Reasons To Ski Whistler During the Olympics

Reasons To Ski Whistler During the Olympics

Courtesy of CNN.com and skinet.com.

Unless you live in Whistler, you wouldn’t know that a certain segment of the community is opposed to hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Some locals have decided to leave town for two weeks, rent their houses to “some rich Americans,” and go surfing in Mexico. Let them.

Here are several reasons why the 2010 Winter Olympics are the perfect time to ski Whistler.

Empty mountains

No, that’s not a typo. The Games are notoriously poorly attended. For 2010’s events, just 12 of Whistler and Blackcomb’s 200-plus runs are closed.

Better still, Whistler insiders told Skiing that January bookings are lagging, meaning for several weeks leading up to the Games you won’t be fighting for first tracks. Lucky you.

Plus, Whistler won our Best Overall Resort in our 2010 Resort Awards.

Pulsing village

The mountains may be empty but when you ski back to the village, expect the same kind of pulse you associate with a vibrant city.

Other than the media and medal-presentation areas, the village is free of security barricades. You can walk, mingle, and party with the world.

Red-carpet treatment

If you owned Whistler, and it was about to get more global media attention than it has ever received, wouldn’t you ensure that the cat tracks were as smooth as golf greens? That mountain restaurants were world-class? That busy stores and ticket windows were amply staffed?

Of course you would.

Our Whistler insiders say that the few people who end up attending are going to have it good. Spring is a season of transitions at Whistler Blackcomb. From powder to parties during the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival April 17-26; and from boards to bikes when the Whistler Mountain Bike Park opens May 16; spring is the season for adventure hedonists.

Free admission to Olympic events

Each alpine event will have a complimentary viewing area. All you need is a lift ticket to whack your stupid cowbell as racers pass.

Plenty of rooms

Just before the Games began, Whistler’s hotels were about 85 percent booked.

But here’s where the local exodus works for you: Private homes and condos are empty, and the prices are expected to drop as go time gets closer.

Free parties

Nothing to see here but free concerts, free outdoor theater, and huge screens broadcasting all 17 days of Olympic events.

The official parties last until 11:30, culminating in a nightly “fire and ice” show, but count on late nights, especially given that some restaurants are expected to be open around the clock.

Whistler’s official Olympic website, has all the info you’ll need.

The mountains may be empty but when you ski back to the village, expect the same kind of pulse you associate with a vibrant city. Other than the media and medal-presentation areas, the village is free of security barricades. You can walk, mingle, and party with the world.

There’s a reason Whistler was voted Best Nightlife in our 2010 Resort Awards.

Original article can be found by clicking here.

World snow report, low temps in Europe, more big snow for western North America

As reported by TheSkiChannel.com… Original Article can be found by clicking here.

Low Temperatures In Europe, More Big Snow For Western North America

*  More Heavy Snow In Western North America
*  Quieter In Europe
*  Heavy snow in Russia leads to cancellation of international freeride contest at 2014 Olymics resort.
*  Seven feet of snow (2.1m) in seven days at Utah’s Snowbird ski resort.

For skiing Europe has had quite a quiet week in terms of fresh snowfall but in most areas temperatures have been low, helping to maintain snow quality, and small snowfalls have helped freshen up terrain at a number of centres.  Skiing in North America there have been more huge snowfalls on the west side of the continent.

Skiing in France the cold temperatures have kept the snow in excellent condition for skiing. There’s been little new snow, except for a big snowfall recorded on Monday in the country’s Vosges region. Otherwise resorts have received 10 to 20cm (4-8 inches) through the week.  However new big snowfalls are expected for tomorrow, Thursday.

Laurie Martin Communications Officer of Montgenèvre told Skiinfo, “Snow conditions are optimal in Montgenèvre with 220cm at the top of the slopes and 160cm at the bottom. The whole area has been open since the end of December and the connections with the “Voie Lactée” (Milky Way) are also open, which is not always the case at this time of the year. The coming February holidays will be good for skiers. It has been snowing steadily since mid-December and we have a very good season, with skiers happy. The snow cover is good and stable and we expect new snowfall on Friday.”

Chamonix will host the Nissan Freeride on Saturday and then stage the postponed opening event on the next suitable day afterwards. The Russian event was due to have been staged in the 2014 Olympic venue of Sochi last week but had to be cancelled due to strong winds and heavy snowfall there.

Chamonix currently has the deepest snowbase in France with 3.9m (13 feet) on upper slopes.  Flaine has 2.65m (nine feet), La Clusaz 2.6m (8.7 feet) and La Grave 2.5m (8.3 feet).

Snow began to fall again in Austria and Germany in recent days with more new snow forecast for tomorrow and in to the weekend – especially in the western Vorarlberg, Tirol and Salzburg provinces. Temperatures have been as low as  – 20 degrees and colder in some parts.  The deepest snow is on the glaciers (Mölltal 330cm/11 feet, Kaunertal 209cm/7 feet on upper runs).  Sölden got the most snow in the country this week with 25cm (10 inches) with Kleinwalsertal reporting the biggest single fall of 17cm (six inches). Maria Alm/ Hochkönig and Alpbach had 10cm (4 inches) each.

It’s a similar picture in Switzerland where Elm reported the most new snow of the past week, with 30cm (a foot) accumulated.  Disentis, Davos and Saas Fee got 12-15cm (5-6 inches) each.  Andermatt has the biggest snow depth with 210cm (7 feet).  Saas Fee and St Moritz have only a few centimetres/inches less.

Italy has also had a quiet week although low temperatures have brought some snow at low altitude in the North of the country and also in the central Appennine mountains.  It’s snowing there now with Limone and Prato Nevoso in the north west reporting 20-25cm (8-10 inches) so far today.  The Presena and Marmolada glaciers both have the most snow with about 3.9m (13 feet) on upper slopes, Bormio has 3 metres (10 feet).

The cold weather has extended as far as Belgium where recent fresh snow fall (10cm/4 inches on 24 Jan), combined with the cold temperatures (-5°to  -15°C) has led some nordic resorts in the East of the country to re-open their tracks. Baraque Michel, Mont Spinet and Losheimergraben are offering Nordic Skiing on 10cm of snow. Other resorts, and hopefully also the Alpine resorts will follow as more cold and snow is predicted for next week.

There’s been little new snow in the past week in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain. Base depths in Andorra remain relatively good with 60-130cm (2-4.3 feet) at most areas providing perfectly adequate cover on all but the steepest slopes.  A new terrain park has also opened at Cerler in Spain, claiming to be the largest in the country with 18 lements and a length of 2.5km

Although there has been little new snow this week, cold weather has helped Spanish ski resorts to maintain and improve conditions on the slopes and Cerler has some of the deepest snow in the country with 175cm (nearly 6 feet) on upper slopes.

Typically resorts have 30-105cm (1-3.5 feet) at the base of their runs and 150-210cm (5-7 feet) on upper slopes.  However Sierra Nevada in the south reports the greatest snow depth of three metres (ten feet) at the top and Formigal has the most terrain open with 136km (80 miles) of runs.  More snow is expected tomorrow.

In Eastern Europe there have been some snow showers, particularly in the Czech and Slovak Republic, but it remains a moderate, if improving, first-half of the season in Bulgaria where cover remains rather thin at Borovets and Pamporovo, although better in Bansko.

Scandinavia has not had much snow in the past week, with regional leader Are reporting 7cm (three inches) of new snow on Monday and Nalovardo this most with 11cm.  The weather looks set to change in the next 24 hours with snow almost everywhere (It’s already falling) and up to a foot (30cm) of new stuff expected in the next few days in the mountains.

Resorts in Norway have begun issuing powder alarms today and Kvitfjell has one of the biggest snowfalls of the past week, with 33cm (13 inches) accumulated.

In Scotland conditions are excellent at Cairngorm, which continues its superb season with up to 1.8m (six feet) on upper slopes and 60cm (two feet) on lower runs. The area has been closed for prolonged period over the past three weeks as heavy snow blocked roads and buried lifts and restaurants, but is now fully open with great conditions.  The two other eastern Scottish ski areas at Glenshee and The Lecht don’t have as much snow but do have enough to be in great shape. On the West Coast the other two Scottish areas of Glencoe and Nevis range are open but with less snow.

More Heavy Snow For Western North America

Heavy snow up and down North America’s Pacific Coast has brought huge snow accumulations to most resorts, and also caused operational difficulties at some.

In the north there’s been yet more now at Whistler, with the Olympics now just over a fortnight away.  Its season-to-date snowfall is now nearly 10 metres (30 feet).  Fellow host Cypress Mountain also had a respite from the thaw and rain that is threatening the snowboarding and freestyle venues, with some fresh snow there too.

To the south of the region thousands of southern Californians who flocked to Mountain High resort in the San Gabriel Mountains, which has received five feet (150cm) of snow in recent storms,  were turned away by police due to dangerous road conditions and diminishing fuel and food supplies. Truck convoys were organized to deliver food, supplies and fuel to the area on Monday, with roads re-opening that evening.  However more snow is forecast, if on a smaller scale.

John McColly, Mountain High’s Director of Marketing said, “There is a reason I am in this business.  And this is it.  Skiers and snowboarders that braved the storm are grinning from ear to ear.  And I’m one of them.”

With the fresh snow there is an enormous temptation to go out of bounds but both Mountain High and the Los Angeles County Sherriff’s department advise against that.

Says McColly, “Anything outside of Mountain High’s boundaries is not patrolled so if you run into any trouble, you are on your own.  There is plenty of terrific tree skiing and natural terrain within Mountain High’s permitted area so stay in bounds, enjoy the fresh snow, and be safe.”

It’s a similar story at other western resorts, Jackson Hole has reported more than three feet of new snow, Snowbird in Utah, seven feet in seven days.

Up in British Columbia, monumental snowfall over the last week has created perfect conditions at Mount Washington Alpine Resort.  With a mid-mountain snow base of 320cm and 399cm at the top, the resort is once again the home of Canada’s deepest snowpack.  The news couldn’t be any better for the first wave of Olympic athletes who arrive this week to train at the Island mountain.

“We received over a metre and a half of snow in the last six days,” says Resort spokesperson Brent Curtain.

The Chinese Biathlon team arrived in the Comox Valley late Thursday and hit the snow on Friday, January 22nd.  The team will train at the mountain’s popular Nordic Centre, an obvious choice for numerous cross-country and biathlon teams over the next month.  A total of 26 teams from 15 countries are performing their final on-snow preparations at Mount Washington before heading back to the Lower Mainland and Whistler for the Games.

It’s been less promising on the East coast with warmer weather and some resorts reporting rain over the weekend, but it’s now colder in most areas and Smugglers Notch in Vermont is among those reporting fresh snow in the past 24 hours.

Elsewhere in the world, Japan’ Niseko looks set for record breaking January snowfall.

“Consistent snow falls for the last two weeks of December and another metre to celebrate the New Year here in Niseko have made for some epic skiing conditions with waist deep powder for everyone! With a village average top temperature of -2 °C and an average low of -8 °C since the New Year the base is in great condition. Get ready for some of the lightest, driest powder on the planet- the forecast is for continued moderate to heavy snow falls for the next week.” said an excited Ski Japan statement (www.skijapan.com).

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JASPER’S MARMOT BASIN SKI RESORT CELEBRATES OFFICIAL OPENING OF LONGEST HIGH-SPEED QUAD CHAIR LIFT IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES

$8 Million Investment and Massive Snow Falls Transforms the Marmot Basin Experience from the Spectacular to the Exceptional

JASPER, Alberta – World-famous Marmot Basin Ski and Snowboard Resort Saturday celebrated the official opening of the Canadian Rockies Express, the longest high-speed quad chairlift ever built in the Canadian Rockies.

As guests from throughout the mountain community and across Alberta enjoyed record early-season snowfalls, Chairman John Day said the spectacular new lift transforms Marmot Basin into an even more exceptional experience.

“The Canadian Rockies Express once again improves the skiing and riding experience in Jasper National Park,” said Mr. Day. “Skiers and boarders can now zoom from the bottom to the top of the ski area in record time, guaranteeing more time enjoying the views and our spectacular slopes and virtually none spent in lift-lines.”

The Canadian Rockies Express is the largest single investment ever undertaken at Marmot Basin, located in the heart of Jasper National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It continues years of increased investment, including the opening of the Eagle’s Ridge area, the largest terrain addition of any national park resort this decade.

From the ski area base, the longest high-speed quad chair in the Canadian Rockies travels 2.3 km (1.5 miles), whisking skiers and boarders 596 vertical metres (1,955 ft) up to the mountain top in eight minutes.  The lift was built using the most environmentally progressive construction techniques developed as part of an industry Best Practices Manual written collaboratively with Parks Canada.

With an increased carrying capacity of 4,800 people per hour from the base area, lift lines are certain to be virtually eliminated as it will now take half the time to travel up from the base of the ski area to the top of the upper mountain. Runs for every caliber of skier or boarder, from beginner to expert, are available at the top with some stretching four kilometers long.

Dave Gibson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the resort which opened in early November added, ”We have never seen such spectacular early season conditions as Marmot is being continuously blanketed with fresh powder. Another 21 cm of snow fell Friday night and conditions are as good as they get anywhere at anytime.  Today again demonstrated that our shareholders are fully committed to investing to improve the magical experience for which Marmot Basin is famous worldwide.”

Since 2003, Marmot Basin, which overlooks the resort town of Jasper, has invested more than $16 million in visitor improvements.

“This was a massive project and I am absolutely thrilled with how much this new lift has improved the skiing experience at Marmot Basin”, added Mr. Dave Gibson. “We worked in complete cooperation with Parks Canada to employ the greenest construction techniques every step of the way in order to achieve an appropriate balance for both our ski area and for Jasper National Park.”

About Marmot Basin

Located in the breathtaking, vast and ruggedly mountainous landscape of Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Marmot Basin is a ski destination that inspires lasting memories.  With 1,675 acres of superb slopes, the resort offers 3,000 vertical feet of superb skiing and snowboarding.

With 86 marked trails on four distinct areas of the mountain, the terrain is nicely varied; from long, gentle, winding novice runs to steep, high alpine bowls and chutes and glade skiing through verdant pine forests. The ski and snowboard runs are split evenly between easy, intermediate and advanced, making this an ideal destination for the whole family and all abilities.

Jasper’s Marmot Basin Receives 60 Centimeters/ 2 Feet of New Snow in 48 hours!

Once in a while, the stars align and the heavens open up and you are in the right place at the right time. Right now are those days at Marmot Basin and the time to ski Jasper is now.  Jasper’s Marmot Basin has received a stunning 60 centimeters, two feet, of powder over the past 48 hours and 85 centimeters in the last seven days and it is still snowing. Yesterday morning, November 17,  the grooming team had to clear the parking lots with snow cats rather than with a plow because there was 25 centimeters of snow that fell overnight. Lifties were shoveling out the load and unload ramps of the chairlifts along with their buried mazes.

To say Marmot Basin is having an excellent start to the skiing Jasper season is an understatement. This is the first time we have had 100 centimeters of settled snow at mid mountain in the month of November and it is only November 18th. Today Marmot Basin opened even more terrain and we now have 53 runs open. The avalanche team is working hard to open the Knob Chair. They will have to do considerable avalanche work to re-establish the safety of this area before we can open it to skiers and boarders, however, we expect the Knob area to open soon.

Skiers and riders are hooting and hollering as they ride the New Canadian Rockies Express high speed quad chair.  2000 vertical feet of perfect powder skiing and riding from top to bottom on our new quad chair. This is a perfect time to ski Jasper and head to Marmot Basin as there is another storm headed our way and we are going to need snorkels to ski and breathe if this keeps up.

Early Snow: Six Ski Resorts For Early Season Skiing

Good news for skiers: It looks like the ski season is starting early this year.  Even better news?  Here are six ski resorts that open before the others for early season skiing!  World on Skis can help bring you there!

This article was originally published on SkyScanner.net and can be found here.

With winter on its way, snow lovers are already sharpening their edges, polishing their goggles and scanning the snow reports for the first signs of the white stuff.

If you’re one of those people who just can’t wait to hit the slopes, Skyscanner reveals some of the best places to get an early season ski trip in.

But how can you be sure that you’ll find snow, rather than grass on the slopes?

Well, the general rules for early season skiing are similar to late season skiing; head high or head north if you want the best chance of hitting the slopes before the New Year. Resorts that have invested heavily in snow making systems are also most likely to be able to guarantee the goods.

Ski Val Thorens (France)

As Europe’s highest ski resort, most of the skiing here is over 2000m, which means the snow starts falling early. Part of the huge Three Valleys ski area, Val Thorens is an excellent bet for good snow conditions early in the season.

Ski Tignes (France)

Winter sports enthusiasts can start skiing early here on the glacier which offers an impressive 20km of runs and a vertical drop of over 750m. Skiing on the rest of the mountain starts in mid December, making Tignes a fairly solid choice for an early season schuss.

Ski Zermatt (Switzerland)

This famous Swiss ski resort has lifts that take you to a dizzy 3899m, and offers skiing that starts in late November. Zermatt is one of the few, truly year-round ski destinations in the world and a sure bet for pre-Christmas skiing.

Ski Saas Fee (Switzerland)

With a ski area that sits between 1800m and 3500m and has access to a glacier, Sass Fee offers early-season skiers plenty of snow. Early November sees some of the world’s best freestyle snowboarders descend on the town for the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup.

Ski Whistler-Blackcomb (Canada)

The excellent slope grooming and snow-making facilities at Whistler Blackcomb help to ensure a lengthy season that starts in late November/early December. This Canadian super resort has repeatedly been voted the best ski resort in the world.

Ski Solden (Austria)

Like Zermatt, Solden has year-round skiing on its two glaciers, so when it comes to early-season trips, it’s a pretty sure bet – so sure in fact that Solden say “snow is absolutely guaranteed from November to May”.  With a state of the art mountain railway, and a massive ski area, Solden is a great choice for the early bird skier.