In case you missed it, here are bits and pieces from here and there about several of our favorite winter resorts, to help you plan your downhill or XC time and your down time before or after. See you on the slopes – or before or after!
Mountain Collective New Passes
New this season is a physical pass to put in your jacket or pants pocket. The RFID card replaces the need to get a daily pass from the resort ticket window each day you want to ski. This season the new plastic pass is for use only at North American member resorts in the US and Canada, including Grand Targhee, Snowbird, Taos, Revelstoke and Sun Peaks.
Fingers crossed that Mountain Collective resorts overseas, including The Remarkables (New Zealand), Chamonix (France) and Niseko (Japan), join the list next season. https://mountaincollective.com/pass/
Vermont Holiday Festival at Killington
This annual event is Fri./Sat.,December 8/9 this year in the Killington Grand Hotel, featuring handmade gifts by local artisans, entertainment, and a forest of more than 70 decorated trees. It’s a great opportunity to get into the holiday spirit before or after a day on the slopes. There’s also a raffle with the chance to win one of the decorated trees.
AVSC’s Audi AJAX Cup on Aspen Mountain
The Audi Ajax Cup is a dual giant slalom right on Aspen Mountain and the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club’s largest annual fundraiser. On Sat., Dec. 30, Sixteen teams will race head-to-head until one is named the winner and awarded the famed Gorsuch Cup as a fundraiser for Aspen Valley Ski Club.
Each team has a pro-racer, which in previous years has included Chris Davenport, Casey Puckett, Daron Rahlves, and AJ Kitt. The “Race Day” takes place at the base of Aspen Mountain and culminates in a traditional European style après ski celebration.
2024 Avalanche Dog Calendar
Decorate your walls year round with pix of four-legged Ski Patrollers. Produced in coordination with Ski Utah, this 8.5″x11″ wall calendar features the Wasatch Backcountry Rescue search and rescue dogs photographed at their workplace, the Wasatch Mountains of Salt Lake City, Utah. Proceeds from the sale of the $25 calendar benefit Wasatch Backcountry Rescue (WBR). It’s a 501(c)3 non-profit organization working in the Wasatch Mountains with the primary purpose of rapid response for avalanche rescue, winter related mountain rescue, and medical evacuation incidents using trained professionals and search and rescue dogs. https://www.yearbox.com/calendarsforgood/ski-utah-wbr-2024-calendar/
Each avalanche dog-of-the-month features its name and information about it, including some photos of avi dogs decked out in goggles and other human gear. Besides being beyond cute, one of these trained four-footed professionals could save your life or that of a buddy.
Ski With Santa and Mrs. Claus at Whistler Blackcomb
Santa Claus is hitting the slopes! On December 15, 2023 it’s time to hit the slopes, with 100’s of other Mr and Misses Clauses for the annual Ski With Santa Day, also known as Dress Like Santa Day. The first 100 people to arrive in traditional red Santa or Mrs. Claus costumes get free lift tickets. https://gibbonswhistler.com/christmas-holidays-in-whistler/
