As part of the huge improvements coming this season at Canyons, they are asking each of us, “How do you mountain?” While that question may seem a little odd, think carefully my friends. Your answer could land you a dream gig for the season to document the mountain and share your experiences with the world.

This dream gig will include:

• A season pass (of course)
• Superior (Suite) lodging at the Waldorf Astoria (swanky)
• Salary of $40,000 for just four months of “hard work” (not bad)
• Use of cameras, video cameras and a laptop (the tools of the trade)
• Head-to-toe ski or snowboard gear (gotta represent)
• Canyons Club access (that’s how you’ll roll)
• Spa treatments (cucumbers optional)
• Ski school and avalanche training clinics (gotta know your stuff)
• First tracks and heli skiing access (oh yeah!!!)
• VIP credentials for all events (you=rock star)

So, go ahead and share how you mountain and you could be the envy of your posse while you live the dream at Canyons Resort this Winter.

Enter Now: Visit HowDoYouMountain.com

Looking for discounted lift tickets while supporting the Utah Avalanche Center? Ski Utah in partnership with Alta, Beaver Mountain, Brighton, The Canyons, Deer Valley, Park City Mountain Resort, Powder Mountain, Snowbasin, Solitude, Sundance, Wolf Mountain and Backcountry.com have you covered with an offer Utah locals won’t be able to refuse. This special partnership – from December 16th until they sell out – offers discounted lift tickets – ranging from $20 – $75 available only on the Utah Avalanche Center’s website at utahavalanchecenter.org –100% of the proceeds go directly to the non-profit organization, Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center. When the backcountry avalanche danger is high, you can still get freshies at the resorts and support the Utah Avalanche Center at the same time

With more skiers and riders heading out-of-bounds, the UAC provides critical avalanche and mountain weather information to help educate skiers make life-or-death decisions in the backcountry. UAC forecasters issue avalanche warnings and advisories daily, highlighting when conditions are especially hazardous or unusual. This information is crucial not only for skiers and snowboarders, but for snowshoers, cross-country skiers, snowmobilers, hunters, hikers, Boy Scout troops and anyone else who gets after it in Utah’s mountains.

Because of rising costs and increased demand on services, the UAC is working to raise $36,000 to offset budget shortfalls for 2009/2010. By purchasing these special discounted lift tickets at your favorite resort skiers and riders greatly impact the Center’s ability to continue its education, outreach and avalanche forecasting programs. This discounted ski pass program is the Utah’s ski industry’s way to bolster the UAC and its outstanding resources.

Buy Now: Visit Backcountry.com to Purchase Discount Lift Tickets

December 10, 2009 — To help celebrate the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, Tourism British Columbia is giving residents from Canada and the United States – particularly ski and snowboard enthusiasts – the chance to win one of the biggest ski prizes ever offered: the opportunity to ski like they own their own mountain. Called the Great Mountain Giveaway, the contest will allow one lucky winner, along with 19 friends, to choose one of 13 world-class BC mountain resorts for an exclusive five day/four nights VIP skiing experience. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the contest can be entered by simply visiting http://www.greatmountaingiveaway.com.

As part of the prize package, each of the 13 mountain resorts will give winners one day of exclusive access to some of the best lifts and runs at the resort. Destinations like Revelstoke, Kimberley and Sun Peaks will close off a significant portion of their resort exclusively for the winners’ use, while others like Whistler will be offering extras such as first tracks of the day, skipping the lift lines, and personal mountain guides. The wide variety of mountains to choose from offers a huge range of skiing experiences – everything from deep powder and rocking nightlife to family friendly ski-in villages and spectacular scenery.

2009 World Cup Ski Cross Champion and contest spokesperson Ashleigh McIvor is a BC native who grew up skiing in Whistler, the Host Mountain Resort for the downhill events for the 2010 Winter Games. “I think this is an amazing prize and I am so excited to be inviting people to come ski in my own backyard,” said McIvor. “The huge diversity of terrain in BC has really been a well kept secret up to now. I’m glad that this year we are getting a chance to share it with the world.”

“If you want to come and ski at some of the best resorts anywhere, this is really the year to come check out BC,” added Grant Mackay, Vice President, Consumer Marketing, Tourism British Columbia. “There are lots of great packages and really exceptional offers to be found at BC resorts this winter.”

The prize will be awarded in March of 2010 and winners will have an opportunity to visit BC with their 19 closest friends in March or April.

More Info: Visit GreatMountainGiveaway.com

Regardless of the hype, there’s something about getting out of your comfort zone and skiing somewhere bigger-than-life. Many times I dream of going back in time and skiing the little areas, like Alpental, WA, where I learned to ski. Or, someplace like Anthony Lakes, OR just because it’s there. Other times, I dream of the mega-resorts I’ve yet to ski like Aspen and Vail or Squaw and Mammoth.

The cool thing about dreaming about and then actually skiing at one of these resorts is that the memory stays with you forever. I’ll never forget the wide-open bowls of Blackcomb and the bottomless pow of Telluride. Likewise, I’ll never forget riding in the old tram at Jackson Hole with the late Doug Coombs and the chest-deep powder at Grand Targhee. Not to mention the killer days as a youth ripping it up at Crystal Mountain, Mt. Baker or Mt. Hood Meadows.

Putting aside all the great days I’ve had at many Utah resorts, I’m still searching Northward. Right now, my fixation is with the Northern Rockies of the US and Canada–Red Mountain, Kicking Horse, Fernie and others–all epic skiing wonderlands. But, I’m thinking Stateside still and just a bit South of the border… Big Sky, Montana.

Why Big Sky, Montana?

Well, just one look at Lone Peak and you’ll be drawn in too. Rugged, untamed and unknown (at least to me), Big Sky is huge when combined with Moonlight Basin at 5,512 skiable acres. And, with over 400-inches of annual snowfall (not quite as much as Alta, but close) and 4,350 vertical feet in this remote mountain location seems like the perfect combination of steeps and untracked powder.

But, compared to the mountains to my back, access to Big Sky is far from easy. The drive looks to be about 9 hours from my home in Cedar Hills, Utah–even a flight into Bozeman still leaves you with an hour-and-a-half drive to the slopes (all this according to Google Maps, which, based on the comments below, now seems a bit off).

In spite of the distance and remote-ness… there’s no question that when my mind wanders to the unknown and mythical on my list of un-skied resorts, Big Sky, Montana will rise to the top. Someday… someday…

What resort is tops on your “must ski” list?

More Info: Visit BigSkyResort.com

“We took advantage of the cold temperatures and got an early start making snow this year. Those extra days paid off and we are opening a week earlier than last season,” says Eric Johnstone, snowmaking and trail maintenance manager. “Now we can move some equipment to other trails and try to open more terrain as quickly as possible.”

For the first turns of the season, skiers and snowboarders will have access to a top-to-bottom run consisting of 1,000 vertical feet via Chair 1. The trails Catwalk, Mambo and Homerun make up this opening day run, which is over a mile in length.

Loveland’s regular operating hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 8:30 to 4:00 on weekends and designated holidays. Early season lift tickets are $44 for adults and $21 for children ages 6-14.

More Info: Visit SkiLoveland.com

With a solid 8-foot base and plenty more April snowstorms on tap, it could be one of the best deals around.  Granted, Solitude isn’t Snowbird or Alta, but this is an excellent deal.  With solid tree skiing in Evergreen and open bowls in Honeycomb Canyon, Solitude has a lot to offer.

The word from Solitude Resort:

We may not know when the recession will be over, but we do know when the ski season will be: Solitude closes April 12th – so ski more and worry less all of April with $39 lift tickets!

With base depths over 8 feet deep and only two weeks left to another great winter, residents and visitors to the Wasatch Front can take advantage of a one-time promotion to enjoy the Solitude experience! For just $39 ($22 off normal rates) there is no excuse not to keep the skis and boards out for a few more weeks and enjoy the best part of the season.

April is typically a month that, despite the deepest snow base of the year, people begin to shift gears to warm weather sports. Solitude’s Spring Stimulus will allow outdoor enthusiasts to affordably enjoy the mountains for a few more weeks.

More Info: Visit SkiSolitude.com

Well, they were the days of old, rickety double lifts, poor grooming and mediocre services, but it was still skiing and isn’t that the point? I realize (as the article points out) that most resorts do offer discounts above and beyond the listed price, but it’s that very listed price that turns so many people off in a hurry because not everyone knows the loopholes.

So, can families afford to ski anymore?  I’m wondering that very thing right now as I think about my kids and our ability to get them on the hill without breaking the bank.

One program that I absolutely applaud is the “Ski Free after 3” program that Alta Ski Resort offers.  This is a perfect way to get the kids and families turning for free and eventually they will be paying customers. Why don’t other resorts have similar programs?

Anyway, here’s the article:

Recession, what recession? U.S. ski areas are selling 19 of the 20 most expensive six-day lift tickets on the planet, according to the World Ski Lift Ticket Price Report (2009). This annual study compares six-day, peak-season prices from more than 600 ski areas in 40 countries worldwide.

The report cautions, however, that a simple price comparison is misleading, for several reasons. First, U.S. resorts offer countless discounts off the top rate, while resorts elsewhere offer fewer, if any, deals. Second, U.S. resorts generally offer higher levels of service. And third, the results reflect currency exchange rate fluctuations that have altered international cost comparisons; last year, only 12 of the top 20 resorts were American. The report converts ticket prices published in 20 different currencies in to U.S. dollars, euros and British pounds to allow for international comparison.

With those provisos, it is still worth noting that:

• Eight of the world’s 10 most expensive six-day lift tickets are in Colorado.
• Deer Valley, Utah, sold the world’s first $600+ six-day ticket ($602), for the Xmas/New Year’s week.
• The lowest-priced six-day pass was $51, at Iran’s Tochal ski area near Tehran.
• An average six-day U.S. resort peak-season lift ticket cost $408, exactly double the average in France, $204.
• Smaller U.S. ski areas have six-day pricing more in line with ski areas in other parts of the world.
• The only major ski nation to match the U.S. for currency strength over the past six months has been Switzerland.

There is an upside to the strong U.S. dollar and weak Australian and New Zealand dollars: skiing overseas this summer is a real bargain for Americans. Currency fluctuations mean Australia is 2 percent cheaper and New Zealand 40 percent cheaper than last year. New Zealand prices are down from an average of just over $302 (U.S.) for six days in 2008 to $190 today.

The World Ski Lift Ticket Price Report 2009 ($195) is compiled by Snow24 Ltd, an independent ski resort research company based in Scotland. It is available in digital format by email (info@snow24.com).

Last year, I was able to enjoy some of the best in-bounds turns of the season in Evergreen. This year, those stashes may just stay fresher longer because the front side just got a new set of two high-speed lifts to carry the masses to the buffed-out corduroy and family-friendly frontside runs. If you’re looking to maximize your vert, then hop on the new Moonbeam and Apex Express chairs that join the Eagle Express in servicing the entire frontside of the mountain in high-speed first-class comfort.

If you’re looking for an alternative to the Little Cottonwood crowd and want to ski Utah powder on uncrowded slopes, come spin some extreme vert on the new high-speed lifts at Solitude Mountain Resort this year. But, don’t even think of exploring my secret powder stashes elsewhere on the mountain.

Here are a few pictures of the lift installation in progress courtesy Jay Burke of Solitude Mountain Resort:

More Info: Visit SkiSolitude.com

In the parking lot, the decision begins… super-fat Black Diamond Zealot skis or only sorta-fat Scott Mission skis? Hmmm… I opt for the Scott Missions with their 90mm waist and shapely profile to not only float in the powder, but also lay down perfect railroad tracks on the groomers.

Solitude is Powstash Heaven

Though Solitude is well-known for it’s hidden powder stashes, the groomers are always impeccable, thus paving the trail back to the lift and giving your thighs a momentary break back to the lift. Railing super-deep railroad track-style arcs from top-to-bottom was a blast on the perfect corduroy. Our first ride up Sunrise Chair was completely solo–nobody in sight. We were anxious to hit the Summit lift and see the conditions in Honeycomb Canyon, but the signage at the base of the Sunrise Chair was wrong… the Summit Lift was still closed. We lapped it and got back just in time to hit the Summit Lift and access the goods in Honeycomb Canyon.

Dropping right down the gut of Honeycomb, we were rewarded with knee-deep freshies and great sloppy seconds as far as the eye could see. Just for kicks, we instigated the mandatory spread eagles (minimum of 3) on the interspersed mogul runs down the gut of Honeycomb Canyon. Needless to say, we got a few funny looks as we arced GS turns on the mogul runs while trying to do the mandatory three spread eagles. Well… enough of the goofing off and back to the powder.

Lapping Evergreen Area

Back on the Summit Chair, we decided that instead of making the long laps down Honeycomb Canyon, we would instead lap the terrain off the Headwall and Evergreen areas. To maximize our powder turns, our mission quickly turned into one of traversing further and further into the Northeast-facing Evergreen area. The quick traverse into this area pays back in spades as we continued to find untracked stashes weaving in and out of the pines.

Evergreen can be steep and tight in spots with unmarked cliffs and rocks, so keep your eyes peeled. On top of that, the traverse can be unforgiving, so staying on top of your game is the best option. Luckily, we were typically the only ones on the traverse, so the bumper cars scenario that often characterizes short and sketchy traverses was avoided.

Traverses weed out the weak and reward the diligent and the traverse into Evergreen is one that not many take (or at least not many on this day), but those who do can enjoy some of the best turns on the mountain. We were rewarded with mostly untracked turns lap-after-lap. That is why I like to call Solitude’s Evergreen Area, Everwhite.

More Info: Visit SkiSolitude.com | View Trail Map

Solitude Resort is celebrating its 50 year anniversary, and the resort’s VERY appropriate tagline is: “50 years and still untracked”. If you have skied much in Utah you know that there’s a bit of “Little Cottonwood Canyon” snobbery towards all of the other world-class resorts in the area. Sure, Alta and Snowbird have incredible snow and phenomenal terrain. And they have rightly had piles of praise heaped on them. But there are 2 major problems that come with that: 1) Crowds, and 2) Road closures.

But just 10 minutes to the north is Big Cottonwood Canyon — which gets almost the exact same snow but without the crowds or repetitive road closures in the canyon. On top of that, Solitude Resort has phenomenal terrain from the Summit chair that remains untracked for many days after a storm. You can’t say the same thing about the more trafficked resorts in the Cottonwoods.

Case in point — check out the photos here, which were taken Saturday, Dec. 22nd — Christmas weekend! And these shots were completely in-bounds, accessible without a traverse from the top of the lift — several days since the previous storm. Anywhere else, on Christmas week these lines would have been skied out within an hour of when the flakes stopped falling. Solitude certainly lives up to its name.

Solitude Memories

Solitude is the first Utah ski resort I ever experienced. I was about 10 years old, on a family ski trip to Utah. Riding the Summit lift back then felt like the lift was going absolutely vertical for 100,000 vertical feet…with craggy cliffs and rocks below you. Nowadays it feels extremely similar to the Supreme lift at Alta — steep-pitched fir tree glades, with multiple different exposures so you can chase the sunlight and shadows throughout the day. Skier’s left is full of rocky chutes and drop-able cliffs — all accessible through access gates that are usually open. Skier’s right is shadowy glades. Our first run of the morning last Saturday was in the glades. We thought we would have to go looking for fresh snow, but to our surprise we hit deep pillows throughout the glades and only ran across one other skier the whole run down. One other skier! On Christmas weekend, with knee-deep (and deeper) snow!

Next run we decided to hit the cliffs under the lift and couldn’t have been happier with bottomless landings for all. A run or two later and the patrol opened Honeycomb Canyon — a true canyon with both sides full of completely ski-able terrain (see vista below)

We were the first two skiers behind the patroller, and it was waist deep for hundreds of vertical feet. Next run, just punch out the traverse a little farther and drop completely untracked again. Third lap, same story — punch it out a little further and completely untracked. Eventually we made our way to the cliffs in the vista above right about the time our legs gave out.

Why Ski at Solitude?

The bottom line is that you will get more untracked skiing at Solitude than almost any other resort. And that’s what it’s all about, right? Powder to the people….even days after a storm. Not many can make that promise.

MORE INFO: Visit www.SkiSolitude.com