Tag Archive for: Utah Skiing

Tamsin Venn

Deer Valley: Win-Win For Two Generations

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Convincing Reasons Why Two Generations Love Deer Valley.

Blue skies, top of the world at Deer Valley. Credit: Tamsin Venn

We recently returned from our annual January family trip to Utah, with our 20-somethings joining us. Utah is currently experiencing record snowfall with more than 300 inches and more on the way. Aside from snow, here are reasons why two generations love Deer Valley, ranked consistently as one of the top ten resorts in the country.

  • Utah powder gets dried out and fluffed up on its way over from the Pacific Ocean, so it’s easy turning for both old and young knees.
  • Free valets greet you and put your skis in ski racks, more energy for powder skiing.
  • Free overnight boot and ski check, less schlepping, even more energy saved for skiing.
  • The number of feet you have to walk from a base lodge door to a lift might be written into the area’s mission statement. See previous energy statements.
  • Truly varied and sophisticated food, always with a few extra special ingredients for the piece de resistance, fosters lingering, providing rare commodity of uninterrupted family time. WiFi is available.
  • The Rossignol High Performance Test Center located next to the Empire Canyon Lodge gives you two hours of free ski trials, as many as you want. Match your boards to conditions and try out new Rossignol technology. Both old and young stretch comfort zones in moguls and powder.
  • At the posted trail maps, very upbeat, green-uniformed hosts tell “guests” where they are and where to go. You never have to be lost on the area’s six mountains, six bowls, and 2,000 acres

Young, really young, and seniors love the DV. Credit: Tamsin Venn

  • Stein’s Way, a black diamond off Bald Mountain’s right shoulder, overlooks Jordanelle Reservoir and is a popular first run groomer with the senior set. And the 20-year-olds, who will do a couple of warm-up runs on Stein’s then switch to the more gnarly Mayflower Bowl.
  • The less expensive IKON base pass gives you five days at DV, plenty of time to play out the equation between willing spirit but flagging body. If you still have vacay time, the IKON base pass lets you ski five days at Alta/Snowbird, five at Brighton and unlimited at Solitude. Blackout dates apply.
  • No snowboarders. Yup, even the 20-something-year-olds who ski with us do not like the sound of a thundering snowboarder coming up from behind. That rule does preclude skiing with some of our favorite people.
  • The sharing economy. Our AirBnB in Park City was roomy and tucked away, but just steps from a stop on the free town bus system. Millennials support public transportation.
  • Ski instructors are everywhere leading their charges, often in semi private lessons. Eavesdrop to pick up a few pointers on powder days.
  • Limited ticket sales —7,500 a day—ensure quick moving lift lines, enhanced by 21 chairlifts (12 are high speed detachable quads,) and one gondola.
  • A well protected, well staffed learning area with magic carpets helps make DV one of the best places for the little guys, generation 3 TK.

Why go anywhere else?

Lift Ticket Rates: Senior (65 plus) Daily Lift Ticket Rates start at $120 when prepaid online. Senior Season Pass: $1,236. IKON pass no longer available for 2019-20:  Check prices here. https://www.deervalley.com/plan-your-trip/tickets-and-passes

Find Out More: Click Here For the Deer Valley website

Trail Map: Click here

Web Cams: Click Here

So far this season, the snow has been abundant.
Credit: Tamsin Venn

 

Little Cottonwood Canyon traffic
Harriet Wallis

Monster Traffic Jams Overwhelm Canyon Roads At Four Salt Lake Resorts Last Winter

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Big Changes Are Underway This Season. Will They Help Solve The Problem?

Little Cottonwood Canyon last winter.

Flashback To Last Winter

Bumper to bumper traffic creeps up Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons toward Alta and Snowbird, Brighton, and Solitude. But resort parking lots are already full.

It’s mid-morning on a typical weekend.

Rabid skiers ignore the parkies. And they ignore One Way signs. They drive the wrong way and create blockades. They ram their cars onto berms and they jam up fire lanes.

Every parking spot is taken. There’s no place to park. Cops turn cars around and head them back down the canyon.  

Outraged skiers then park along the 2-lane road — further and further away from their resort. They park on both sides of the narrow, twisting road.

Car doors hang wide open into the traffic lanes while skiers sit to put on boots. High snowbanks force skiers to trudge on the car-clogged road toward their resort, hauling their equipment, kids and coolers. The 2-lane road becomes a 1-lane obstacle course.

Some cars that park along the road sink into the deep snow and must call a wrecker to get pulled out. Other cars that park sloppily and threaten safety are often ticketed and are sometimes towed away.

That was last winter. It wasn’t pretty.

Why All The Mayhem?

Salt Lake City’s economy sizzles. Home and apartment construction booms, and that spikes the local skier population. 

More than 300 flights arrive daily at Salt Lake International Airport, and 10 resorts are within an hour’s drive. Skiers with a multi-resort pass, such as the Ikon pass, flow unpredictably from resort to resort.

The only way up each canyon is by two-lane road. Resorts on national forest land must comply with regulations and cannot make changes on a whim.

Last winter topped the charts with 711 inches of snow, and, like a magnet, it sucked skiers up the canyons. Just add up all those issues. The net result was humongous traffic jams.

Partners For Solutions

Canyon roads have been a concern for more than 30 years. Solutions have been proposed, and some have been tinkered with. But last winter’s traffic nightmare pushed the hot button.

This winter, it’s all hands on deck. Ski resorts plus Save Our Canyons, Wasatch Backcountry Alliance, the Central Wasatch Commission and the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) are stepping up efforts to change skier behavior and solve the traffic issue.

What’s Up For This Winter?

UTA added more ski buses in both canyons. It removed the inside ski/board bins to provide more standing room. And it eliminated some bus stops to speed up transit times, Skiers with a resort-specific season pass or an Ikon season pass can ride the UTA ski bus free.

Snowbird expanded its R.I.D.E. program—an Uber-type ride share app so skiers can carpool. (R.I.D.E. is the acronym for Reducing Individual Driving for the Environment. Download the iOS Snowbird R.I.D.E. app or the Android Snowbird R.I.D.E. app.)

In addition, Snowbird skiers who carpool or take the UTA ski bus earn R.I.D. E points toward sweet rewards. And carpools with three+ people get VIP parking.

This year, Alta, Brighton and Solitude implement the R.I.D.E. app.

At Alta, there are ride share vans for employees, and it dedicates 25 percent of the Wildcat parking lot for carpools with 3 or more.

Solitude takes a bold step and will charge for parking. Daily fees range from $5 for cars with four passengers to $20 for just one or two passengers. Those with a Solitude or Ikon season pass can buy a season parking permit for $150. The permit will cost $225 for non-season pass skiers.

More To Come

The question remains: What will it take to change skier behavior and eliminate the traffic jams? Stay tuned. The 2019-2020 ski season is arriving right now.

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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My Ski/Family Balance

It dumped in Utah a few days ago, and I decided not to go skiing.

It was a choice between playing in the snow with pre-school/pre-ski grandkids and deep powder. Being with grandkids won out. Granted, the weekend’s revelry left me a bit under the weather, and the wind and flat light were convenient excuses. In the past, fresh powder trumped (almost) every other draw for my attention. It was gravitational, pulling me to its seductive pleasures. But grandchildren are a more powerful force, and sledding with them on a small hill in a city park was a special joy. I’ve had many great powder days in my skiing career and hope to have many more. Being in the snow with grandchildren I only see from time to time is more precious than powder. Both experiences are ephemeral. Despite climate trends, the snow should continue to come. Small children, on the other hand, grow. Maybe, one day, if health continues and all is well, we’ll be able to ski powder together.

The Bleak Future of Winter Sports

Watching the Olympic Games is a peek into the future of winter sports. According to an article in the January 27 issue of The Economist, the popularity of skiing — declining in Western countries — is shifting to Asia. In China, the number of skiers and boarders is increasing 20% a year and 500 new resorts are expected to be built ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Accompanying the article is an excellent video explaining the history of modern skiing and projecting the future of the sport. Climate change is having a big effect. 

Odd But (Apparently) True

The disappearance February 7 of a skier at Whiteface Mountain at Lake Placid in New York’s Adirondack Mountains resulted in a massive but unproductive search involving multiple government agencies and ski patrols. Constantinos “Danny” Filippidis surfaced in Sacramento almost a week later wearing his ski outfit, helmet and goggles. It was reported that he was returning to Lake Placid to meet with the police.

New Hampshire

Cranmore Mountain will host its annual Hannes Schneider Meister Cup Weekend, March 9-11. Races on

Hannes Schneider

intermediate terrain will be held for several age categories. Past racers have ranged in age from 4 to 95. Hannes Schneider was an Austrian mountain soldier in WWI; his son, Herbert, was a member of the 10th Mountain Division in World War II. The Meister Cup pays tribute to American mountain soldiers with a special military race, in which active duty soldiers of the 10th and the Army Mountain Warfare School participate. The weekend features a welcome reception and buffet, opening ceremony, ice carving contest, silent auction, a wear-your-own vintage skiwear show, awards ceremony, and ski history presentation. A Torchlight Parade is scheduled that Friday.

Quebec

Mont Tremblant‘s Super Demo Days, Saturday March 3 is its final of the season. Next season’s skis, boards and accessories will be available. The resort’s SnowSchool hosts a variety of family-friendly programs March 3- 11. Click on SnowSchool (above) for details.

Mont-Sainte-Anne and Stoneham Mountain Resort will offer numerous on-mountain activities during Quebec Spring Break. Notably, Mont-Sainte-Anne’s Fulllmoon Descent, March 2, when participants of all ages don headlamps and ski. Stoneham’s activities include a playground, make-up  stand, arts and crafts, campfires, BBQs, winter survival workshops, and, March 6–9, pony rides for the kiddies.

Visit Happy Parents Package for special lodging deals with free tickets for kids as old as 17.

Utah

Presidents’ Day Weekend delivered the goods in Utah. 48 hour totals range from 23″ at Snowbird to 22″ at Brian Head, the state’s most southern resort.

Vermont 

Bromley will hold its Vertical Challenge, March 11. Skiers and boarders compete for medals. The Vertical Challenge is a northeast ski area favorite with participating resorts creating a festival atmosphere.

 

Harriet Wallis

SeniorsSkiing Guide: Beaver Mountain—Utah’s Least Known Is A Delightful Surprise

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The “Beav” Has All The Goods But No Crowds And No Fanfare.

Cozy lodge is friendly and down home. Look elsewhere for fancy.
Credit: Harriet Wallis

For most vacation-seekers, Beaver Mountain falls off the radar because it’s farther than the 10 resorts that are within an hour’s drive from the Salt Lake City International Airport. Beaver is about 100 miles—less than 2 hours from the airport.

Nobody knows about Beaver Mountain. Actually, lots of people know about Beaver Mountain, but they aren’t telling. They enjoy having the 8,600 foot high mountain with its 400 inches of average snowfall. Its skiers and snowboarders come mostly from nearby Logan and the Utah State University.

I’ve lived here for 25 years, and I’m embarrassed to admit I’d never skied Beaver until last week. A day there shattered all my stereotypes about it. Now I know it’s a gem of a mountain, and it’s very uncrowded. Repeat: Beaver is uncrowded.

And it’s an easy shot to get there: Take I-15 north, turn right to Logan, turn right up Logan Canyon, and you’re at Beaver Mountain.

What’s more, it has a friendly, down-home feel. For example: The sunny base lodge has a roaring fire stove and easy chairs for the ski-weary. That’s a touch that’s disappeared from most mega-resorts.

The cafeteria cooks up very good food at very reasonable prices. I loved the Reuben. But it was hard to resist the finger-likin’ ribs.

Corduroy courtesy of veteran grooming crew.
Credit: Beaver Mountain.

The mountain has a northeast exposure and gets the warming morning sun. Grooming is superb. I learned that the grooming crew is seasoned veterans who have groomed the mountain for years. It has plenty of challenging pitch. There’s an equal dose of mogul fields and off-piste tree skiing, a terrain park, and a magic carpet. The longest runs are 2 miles long. An adult day ticket is $50, seniors (70+) are $40. Seniors can also get a half-day ticket for $35.

I chatted with a couple that I presumed were locals. They weren’t. They live in Florida and travel and ski extensively. They’ve done the big name resorts and were thoroughly enjoying Beaver for the week.

I rode up the lift with Mountain Operations Manager Travis Seeholzer. He pointed to the ridgeline and said: “That’s the Idaho border.” Beaver is high in the northern-most corner of the Wasatch Mountain Range.

Because of its location, Beaver has a marketing problem. Lodging and big city amenities are 27 miles back to Logan or 13 miles ahead in Garden City, a popular summer destination on the shore of Bear Lake.

The flatlands surrounding the mountains are known as Cache Valley because mountain men and trappers cached their furs in secret places. Beaver Mountain is also a secret. Discover the secret mountain for yourself. Do what the locals do. Go “Ski the Beav.”

Other things you should know:

  • There’s no cell phone service at Beaver. People actually talk with each other.
  • Logan has tons of restaurants, car dealers, theaters, shopping, grocery stores, two hospitals, and more.
  • Garden City is primarily a summer resort area and has very little open in winter. There are several time share facilities, and that’s where the couple I talked with was staying. They bought their groceries in Logan as they passed through, and that’s what they recommend.

Click here for Trail Map.

Click here for Webcams.

To read more from Harriet click here for her stories on SkiUtah.

This is uncrowded. Nice.
Credit: Harriet Wallis

 

Marc Liebman

Three Lessons Learned From 157,906 Vertical Feet In Six Days

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No, This Is Not Bragging.

Marc, 71, left, and brother Scott, 60, at top of Snowbird Tram

My brother and I have proof through an app we used to track our movements. More important than the great early March skiing at Snowbird, Solitude, Park City and Deer Valley, were three takeaways that should interest senior skiers…

Lesson #1. We found lift ticket bargains in two flavors – military discounts and over 70. It was a race to which one was cheapest. Snowbird sold me a Monday thru Thursday all area lift ticket for $53 ‘cuz I’m over 71. Solitude’s rate for military active duty and retirees was about half off the full price. Just make sure you bring your ID cards for both  service member and dependents.

Senior only passes were equally cheap. When I walked up to the window, I asked which was cheaper, military or over 70? In one case, I got a little of both. Corollary A to lesson one is that these tickets were cheaper than what we could get on-line or at ski shops in the local area. Corallary B is that Park City doesn’t offer much of a discount.

Lesson #2. Through AirBnB, we rented a two bedroom, two bath house within spitting distance of the main routes to the resorts for about $160 a night. It took 25 minutes to get to the areas. We picked the area each morning based on weather and road conditions.

Lesson #3. Ski lodge designers don’t take old joints and tired legs into account when designing facilities. How do I know? Bathrooms are rarely on the same floor you enter and elevators are rare. Fortunately, the new Summit Lodge and Restaurant at Snowbird and the Roundhouse at Solitude have convenient bathrooms.

Conditioning, as I’ve noted before, helps. We averaged ~26,300 vertical feet per day despite my brother having to take time off on Day 2 to get new boots after the bladder in his elderly Nordicas died.

Here’s the most important takeaway from the trip: Airfare, lifts, ski rentals, lodging and food cost us each for six days about $335/day. Granted, we didn’t eat out a lot, but still, 335 bucks a day is, at least for a ski trip, reasonable. According to the ski tracker app on my brother’s iPhone, we skied a total 157,906 vertical feet at four different areas. That’s $.013 per vertical foot. An absolute bargain!!!

Harriet Wallis

Walk-In Orthopedic Clinic Opens Near Salt Lake City’s Resorts

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Nobody wants to get hurt while on vacation, but sometimes it happens.

Did you crash at one of the Wasatch Front resorts, think you were okay, but later decide to get checked? This new after-hours clinic treats what was hurt while skiing during the day.

The University of Utah Health Care Orthopedic Center is one of only a handful of academic medical centers in the nation to open an after hours, walk-in injury clinic, and it’s the first of its kind in the state. It’s very convenient for those skiing at Alta, Brighton, Snowbird, Solitude.

Resorts have their own on-mountain clinics, but often things don’t hurt until after you go back to your hotel. Skiers sometimes twist a knee, pull a hamstring, or get hurt some other way; and when the pain doesn’t go away they realize they really should be checked. The walk-in, after hours clinic fits the need.

The clinic treats fractures, strains, sprains, tendon injury or tendonitis, joint problems, or orthopedic injuries.

On a personal note, three friends recently went to the clinic and were delighted with the attention and care. X-rays showed one friend has a bone crack. Two others were identified with muscle tears. All were treated right there; they’re on their way to swift recoveries.

The clinic offers low wait times and an office visit co-payment that’s less expensive than a trip to the emergency room.

“The concept of acute care ortho clinics is a new one,” said Joy English, M.D. 36, sports medicine physician and clinic director. “People are starting to realize it’s a much better place for them than the ER.”

 

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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Mountain goats in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. Photo: Harriet Wallis

Contributor Harriet Wallis snapped this pic on her way down one of the Cottonwood Canyons connecting Salt Lake City with several resorts. Mountain goats are visible from the road this time of year. They maneuver the narrowest ledges like they’re strolling Main Street. Thanks for the picture, Harriet!

CALIFORNIA

Dennis Quaid’s band, The Sharks, will kick off Squaw Valley’s Toyota Ski Pro-Am, Saturday, March 11 at the Resort at Squaw Creek.

COLORADO

Aspen hosts the 2017 Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals. March 15 – 19. The world’s top 25 men’s and women’s alpine ski racers will compete in Aspen, the first time the event has been held outside Europe since 1997.

UTAH

Park City Area Lodging Association’s Delta Gift Card Program gives an $800 Delta Air Lines electronic gift card when booking a minimum six-night stay, valued at $800 or more. Good through April 16. Program details: 855-585-0776.

Snowbird got 75″ in seven days. It released a brief video to celebrate the event.

Solitude Mountain Resort is offering several attractive Spring ski and stay packages.

OTHER

The ’17-’18 Mountain Collective pass just went on sale for $399. It provides two days of skiing at some of the world’s best resorts. Additional days are 50% off. This season, I’ve met several older couples on a grand tour of Mountain Collective areas. One couple from D.C. started at Stowe and worked their way to Sun Valley, Jackson Hole, Snowbird and Alta. Another couple, from the state of Washington, started at Whistler Blackcomb and worked their way south to the participating Idaho, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado resorts. Now is the time to get the best deal on the pass; prices increase over coming months. If you ski two days at each of four resorts, the daily rate will be less than $50. This season, an online advance purchase for two days at Aspen, alone, (included in the pass) costs $250.

FITS is the sock manufacturer that makes the FILM SKI OTC sock. I tried it and liked it. Because it’s thin, I recommend it for spring conditions. I needed to buckle down one additional notch to accommodate for thinness. Made with non-cushioned merino wool, the sock has graduated compression all the way over the calf. It also has anti-itch and flame resistant properties (good if you plan to place feet on hearth). Odor resistant and antimicrobial, the FILM SKI OTC is a practical addition to any ski wardrobe. Around $24.00 online or in ski shops.

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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Deep Powder Cat Skiing: $25 Per Run

We’ve carried several articles about Powder Mountain, the enormous, old-fashioned resort about an hour northeast of Salt Lake International Airport. It was purchased a few years ago by a group of investors, and improvements are underway. It’s the go-to place for untracked powder long after the other resorts have been skied out. The place has so much acreage and so few skiers that untracked runs are available all day long and for days following the last big snowfall. It also offers a variety of snowcat skiing experiences, with single rides as low as $25.
Guided half and full day adventures are higher, but still quite reasonable. For newcomers to powder skiing, its acres of broad, gentle terrain make it a great place to learn. For the more experienced, there are long pitches to satisfy most appetites. Whether you live here or plan to visit, Powder Mountain is an adventure worth experiencing.

MASSACHUSETTS

Jiminy Peak‘s 2017/18 Zephyr season pass (six non-holiday days per week, Sunday to Friday) on sale for $349. Purchase now and get same perks for rest of current season.

PENNSYLVANIA

Several Pennsylvania resorts also have season pass deals that, if purchased now, let you ski free the rest of the season. Among them: Blue Mountain Resort, Camelback Mountain Resort and Roundtop Mountain Resort. 

VERMONT

Okemo‘s Spring Skiesta Card offers unrestricted skiing/riding from March 17 through end of season. Price ($139-$159) based on when purchased. Some purchasers will be entitled to $99 off ’17/’18 season pass.

seniorsskiing

Short Swings!

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POV

Ski lifts are public places and, in my experience, an opportunity to exchange pleasantries with friends and strangers. Over the years, I’ve rarely encountered hostility on chair, gondola or tram. Last season a person on a quad at Alta launched into aggressive hate speech with his friend. At one point I voiced that the chair was an inappropriate place to spew venom. He paused before resuming with even more hateful comments. A few days ago, on another quad, the age peers on my right were discussing the new administration. The younger man to my left introduced a contrarian point of view. As the chair reached higher on the mountain, the younger man became increasingly agitated and his facts more alternative. The fellow to my right turned to him and said, “You look like a nice fellow, but what you’re saying is really far off. Since we’re not going to be able to agree, let’s just talk skiing.” The chair had reached the top.

CALIFORNIA

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows sent a delegation to Genting Secret Garden, the resort’s sister mountain in China. They are generating interest in skiing boarding in China in advance of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. They also hope to spur ski tourism from China to the U.S.

MONTANA

Heads Up! — Sauce is a Montana-based company making wonderful hats and other products. Their Chill Toque is a fleece-lined stretchy head covering with a unique pleated opening that vents the scalp when you need to cool down. During February — National Cancer Prevention Month — for every purchase, Sauce will send, free, a hat to someone designated by the purchaser. As stated on their website: Help someone feel supported, warm and covered while they are in the throes of a cancer battle or during their road to recovery. Sauce hats: https://www.sauceactive.com

PENNSYLVANIA

Here are a few Pennsylvania areas with Valentine’s specials: Blue Knob and Blue Mountain are offering $14 lift tickets, and Ski Sawmill has free skiing for girls of all ages on Feb 13. Numerous areas have special Valentine’s dinners. Visit SkiPA.com for more info and for a $5 off midweek coupon.

UTAH

A few weeks ago we reported on the growing opinion that the massive Outdoor Retailers trade show which convenes twice annually in Salt Lake City should relocate. The reason? Utah’s legislators are committed to anti-environmental and anti-public lands policies. This week, after the state took measures to encourage the new Washington administration to reverse the recently established Bear’s Ears National Monument in southern Utah, Outdoor Retailer announced it is seeking proposals for new venue locations after its current contract in Utah ends in 2018. That was followed by Patagonia’s announcement that it is pulling from the OR show in response to Utah’s actions against the national monument. The trade show has had major economic impact on Utah, something likely to be downplayed by state and federal politicians intent on commercially exploiting everything they can.

 

 

 

seniorsskiing

Short Swings!

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February is National Bootfitting Month.

Boots! You either love them or you hate them. If yours give you grief, take heart. February is National Bootfitting Month, and the folks at America’s Best Bootfitters are encouraging skiers to visit one of the America’s Best Bootfitters shops to improve boot performance, comfort, warmth, and fit.

Skiing Magazine Folds.

The buzz during last week’s SIA Snow Show in Denver is that Skiing Magazine has folded. The magazine started publication in 1948. The grapevine suggested it will become part of Ski Magazine, another publication in the AIM Media group. Skiing’s website is still up, but the mag’s media kit is no longer posted.

CALIFORNIA

The Audi FIS World Cup returns to California after a 19 year absence. It takes place March 9-12 at Squaw Valley Resort.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Jackson Ski Touring Center will host an exhibition of abstract paintings throughout its trails. The paintings, to be displayed in niches of snow and other natural materials, will be shown February 11. They are the work of two New Hampshire artists. Cost is $5 on foot; day trail passes discounted for seniors.

UTAH

Alta is supporting the Outdoor Industry for Clean Air and the Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment. The area joined the other groups by signing a letter for clean air to Utah legislators. Each year inversions in the Salt Lake Valley increase in density and length, causing significant health issues for residents and visitors. The Utah Legislature pays lip service to the problem but does little to change it. Alta skiers can look down Little Cottonwood Canyon to see an ocean of smog covering the valley.

OTHER

A few of the many interesting products found at the big SIA Snow Show last week in Denver:

  • HangEmRight Ski Hangers are a simple and colorful way to store skis. $14.99
  • DexShell makes waterproof, breathable socks, gloves, and headwear. The products are demonstrated in a tank of water. They work.
  • Vintage Ski World is a source for vintage ski posters, photos, and equipment. Always a fun site to visit! Enter code RJA10 for 10% off.
seniorsskiing

Short Swings!

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Jean Vuarnet, whose use of metal skis and unique tuck position won gold in the Men’s Downhill in the 1960 Squaw Valley Winter Olympics, died, January 2 in Salanches, France.

Jean Vuarnet in the l’Oeuf tuck

Many generations know his name from the sunglasses that carry it. But for skiers across the world, his use of the egg-shaped “l’oeuf” tuck, was a game changer. It’s aerodynamic shape reduced drag and helped propel him and other racers to the finish line more quickly. He was 83.

 

CALIFORNIA

If all goes as forecast, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows will have been hammered with 6.5 feet of fresh this past week. Great way for the Tahoe resorts to start the New Year!

COLORADO

The Vail Valley Foundation will announce the newest inductee into the International Ski Hall of Fame this afternoon. The event also will unveil “The Edge,” a sculpture by artist Gail Folwell. The event is one component of the worldwide celebration of 50 years of FIS World Cup ski racing occurring this month.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Waterville Valley Resort hosts The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association’s Toyota Revolution Tour, January 8-13, 2017. After a five-year hiatus, the Rev Tour will return to the East Coast for Slopestyle competitions for freeskiing and snowboarding will be held at the resort’s Exhibition Park. The event features athletes from the US, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Great Britain.

UTAH

Ever innovative in its promotion of Utah powder, Ski Utah has arranged for skiers to have free one-day rentals of Rossignol powder skis following “Monster Dumps.”. Ski Utah defines a “Monster Dump” as 12″ or more in a 24-hour period (This season, it’s happening frequently). When that occurs, skiers have 48 hours to visit one of the 14 Ski’N See ski shop locations where they’ll get the free pow ski rental after purchasing two Monster Energy drinks on site.

The inaugural 12.4 mile Sweaty Yeti Fat Bike Race will happen February 4 at Wolf Creek Resort Golf Course in Eden, a few miles from Snowbasin. The race is for amateurs and pro/open riders. Fat bikes use super wide tires to navigate snowy trails.

OTHER

The Mountain Collective pass is still on sale. $499 delivers 28 days at 14 legendary destinations, plus 50% off any additional days, no blackouts. For the peripatetic among us, it is one helluva deal!

Patagonia catalogs have interesting articles and terrific pictures of skiers wearing the brand’s clothing. The one that just arrived is a winner. If you’re not on the list, visit patagonia.com.

Jon Weisberg

Solitude Mountain Resort: Perfection at the Top of a Canyon

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The Nearby Area for Local and Destination Skiers Who Know.

Solitude Mountain Resort

Like most great places, Utah’s Solitude Mountain Resort, combines the obvious with the subtle. Its 1200 acres are laced with a variety of groomers ranging from gentle to intense. In between are the woods and hidden openings where those who seek the untracked may find just what they’re looking for. It may require some effort to get there, but once you arrive…what a pleasure!

Overall, it is one of the most scenic areas in the state. Dense with trees and punctuated by cliffs, it sits near the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, 15 miles of spectacular amphitheaters, steep slopes and manageable hairpin turns. It is adjacent to Brighton Ski Resort, and the two areas offer a joint pass for a slight premium.

Like other Wasatch Mountain resorts, it is comprised of several canyons, the most dramatic of which is Honeycomb, with skiable walls that provide almost endless opportunity for fun. Intermediates can enjoy moderate challenge along the floor of the canyon. On a clear day, every skier is exposed to the kind of natural beauty found in a national park.

We skied there the day after Christmas, and, for Solitude, it was crowded. That doesn’t mean Park City, Snowbird, or Deer Valley crowded. A few slopes had too many skiers and boarders, but lift lines were virtually nonexistent.

Powder at Solitude

That, unfortunately, could not be said for the cafeteria line at the Roundhouse, the lower, mid-mountain eatery renovated following a fire last Spring. There’s is no doubt that the resort, now owned by Deer Valley, will figure it out. And, I know from experience, that on less crowded days, skiers can get a tasty meal in a few minutes. Food choices include the conventional (hamburgers, sandwiches, fries), the less conventional (homemade chicken pot pie), and the exotic (dals, naans, paneers, and other Himalayan choices).

Solitude is ideal for senior skiers. There’s terrain for everyone. Those visiting with families and/or grandchildren, will find nice lodging options at the Village at Solitude and a good selection of eateries. Solitude Mountain Spa has a full range of treatments.

Day tickets for those 65+ are $25 below rack rate. I checked their website for two weeks out, and the cost dropped to $32.99. The restrooms I visited were not fancy, but they were clean. That says a lot about management’s attention to details, especially on a very busy day.

I know a number of local serious skiers whose season ticket choice is Solitude. They like committing to an easily accessible place and having it to themselves. It is a beautiful, well-run resort with an endless variety of appealing terrain. If you want nightlife, go to Park City or stay in Salt Lake City. If you want fantastic and varied skiing, good accommodations, first-rate food, and not too many people, this is your place.

seniorsskiing

Short Swings!

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CALIFORNIA

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows received 25 inches over the holiday weekend. Wow, what a difference from last year.

COLORADO

In recognition of National Safety Month (January) Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) member resorts are hosting special safety-related programs and activities to raise awareness and demonstrate how to be safe on the slopes. Events include joining ski patrol on end-of-day patrol sweeps, demonstrations with avalanche dogs, and increased awareness about helmet use.

MONTANA

As it has for the past decade, Big Sky Resort hosted a holiday dinner for more than 1,500 workers. Resort management served the food and cleaned. This year, Big Sky employs about 600 new out-of-state workers and roughly 114 international employees. The area provides free ski and snowboard lessons and rentals to all employees and their children.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Jackson Ski Touring Center’s Get 4 and Go program is a great way to learn x-country! Participants pay $199, for four days of cross country ski and boot/pole rentals, two group lessons, and two private lessons. Upon completion, participants receive a Certificate of Achievement and a season pass for the rest of winter — a total value of $423. The center also has a variety of other discounted offerings to encourage people to learn x-country and skate skiing. Kids under 10 ski free. Nice outing for parents/grandparents with small children/grandchildren: towable kid-sized sleds. Oh, that aching back!  Thanks to Roger Lohr, publisher of XCSkiResorts.com for the tip.

PENNSYLVANNIA

The Area Agency on Aging of Luzerne and Wyoming Counties hosts a free ski/snowboard/telemark clinic, 9:30 AM, Wednesdays starting January 4 at Jack Frost Mountain. Participants will need equipment and lift ticket. A special luncheon, with presentations about eating well and remaining in shape, is scheduled for January 18.

UTAH

The U.S. Speed Skating Championships will be held at the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns (Salt Lake City), January 6-8. The best U.S. short and long track speed skating athletes will attempt to qualify to represent the U.S. in the World Cup and World Cup Sprint circuits. Admission is free.

December’s snowfall has given Utah over 100% of its average snowfall to date. In the past week, many resorts received 2 to 4 feet of snow.

VERMONT

Woodstock Inn & Resort, a quintessential New England ski hostelry, is offering several ski and snowshoe packages. The resort includes the Suicide Six Ski Area.

OTHER

January is Learn to Ski & Ride Month. Seventy-five+ US and Canadian resorts are expected to go for a Guinness World Record for the largest ski and snowboard lesson ever taught. About 6,000 people took part in last year’s record attempt.

MDV Sports is new name of the corporate owner of the Marker, Dalbello and Völkl brands. A company announcement states the three brands will cooperate in the areas of R&D, production, sales and marketing.

seniorsskiing

This Week in SeniorsSkiing.com (12/23)

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And To All, A Good Night.

This week, as we celebrate our respective holidays and share in our love of Winter, we bring you a short and beautiful video that gives new meaning to the idea of night skiing. There’s a piece on Utah’s Powder Mountain. And Short Swings! is loaded with interesting developments and product information.

In case you missed it, we’re resending our animated greeting.

 

 

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SHORT SWINGS!

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CALIFORNIA

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows won USA Today’s 2017 Readers’ Choice Poll for ‘Best Ski Resort.’ The resort secured top spot in the 2016 poll, as well.

IDAHO

McCall, ID is near from Brundage Mountain, the 2000′ vertical resort advertising the “best snow in Idaho. About 10 minutes from the mountain is Shore Lodge, with luxury accommodations and a spa built around natural hot springs. McCall’s annual Winter Carnival with many motor- and non-motorized activities will happen January 27-February 5, 2017.

NEW YORK

The Spa at the Mirror Lake Inn Resort in Lake Placid, has undergone a $1 million makeover. Always a terrific location, Mirror Lake Inn Resort has just become even better.

 

PENNSYLVANNIA

At least 18 of the state’s ski areas are now open. Check local details before going.

QUEBEC

Mont-Sainte-Anne and Stoneham Mountain Resort have a lot planned for Christmas and New Years. Learn about Santa’s visits, treats, kids activities, music, banquets, races, fireworks at: Stoneham / Mont-Sainte-Anne

UTAH

Deer Valley published a You Tube tribute to Stein Eriksen. It is lovely and will bring back memories.

OTHER

Clean Trails is establishing a national network of trail stewards for the country’s pristine wild places, collective community spaces, and access points to its natural wonders. It’s mission is to keep trail systems litter-free. The group’s slogan, Love the Land. Lose the Litter. says it all. To participate visit http://cleantrails.org 

Orsden is a new line of extremely good looking and reasonably priced high quality 4-way stretch ski parkas. Features are comparable to much more expensive brands. Orsden parkas (on-line, direct-to-consumer, only): $330, with free shipping.

GetSkiTickets.com, the online lift ticket seller, is offering a free trip for two to Taos with three nights lodging, three days of skiing, ski and/or board rentals, and two pairs of hand crafted mittens.

Anti-Freeze Face Tape reduces risk of frostbite for people playing in the cold. Each package contains four pre-cut pieces to cover nose and cheeks or to cut your own. Haven’t tried it yet, but unlike masks and tubes, this won’t fog your goggles. Available in flesh, blue and pink. $4.99 per pack. Available at select x-country ski centers and online.

Jon Weisberg

Powder Mountain: The Cuba of Utah Ski Areas

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Visit Soon, It’s About to Change.

Before the end of this season, Powder Mountain, Utah’s slightly out of the way ski area will become the largest in all of North America with 8464 acres, surpassing in size Park City (7300 acres), Whistler Blackcomb (8171 acres) and Big Sky (8000 acres).

School bus picks up on road on right.

Even without the 1000 new acres that will be available with the completion of two new chairs, the place is vast and under skied. One reason is limited day and season pass sales; another is because of its distance. It takes a little over an hour to get there from Salt Lake City, much less if you’re travelling from Ogden, about 30 miles north of SLC.

Powder Mountain is one of the places I head for after a classic Utah deep powder dump. Even days after a dump, fresh, untracked areas are waiting to be explored.

The new owners are planning a new village that will give the place more of a resort feel. Currently condos are available on the mountain. Other lodging and restaurant options require a short drive.

Much of Powder Mountain’s acreage is gentle, but know where to look, and you’ll find ample steeps to keep you well entertained. The area also offers a variety of guided and unguided cat and heli experiences.

Skiing trees at Utah’s Powder Mountain

 

I’m not sure how the new village and lifts will change the feel of the place. In many ways the current Powder Mountain reminds me of skiing as a kid in Vermont. The lodges aren’t fancy, but they serve up tasty and reasonably priced food. There’s a genuinely friendly and helpful vibe. I don’t know if its unique to Powder Mountain, but old-fashioned school busses help convey skiers from one part of the area up a canyon and back to the lifts.

Seniors (65-74) pay $60 for a day pass. Free skiing if you’re 75 or older!!!!

Powder Mountain might be like Cuba. It’s old fashioned in a highly appealing way. There’s a tremendous amount to enjoy. I recommend visiting before too much changes. It will change for the better, but for now, Powder Mountain should be high on every skier’s Utah list.

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Short Swings!

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CALIFORNIA

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows announced that five of its skiers were named to the 2017 U.S. Alpine Ski Team. All are part of the area’s development system and have been successful in International Ski Federation (FIS) competition.

COLORADO

Numerous Colorado resorts offer free skiing for young children—a definite benefit for grandparents taking the kids for a ski holiday. Ages, dates, and other details vary by resort, and are worth checking on line or when making reservations. Among the resorts offering this perk: Arapahoe Basin, Aspen Snowmass, Copper Mountain, Crested Butte, Loveland, Purgatory Resort, Steamboat, and Telluride.

MONTANA

Absaroka Dogsled Treks is based out of Chico Hot Springs in Pray, MT, about an hour from Bridger Bowl and two hours from Big Sky. The outfitter offers tours, ranging from $125 for a six mile trip (small kids free) to $450 for the day. Chico Hot Springs has a great natural hot pool where the community gathers to soak and an outstanding kitchen, recognized far beyond this little wonder, 45 miles north of Yellowstone National Park.

NEW ENGLAND 

Open Snow, the very excellent snow forecasting site, has reported that New England is in for “an arctic blast” for the next 10 days.  That means big time snowmaking.  But beware, it’s also going to be windy up there this weekend, so bundle up.

NEW YORK

Internationally renown artist Jeff Koons, 61 and a nascent snowboarder, designed the graphics for 50 boards that will be sold for $5,000 each at a fund raiser in New York City for the Chill Foundation, a charity established by the founders of Burton snowboards. The foundation helps children from underserved communities learn through competitive sport.

UTAH

Salt Lake City is offering the Ski City Super Pass with discounted tickets at Alta, Snowbird, Brighton and Solitude, free public transportation to get there, and discounted rentals. Available with lodging packages at participating Salt Lake City hotels. Staying in Salt Lake City and skiing different areas is a great way to experience the Wasatch Front. Many restaurant and entertainment options.

Park City’s KPCW radio interviewed SeniorsSkiing.com co-publisher, Jon Weisberg about (what else?) seniors who ski and why they’re important to skiing. The podcast can be heard by clicking here.  Jon’s comments start at 39:00 if you want to skip ahead.

Utah Olympic Park in Park City will host luge athletes from over 20 countries competing for a chance at a World Cup title, December 16 and 17, 2016.

WYOMING

Moe’s Original Bar B Que opened in Jackson Hole. FeaturingSouthern soul food, the chain resto was named one of the Top 10 Rib Joints in the U.S.

OTHER

Patagonia is offering 50% past-season products. The on-line deal is good for Tuesday, Dec 13, only.

 

Jon Weisberg

SeniorsSkiing Guide: SnowBasin

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Great Skiing. Terrific Views. America’s Fanciest Loos.

The Needles Lodge and Gondola at SnowBasin on a bluebird day. Credit: Jon Weisberg

The Needles Lodge and Gondola at SnowBasin on a bluebird day.
Credit: Jon Weisberg

SnowBasin is the expansive, exceptionally beautiful Utah area that most out-of-staters never get to ski. They’re attracted to the bigger name resorts just 45 minutes east of the airport. Head north, add 10 minutes, and you’re at MAGNIFICENT, SnowBasin—site of the 2002 Olympic Downhill events.

At the top, looking over its 3,300 acres, the cliffs and outcroppings suggest Europe. The vertical is 2,950 feet.

From this reviewer’s perspective, it ranks high for older skiers.

Snow and Terrain

  • There is much here for every ability: trails, bowls, glades. On powder or post-powder days, freshies await.
  • Lifts are fast and modern, including two gondolas and a short tram serving a vast black diamond area.
  • Ample snowmaking assures good coverage while nature sleeps. Elevation can be an issue. Its base is 6400 feet. Alta’s is 8530 feet, meaning more snow. But when conditions are good, Snow Basin is great.
  • Visibility is another issue. When it’s not bright and bluebird, its vast, treeless spaces produce unusually flat light; disorienting to anyone with compromised visual acuity.

Lot-to-Lift

  • Easy to reach lodge and lifts: The resort runs a frequent shuttle service delivering skiers a short distance from base lodge and lifts.
  • Parking is well organized: lots of personnel guiding you to your spot.
  • A fleet of large plastic garden carts is available to transport equipment and grandkids.

Day Lodges

Taking a break at Snow Basin

Taking a break at SnowBasin

These are not your typical lodges. They’re every bit as luxurious as Four Seasons hotels. Finishings. Furnishings. Flooring. You name it. No expense was spared, either at the base (Earl’s Lodge) or on the mountain (John Paul Lodge and Needles Lodge), where the luxe interiors and glass enclosed patios have spectacular views.

Food is several steps up from most resorts. House-made soups can stand up to most big city eateries. Look for Snow Basin’s Dining Discovery Series with sustainable farm-to-table selections. More on that on the resort website under “Events”.

Loo Review

Clean, classy luxury in every lodge! Men’s Rooms have a foyer with upholstered furniture, a washroom with gold-plated fixtures, and fully-enclosed commodes. Every place you go has shelving and hooks for gloves, helmets, and parkas.

Culture and Practicalities

From parking attendant to ticket window to liftee, there’s a culture of friendliness and helpfulness. Some areas don’t seem to care or have personnel who don’t even bother to sweep snow from chair. Snow Basin has trained its people to make the interaction truly enjoyable.

Unfortunately, there’s no onsite lodging. Condo rentals are available at nearby Pineview Reservoir. Many hotel/motel/other options are available in the city of Ogden, 20 – 25 minutes away.

Best to get there by auto although inexpensive public busses run three times a day between Ogden and the resort.

Bottom Line

Click here for more SnowBasin information

Trail Map Click Here 

Webcams

Skiing Super Heroes!!

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Why not ski in costume? Credit: Jon Weisberg

Why not ski in costume?
Credit: Jon Weisberg

Spidey and Cap’n America, Skiing’s Super Heroes, about to save the day at the top of Snowbird tram. Senior Skiers, do you ski in costume? If you could choose one, what would it be?