. See www.skiheavenly.com for more information.

Sierra-at-Tahoe: A number of new features include Huckleberry Cat Tours, The Burton Riglet Park, additions to Blizzard Mountain and more value-added rates.

Thrill-seeking expert skiers and boarders will now be able to access the backcountry with the addition of the Huckleberry Canyon Cat tours. The guided tours shave time and energy getting to the canyon's edge to access cliff and cornice drops, rock chutes, open bowls, gladed runs and powder pillows.

In partnership with Burton Snowboards, Sierra Resort's new Burton Riglet Park is a mini-snowboard park designed to introduce kids as young as three to snowboarding. Along with its Learn to Ride Program, the resort will utilize Riglet Reel technology, allowing instructors to tow kids around obstacles.

The all-new Blizzard Mountain, a snow play and tubing area features two rope tow-accessible tubing lanes, an expanded snow play area, a bounce house, snack bar, fire pits, picnic tables and sledding. The 3-Pak lift tickets include Skiing or Riding for $51 a day over three days and are available through Dec. 16, 2011. Visit www.SierraAtTahoe.com or call (530) 659-7453.

Kirkwood MountainResort: The popular resort off Highway 88 has invested over $6 million in capital improvements, including upgraded on-slope accommodations at The Mountain Club. The upgrades include new two-bedroom condos converted from hotel suites, full workout room, spa and message treatment facilities. The improvement also comprises a newly re-designed, state of the art rental facility – one of Lake Tahoe’s most complete demo centers and the new Monte Wolfe’s restaurant.

Kirkwood Outfitters, a new $1 million facility, provides special clinics, private guides, backcountry awareness, classroom/conference center, high end retail, demo gear and is the hub for leaning about and exploring the backcountry.

The year-round Zip-Tahoe Tree Top Canopy Tour continues flying this season with eight lines with speeds up to 35 miles per hour. Kirkwood is vested in offering a diverse resort experience for kids of all ages with Thunder Mountain Snowmobiles – Tahoe’s only kids snowmobile park – evening snow cat tours and a new Tube Park.

Kirkwoodhas several new season pass deals starting at $199. For more information visit www.kirkwood.com or call (209) 258-6000.

Zephyr Cove Snowmobile Center: For the person who doesn’t ski or snowboard, this snowmobile operates from late November until mid-April, featuring lake views at 9,000 feet. Lake Tahoe Adventures offers unguided snowmobile rentals for seasoned riders into the heart of Tahoe’s forest lands to the top of the mountain ridge as well as guided off-the-trail tours for less-experienced adventure seekers. Both locations feature moonlight snowmobile tours along with ride and dine options.

The winter months feature helicopter tours; horse-drawn sleigh rides with Borges Sleigh Rides; dog sled rides; boat cruises on the Tahoe Queen and M.S. Dixie II; and ice skating at the Heavenly Village or indoors at the City of South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena.

Snowshoe and cross country trails abound Hope Valley, Fallen Leaf Lake and Camp Richardson’s 35 kilometers of groomed trails through dense trees and snow-covered beaches.source: www.examiner.com

(Host) Vermont's largest ski resorts are trying to get the message out that, despite the wrath of Tropical Storm Irene, they are open for fall visits and will be ready for the ski season. VPR's Nina Keck has more.

(Keck) Bonnie McPherson is director of public relations at Okemo Mountain. Her own marketing offices were flooded, and while the carpet and walls had to be torn out she says they'll soon be replaced.

Across the street, an access road that was completely torn up has already been fixed. Considering the storm damage in some parts of the state, she says Okemo was lucky.

(McPherson) "We had a bit of a mud slide come in and deposited about 4 feet of sand and silt. But we're big time in recovery mode right now. So the lift shack is back on its feet. We've graded out and removed a lot of the sand and silt. And now we're putting in some fill and additional drainage and as you can hear and the work is going on!"

(Keck) While repairs are still under way, resort officials say come winter, skiers at Okemo shouldn't notice anything amiss.

Farther south at Mount Snow, PR director David Meeker says their resort suffered only minor damage.

Access was the biggest problem, he says, because Route 9 and neighboring communities like Wilmington were in such bad shape. Thankfully, he says, things are better.

(Meeker) "Now the message has gone from, ‘Don't come because we need to give these guys some room to work,' to, ‘We are open for business, the leaves are changing and it's one of the most beautiful times of year. So please come and enjoy.'"

(Keck) But getting that positive message out can be difficult. Meeker says social networks like Facebook and Twitter are playing a much bigger role than even a year or two ago.

Chris Danforth, marketing manager for Killington and Pico Ski resorts, says social media sites are changing the way companies deal with a crisis like Irene.

(Danforth) "Perfect example: Part of our base lodge collapsed and a photo gets out on the Internet with the caption that the entire base lodge has collapsed. And if you don't get out ahead on the story on social media, then someone else is likely to tell the story for you and it might not be correct."

(Keck) For the record, Danforth says, only the Superstar Pub section of the base lodge was destroyed. The good part of that story, he says, is they'll be replacing it with a large outdoor deck and two heated umbrella bars.

(Danforth) "Lemonade out of lemons, definitely."

(Keck) Of all the ski resorts in the state, Killington was probably hardest hit by Irene. Danforth says most of the base lodges had water damage, some worse than others.

But he says the gondolas and chair lifts were not harmed.

And while he says there was some erosion on ski trails, it was minimal and can be repaired. He says the resort has posted a lot of photos on its website to highlight cleanup efforts and have ramped up advertising on social media sites.

(Danforth) "On paid search and Facebook we're blowing through our budget, so that means people are clicking on and are interested in Killington and foliage. The interest is out there and people are checking in with us. At the very least to see how we're doing and I see that as a positive sign."

(Keck) One, he says, that will hopefully lead to bookings.

For VPR News, I'm Nina Keck.

(Host) The ski resorts say despite all the extra work with flood cleanup, they all plan to open as usual late this fall - as long as there's sufficient snow. source: www.vpr.net

September 25, 2011 - There's a war happening in the Australian snow fields and Perisher started it with their $699 Perisher Freedom season pass.

The price war for season passes for 2012 has been a long time coming. The idea of offering heavy discounts to season pass holders if they purchase early with a definite cut off date is not new to the dollar-savvy North American resorts.

Vail Resorts in Colorado are the king of season lift-pass deals with their Epic Season Pass offering unlimited access to all seven Vail Resorts for US$649 per person, buy this North American autumn and $5 goes to Shaun White's chosen charity, buy before September 25 and go into the draw to win an Epic Pass for life. No one can compete with that.

Australia hasn't seen season pass prices like Perisher's since the late '80s, despite Aussie skiers and snowboarders balking at the high price of skiing in Australia thanks to $100 lift passes and overpriced accommodation and food. Many Aussies have headed to New Zealand where the strong Aussie dollar means more bang for your buck, despite some of the minuses of Kiwi resort skiing (have to drive challenging roads to access the mountain resorts twenty to forty five minutes from town, no on-mountain accommodation).

Skiing and snowboarding in Australia has become viable again as other resorts have matched Perisher's offer. Perisher's Freedom Pass gives skiers and boarders a season pass for 2012 and the option to pay the same low price for a season pass for 2013. The pass is $699 for adults and $399 for students and seniors including one free day skiing this current season. A down payment of only $199 or $99 will secure you the pass and full payment must be paid by May 2012. The catch is you must purchase the pass before the animated V8 chairlift reaches the top on their website.

Thredo Resort was the first to respond with the Ultimate Season Sale Pass. It offers the same as the Freedom Pass, including price but for $50 you can upgrade to the Platinum Ultimate Season Sale Pass which gives holders free skiing for the rest of this season plus full use of the Thredbo Leisure Centre and summer chairlifts. The $699 or $399 pass must be purchased with a downpayment of $199 or $99 by October 10 and the balance due in May 2012.

The Victorian resorts have since upped the ante with Hotham and Falls Creek offering their Hero Season Pass for 2012. Same price but holders get access to both Hotham and Falls Creek and 15 per cent off equipment hire, group lessons and retail. But wait there's more, 15 per cent off up to five adult lift-only passes per Hero Season Pass holder. The pass must be purchased with a down payment by October 10 and the balance again due in May.

That's not all, either. The Hero Season Pass also offers holders free lift passes in Niseko, Japan and discounted accommodation deals, though to access the Japan deals the Hero Pass must be paid in full by December 12.

There has been much talk on forums and social media about what Mount Buller will come up with in response to these serious savings from their competitors in Victoria. Mount Buller attracts a loyal crowd, mainly from Melbourne but even loyalists want to feel loved.

If they haven't defected to Hotham's Hero Season Pass already, Mount Bullerites can wait until October 3 when the mountain will finally release their pricing strategy for 2012. Snow It All believes it will include a season pass but the mountain representatives can't confirm. In the meantime kids have been skiing for free at Mount Buller since September 17 and will do so until the end of season. 'Kids' at Mount Buller means anyone up to Year 12 in school (the only resort that offers this) so this is some serious saving.

I was asked recently when a season pass becomes good value? If you ski for more than a week each year then, with an average $100 a day lift pass, these new season passes have already saved you money. It really is a no brainer, but then offering time-limited discount passes is too and that's taken forever. Though hats off to Perisher for leading the charge. We're all for keeping the Australian ski industry alive.

Aussie resort closing dates: Mt Buller and Hotham September 25, Falls Creek October 2, Perisher October 3, Thredbo October 5.

What do you think of the season pass price wars? Will you be purchasing one? Will you be more likely to ski or snowboard in Australia because of it? Post a comment on the blog below.

JAPOW - IS IT SAFE TO SKI IN JAPAN?

Skiing in Japan is a head rush. The lightest, dryest powder imaginable served up with slopeside vending machines serving hot coffee in a can, private karaoke rooms, hot thermal spring onsens, wild monkeys and Japanese food.

With the northern winter soon rearing it's head I am receiving emails asking about the safety of Japan since the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear plant 'mishap'.

Here's the deal. According to The Australian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) it is safe to ski in Japan. The DFAT Smart Traveller website has ARPANSA saying that 'the current risk of radiological releases to the atmosphere is small'. The airlines are all flying into Japan and DFAT only suggests exercising caution when travelling to the coastal areas of northern Honshu due to ongoing clean up operations and the 30-80kms zone around the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. Neither of which are close to the ski fields.

Japan ski resort infrastructures remain fully operational so it's 'good to go' for 2011/2012 snow season. For more information visit the DFAT site.

Will you be skiing in Japan this season? Where will you go and why? Post a comment on our blog below.

We've done it again, another exclusive from our boy Tim Myers (though we suspect he just likes to see his name in Fairfax lights). He's delivered fresh to our inbox an exclusive Snow It All cut of our favourite gal, Anna Segal, rocking the Toyota One Hit Wonder 100 foot jump alongside Kiwi Jossi Wells, and Americans Bobby Brown and Chris Laker (who takes a stack for the team).

The mammoth jump is the largest in the southern hemisphere and appears for one week only at Thredbo each September as part of the One Hit Wonder. Next time Timmeee, send bubbly, we respond better to vintage.
source: www.smh.com.au

Sep 25, 2011 - Roxbury, NY - A series of fall festivals will celebrate both Catskill Mountain fall color and the ski season ahead at the region's ski and snowboard resorts.

Plattekill Mountain ski area in Roxbury will hot its first-ever Antique Show at the mountain this Saturday and Sundayfrom 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Admission to the event is free to browse the variety of items from a bygone era. Along with antique vendors, the event will also have a variety of local food booths selling homemade pies, desserts, cheese, wine, and more. Plus the Plattekill staff will be cooking up a variety of BBQ items on the deck. Local musicians have also been asked to attend the show and the resort's chairlift will be operating all weekend for scenic fall-foliage chair rides.

The antique show itself is the brain-child of Steve Coster of Second Wind Furniture in Hobart, N.Y., who says that his main goal in organizing the event was to "make the event large enough and varied enough to make the trip worthwhile for not only the antique-goers, but the whole family."

While recent flood damage has played havoc with local Catskill communities and dealer participants in several area counties, the show must go on. In an effort to help those communities that have been hit so hard, there will be an opportunity to donate to local flood relief at the event. "Perhaps, when folks from out of the area travel through our region and see for themselves the extent of the damage, they will be moved to help ease the plight," hopes Coster.

For more information, directions to the event and more, visit the resort website at www.plattekill.com or call the mountain at (607) 326-3500 . Anyone interested in vending local goods or antiques at the festival should contact Coster for more information at (607) 538-1941

Color in the Catskills draws motorcyclists from across the Northeast to Hunter Mountain ski area in N.Y. (photo: Hunter Mountain)
The following two weekends feature two separate events at Hunter Mountain ski resort in Hunter, N.Y.: Colors in the Catskills Sept. 29-Oct. 1, and the resort's iconic Oktoberfest Oct. 1-2 and 8-9.

Colors in the Catskills welcomes autumn foliage to the Catskill Mountains with a special focus on motorcyclists. Co-sponsored by MAX BMW, the event takes place on the grounds of the ski area and all bikes are welcome. Live bands will provide entertainment on Saturday and Sunday. Food and beer will be available and activities will include dirt/trail riding, cruising on uncrowded roads, exhibits from motorcycle, arts and crafts vendors, and rides aboard Hunter's summer Skyride chairlift. Rides will be guided from base to summit and on-site camping is available.

Hunter's Oktoberfest features authentic German and German-American entertainment in the beauty of the northern Catskills in autumn. The resort's modern celebration of the harvest features a farmers market, plenty of vendors, free crafts and pumpkin painting for the kids, and more. Free admission makes the event affordable for families.

Oktoberfest hours are from 11:30 a.m. until 6:15 p.m. each day. On-site camping is available on grassy sites adjacent to the festival grounds on the festival's first weekend. For more information and for vendor registration, visit www.huntermtn.com.

Belleayre Mountain's 32nd Annual Fall Festival will be held at the Catskill ski resort's Overlook Lodge in Highmount, N.Y. on October 8 and 9 of Columbus Day Weekend. The Fall Festival will again this year feature its traditional Craft Fair showcasing local artisans, the Uber Winter Equipment & Apparel Sale for discounts on skiing and riding gear for the coming season, the Sky Ride to whisk people to the summit for spectacular views of the Catskill foliage, traditional German Oktoberfest Food, an expanded Fair Food Court, an Outdoor Expo and more.

Belleayre is currently taking applications for vendors and spaces are filling up quickly. For registration forms or additional information, contact Belleayre Monday through Friday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at (845) 254-5600 ext. 2473 or go to www.belleayre.com to download a vendor application. The expanded food court is also soliciting new food vendors. Food vendors should call (845) 254-5600 x1316. source: news.alpinezone.com