Evelyn Kanter

ICYMI for April 2023

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The days are longer and warmer, which means more sunlight to enjoy spring skiing and riding, and fewer layers.  Some resorts have extended operating hours and even days, while others are closing despite an abundance of snow.

Here’s our monthly ICYMI (in case you missed it) collection of this and that.

The fun and games at season’s end includes pond skimming contests. Here’s where to watch and cheer, since we do not encourage senior skiers or riders to participate without the approval of their cardiologist and/or psychiatrist.

Slush Cup at Whistler

Pond Skimming at Park City

April 6-8 – End of Season party featuring a competition style pond skim. With prizes for the biggest splash, best costume and best overall skim, with tons of raffles and giveaways.

Telluride Closing Weekend Events Including Pond Skimming

Sat., April 1st – Telluride Brewing Company hosts its annual Goose Chase Scavenger Hunt on the mountain, 11am to 3 pm. To participate, groups of 1-4 must register and pay a $20 fee.  After the Goose Chase, there’s a happy hour and raffle until 5pm. Also the Terrain Park crew will be hosting their annual Hannorama Jama Rail Jam in honor of the life and memory of Hannah Smith. This event is at the base of Lift 4 in Mountain Village at 3:30 pm, and no registration is needed.  before the event.

On closing day, Sun., April 2nd, celebrate the great season with the annual Closing Day Party at Gorrono Ranch and the annual pond skim, Noon to 2pm. DJ Wombat will be performing throughout the afternoon to keep the celebration going on.

More information here about Telluride’s closing weekend events.

https://tellurideskiresort.com/daylight-savings-end-of-season-events/?A360=60302323

Pond Skimming at Solitude

Sat., April 8 – Bust out your best costume, slather on the sunscreen and show off your skimming skills at the annual Pond Skim Beach Party. Registration required.

https://www.solitudemountain.com/things-to-do/events-and-activities/pond-skim-beach-party

Or simply show up and watch the show. New this year, after the completion of the Pond Skim Beach Party, the party continues with live music from The Sweet Lillies.

Pond Skim Solitude

World Pond Skimming Championships at Vail

April 7-10 – Who knew there was a championship event for pond skimming?

According to Local Freshies

https://localfreshies.com/most-unique-pond-skimming-events-in-north-america-2/

it started as a spoof on the World Alpine Championship in 1999. Now as part of the “Spring Back to Vail” Festival, it is a rowdy event filled attended by thousands of spectators, plus music and other events to close out the season. But if you do want to try for the Golden Skimmer, the top male and female finishers will receive a 2022/23 Epic Pass.

All participants get a special Helly Hansen backpack,  and other prizes are awarded for the best crash, best costume, and more.

Slush Cup at Whistler/Blackcomb

April 16 – Prizes for the Best Costume, Best Trick, Best Wipe-Out and more.

The pond skimming contest is just one of a collection of closing week events.  There’s also traditional on-slope races, a contest to produce the best 3-5 minute film about Whistler, live music, and more, all part of the week-long Whistler World Ski & Snowboard Festival.

https://www.whistler.com/events/world-ski-snowboard-festival

Music on Weekends at Big Sky

Every Fri.-Sun. through April 16, enjoy DJs and apres ski events in the MountainVillage Plaza.

Big Sky’s closing date is April 23.

Remember that closing dates have nothing to do with how much snow is on the ground, or even still falling.  Closing dates are determined by other forces, including leasing arrangements and  spring elk and moose migration.

Closing Dates in Colorado

These are the projected closing dates at publication. Be sure to check with the resort website in case closing dates change, or to confirm “TBD”, shorthand for “to be determined”.

  • Aspen Highlands – April 16
  • Aspen Mountain – April 23
  • Beaver Creek – April 9
  • Breckenridge – May TBD
  • Buttermilk – April 2
  • Ski Cooper – April 16
  • Crested Butte – TBD
  • Keystone – TBD
  • Loveland – May 8
  • Purgatory – April 23
  • Steamboat – April 9
  • Snowmass – April 16
  • Telluride – April 2
  • Vail – TBD
  • Winter Park – Mid-May TBD

Closing Dates in Utah

  • Alta – April 23
  • Brighton – April 30
  • Deer Valley – TBD
  • Nordic Valley – April 9
  • Park City Mountain – April 23
  • Powder Mountain – TBD
  • Snowbasin – TBD
  • Snowbird – TBD
  • Solitude – TBD
  • Sundance – April 2
  • Woodward Park City – TBD
  Resorts planning to stay open through Memorial Day
  • Palisades and Mammoth, California
  • Arapahoe Basin, Colorado
  • Killington in Vermont

How and where are you celebrating the end of a great ski/snowboard season?  And who are you celebrating with?

Herb Stevens

The Skiing Weatherman March 24, 2023

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First of all, please accept my apologies for missing the last edition.  After attending a hectic three day trade show near my home here in Rhode Island, I rushed home and packed my bags for a flight to the Netherlands, where my wife and I met our first grandchild…a memorable event that I will never forget.  I simply had a brain cramp and forgot to submit an article.  Hopefully you didn’t miss it because you were out enjoying the fresh snow that FINALLY made its way to the Northeast early this month!

The weather pattern has unfolded pretty much the way I anticipated, although the cold air that has supported some healthy March snow amounts did not reach as far south as I thought it might.  Most of the substantial snow has fallen north of Interstate 80 and although the past few days have been mild and wet at times all the way up to the Canadian border, the pattern is about to cool down again and I believe that there will be at least a few more meaningful snowfalls across the Northeast before the curtain comes down on this season.  This weekend a relatively weak storm will move across New England with only a marginal amount of cold air with which to work, so we are looking at another elevation event that will bring mixed precip types to the Adirondacks and the mountains of northern New England and southern Quebec. The resorts north of U.S. Route 4 have the best shot at picking up a moderate amount of snow…along with some other “stuff”…but this will not be a blockbuster storm.

Here’s why I believe that the weather pattern still has legs in terms of cold and snow.  If you look at this jet stream forecast for April Fools Day…

You will see an orange area over Greenland.  That is an upper level ridge, and it has hardly moved for about 3 weeks.  That blocking ridge was a product of the sudden stratospheric warming episode that I wrote about last month.  By remaining in essentially the same place, it has acted as a block against upper level troughs (the blue circulation off to its southwest) from zipping out to sea.  Instead, the troughs have been forced underneath the ridge, and many of them have moved through the Northeast this month, supporting surface lows as they spun through the region.  The troughs also break off a chunk of cold air from the high latitudes and deliver it to the lower 48.  Here’s a look at the temperature anomalies at about 5,000 feet for the same time step of the jet stream map…

Temperatures about a mile above the surface are a very dependable proxy for forecasting surface temperatures, and the dark blue on this map suggests that air that is cold enough to limit melting and potentially support late season snow will be present as we head into next month.  If we fast forward to April 5th, we see that it looks as though those deviations from normal will only deepen…

Now, the colder air that we can reasonably expect around April 5th will be offset to an extent by the rises in normal temps that will be occurring over the next few weeks…normal highs and lows are rising 2 to 3 degrees per week in the Northeast right now.  That shot of cold will help sustain some very nice skiing and riding right through Easter weekend by the looks.

So, from where I am sitting, I remain very bullish on the prospects for winter sports for at least the next few weeks…if your timing is right, you could even sneak in a powder day or two…enjoy!!!

Stanley Rubenstein

Val d’Isere: Totally Over the Top

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Everything about Val d’Isere, is over the top; the excitement of skiing on so many World Cup pistes, the snow, the lift system, the extensive possibilities from Le Fornet to Tignes, the restaurants, the traffic to and from Geneva Airport, the prices, the number of skiers on the pistes with you, and the skiing atmosphere in the village.

The Village

In early in March 2023, we skied for a week in  Val d’Isere, the home of Jean Claude Killy.  The village is situated at 1,850 meters and the skiing goes up to 2,850 meters, and 3,456 meters on the Grand Motte glacier in Tignes.  What makes skiing in Val d’Isere great is that many of the best pistes are easily accessible from the village center. 

Take the Olympic Gondola from the village center to the top of Bellevarde, turn left and you are on the formidable Men’s Downhill World Cup, The Face. The top half is a joy to ski.  Arriving a bit above the middle of the run it turns steep and straight-down until the finish line at the entrance to the gondola station. If you have the nerve and the legs, go back up for another breathtaking run.

Exit Olympic Gondola – lots of skiers!

Ski straight as you come out of the Olympic Gondola and you get to the OK piste which is the start of the former Men’s World Cup Downhill course before they opened The Face of the Bellevarde for the 1992 Olympic games.  This course is a blast to ski. 

From the top there is a series of short, moderately steep sections with some flats between them.  This takes you down to the Folie Douce Restraunt, where there is a DJ every afternoon on the restaurant roof complete with scantily clad dancing girls, loud music, lots of beer and dancing on the tables.

Fly past the restaurant on your left,  go into dog-leg turn right turn and come out cruising your way down to La Daille. Hop on the gondola at the bottom to get back to the DJ and the dancing girls, or ski across to the funicular which takes you back up to the top of Bellevarde.

La Folie Douce

You still have the legs for it?  Get back to the village center and take the Solaise Gondola up to the start of the Woman’s World Cup Downhill course. Start out on a big open slope, mix it up with short turns on the side of the piste and big GS turns on the wide-open slope. 

Somewhere near the mid-point prudence should send you to the left on a long enjoyable run back to the village center.  Still have legs?  Take the Solaise Gondola back up and head for the Manchet lift, which is, believe it or not my favorite run in Val D’Isere, 1,921 meters long with a 691-meter vertical, pure pleasure. If you can, ski it non-stop.

But it’s really not all pure pleasure.  Saturdays at the Geneva Airport is chaos:  people, suitcases, ski bags. You get your stuff, your rental car and you think you’re home free, think about bumper-to-bumper traffic from Annecy to Moutier.  If you get to Val d’Isere in less than 4 ½ hours consider yourself lucky. 

Oh, you didn’t stop along the way to eat something? Val d’Isere has many great restaurants; just make sure you have arranged off-street parking in advance.  The skiing is great, it’s worth all the hassle, and seniors over 75 ski for free.  

Jan center, Group Photo, Albion Lodge, 03 23 23DSC_0881
Jan Brunvand

Jan Brunvand Turns 90!

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Congratulations to SeniorsSkiing correspondent Jan Brunvand on schussing into his 90’s!

Alta’s Wild Old Bunch celebrates Jan’s 90th. Jan center. Photo by WOB member George Ramjoue.

Enjoy Jan’s top ten reasons he enjoys being a senior skier.  (Originally published December 2017)

#10. I have nothing to prove.

 I don’t need to ski bumps, steeps or crud. It’s challenging enough just skiing blues at age 84.

#9. Skiing impresses my non-skiing peers.

When folks ask “Are you still skiing,” they mean “still” as in “At your age?” not “still” as in “Is there still any snow up there?” I try to be a ski missionary and convince some old friends to return to skiing or to try it for the first time.

#8. Everything works better than when I was a kid.

Skis turn more easily, bindings release when they’re supposed to, and boots are actually comfortable. Ski clothes are lighter, warmer, and drier than in the good old days of wool and windbreakers.

#7. I have a built-in excuse for just about anything . . .

. . . like taking green runs, skiing half days, having extra coffee breaks, asking the liftie to slow it down, and forgetting where I parked.

#6. Skiing half days.

Did I mention this? I forget. Anyway, my wife and I ski what we call the “middle half”—start about 10:00 and quit about 3:00. We take at least five runs to count it as a ski day.

#5. Skiing with grandkids.

Until they’re about ten, the grandkids ski at about the same pace as us, and afterwards they’ll fetch us a coffee while we sit out a couple of their runs on the steeper stuff. If you ski with the kids you may be able to keep them from going to the dark side—SNOWBOARDING!

#4. Skiing midweek.

We avoid Saturdays, but sometimes ski Sundays, starting early, if that’s the only other time the grandkids are free. (If brought up properly, they can sometimes be convinced to skip school.) If you must ski weekends or holidays, split with your partner and use the singles line. You might meet someone interesting, hopefully not more interesting than your partner.

#3. Meeting other active seniors.

The 60+,70+, 80+ occasionally even 90+ jacket patches give your fellow oldsters away. Thin and graying hair under the helmets IDs them in the lodge. I always chat with peers asking where they learned to ski, and moving on to other important topics like how many grandkids do they have, are they fly fishers, and do they remember Studebakers. (I have a ’53 Commander, a good conversation starter with older people.)

#2. It’s a good kind of tired.

After a nice half day of skiing, by the time I get the boards off the car and myself out of my long underwear, I’m very sleepy and mellow, ready for a nap, a shower, and a drink before dinner. Ah, bliss!

And the #1 reason I enjoy being a senior skier. Senior discounts.

At my age in my area, season passes are free at Alta!

Alan Engen

When Errol Flynn Skied at Alta

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Many famous Hollywood movie stars came to Alta to ski during the 1940s. Two of the best known were Claudette Colbert and Ray Milland, but most famous of all was Errol Flynn, the swashbuckling leading man.

My uncle, the late Sverre Engen, was Alta’s Ski School Director in 1946 when the legendary action hero visited Alta for a ski outing. I remember my uncle telling me, with a big grin on his face, about the experience.

As I remember, Sverre said that Flynn arrived with great “fanfare,” accompanied by several assistants to make sure that he received the finest treatment possible, on and off the slopes.

The morning after his arrival, it was snowing and visibility was somewhat marginal.  However, Flynn made it known among the other guests at Alta Lodge that he was not intimated and was going to tackle the challenging Alta mountain terrain regardless of limited visibility conditions.

My uncle was requested to be Flynn’s personal escort for the anticipated ski outing.  Sverre wrote about the experience with Flynn in his book, Skiing a Way of Life (1976).   Here is what he had to say:

“When Errol Flynn got to the Alta Lodge, he wasn’t in very good physical condition, but was anxious to get up on the mountain. In the morning, the porch was full of people watching him put his skis on, curious to see what kind of a skier he was. This was his penalty for being famous.

Flynn insisted on taking the lift to the top, but this was something he never should have done. It took most of the day to get halfway down.

I would get him started in a slow traversing position, but he would gain more speed than he could handle, head for the trees, and sit down. I would help him up, and we would do the same thing over again.  We worked our way down the mountain until he wore himself out completely.

Finally, I had to call the ski patrol for help.  He gratefully crawled up on the toboggan, and the patrol took him the rest of the way to the Alta Lodge.  His pride was bruised a little, but he was still a good sport and smiled when he got up from the toboggan and walked into the lodge.”

Personally,I have always wished I could have been there to see the famous “swashbuckling” actor arriving back at the Alta Lodge, without his skis, and facing his adoring public.  As my uncle inferred, I am sure Flynn’s ego was impacted – perhaps even deflated – at that particular moment.

I mentioned a few of the celebrities who frequented Alta ski area in the 1940s.  Since then, there have been many others, from film and politics, and I was lucky enough to know some, including skiing with them. To name a few –

Lowell Thomas, the national commentator who pretty much invented travelogues; “Gunsmoke” star James Arness; famous TV host Art Linkletter; Senator Charles Percy; Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara; former Ambassador to Belgium Tom Korologos; and  Dr. Henry Heimlich, who invented the maneuver named for him, which has saved many lives from choking.

All were outstanding individuals and several, like Senator Robert F. Kennedy – who skied at Alta just a few months before his tragic assassination in 1968 – were excellent skiers. Senator Kennedy, as I remember, liked to ski fast.

 Time continues to move forward, and even though I retired as Alta Director of Skiing in April 2012, I am sure there are many more celebrities who have since frequented the beautiful mountainous resort of what some have referred to as “Romantic Alta.”

Ski Heil!

Historic photos provided by Alan K. Engen

Photo of Errol Flynn at the bottom of the old Collins chairlift, circa 1946 is by Ray Atkeson. It has been provided to Alan Engen by Alta Ski Area with the understanding that it would be used exclusively for Alta related ski history.

Photo of Alan, Alf, Corey and Sverre Engen is circa mid-1950s.  All four are inductees of the National Ski Hall of Fame.  Photo part of the Alan Engen Ski History Collection, which resides at the University of Utah J.Willard Marriott Library, Ski and Snow Sports Archives.

Evelyn Kanter

Winter Sports at Aspen Snowmass Besides Skiing/Snowboarding

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I’ve always said that life should be downhill in winter.  But sometimes it’s fun to try something else besides skiing, riding, or even X-C skiing or snowshoeing.  Here are five other winter sports available in Aspen/Snowmass, including one that is an Olympic sport.

Curling

If you’ve ever been bowling and thought, “we should be doing this on ice” then curling is for you.  Dating back to 16th century Scotland, curling pits two teams of players against one another.

But instead of rolling balls at pins at the end of a long polished wooden alley, curling competitors slide 40-pound stones with handles across a sheet of ice towards targets of concentric circles. The name referrers to the rotation of the stones on the ice, as they “curl” towards their targets.

The Aspen Curling Club hosts matches every Wednesday at the Aspen Ice Garden, and Aspen Snowmass offers a quick introduction to the sport at Game Of Stones each Thursday at the Snowmass Base Village Ice Rink.

Fat Biking

Aspen is a cycling mecca in the summertime, but a little snow on the ground doesn’t mean the wheels stop spinning.  So-called fat bikes, which feature oversized tires and fenders to protect riders from the elements, allow for comfortable year-round riding.

The fat tires are typically run at a lower PSI.  Such under-inflation allows  more surface area to contact the ground, and that provides better grip and stability even on snow.  Note that under-inflation is okay for bikes, but not for cars.

Fat bikes are available for rent at bike shops around town or at the Aspen Snowmass Nordic Center. They are perfect for conquering trails around town or for a ride to the Maroon Bells if you’re feeling especially adventurous.

Snowbikes

Snowbikes—not to be confused with fat bikes—do not have pedals and are actually designed to be ridden downhill on ski slopes.

Originally known as skibobs, snowbikes have seats and frames similar to bicycles, but the wheels are replaced with skis. Riders wear boots with small skis attached to assist in steering. Rentals and lessons are available on Snowmass.

Ice Karting

Sliding sideways behind the wheel of a vehicle on ice or snow normally is a harrowing experience. But it’s all part of the fun at Aspen Ice Karting, a pop-up cart racing operation on Kodiak Lake in Willits, where a little drift is expected – even welcomed – through the turns.

Ice karts are equipped with spiked tires for traction on their frozen lake. Speeds can reach 50mph on the straightaways, ensuring a heart pumping winter driving experience.

Uphilling

We said earlier that life should be downhill in winter – but have you tried uphill?

Aspen Snowmass is an uphill-friendly ski resort, meaning uphillers can enjoy climbing the four mountains and skiing down them via designated routes. Locals across the Roaring Fork Valley — and elsewhere in the Rockies — are passionate about uphilling, and you can get in the game by renting uphilling skis of your own.

All four mountains at Aspen Snowmass, including Highlands and Buttermilk, accommodate uphill travel, but an uphill pass is required. Uphillers are asked to follow the designated routes to ensure safety as well as a scenic and enjoyable route to the top.

Know before you go: There are occasional closures for safety reasons, crowd-control, and snow mitigation, so it’s important to stay up-to-date with this information.

Learn more here about each mountain’s rules and routes, including elevation gain.  https://www.aspensnowmass.com/discover/experiences/guides/uphilling-guide

Evelyn Kanter

IKON Pass for 2023/24 Season Offers Many New Benefits

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Photo by Kipras Štreimikis on Unsplash

Next season’s IKON Pass offers a new collection of discounts on travel and brand-name gear, along with free access to First Tracks programs and dropping reservations requirements, and more.  It’s a long list of perks for the 2023/24 season, including for new passholders, who get spring season this season as part of the purchase.

Passes go on sale Thursday, March 16, with the lowest prices for next season for access to more than 50 destinations in 11 countries on five continents. Here are the details.

Discounted Travel with Ikon Pass Travel

For a limited time, any purchased 23/24 Ikon Pass includes unlimited $100 ($130 CAD) savings toward any single 23/24 winter booking made on Ikon Pass Travel before May 5, 2023.

Ikon Pass Travel is an online travel planning service exclusively for passholders, offering the ability browse and compare airfare, hotels, and activities across Ikon Pass destinations to create a customized vacation package, or be matched with an Ikon Pass Travel specialist for assistance.  Requirements include a minimum$1,000 spend per booking including lodging.

Discount on Smith Eyewear & Products

Every Ikon Pass purchase includes two discount codes from Smith. One is for sunglasses or prescription glasses; the other for goggles on any additional product on smithoptics.com.

The North Face

Ikon Pass holders can get an exclusive discount of 20% when purchasing $200 ($200 CAD) or more on thenorthface.com. (Limited time offer. Terms and conditions apply.)

Free Outside+ Membership

Ikon Pass holders will receive a free one-year $59-valued ($80 CAD) membership to inspirational, award-winning content from Outside. Access unlimited content from Outside Magazine, SKI, Warren Miller catalog, Backpacker, Climbing, VeloNews, Pinkbike, Cycling Tips, Outside TV, Warren Miller, Yoga Journal, and more.

Plus, get access to mapping apps Gaia GPS and TrailforksPro, NASTAR courses, event entries, training plans, recipes, and interactive experiences with editors, pro athletes, coaches, and other experts.

Access Changes:

For winter 23/24, Taos Ski Valley will no longer require lift reservations and has been added to the Ikon Base Plus Pass. For an additional $220 ($290 CAD) from the Ikon Base Pass, Ikon Base Plus Pass holders also get five-day access at Taos. Ski Valley in New Mexico. The destination will no longer offer access on the Ikon Base Pass and Ikon Session Pass.

Deer Valley Resort will require lift reservations for winter 23/24.

Renewal Discount

For a limited time, renewal discounts are offered to 22/23 Ikon Pass holders, with savings of up to $100 ($130 CAD).

Buy Now Ride Now – 2023 Spring Access for New Pass Holders

  • Access available immediately upon purchase to Big Bear Mountain Resort, Snow Valley, Blue Mountain, Snowshoe, Stratton, Sugarbush
  • Access available starting April 3 at Solitude, Tremblant
  • Access available starting April 10 at Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain, Palisades Tahoe, Winter Park Resort, Steamboat (April 10-16)
  • 2023 Spring Access is not available on the 23/24 Ikon Session Pass

 Ikon Pass First Tracks
23/24 passholders can access untouched powder and corduroy before the lifts open one designated morning per month in January, February and March 2024 at participating destinations. Ikon Pass First Tracks applies to the 23/24 Ikon Pass, Ikon Base Pass, Ikon Base Plus Pass and Ikon Session Pass based on pass access.

Payment Plan

For a limited time, lock in your purchase for as low as 0% APR, and split the cost over 3, 6 or 12 months.

 Child Pass Promotions

For a limited time, save up to $200 ($280 CAD) on Child passes with the purchase of any Adult pass. To provide additional value for families looking to ski and ride together, pass holders can purchase up to two discounted Child Ikon Passes or Child Ikon Base Passes for children ages 5-12 with the purchase of an Adult Ikon Pass or Adult Ikon Base Pass.

No Hassle Deferral

If a 23/24 Ikon Pass holder decides not to use their pass after purchase, for any reason, by December 14, 2023, they can elect to defer their pass to receive a full credit for the purchase price of their unused 23/24 pass to be used toward the purchase of a 24/25 Ikon Pass. Additional coverage options can be purchased through Spot Insurance. Terms and conditions apply.

Covid Closure Credits

If passes are used and there is an eligible COVID-19-related closure at any North American Ikon Pass destination from December 16, 2023 – March 3, 2024, Ikon Pass holders will receive a credit toward a 24/25 Ikon Pass based on the percentage of days closed.

 23/24 PRICING

Ikon Pass starting at $1,159 ($1,539 CAD)

Ikon Base Pass starting at $829 ($1,099 CAD)

Ikon Session Pass starting at $259 ($339 CAD)

For all Ikon Pass products and pricing, please visit https://www.ikonpass.com/en/shop-passes.

IKON PASS:

Unlimited, 7-day and 7-day combined access at 54 destinations, with no blackout dates.

 Destinations:

Aspen Snowmass, Steamboat, Winter Park Resort, Copper Mountain, Arapahoe Basin, Eldora Mountain Resort, Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain, Big Bear Mountain Resort, Snow Valley, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Big Sky Resort, Sun Valley, Stratton, Sugarbush Resort, Killington – Pico, Windham Mountain, Snowshoe, The Highlands, Boyne Mountain, Crystal Mountain, The Summit at Snoqualmie, Mt. Bachelor, Schweitzer, Tremblant, Blue Mountain, SkiBig3, Revelstoke Mountain Resort, RED Mountain, Cypress Mountain, Panorama Mountain Resort, Sun Peaks Resort, Sunday River, Sugarloaf, Loon Mountain, Taos Ski Valley, Deer Valley Resort, Solitude Mountain Resort, Brighton Resort, Alta Ski Area, Snowbird, Snowbasin, Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley, Dolomiti Superski, Grandvalira Resorts Andorra, Kitzbühel, Zermatt, Thredbo, Mt Buller, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Mt Hutt, Niseko United, Lotte Arai Resort, Valle Nevado

Benefits:

  • 10 Friends & Family lift discounts offering a 25% off the cost of a single ticket at the window rate at Ikon Pass destinations, with no blackout dates, (excludes Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley, Dolomiti Superski, Kitzbühel, Zermatt, Lotte Arai Resort, Grandvalira Resorts Andorra, and CMH)
  • Ikon Pass First Tracks at select destinations
  • Deferral option for unused passes through December 14, 2023
  • Access to Ikon Pass Travel
  • Early winter booking privileges and 15% off summer reservations at CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures
  • Each Ikon Pass comes with a one-year $20-value Team POW membership with Protect Our Winters, including an exclusive annual Team POW membership sticker, 15% off all POW merchandise all year long, early event registration, members-only event access, partner discounts and access to exclusive digital content. Learn more: https://www.ikonpass.com/en/protect-our-winters
  • Additional destination benefits and discounts are available at ikonpass.com
  • Discount on Ikon Pass Travel, Smith eyewear and products, The North Face products, and a free Outside+ membership

IKON BASE PASS:

Unlimited, 5-day and 5-day combined access at 48 destinations, with select blackout dates.

Destinations: Steamboat, Winter Park Resort, Copper Mountain, Arapahoe Basin, Eldora Mountain Resort, Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain, Big Bear Mountain Resort, Snow Valley, Big Sky Resort, Stratton, Sugarbush Resort, Killington – Pico, Windham Mountain, Snowshoe, The Highlands, Boyne Mountain, Crystal Mountain, The Summit at Snoqualmie, Mt. Bachelor, Schweitzer, Tremblant, Blue Mountain, SkiBig3, Revelstoke Mountain Resort, RED Mountain, Cypress Mountain, Panorama Mountain Resort, Sun Peaks Resort, Sunday River, Sugarloaf, Loon Mountain, Solitude Mountain Resort, Brighton Resort, Snowbird, Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley, Dolomiti Superski, Grandvalira Resorts Andorra, Kitzbühel, Zermatt, Thredbo, Mt Buller, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Mt Hutt, Niseko United, Lotte Arai Resort, Valle Nevado

Ikon Base Plus Pass Access

For expanded Ikon Base Pass access, five days can be added at Aspen Snowmass, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Deer Valley Resort, Taos Ski Valley, Sun Valley, Snowbasin and five shared days between Alta-Snowbirdwith select blackout dates, for an additional $220 ($290 CAD). With this purchase, other 23/24 Ikon Base Pass destination access, benefits and blackout dates apply. Friends & Family vouchers are valid at Aspen Snowmass, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Deer Valley Resort, Taos Ski Valley, Sun Valley, Snowbasin and Alta only with the upgrade purchase.

 Ikon Base Pass Benefits:

  • 8 Friends & Family lift discounts offering 25% off the cost of a single ticket at  the window rate at any Ikon Pass destination (excluding Aspen Snowmass, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Deer Valley Resort, Sun Valley, Snowbasin, Alta Ski Area, Chamonix Mont-Blanc, Dolomiti Superski, Kitzbühel, Zermatt, Lotte Arai Resort and Grandvalira Resorts Andorra, and CMH), with select blackout dates
  • Ikon Pass First Tracks at select destinations
  • Access to Ikon Pass Travel
  • Early winter booking privileges and 15% off summer reservations at CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures
  • Each Ikon Pass comes with a one-year $20-value Team POW membership with Protect Our Winters, including an exclusive annual Team POW membership sticker, 15% off all POW merchandise all year long, early event registration, members-only event access, partner discounts and access to exclusive digital content. Learn more: https://www.ikonpass.com/en/protect-our-winters
  • Discount on Ikon Pass Travel, Smith eyewear and products, The North Face products, and a free Outside+ membership

IKON SESSION PASS:

Offering 2, 3 and 4-day access to 39 global Ikon Pass destinations, with select blackout dates. Each day can be used across multiple destinations or pass holders can use all days at a favorite mountain. Visit here for more Ikon Session Pass access details.

Destinations: Steamboat, Winter Park, Copper Mountain, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, Eldora Mountain Resort, Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain, Big Bear Mountain Resort, Snow Valley, Big Sky Resort, Stratton, Sugarbush Resort, Killington-Pico, Windham Mountain, Snowshoe, Boyne Highlands, Boyne Mountain, Crystal Mountain, The Summit at Snoqualmie, Mt. Bachelor, Tremblant, Blue Mountain, SkiBig3, Revelstoke Mountain Resort, RED Mountain, Cypress Mountain, Panorama Mountain Resort, Sun Peaks Resort, Schweitzer, Sunday River, Sugarloaf, Loon Mountain, Solitude Mountain Resort, Brighton Resort, Mt Buller, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Mt Hutt, Valle Nevado, Niseko United

Benefits:

  • Ikon Pass First Tracks at select destinations
  • Access to Ikon Pass Travel
  • Each Ikon Pass comes with a one-year $20-valued Team POW membership with Protect Our Winters, including an exclusive annual Team POW membership sticker, 15% off all POW merchandise all year long, early event registration, members-only event access, partner discounts and access to exclusive digital content. Learn more: https://www.ikonpass.com/en/protect-our-winters
  • Discount on Ikon Pass Travel, Smith eyewear and products, The North Face products, and a free Outside+ membership

IKON Pass by the Numbers                                        

  • Destinations: 55
  • Continents: 5
  • Countries: 11
  • States: 15
  • Canadian Provinces: 4
  • Total Acres: 177,250 (does not include CMH stats)
  • Trails: 7,108
  • Lifts: 1531

Ikon Pass goes on sale for winter 23/24 on March 16, 2023.

For more information, please visit www.ikonpass.com.

Roger Lohr

Snowshoeing at Vermont’s Alpine Ski Resorts

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Sugarbush Snowshoe Program

Snowshoeing is an excellent way to get some outdoor physical and mental fitness in the winter and it can be a great warm-up for skiers or snowboarders. At alpine ski areas snowshoeing can be a great activity for those joining family or friends who may not want to ski at the resort.

Recognizing a market when they see one, many ski resort operators in Vermont over the past several decades have continually increased their snowshoeing offerings, including snowshoe-specific trails, tours, and rentals. Moreover, each resort tries to carve its specialized snowshoe niche, just as they do for the other aspects of their ski and snowboarding business.

Here, in alphabetical order, are some snowshoeing highlights at some of Vermont’s alpine ski and riding resorts. Each resort has a wide variety of rates, rentals, and tours so contact them directly for additional details.

Bolton Valley Resort

Aside from section 22 of the Catamount Trail (the longitudinal Vermont statewide trail), Bolton Valley has 5,100 acres of backcountry terrain and a connection to Mount Mansfield State Forest. The Bolton Valley Nordic Center https://www.xcskiresorts.com/bolton-valley, which provides this backcountry access, also offers snowshoe rentals and lessons. Snowshoe rentals are available and once equipped there’s 100 km of snowshoeing and cross country ski trails.

During the snow season, the resort offers a variety of guided tours, which they often modify based on the whims and abilities of the snowshoers. For example, some tours are easy, and some bushwhack around Bolton’s sometimes steep forests. Most tours usually last 1 – 1.5 hours for those aged 10+. The Bolton Valley Resort base is at a higher elevation compared to most of the other resorts in Vermont. 802-434-3444 X1071

Burke Mountain

Burke Mountain in the town of Burke provides access to the Dashney Nordic Center https://www.xcskiresorts.com/dashney-nordic-center and nearby Kingdom Trails for snowshoeing. Dashney Nordic Center is on the access road to Burke Mountain and it offers 18 km of ski and snowshoe trails. Also, just down the road, Kingdom Trails (well-known for mountain biking) opens ungroomed trails and groomed fat bike trails to snowshoers in the winter. However, you’ll have to leave your pup home to access Kingdom Trails. Snowshoe rental equipment is available at Dashney 802-626-1466.

Jay Peak Resort

Jay Peak Resort https://jaypeakresort.com/ is a mecca for daring tree skiers, but the northern Vermont resort also has trails for snowshoe enthusiasts. The Jay Resort Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Center has seven short snowshoe trails up to 1.7 miles (2.7 km). The resort also typically offers guided snowshoe tours throughout the season, which may include equipment, guide services, and hot beverages around an outdoor fire pit. Call to make reservations. Snowshoe rentals and guided tours available (minimum of 3 people) in the Tram Haus Lodge 802-327-2199

Killington

Near the Killington Resort is Base Camp (https://basecampvt.com/, 802-775-0166) which is a retail outlet on Route 4 at the junction of the Killington access road that has snowshoe rentals and guided tours. A two-hour snowshoe rental is $20 and a 90-minute tour on flat terrain which includes a waterfall is $70 ($40 for kids). If you’re interested in an extended stay for more snowshoeing, try the snowshoe-friendly XC ski area at the Mountain Top Inn https://www.xcskiresorts.com/mountain-top-inn-and-resort in the nearby town of Chittenden.

Mount Snow

At Mount Snow https://www.mountsnow.com/ in southern Vermont, there are guided tours and trails all over the valley. Check out the NatureSpa 802-464-6606 for a snowshoe tour package ($66 per person for snowshoes, guide for 1.5 hour hike) out of the Grand Summit Resort Hotel and Mount Snow Sports. Timber Creek XC https://timbercreekxc.com/ is directly across the Mt. Snow access road off Route 100 and they have snowshoe rentals and trails. 802-464-4041.

Okemo

In Ludlow, Okemo Resort https://www.okemo.com/ has dedicated snowshoe trails at the golf course at Fox Run Nordic Center https://www.foxrunnordic.org/, separate from the Nordic ski path, along the banks of the Black River. There are 10 kilometers to snowshoe, but snowshoers can wander off the trail to explore meadows and forests in the shadow of Okemo Mountain. Fox Run has a restaurant, snowshoe rentals, and an indoor golf training facility. Okemo also has an ice house and snow tubing that is great for the family if you want a break from snowshoeing, skiing, or snowboarding. 802-228-1396

Smugglers’ Notch

Family-friendly Smugglers’ Notch https://www.smuggs.com/ in Jeffersonville offers a wide range of snowshoeing programs, tours, rentals, and lessons. Smuggs programs range from a gentle introduction to the joys of stomping through the winter woods. Take advantage of some of Smugglers’ special guided tours. The Vermont Experience provides the opportunity to search for animal tracks and learn about local history. Look for the bear claw marks on the beech trees. Other guided tours explain the maple industry and the process of making maple syrup while snowshoeing the forest. Or, for the adventurous, learn winter survival skills while you snowshoe. The apres dinner/drink experience on the Snowshoe Adventure Dinner takes snowshoers up to a mountain slope cabin for those aged 18+. 802-644-1173

Stowe Mountain Resort

Stowe Resort https://www.stowe.com/ has rental snowshoes, backcountry equipment, and gear for children aged three or older (including kids snowshoes). You may want to book your equipment in advance.

The trails take snowshoers on guided tours into the state forest. “No road crossings, no buildings, no skiers,” said a staff member. 802-253-3658. Also nearby is the Trapp Family Lodge https://www.xcskiresorts.com/trapp-family-lodge which has more than 100 km of trails.

Stratton Mountain

Stratton https://www.stratton.com/ and the Sun Bowl Nordic Center offer guided snowshoe hikes highlighting the magical scenery among the trees. Try the Sunrise Snowshoe Hike on Sundays or the Nordic Lights tour on the lantern-lit trails Saturday evenings. Before or after your hike, you can enjoy snowshoeing on the 3 km of snowshoe trails at the Stratton Mountain Nordic Center. Snowshoe rentals available. 802-297-4567

Sugarbush

Keeping with their adventurous motif, Sugarbush https://www.sugarbush.com/ in Warren, VT, offers both self-guided and Outback Guide-led tours that include snowshoes rentals and a lift ride to access trails at higher elevations on the mountain. Take the lift with rented snowshoes for $79 ($64 with your own snowshoes).

If you’re interested in self-guided tours, explore their marked snowshoe trails (beginner, intermediate, or advanced) daily between 9 and 4 pm. If you didn’t bring your snowshoes, they have rentals available at the Farmhouse Building at Lincoln Peak in Mt. Ellen Base Lodge.

The guided tours will give more than an afternoon jaunt on snowshoes. For example, one 2.5 to 3-hour guided tour brings guests to the Slide Brook Wilderness Area, a prime habitat for bears, moose, and lynx. Guides will often find tracks and lead the group to them. As an alternative, the guided tour of their advanced trail, the Gate House Loop, which also includes a large variety of wildlife and animal tracks. 802-583-6504

SnowshoeMag.com and Matt Sutkoski contributed to this content.

anne-nygard
Evelyn Kanter

2023 24 Epic Passes Now on Sale With New Benefits

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Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash

The only thing better than locking in a season pass is to do it now, at the lowest prices of the year.  2023/24 Epic Passes are on sale now, starting at $909 for a full pass and $676 for a local pass to dozens of Vail Resorts destinations in the US, Canada, Europe and beyond.

New features for next season include additional ski/snowboard resort in the Alps and Dolomites, additional Buddy passes, new hands-free technology, and a new no-reservations-needed policy.

Those are the headlines.  Now that we have your attention, here are the details:

Mobile Pass:

Epic Pass holders will be able to store their pass directly on their phone, put the phone in their pocket, and get scanned, hands free, via Bluetooth® Low Energy technology. This eliminates the need to wait in the ticket window line or wait for your pass to arrive in the mail. It also will help reduce plastic and RFID chip waste.

Plastic cards still will be available for those who cannot or do not want to use their phone as their pass. Mobile Pass will be available on the new My Epic app, coming in the fall of 2023.

Additional European Partner Resorts:

Last year, Vail Resorts acquired a majority stake in Andermatt-Sedrun in Switzerland. Next season, Epic Pass expands its European resort access with the addition of Switzerland’s Disentis as a partner resort.

Disentis is the neighboring mountain to Andermatt-Sedrun. When combined, Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis offers the largest ski area in the heart of Switzerland.

Epic Pass also signed partnership extensions with Les 3 Vallées in France, Ski Arlberg in Austria, and Skirama Dolomiti in Italy, and has an existing partnership at Verbier4Vallées in Switzerland. Additional international partners include Hakuba Valley and Rusutsu in Japan, and Resorts of the Canadian Rockies in Canada.

Buddy Tickets:

Pass Holders who purchase early will receive 10 Buddy Tickets and six Ski with a Friend Tickets to bring friends and family to join the ski and ride experience at a significant discount.

No Reservations: 

No reservations will be required at any resort on the Epic Pass for the 2023/24 season, with the exception of Telluride Ski Resort. Find information on how to make reservations at Telluride next season here.

Epic Mountain Rewards:

Pass Holders receive 20 percent off on-mountain food and beverage, lodging, group ski and ride school lessons, equipment rentals and more. Pass Holders also receive summer benefits at eligible resorts, including Summer Scenic Gondola rides, 20 percent off summer food, lodging, bike rentals and golf.

Epic FlexPay:

Pass Holders have access to easy monthly installments with Epic FlexPay, powered by Uplift. The deferred payment option includes zero down payment, zero interest, and if purchased early, zero payments until September 1, 2023.

Epic Coverage:

Passes are non-refundable except through Epic Coverage, which provides refunds for certain resort closures and personal events such as job loss, injury or illness. Epic Coverage is provided at no additional cost. Review the Epic Coverage Terms and Conditions.

Lift tickets are fully refundable but do not provide the value or flexibility of passes.

Epic Pass Choices:

There is a brain-numbing array of pass choices. Take a deep breath and decide now where you want to ski/ride next season, and with who, then purchase the pass that best fits your plans and needs.

Here are the details of what each Epic Pass offers:

$909 Epic Pass

Unlimited, unrestricted access to 42 resorts – including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte, Park City, Whistler Blackcomb, Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Stowe, Stevens Pass and more.

With additional partner resorts like Telluride, the Epic Pass unlocks access to more than 80 resorts. No reservations required at any resorts, except Telluride.

$676 Epic Local Pass
Unlimited, unrestricted access to 29 resorts including Breckenridge and Keystone, as well as peak restricted days access to resorts like Park City, Heavenly and Stowe, and 10 days total to use at Vail, Beaver Creek and Whistler Blackcomb.

$555 Northeast Value Pass
Access to 21 resorts across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, including Stowe, Hunter, Mount Snow, Okemo, Wildcat and Seven Springs.

Epic Customizable Day Pass
Skiers and riders can build their own pass, choosing from three levels of resort access, one to seven days, and whether or not to include peak restricted days.

Offered ahead of the season, Epic Day Passes provide savings up to 65% compared to lift ticket prices. Examples:

All Resorts Access: Ski or ride at resorts like Vail, Breckenridge and Whistler Blackcomb from $86 per day

32 Resorts Access: Ski or ride at resorts like Keystone, Heavenly and Stowe from $66 per day

22 Resorts Access: Ski or ride at local ski areas from $41 per day
$159 Epic Military Pass

This discount pass honors the service of Vail Mountain’s founders from the 10th  Mountain Division, and men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, Canadian Armed Forces and Australian Defence Force.

Unlimited, unrestricted access to 42 resorts – including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Park City, Whistler Blackcomb and Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis for Active and Retired Military and their dependents.

 Compare all Epic Pass offerings, including discounted senior passes, on the Epic Pass website.

NASTAR Racing Seniors
Pat Moore

NASTAR Racing for Seniors

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Pat Moore

Have you ever tried ski racing? Maybe now is the time. Resorts throughout North America offer NASTAR, the world’s largest recreational ski and snowboard racing program.

It’s not just for the young! Age groups in NASTAR run as high as 95+ and participation among us senior skiers is very high. The 70+ Ski Club participates in a popular race at Okemo Mountain in Vermont every year.

Begun in 1968, the program has seen more than five million participants. Many current and former US Team members got their start in the program.

Participation is open to everyone regardless of ability. Here’s how it works:

The system determines which medal you earn, based on age, gender and – of course – how fast you go. At each resort, there are certified Pacesetters whose performance has been measured against NASTAR’s National Pacesetter.

When the pacesetter at your course makes a run, the system factors in the difference between his/her ability and that of the National pacesetter to determine the theoretical time that the National Pacesetter would have recorded. Then, when you run the course, your personal “handicap” is calculated into the mix.

If you were 25% slower, your handicap is 25. Then according to a chart, you can earn Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals.

The thrill of winning your age group at the Nationals is felt in all medal divisions, from pre-teens to the seniors who are their grandparents.

NASTAR has a National Ranking system you can follow online and compare your progress with folks of similar ability in other parts of the country.

You don’t need to have been an accomplished racer when young! Following a 34 year hiatus from skiing, I returned to the sport (and took up snowboarding) in the winter of 1996-97 at the age of 50. It was another two years before I stumbled across Okemo’s NASTAR course and tried a run.

An older skier encouraged me to try it and then raced me head-to-head. He beat me decisively.

Over the next couple of years I made only a handful of runs,  but then caught the bug in 2004 and I attended my first National Championships at Park City, UT.

Since then,  I’ve raced on skis and snowboard at nearly every National Championship and have made many friends across the country.

I had been told by more than one person that racing improves your overall skiing and I found that to be true. Instead of turning when and where you want, the course of gates below you dictates the path you need to take. On crowded slopes, when free skiing, that skill is invaluable –  especially for us senior skiers.

Visit NASTAR.com to find a venue near you.

Stanley Rubenstein

5 Tips from a Senior Skier

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Stanley and Son on DH course

Having celebrated my 80th birthday in November, 2022, I guess I’m an old skier, not just a senior skier. It was the pandemic which stopped me from skiing in 2020 and 2021, not age.

In January, 2020, I skied a week in Chamonix, and then the pandemic nixed my downhill program for the remainder of the 2020 season, along with the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Now I’m back on skis, older than I was, and noticing a few things which have become apparent in two years of not skiing.

Flat light and white-outs

These never bothered me much before, but now I’m paying a lot more attention to seeing the piste I’m skiing. Finding the right goggles to accommodate my eyeglasses has become an issue.

As an older skier, make sure you’re seeing the piste with all its contours and changing snow conditions. Get new goggles if you have to.

A bag can save your knees

Walking around in ski boots won’t help your arthritic knees. Minimize the distances you walk in ski boots, get a good sized back pack and carry your ski boots to the base lodge or lift station.

Senior skiers also should consider so-called “cat tracks”, which are rubberized soles that slip over the bottom of your boots.  They cushion your walk on hard surfaces while protecting you from slipping and sliding, and also saving both your knees and wearing down your boot heel.

Looking for a nice place to ski?

Find the pistes where the racers train or race and ski there, or on an adjoining parallel piste.

Race courses and training pistes have the best slopes, not agonizingly steep with no long flat sections, pure skiing!

Use the best equipment to maximize enjoyment.

If you are renting equipment, take skis that are appropriate for your level of skiing and make sure the ski edges are properly prepared to minimize “sliding” around.

Use boots which are not too soft. You want the pressure transferred to your skis and not absorbed by boots.

If you’re using your own equipment, prepare the edges at least once a week, or after 3-5 ski days, and more often if you are skiing on artificial snow and/or ice.

Stretch

You can’t really ski well unless you can FLEX.  Always stretch before your first run.

Stretch your calves and quads, which work so hard during a downhill day.

Stretch your arms, because you might be skating and poling for a stretch of flat terrain.

Harriet Wallis

US Ski & Snowboard Team Race Suits Have Climate Message

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Goodbye traditional red, white and blue suits. Hello race suits with a climate message. It’s a whole new concept in race suits.

The blue and white pattern is based on satellite photos of icebergs breaking up and floating in the ocean. The design is intended to draw attention to climate change.

The new suits were showcased by the U.S. Team skiers at the recent FIS Alpine World Championships in Meribel, France,  where the Mixed Team Parallel won its first ever gold medal, besting Norway, the frequent winner of the event.

 

Mixed Team Parallel includes both men and women, with two racers in head-to-head competition on parallel courses.

Also wearing the iceberg race suit, it was gold for Mikaela Shiffrin in the Giant Slalom and then a silver in the Slalom. The world saw the new race suit on the iconic ski champion.

Three organizations teamed up for this unique race wear design –

  • U.S. Ski & Snowboard;
  • Kappa, a high end Italian manufacturer of technical sportswear and speed suits; and
  • Protect Our Winters (POW), a non-profit that promotes non-partisan climate policies and urges outdoor enthusiasts to help protect the winter sports they love.

“A warming winter is one of the biggest threats to the future of snowsports,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “In the 2022-23 winter, teams around the world have had to cancel races due to lack of snow. Some courses are made entirely of machine-made snow, and athletes are racing in 50-degree temperatures in the middle of winter.”

This year, it’s iceberg design race suits. Will there be a new message on race suits in the future?

Kappa will outfit all teams with outerwear, speed, and race suits for events at home and the FIS World Cup events through the 2032 season. In addition, the company will outfit all U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes who compete in the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Italy and in the 2030 Olympic Games.

Will their race suits have an iceberg theme, or another climate message?