Tag Archive for: Pomerelle Mountain

Evelyn Kanter

Short Swings: Timely Tidbits of Snowy News

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Credit:nicolamargaret

There’s always something happening in snow country.  This is the March edition of timely tidbits to know, to help you plan the rest of this season and important news for next season, too.

Epic Pass 2026/27 Offers New Discounts

In a major step to get more young people on the slopes and shape the future of skiing and snowboarding, Vail Resorts is reducing the cost of passes for skiers and riders ages 13 to 30. They can now purchase next season’s 2026/27 Epic Pass and Epic Local Pass now for 20% less than regular pricing, for up to $220 in savings. Next season’s Epic Pass is on sale now at $869 and Epic Local Pass at $649.

All Passes for next season are on sale now at the lowest price of the year – and will increase around Memorial Day and again around Labor Day.

Ikon Pass 2026/27 Offers New Perks

It goes on sale March 12, with new expanded access to Colorado resorts; the addition of Tamarack in Idaho, Lutsen Mountain in Minnesota, Snowriver Mountain Resort in Michigan and Granite Peak in Wisconsin, all with no blackout dates.  Ikon also is cutting down on plastic pollution by us re-use this year’s pass for another season.  There also are new discounts for passes for  children and those aged 23-28.

New passholders also get immediate and unlimited spring skiing at around one dozen mountains in the Rockies and Sierras.  Prices are $1,349 for the full Ikon Pass and $924 for the Ikon Base Pass; additional prices are on the Ikon Pass website.

Another Family-Owned Resort is Sold

Pomerelle, an old-fashioned, low-key, family-owned resort in Southern Idaho, has been sold by the Anderson family, which has operated it for decades.  But fear not – it’s unlikely to change much, if at all, since the new owners are mountain manager Zach Alexander and his wife, Crystal. He is the grandson of longtime and recently retired director of snowsports instruction Barry Whiting, so it’s pretty much like keeping it in the family.

I’ve skied here. It’s a great mountain with long groomers along with some challenging steeps and trees.  And lift ticket price are around half the price of nearby Sun Valley.

Spring Skiing in the Poconos

 Thanks to the recent massive snowstorm in the Northeast along with enhanced snowmaking techniques, Camelback Resort is extending winter well into spring, with daily skiing and riding through Sunday, April 12, followed by weekend operations through the first weekend of May – conditions and weather permitting. That mean the resort’s longest ski season ever, surpassing the

previous record of April 9, 2009, and marks a significant moment for Pennsylvania winter sports. With a deep late-season snowpack and sustained cold-weather, Camelback is boasting spring skiing conditions typically reserved for northern New England – and just 90 minutes from Times Square.

Remember Your SPF

The return of Daylight Saving Time on the second Sunday of March, when our clocks and watches “spring forward”, means days are longer – and brighter. No more skiing or riding in flat light at 2pm and wishing you were wearing your low-light goggles. Brighter sunlight until the lifts close also means applying sunscreen more often.  Don’t forget the tip of your nose!

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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This week’s Short Swings! message is straight-forward:

If you enjoy receiving SeniorsSkiing.com, please support us financially.

Many of you have been generous in our past February fundraisers.

This month, we hope to expand the number of donations by asking more of you to donate a minimum of $10; not much considering the cost of a hot chocolate or a bowl of chili.

For those readers donating $50 or more, we’ll send a terrific navy blue BBQ apron imprinted with this striking vintage skiing woodcut.

All donors will receive a personalized thank you note and some SeniorsSkiing.com stickers.

The fundraiser will continue through the month.

To donate, click here.

Thank you!!!!

Ski Patrol Drones Used at Val Thorens

Many ski resorts outlaw drones for a variety of safety reasons. But ski patrol in Val Thorens, the French mega-resort, are employing drones to monitor lifts and avalanche management systems, and to perform a host of other duties. Among the examples you’ll see in this short video produced by drone-manufacturer, DJI Technology, is how an infrared-equipped drone, is able to detect a skier buried in an avalanche. This is impressive stuff that, before long, we’ll be seeing at many areas.

Idaho’s Tamarack Resort Plans Expansion

Tamarack Resort

Tamarack, which opened in 2004, went bankrupt in 2008, and got new owners in 2018, recently applied to the US Forest Service to add 3000 acres to its existing 1100. The addition, including multiple lifts, would elevate it to one of North America’s biggest. Tamarack, in west central Idaho, averages 300” a season.

Elan’s Folding All-Mountain Ski

Elan, the Slovenian ski brand, is big on innovation. I used their asymmetrical skis a few seasons ago in the Dolomites. Right and left ski were used on hard pack. Switch the skis and they performed differently in powder and soft, heavy snow. Now, Elan is using a similar approach in its new, folding Voyager model. The technology was developed as tactical equipment for the Slovenian Army. It incorporates a hinge and locking swivel-plate which holds the binding.  The company appears to be promoting Voyager for ease of carry-on and transport. Click here for an amusing explanation. Another Elan product currently under development is a “smart ski”, embedded with sensors that will provide real time coaching feedback through a headset. Couldn’t find a price for the Voyager.  

Yellowstone Club’s New Trail Map

Yellowstone Club, adjacent to Big Sky

The closest I ever got to the Yellowstone Club, was skiing a perimeter trail at Big Sky in Montana. Yellowstone Club is the “private and secure” ski and golf resort where business and entertainment celebs have homes. Bill and Melinda Gates are there, as are Tom Brady, Justin Timberlake, and before his death, Warren Miller. Click here to see the resort’s new trail map.

Two Idaho Areas Join Low Cost Multi-Pass

They are Soldier Mountain and Pomerelle Mountain. Indy Pass costs $259 and gives passholders two days of skiing at each of 61 participating areas.

Death and Fantasy Ski Videos

Arianna Tricomi is a three-time Freeride World Champion. In 2018, the Italian was Euro Skier of the Year. She recently recorded this touching and informative video after being unable to save a 15-year-old buried in an avalanche. The point she makes is that little is discussed publicly about risks and preparations made when filming fantasy skiing in challenging terrain. The final edited versions may attract less prepared skiers to mimic the lines, often with tragic results. Her message, while it may not apply to many older skiers, is still an important one: In order to prevent more unnecessary deaths, there needs to be more open discussion and disclosure about behind-the-scenes planning of extreme skiing videos.

Classical Guitar Après Ski

Dr. Jon Paul Yerby is a gifted classical guitar artist and educator who performs globally. He’s not a skier, although, he’s told me that skiing is one of his aspirations. But he is an outstanding musician, as demonstrated in this performance of the  J.S. Bach Prelude. This and other of Jon’s performances are a nice way to enjoy a relaxing senior skier après-ski.