Tag Archive for: Lookout Pass

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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Before I get into this week’s topic, I’d like to thank each of you who donated to SeniorsSkiing.com. This is the second week of our second annual fund raiser. The response has been enthusiastic. Your gifts will help us get closer to covering expenses. As important, they are telling us that this effort to form a community of older snowsports enthusiasts is appreciated. If you have not already done so, please consider making a gift. If you already have, you’ll be receiving a personalized thank you. In the meanwhile, THANK YOU!

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This season, I’m visiting areas I haven’t been to before (or haven’t been to in a very long time). Last week, Pam and I completed a tour of five Colorado ski areas and resorts. The difference between a resort and an area is that resorts have onsite lodging. Ski areas don’t.

Like most road trips from my youth, this one required a lot of moving around, a lot of taking suitcases to and from rooms, a lot of unpacking and repacking…you get the picture. We’re both of an age where the schlepp began to wear us down.

Pam would have preferred staying in one place. I don’t disagee.

Even at this age, road trips can be fun. You get to see and ski more places and, if conditions aren’t good in one place, you might be able to find pow someplace else. (As it turns out, conditions were good throughout our 10 day Tour d’ Colorado).

But there’s something delicious about parking yourself at one place, exploring the area’s terrain, restaurants, etc. Before moving to the West, some of my best ski holidays were without cars at Alta and Snowbird. You landed at the airport, collected your gear, took a shuttle to the resort, and every day, got up early, clicked on your skis, and enjoyed the terrain. End of day, you hung out with others who had done the same thing. I’ve had similar experiences elsewhere. You’re there. The car, if you brought one, is in the garage (if there is a garage). You’re not dragging luggage. It’s probably what it’s like when checking into a luxe hotel at a luxe resort. It’s what Pam would prefer. And now that I think about it, me too.

What do you think is the best way to take a ski vacation?  One place? Road trip? Something else? Full disclosure: We leave for another skiing road trip in a few weeks. This time by plane, train, and automobile in the Alps.

SeniorsSkiing in the Dolomites

InspiredItaly conducts Ski Safaris in Italy’s Dolomites. I’ve written about the weeklong experience in the past, and, next month, will experience the adventure for the first time. Two SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers recently completed the tour. This video tells their story. 

Loveland’s Valentine’s Day Mass Wedding

Loveland Ski Area — Valentine’s Day Mountain Matrimonial.

With a name like LOVELAND, getting hitched is a natural. Yesterday, Valentine’s Day, the Colorado area celebrated its 28thAnnual Marry Me and Ski For Free Mountaintop Matrimony event. Couples got married or renew their vows outside Ptarmigan Roost Cabin (elevation12,050’). Participants are encouraged to wear wedding clothes, and the best-dressed get rewarded for their effort. The 30-minute ceremony is followed by run down the hill and a party with wedding cake, music, and prizes.

Winter Hiking Featured in New York Times

The growing cold weather pastime is explored in this short, interesting article.  Let us know where you go winter hiking and if you’d like SeniorsSkiing.com to run some articles on the subject.

Lookout Pass

Deep. Deep. Deep. Lookout Mountain, Idaho

One side of Lookout Pass is in Idaho, the other side in Montana. The area is about a 90-minute drive from Missoula, MT or Spokane, WA. It’s not big, 540 acres; 1,150’ vertical. But does it get snow! Average annual snowfall is 400”. Keep an eye on this place. It’s about to double in acreage and increase its vert. Check photo taken this week!

100″ in Utah Since Feb 1

Yes, you read that correctly.

CMH Virtual Reality Tour

Canadian Mountain Holidays is presenting a 5-minute virtual reality film at ski resorts around the country. Filmed in Canada’s Cariboo range “Lines of Sight” is said to the the first film of its kind in the tech and ski industries. In resort pop-up lounges, viewers don VR goggles to watch the action. As they turn their heads, they are able to explore the full field of vision. You can watch the same film by clicking here. As you watch, place your cursor over any of the four arrows in the upper left corner to extend your vision left, right, up, and down. CMH says it created the film to immerse viewer into the experience and to dispel the myth that Heli-Skiing has to be extreme. Remaining screenings are scheduled for Mont Tremblant, March 7-12, Mammoth Mountain, March 22-24, and Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows, March 29-31 and April 5-7.

BRR! Skincare Winter Balm

BRR! is an all natural face-protecting balm for skiers and boarders. Winter Balm was crafted with a unique blend of botanicals to protect skin against the effects of cold and wind. No nasty, toxic ingredients.  Can be applied to the face (cheeks, nose, and lips) prior to outdoor activity to protect or after exposure to soothe. First rate. Click here.

 
Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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And Then, I’ll Take Off My Skis.

That’s the punch line of a joke I heard in college. Many of you will know it.

Two Russian soldiers are called home from their post in Siberia. They pack their belongings and start their long ski trek across the snowy steppe.

They talk about what they’ll do when they arrive home.

Boris says, “First I’ll embrace my wife at the door.”

And Ivan asks, “And then?”

“I’ll drink a tall glass of vodka.”

“And then?”

“My wife and I will make passionate love.”

Once more, Ivan asks the question.

Enter punch line above.

Even as I write this, the joke makes me smile. Not a bad feat for something I’ve known for a half-century or more.

I tried to find other jokes about skiing. The stuff online takes aim at snowboarders, instructors, beginners, etc. (e.g. What do you call a ski instructor without a girlfriend/boyfriend? Homeless.). Amusing but not funny.

I’m confident that members of our rapidly growing community know some good ski jokes. If you do, please write them up. We’ll publish the best as a collection and post it in the Subscriber Only Content section. Contributors will be named, and if we can find some interesting swag, there will be rewards.

Even though Jan Brunvand reported he’s on his 14th day of the season, many of us have yet to even see snow. I hope to change that this weekend at Solitude, an outstanding area in Big Cottonwood Canyon, adjacent to Brighton, another good place to play in the snow. For those not familiar with BCC, it’s just outside of Salt Lake City, a few miles north of Little Cottonwood Canyon, home to Snowbird and Alta. Snow patterns often favor Brighton and Solitude.

One of the reader surveys indicated interest in learning more about lesser known resorts. Weather-permitting, I have January plans in to visit three in Idaho (Soldier Mountain, Pomerelle, and Pebble Creek) and two in Montana (Maverick Mountain and Discovery Mountain). I’ll review each from the perspective of the older skier including things such as lot to lift access, terrain, ambiance, toilet facilities, food, lodging, etc. Several contributors have written about the places they ski. All area reviews can be found by going to the menu bar at the top of the page, click “Destinations,” and then clicking “Resort Reviews.”  Let us know if you’d like to submit an area review.

Here’s a brief non-ski report from last weekend in Bluff, Utah. Bluff is a pretty flyspeck near the Four Corners. It is an entry point for Bears Ears, the national monument with recently changed status. Three things from Bluff:

  • The one and only restaurant that’s open this time of year is better than good. Twin Rocks Cafe took on a new chef, and she is producing some nice selections. If you’re there for breakfast order the blue corn flour pancakes. Wonderful.

Dancing Bears—pre-conflagration—in tiny Bluff, UT.

  • Each year, Joe Pachak, a local artist, constructs a giant wooden sculpture in the middle of town. It’s set ablaze on the Winter Solstice. This year, in recognition of Bears Ears and the Navajo culture, he created two dancing bears covered in willow twigs.
  • This is perfect hiking weather and just a few miles from town there are hikes to Anasazi ruins and rock art. High on Comb Ridge up a fairly steep incline is Procession Panel, discovered in 1989 and considered one of the most interesting in the entire Southwest. It was not easy to find, but once we did, WOW. It depicts processions of small human figures, some carrying crooks, walking toward a circle. One line extends for 60 or 70 feet. Sandstone Spine (David Roberts, The Mountaineers Books, 2006), an interesting account of the first traverse of 125 mile Comb Ridge, suggests that the panel was created in the first millennium BCE. If you take the hike and find the panel, the experience will be a keeper.

Not enough new information arrived on screen to do my weekly report of ski activity. A few standouts are snow pix submitted by Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, Lookout Pass, and Big Sky Resort. BSR’s deep pow video shot within the past week shows nice depths and terrific turns.

We’re taking next week off. I wish you good heath, warm reunions , and wonderful skiing.

 

 

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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Many Readers Have Requested A Fabric Patch.

It’s a good idea, and we’d like to make it available. The question is what to put on the patch. We’ve explored the vintage image of the skier that appears on the SeniorsSkiing.com sticker. Unfortunately, patch production technology makes him indecipherable. Whatever we do, we plan to include the SeniorsSkiing.com logo. You may have some ideas for a slogan. We envision something small and rectangular, so it can’t have a lot of words. A few ideas from this end include: Ski Forever; Skiing Makes You Younger, and Ski More. Live Longer. If you have a preference among these or can suggest additional statements, please email jon@seniorsskiing.com. If it gets used, we’ll send some form of SWAG you, hopefuly, will find useful. Thank you!!!!

CALIFORNIA

Mountain High, Southern California’s closest (to LA) winter resort, opened this week with top-to bottom greens and blues. The first 100 skiers received free gloves. Seniors 70+ ski free at Mountain High.

COLORADO

Colorado Ski Country USA resorts will be hosting a variety of Holiday events from Santa encounters (virtually all areas), to caroling (Aspen Snowmass), Ugly Sweater Contest (Eldora), torchlight parades (Aspen, Copper, Crested Butte, Monarch, Powderhorn, Purgatory, Steamboat, Telluride), and any number of tree lighting ceremonies and gourmet feasts). Check resort websites for more details and reservation info. One standout event will take place this Saturday at Crested Butte, which hopes to break the World Record for the largest number of skiers in Santa costumes. Participants must be decked out in a full Santa suit and will be eligible for $25 lift tickets.

MONTANA

Lookout Pass, on the Idaho/Montana border, has opened almost 50% of its terrain. Between natural and man-made, the top has 27″ and the bottom 12″.

UTAH

Ski Utah’s email states 18″ to Start the Week ,yet looking at accumulations at the seven open resorts, the maximum new snow is 7″ (Snowbird). Other open Utah resorts are Alta, Brian Head, Brighton, Deer Valley, Park City, Snowbasin, Snowbird, and Solitude.

If you’re in the vicinity of southern Utah’s terrific Brian Head resort this Saturday the ULLR Festival is the annual juggling, comedy and circus ritual to celebrate the arrival of the Norse Snow God. Festivities start at 1:00PM; ULLR’s entrance is scheduled for 5:45PM.

VERMONT

Old school, Mad River Glen is kicking off its Preserve Our Paradise fundraising campaign with a goal of $6.5 million. Monies will be used to improve snowmaking and replace the Birdland lift, among other things.

Areas across the Green Mountain State are celebrating the holidays with Santa visits, torchlight parades, wine and beer tasting events, gourmet dinners, etc. Check websites for details.

Jay Peak skiers never had it so good. This video from last season’s mega-dump is proof that all things are possible.

OTHER

The Nov. 27 edition of The New Yorker magazine has a feature article on 22-year old American skier Mikaela Shiffrin. Writer Nick Paumgarten has done a fine job. It’s required reading for anyone preparing for the February Winter Games in South Korea.

Thank you, Patagonia, for taking a position on important environmental and land use issues. This week, following the White House’s expected announcement that Southern Utah’s Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments would be dramatically reduced, Patagonia emailed information under the title, The President Stole Your Land. The accompanying message reads: “In an illegal move, the president just reduced the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase- Escalante National Monuments. This is the largest elimination of protected land in American history.” For many, these vast areas are merely an idea. To get a sense of what Bears Ears (close to the Arizona border) look like, click here.

Cute knit hats for the grandkids at https://cirquemtn.com/product-category/kids/kids-headwear/

ski and bike
Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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Bull Wheels At More Areas Have Started To Turn.

 Purgatory opened last weekend. People were lined up at 5:00AM, Saturday, Nov. 18. One report had hungry skiers cooking bacon and eggs as they waited in the dark. In what may have been a first, pass holders used Day 1 to ski and bike.

  • Lookout Pass, about 90 minute drive from Spokane or Missoula, reports 34″ on top and 20″ at the base. The area straddles Idaho and Montana and has plans to double acreage and increase vertical. It will open Thanksgiving Day.
  • Brighton Resort opened Tuesday, Nov 21 with “top to bottom” skiing serviced by two lifts. The open runs have a 10″- 20″ base.
  • Park City scheduled Thanksgiving Day to open.
  • Mont Tremblant also was scheduled to open Nov 23 with 10 trails. The Quebec resort has 12″ of fresh, natural snow.

If you have the early season itch, check web sites before going.

Thoughts on the Vanishing Ski Bum Ecosystem

Leave it to Jackson Hogen of realskiers.com for an intelligent take on all things skiing. A few weeks ago he lamented the slow but steady passing of the classic ski bum. These old timers are repositories of all kinds of useful knowledge. As resorts corporatize and workers are forced to commute longer distances, even ski shops are struggling for knowledgeable personnel. That’s especially important when shopping for new boots. His advice is to shop early when qualified fitters are available. Another option is to visit AmericasBestBootFitters.com which lists shops where personnel has been trained specifically to fit boots.

Subscriptions to real skiers.com are available to SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers at a discounted annual rate of $9.95. To sign up, visit realskiers.com. Scroll down to/click on “Subscribe Today!” Then click “Sign Up” in the “Annual Membership” box. Complete the form and enter SS17 in the field under “Coupon Code.”

Free Skiing List Update

Reader input is making the list of US resorts with free skiing privileges more complete. The list currently has 114 resorts. Those added: Bear Valley, CA; Sugar Mtn (NC), Gunstock, NH, and Okemo, VT. Those removed: Hunter Mtn (NY) and and Mad River Glen, VT. Thank you for your continued input! To access the complete list, go to the homepage, click COMMUNITY on the Menu Bar, and click SUBSCRIBER ONLY CONTENT.

Ski Insiders is Rossingol’s New Online Community

Rossingol launched the Ski Insiders website for all ski enthusiasts to express their winter sports passions. According to the company, members of the Ski Insiders community will be invited to express opinions and share ideas about brands and new products through questionnaires and discussion forums. Click here to register.

Colorado Ski Country Resorts to Host Olympic Qualifiers

Colorado resorts will host numerous qualifying events leading up to the February games in Pyeong Chang, South Korea. For details click here.

A Fine Liquid Idea

Teton Gravity Research and Melvin Brewing have teamed up to create TGR Pils-Gnar.

The birth child of two longstanding Jackson Hole entities, the new brew is described as being a German-style pilsner that is simultaneously spicy and fruity. If you collect beer cans/bottles with a ski theme, this looks like a good one. Looking forward to sipping this new brew.

A Few Ifs

If you happen to be in the vicinity of Snowbird, Sunday, Dec 3; if there are clear skies, and if you want to experience what sounds like a sensational dining experience under a full moon, get a ticket for Snowbird’s Full Moon Dinner. It will be held in the Summit Lodge at 11,000′ on Hidden Peak. Wonderful menu, musical accompaniment, SPECTACULAR VIEWS. Adults: $75; kids: $25-$45 (depending on age). Price includes aerial tram ride. Reservations: 801.933.2222.

World Ski Awards Announced

Val Thorens, in France, was named World’s Best Ski Resort. Ski Dubai (UAE) received Best Indoor Ski resort. Bella Coola Heli Sports (Canada) got World’s Best Heli-Ski Operator. In the US, Deer Valley received the top resort prize. The World Ski Awards are selected by professionals working within the ski industry and by the public. Votes are submitted online at World Ski Awards website.

Learn to Ski/Board Month Awards People Introducing Newbies

The promotion rewards those who help introduce newcomers to beginner lessons from trained instructors. Click here to learn about the program (starts Jan 5) and the generous rewards.

 

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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This will be my 64th consecutive year on skis, a factoid I should have mentioned at a recent ski industry event where each of the 50+ people gathered for lunch were asked to say something brief about what they do.

I was the oldest in the room and spoke about older skiers and how we comprise 20% of the US skiing population. I sensed they were more interested in desert. Now when I get the question, I mention my 64th consecutive ski season. It gets their attention. Many of us have lived through a significant period of skiing history. As we enter 2017-18, I encourage you to share your skiing experiences with the kids. That is, if they’ll put down the phone, take off the speakers, and pay attention.

Free Subscription to Skiing History Magazine

International Ski History Association

On the subject of skiing history, the International Skiing History Association is offering readers a free one-year subscription to the digital edition of  Skiing History Magazine. It’s a $29 value. Published bimonthly, Skiing History has been documenting all aspects of skiing for many years. It is a gem. To subscribe, go to https://www.skiinghistory.org/join, scroll to Digital Membership, select 1 Year-Digital Only, add to cart, enter coupon code SENIORSKI17, checkout, then set up your account. P.S. Once you’ve subscribed, you’ll have access to the archives to 2009.

Seniors Ski Free at 111 U.S. Resorts

See the full article on the 2017-18 list of resorts where can seniors ski free. Most resorts provide free skiing at age 70, but its also available to those in their 60s.

Bromley, Cranmore, Jiminy Peak Introduce Airline-Style Ticket Pricing 

Jiminy Peak, Cranmore Mountain, and Bromley have introduced variable ticket-pricing. Similar to air ticket pricing, the system rewards skiers who purchase early with lower prices. Consult each resort’s online pricing chart to lock in the best deal. One sacrifice for lower cost: no refunds.

CALIFORNIA

Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe was the first Tahoe resort to open this season. It began daily operations on November 11.

Gondola to Link Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows

If the plan overcomes resistance from environmental advocates, the base-to-base gondola will be ready for the 2019-20 season. The gondola would eliminate the need to drive or bus between mountains.

CANADA

Crowd funding investors are responding positively to Red Mountain Resort’s (Rossland, B.C.) pitch against the trend for big corporate ownership of ski resorts. Using the slogan, “Fight the Man, Own the Mountain,” the resort’s web-based campaign drew pledges for C$508,500/$394,000 the first day. The campaign closes Dec.1 with a minimum target of C$1.5 million.

COLORADO

Colorado Ski Country USA’s Kids Ski Free programs offer free and discounted lift tickets for children, specialized lessons and rental discounts at member resorts. There’s a 5th and 6th Grade Passport Program covering most of the state’s resorts and many other free skiing benefits at individual areas. To learn more visit http://www.coloradoski.com or area websites.

IDAHO

Lookout Pass opened Nov 4 with 28″ at the summit and 16″ at its base.

Opening dates:

Sun Valley: Nov. 23
Silver Mountain Resort: Nov. 24
Schweitzer Mountain Resort: Dec. 1
Brundage Mountain: Dec. 8
Tamarack Resort: Dec. 8
Bogus Basin: Dec. 9
Pebble Creek: Dec. 16

MONTANA

Teton Pass Ski Resort will be closed this winter.

UTAH

Beaver Mountain in northern Utah got 20″.

Park City ended night skiing for recreational skiers.

Park City Area Lodging Association is offering a $300 Delta Gift Card with three-night stays at Lodges at Deer Valley, Silver Baron Lodge, Goldener Hirsch Inn, Signature Collection, or Trail’s End Lodge between December 1 and April 8.

Opening Dates

Alta Ski Area: November 22
Brian Head Resort: November 17
Brighton: Early As Possible
Cherry Peak: December 18
Deer Valley Resort: December 2
Eagle Point: December 21
Nordic Valley: December 9
Park City Mountain: November 17
Snowbasin Resort: November 22
Snowbird: November 22
Solitude Mountain Resort: December 2
Sundance Mountain Resort: December 8

VERMONT

Vermont resorts are offering a variety of ways to save on tickets. Visit the resort sites for more details.

Okemo’s annual Ski and Snowboard Swap benefiting Okemo Mountain School is scheduled November 17-19.

OTHER

Bode Miller will be an Olympic commentator. It will be the first Olympics since 1998 that he hasn’t competed.