As this new year continues to evolve, and the local Island snows recede, I’ve been thinking about some of the noteworthy changes and improvements that the snow sports industry has seen over the years. And you know what? There really have been quite a few, and I’m sure at least some of them have impacted you more than you might have recognized.
After a sensational beginning to our snowsport season, the whole West Coast has experienced a truly unusual dry spell for December. This shows promise of changing very soon, so I think holiday skiing and boarding plans are still worthwhile.
The snow has been falling, snowsport resorts are opening, and lift engines are turning. This looks to be one of the better Thanksgiving openings in recent years. Is this your year to get a few (or more) days on the slopes? If so, you will note how dramatically ski and snowboard shapes have changed.
Sun Valley is in the middle of its 75th operational year, and celebrations of its status as America’s first ski resort have been ongoing throughout the season. If you ever wanted an additional reason to visit, you might consider going from March 27 to April 3. This is when the Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame will be inducting six new members in conjunction with Ski Heritage Week, and the package prices are an incredibly good deal. How about $75 per person per night for lodging plus a lift ticket?
Among British Columbia’s many charms are several excellent destination mountain resorts. After visiting Whistler/Blackcomb in early December, then traveling to Sun Peaks in early January, I thought it might be instructive to compare these two big-time resorts. They have many similarities but distinctive differences as well.
One of the most pleasant aspects of every holiday season is the goodwill fostered and the human warmth expressed. It seems to me that most people tolerate the commercialism so that they can relish what is called the “holiday spirit.” This holiday spirit comes alive in the home, workplace, and while out-and-about, with family, friends, co-workers, even random strangers.
It is Crystal clear: the state of Washington has become state of the art. While most Western states and provinces where ski resorts are located have long featured gondola lift transportation, the Evergreen State could not make that boast.
In the year 2025 … Bellevue Square had long since been closed; all shopping was now done over the Internet…
What if they threw an Olympics and nobody raced? I’ve been here at Whistler for almost a week now, and…
One of the things I have always found fascinating when comparing the snow sports business to other sports is the…
While many in our state were recently consumed with watching the rain fall and the rivers flood, I was able to escape for a few days to the mountains of Idaho. Now, when I tell you that, I’ll bet you are thinking my destination was Sun Valley or maybe Schweitzer, but only if you guessed Tamarack and Brundage would you be correct.
The snow season came a little late, but when it came, it sure came with a vengeance.