Ski Vacation News

TELLURIDE REPORTS RECORD SNOWFALLS

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:38:26 -0800

Telluride REPORTS Record SnowfallS

Almost Nine Feet of Snow in January

Telluride, Colo. (Jan. 31, 2008) - After a record breaking December with 95 inches of snow fall, the Snow Gods continued to take up residence in the San Juan Mountains this January. This month skiers and riders in Telluride have been treated to powder day after powder day and in the end 105 inches (almost 9 feet) has piled up on the legendary slopes of Telluride.

“With two great months of snow and 229 inches of total snowfall, this season is already one for the record books,” said Jeff Proteau, vice president of resort operations. “Locals can’t remember the last time it has snowed like this.”

January began with a 67 inch dump, followed by some periodic snowfalls and ending with the recent 32 inch bang. This qualifies as the second largest snow month in resort history. The only month to ever surpass this monumental January is the memorable March of 1990 in which 121 inches graced the slopes of Telluride. The previous January record snowfall 85 inches in 1996.

With a 72 inch base, over 19 feet for the season, and snow in the forecast throughout the weekend, there is no better time to see for yourself just why Telluride is unmatched in North America.

STORM DROPS TWO FEET OF SNOW ON TELLURIDE

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:24:57 -0800

TELLURIDE, Colo. (Dec. 2, 2007) –Telluride received over 24 inches of new snow from a winter storm this weekend. More than 20 more runs have opened this morning, and a new 40 inch base has been reported at top of mountain.

“This storm was a great hit for us and we are very excited to get more runs open,” said Dave Riley, CEO of the resort. “It’s the shot in the arm we needed to move forward with the season, and get all of our terrain open as soon as possible.”

Telluride Ski Resort now has six lifts accessing 22 trails, eight of which are groomed. Ski patrol was able to open all terrain on both Lift 5 and 6 late this morning.

“The skiing is spectacular and grooming and ski patrol are working hard to get as much of the mountain open, with safety being the number one priority,” said Riley.

WINTER PARK�S MARY JANE OPENS TODAY: Winter Park Resort Receives Another 10 Inches of Snow Overnight For a Storm Total of 21 Inches

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:12:40 -0800

WINTER PARK, COLO., December 7, 2007 – 10 more inches of pure powder piled upon Winter Park Resort last night lending way to yet another powder day! At 5:30 a.m., Winter Park Resort reported 10 inches of snow in 24 hours, 21 inches in 48 hours, all on a 40 inch mid-mountain base. This new snowfall, a storm total of 21 inches, will allow Winter Park Resort to open Mary Jane by 1 p.m. today. Starting at 1 p.m., Winter Park Resort will drop the ropes to four of Mary Jane’s chairlifts including the Super Gauge Express, Pony Express, Galloping Goose, and the High Lonesome, and trails including the Mary Jane Trail, Lower Arrowhead, Shoo Fly, Lonesome Whistle to Switchyard, and Village Way. On the Winter Park side of the mountain, the resort will operate 5 chairlifts including Zephyr Express and the Eskimo Express and 16 trails including Cranmer, Balch, Bradley’s Bash and Hughes.

The latest Winter Park Resort Snow Report is available online by clicking here. For more information on the Winter Park Resort Snow Report call the snowline at (970) 726-7669.

VAIL AND BEAVER CREEK MOUNTAINS SURPASS 100 INCH CUMULATIVE SNOWFALL MARK

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:07:18 -0800

VAIL, Colo.- Dec. 12, 2007- December month-to-date snowfall at Vail and Beaver Creek is tracking well ahead of average and both resorts today reported that they have surpassed the 100 inch cumulative snowfall mark for this season. Season-to-date Vail and Beaver Creek are reporting 101 inches of snow at their mid-mountain reporting sites. Vail is 18 inches ahead of its 83 inch cumulative average through today’s date and the flakes continue to fall today.

A series of powerful storms has dropped 56 inches of snow at Vail so far for the month of December and 53 inches at Beaver Creek. Vail’s December snowfall monthly average is 59 inches and Beaver Creek’s average is 55 inches for the month. Over the past week both resorts have had significant snowfall which has allowed for more terrain to open. Vail is reporting 41 inches of snow in the past seven days and Beaver Creek is reporting 35 inches. “Winter is in full swing at Vail and Beaver Creek and the energy and enthusiasm at our resorts is very high,” said Bill Jensen, President of Vail Resorts Mountain Division. “The dramatic change in weather over the past two weeks has had a major positive impact on conditions and is terrific news for holiday skiers and snowboarders.”

Telluride Ski Resort opens access to Palmyra Peak

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 09:51:11 -0700

TELLURIDE, Colo. (Oct. 24, 2007) – On the heels of Telluride’s opening of Black Iron Bowl to public access, the resort has gained approval for skiing and riding Palmyra Peak this winter. Located east of Black Iron Bowl and Prospect Bowl, this unbelievable hike-to terrain includes well over 200 acres and almost 2,000 vertical feet on the north face of 13,320 foot Palmyra Peak.

What can be considered some of the most spectacular in-bounds terrain in the country, the runs Tram Shot, Sunrise and Electric Shock drain into Upper Moraine, and Lower Palmyra Ridge which lead into Black Iron Bowl.

This opening has been made possible due to the addition of a new avalauncher this fall to the top of Gold Hill #5.

“With the addition of a new avalauncher and ski patrol resources, we are now able to control Palmyra Peak for access to the area,” said Vice President of Mountain Operations Jeff Proteau.

Prospect Bowl first opened in 2002, adding approximately 700 acres and nearly doubling the size of the resort’s terrain with fantastic beginner and intermediate runs. Guide-only access was offered beginning in 2005 to Black Iron Bowl, with open access coming this year. Palmyra Peak’s expert acreage will open this season as conditions allow.

“Palmyra Peak was the natural next step in expanding the area,” said CEO Dave Riley. “Telluride has always been known for its legendary terrain, and opening Palmyra Peak will further demonstrate that Telluride Ski Resort is Unmatched in North America.”

New Lift, Greater Access at Winter Park

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 13:49:21 -0700

The "Panoramic Express" is the name selected for the new $8 million detachable six-pack chairlift that began construction this spring on Winter Park Resort's Parsenn Bowl. The new Leitner-Poma state-of-the-art chairlift is powered by renewable energy and will hoist skiers up to approximately 12,060 feet above sea level making it the highest, high-speed six-pack chairlift in all of North America. The lift will give guests over 100 new acres of Intermediate terrain.

Its only October but the snow has already been steadily falling. Since the first snowfall we have already recieved over 2 feet of snow. We hope that this early season snow is a sign of the things to come. We are anticipating a great year for snow here at Winter Park which will create some great skiing conditions throughout the season.

SNOW BLANKETS TELLURIDE

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 16:21:30 -0700

TELLURIDE, Colo. (Oct. 17, 2007) – Telluride’s first big snow of the season dropped nine new inches overnight, leaving the snow depth on top of renowned Gold Hill at more than a foot. Following heavy snowfall on the peaks and several dustings in town over the last few weeks, this storm settled in and blanketed the entire valley white.

“This snow is a great pre-season indicator, and with forecasts calling for more snow tonight and over the weekend, we are gearing up for a great season,” said Jeff Proteau, vice president of mountain operations. “The resort has also upgraded snowmaking and grooming capacities this year, so this snow is helping to build on a great base for opening.”

With more than $850,000 in snowmaking upgrades this season, skiers and riders will see vastly improved coverage and quality. The resort has run new snowmaking water lines for both sides of the mountain, added eight new SMI Super Polecat fan guns and 11 new Ratnik Snow Giant air/water guns.

Telluride Ski Resort also recently purchased three new Prinoth snowcats, two BR350s and one Sherpa Winchcat. Prinoth’s leading tiller designs lay down a superior ski surface, and will help Telluride continue to lead southwest Colorado in quality grooming.

In total, the resort has allocated more than $1.35 million to these two projects, dedicated to the continual enhancement of the ski experience on Telluride’s legendary terrain.

Telluride is scheduled to open on November 22. Keeping with tradition, Donation Day will take place on November 21 with all proceeds going to the Telluride Ski & Snowboard Club.

Stay & Ski packages are available from just $279 for a 3 night/2 day vacation. American Airlines is also running a ski sale with some of the cheapest rates coming into Montrose/Telluride, including just $318 from Dallas and $338 from Chicago.

Telluride adds new terrain - Black Iron Bowl

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:13:01 -0700

Telluride added some new terrain up in it's Prospect Bowl region. From the visitor's bureau:

Telluride Ski Resort is thrilled to announce the opening of Black Iron Bowl, adding eight runs of backcountry-style terrain adjacent to the breathtaking Prospect Bowl. The area sits against the dramatic backdrop of Palmyra Peak on the western end of the resort.

“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 accessible via Lift 12 (Prospect Lift) and a short hike out Prospect Ridge. Skiers and riders will be able to drop in anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes hiking time along the ridge. Dropping 1000 vertical feet on the primary pitches, terrain includes the expansive Mountain Quail couloir, European-style faces, open glades and steep chutes. The Mountain Quail couloir had previously been accessible as guide-only, but now the full expanse of Black Iron will be open for public access as conditions allow.

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I'm not 100% clear which runs these are. From the trail map of Prospect Bowl, I would speculate these new runs are in the area labeled "Guided Access Only - Book Through Ski School". Certain doesn't appear to be anything but advanced terrain. Still, it's always nice to see a resort adding terrain to the actual mountain rather than simply building more real estate.

Vail Resorts' Skiing is Gone With the Wind

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:04:47 -0700

Vail Resorts Inc. announced today that the Company will offset 100 percent of its energy use by purchasing nearly 152,000 megawatt-hours of wind energy for its five ski and snowboard resorts, its lodging properties including RockResorts and Grand Teton Lodge Company, all of its 125 retail locations (operated through Specialty Sports Venture) and its new corporate headquarters in Broomfield, Colo. By purchasing renewable energy credits equal to the Company's entire electricity use, Vail Resorts becomes the second largest purchaser of wind power of all corporations in the United States.

Vail Resorts announced this initiative as part of the Company's ongoing environmental efforts. Vail Resorts' commitment to clean and renewable wind power will avoid over 211 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions every year, which is equivalent to taking 18,000 cars off the road or planting over 27,000 acres of trees, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The company operates the ski and snowboard resorts of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado, as well as Heavenly which straddles the California/Nevada line.

"Our core mission is to provide extraordinary vacation experiences in spectacular mountain settings," said Rob Katz, chief executive officer of Vail Resorts. "By embracing wind power as a clean and renewable source for 100 percent of our company-wide electricity use, we want to reinforce our commitment to the natural environment in which we operate and be a leader on this critical effort within the travel industry."

Vail Resorts is also asking its employees and guests to join in the Company's renewable energy efforts by launching a Ski With the Wind promotion. Under this new promotion, Vail Resorts is offering a free one-day ski lift ticket, valid at any of its five mountain resorts, to anyone who purchases wind power for their family's residence for one year with Renewable Choice Energy. The Company also announced that each of its executives has personally signed up to purchase wind power for their homes.

Vail Resorts will work with Boulder, Colorado-based Renewable Choice Energy as their wind power provider. Renewable Choice Energy is a leading national provider building the market for clean and renewable sources of energy.

Since it is physically impossible to deliver electricity straight from a wind farm to Vail Resorts, renewable energy credits make purchasing wind power possible. Wind energy credits ensure that the amount of electricity Vail Resorts uses is replaced onto the power grid with wind power. Wind farms sell renewable energy credits to better compete with fossil fuels, allowing consumers to choose clean sources of electricity. Vail Resorts' purchase is significantly contributing to the growth of wind power across the United States.

"Renewable Choice Energy is proud to be working with an environmental leader like Vail Resorts to make this landmark wind power purchase possible," said Quayle Hodek, Renewable Choice Energy chief executive officer.

"Vail Resorts' commitment is the second largest corporate purchase of wind power in the country," said Matt Clouse, program director of EPA's Green Power Partnership. "EPA applauds Vail Resorts for their environmental leadership with this green power purchase. We hope their commitment will encourage others in the travel and hospitality industry to also embrace clean, renewable sources of energy that further reduce the risks associated with climate change."

Vail Resorts says that the company's environmental initiatives include efforts in energy and water conservation, water quality management, waste reduction and recycling, air and visual quality, wildlife habitat management, and education and outreach.

Intrawest Adds New Season Pass Product Covering Its 3 Colorado Ski Resorts

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:23:00 -0700

Winter Park, CO - With its recent purchase of Steamboat Ski Resort, Intrawest has announced new season pass products that combine the northern Colorado ski area with the company's other two in-state holdings, Copper Mountain and Winter Park Resort. Colorado skiers will need to act quickly, however, as the lowest price points are only available through Monday.

New for the 2007/2008 season is the Rocky Mountain Super Pass Plus, providing unlimited access to Copper and Winter Park, and an additional six full days at Steamboat, as well as free skiing or riding at Steamboat every Friday afternoon.

The popular Rocky Mountain Super Pass returns providing unlimited access to Copper Mountain and Winter Park Resort, and, of course, individual resort passes for all three resorts are also available for purchase.

For those seeking unlimited access to all three resorts, the Rocky Mountain Ultimate Pass provides all the access they want, at whatever resort they choose, all season long. As an additional benefit, families will receive one child's (12 and under) Ultimate Pass free with every adult Ultimate Pass purchased. Following is a full description of each season pass product and additional benefits for pass holders:

Four Passes: $119 Copper / $129 Winter Park
Ski or ride four days for less than $33 per day at Winter Park and for $30 per day at Copper, Winter Park Four Passes are $129 and Copper Four Passes are $119. Four Passes require a picture that ties it directly to its user. Purchasers are also entitled benefits including "Friends and Family" lift ticket discounts. Four Passes are not valid Dec. 26 - 31, 2007. Four Pass pricing will increase on Oct. 15, 2007.

New & Improved TransFour Card (Adult): $179 Copper and Winter Park
The new Copper/Winter Park TransFour Card provides guests total transferability and flexibility between the two resorts. Purchase four days of skiing and riding for $179 and have the flexibility to use the pass themselves at both Winter Park and Copper, or the option to give it to visiting family and friends. The TransFour Card further rewards loyal guests with the Friends and Family discount lift ticket program. The TransFour Card is not valid Dec 26-31, 2007. TransFour Card pricing will increase on Oct. 15, 2007.

Individual Resort Season Passes (Adult): $349 Winter Park / $349 Copper / $1294 Steamboat
Unlimited access to individual resorts is also available for those most loyal to their resort of choice.

Rocky Mountain Super Pass: $389 Adult / $299 Teen / $189 Child
The Rocky Mountain Super Pass returns for the 2007/08 season, offering unlimited skiing and riding at both Copper Mountain and Winter Park Resort.

Rocky Mountain Super Pass Plus: $489 Adult / $359 Teen / $229 Child, 70 and over
New for this season, "The Plus" pass offers skiers and riders unlimited access to Winter Park Resort and Copper Mountain along with a Steamboat component featuring six unrestricted days to use anytime throughout the season, and free skiing and riding every Friday after 12 noon.

Rocky Mountain Ultimate Pass: $1344 Adult / $659 Teen / $420 Child / $349 70 and over
New for this season, "The Ultimate" pass adds Steamboat to the previously available combination of Winter Park Resort and Copper Mountain, allowing for unlimited skiing and riding at all three resorts. As an additional benefit, for every adult "Ultimate Pass" purchased, families will be allowed to receive one child's (12 and under) Ultimate Pass free. At Winter Park/Mary Jane and Copper Mountain, season Pass holders can purchase up to four discounted lift tickets per day at the window (Copper and Winter Park only). Adult and 70 and over season pass holders receive four additional coupons good for lift tickets at a rate of $45 per person, per day to be used at Winter Park or Copper (Wells Fargo, child, teen, and 5 & under not eligible). Passholders also receive discounts on resort food and beverage, retail, rental, and ski and ride lessons and a 50% discount on daily window lift tickets rates at other select Intrawest resorts as well as a one-year subscription to Ski, Skiing, or Transworld Snowboarding magazine.

In addition to the above benefits, Rocky Mountain Super Pass, Super Pass Plus and Ultimate Pass Benefits for full price adult and 70 and over passholders receive 5,000 EarlyReturn Frontier Miles when they ski or ride 15 or more days at Winter Park or Copper Mountain, and three days of free skiing at Taos Ski Valley with blackout dates that apply.

To renew last season's season passes and Four Passes, visit www.passwagon.com, or call the resorts. New pass purchasers can visit Front Range Christy Sports stores beginning Sept 1. TransFour Cards are available online, through resort call centers, Front Range Christy Sports stores, and Front Range King Soopers starting Sept. 1.