Category Archives: Outdoor News

Alta Lodge Plans Ski Adventures for 2015-16

Alta Lodge is celebrating 75 years as Utah’s first ski lodge. Use one of the killer adventure packages below to come see why skiing and staying in Alta rocks.  Whether you’re looking to improve your skiing or find friends for life you can’t go wrong.

These immersion programs are for skiers (not snowboarders, sorry) who want a multi-day ski experience. Instructors from Alta Ski School or guides from Utah Mountain Adventures spend the day with participants in the mountains and then join them for après ski and dinner. Lodging, breakfasts and full dinners are included in the ski adventure rates, all of which listed below are per person, and taxes and the Lodge service charge are also included in these rates.

  • Alta Performance Ski Camp l December 6-10/February 21-25 /April 2-6

This ski camp is for advanced to expert skiers who want to take their skiing experience at Alta and Snowbird to a new level. The camp takes a progressive approach to coaching skiers off the hill as well as instructing them in dry land training for better skiing fitness. Rates include four nights lodging, full breakfast and dinner daily, three days ski coaching, dry land training sessions, three days of lift tickets, demo skis, and boots if desired. Rates: Dec.: $2,095 double, $2,405 single; Feb.:$2,379 double, $2,972 single; Apr.: $2,227 double, $2,669 single.

  • Powder Tracks Ski Camp l January 9-14

This unique ski program makes it easier, faster and more fun to learn to ski Alta’s famous powder snow. Powder Tracks makes it possible for intermediate and advanced skiers to move to the next level of expertise in the shortest time possible. Includes five nights lodging, full breakfast and dinner daily, four days of instruction, four days of lift tickets, demo skis, and boots if desired. Rates: $3,162 double, $3,929 single.

  • Women’s Ski Camps for Intermediate to Advanced Skiers l January 21-25/March 6-10

Just for women, these camps bring together the best of the Alf Engen Ski School’s instructors for three days of instruction in a fun environment where skiers can challenge themselves, improve their technique and meet some new ski buddies. Includes four nights lodging, full breakfast and dinner daily,three days of instruction, three days of lift tickets, demo skis, and boots if desired. Rates: Jan.: $2,541 double, $3,186 single; Mar.: $2,489 double, $3,082 single.

  • Women’s Ski Camp for Advanced to Expert Skiers l February 7-11

Alta Lodge’s advanced to expert women’s ski camp is designed for the off-trail skier who is looking for a challenge. This program will teach the techniques to ski steeper lines confidently in all conditions. Includes four nights lodging, full breakfast and dinner daily, three days of instruction, three days of lift tickets, three days of demo skis, and boots if desired. Rate: $2,437 double, $3,030 single.

www.altalodge.com | (800) 707-2582.

Celebrities Return For Deer Valley’s Opening Weekend


There are only a handful of ‘givens’ when it comes to skiing in the Wasatch. It used to be the snow. Nope, not anymore. A lineup of traffic as far as the eye can see on powder days in Little Cottonwood Canyon? Yep. That’s one. A massive crowd at the top of Rustler on the ‘first’ closing weekend of Alta? Yep, that’s another. Epic food at Snowbasin. Check. But the absolute one thing guests and TV celebs can count on when they ski Park City is Deer Valley’s opening- the first weekend in December.

The 24th annual Deer Valley Celebrity Skifest launches the resort’s ski season Saturday, December 5, with the number of runs open subject to snowmaking. We’re in the middle of November so there’s not much natural snow to speak of. All of that can change in an instant, however, but traditionally DV has relied heavily on manmade to keep guests happy at that time.




Fortunately, there’s the perfectly planned Invitational hijinks when the skiing isn’t all that. The race on Saturday pairs former Olympic ski legends like Steve Mahre, Phil Mahre, and Tommy Moe with corporate sponsors and television personalities for a team challenge race. The Sunday SkiFest Celeb Race at noon is one not to be missed as actors like Cheryl Hines, Rachel Harris, Mark Feuerstein, Rob Morrow, Maria Bello and Alicia Silverstone go head-to-head on the Bird’s Eye run.

https://youtu.be/ht8DdS4IflE



“What better way to [welcome guests] than with an exciting, crowd-pleasing event?” said Bob Wheaton, Deer Valley Resort president and general manager. “This long-standing tradition also affords us the opportunity to rally behind a valuable global cause. We are proud of our connection with Waterkeeper Alliance and the changes they create.” Waterkeeper helps defend communities against anyone who threatens their right to clean water—from law-breaking polluters to unresponsive government agencies.


The races are free to the public and can be viewed from the Silver Lake area at mid-mountain. You don’t even need a lift ticket; just walk out to the snow from Silver Lake Lodge. Hang out near the entrance to the VIP tent for your best chance at selfies with the celebs. All proceeds from the evening events and the corporate race benefit the Waterkeeper Alliance. Skifest helped raise more than $5 million over the past 9 years. Watch the fun on TV if you can’t make it to Park City. The weekend’s races will be broadcast the following Sunday, December 13, 5 p.m. EST. But don’t expect to see ABC Blood and Oil’s Don Johnson or Chace Crawford competing. This is a CBS sponsored event.


Deer Valley Founder Inducted Into Ski Hall Of Fame

Deer Valley Resort Founder Edgar B. Stern is one of the new 2015 Hall of Famers.  Stern was recognized for revolutionizing the ski industry by combining the sport of skiing with the service, food and amenities of a fine hotel. When Deer Valley Resort opened December 26, 1981, the phrase “Deer Valley Difference” became synonymous with elite hospitality and charm that can only come from an extensive background in the luxury hotel business. Stern brought amenities like valet ski service, parking lot shuttles, on-site child care, complimentary ski check, immaculately groomed and (formerly) uncrowded ski slopes and the finest on-mountain cuisine.

“Edgar Stern is nothing short of a ski pioneer,” said Bob Wheaton, president and general manager of Deer Valley Resort. “His benchmarks have resulted in Deer Valley consistently earning…numerous accolades.”

Stern is also responsible for luring the U.S. Ski Team to Park City, Utah, and spotting-lighting Deer Valley for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games as well as international and world competitions for 17 consecutive years.

With the addition of the Class of 2015, Stern will be among 410 honored members. “Each member of the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2015, including Edgar Stern, was a remarkable leader as an athlete or sport builder,” said U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame Chairman Tom Kelly. “So much of what all of us enjoy in our sport today has emanated from the outstanding honored members of the Hall of Fame.”

Edgar Stern

Stern passed away in 2008, but his legacy remains the cornerstone of the “Deer Valley Difference.” Numerous worthy organizations have and continue to be the beneficiaries of Stern’s time and resources, including Ballet West, the National Ability Center, Utah Special Olympics, Kimball Art Center, the Salt Lake Symphony and more.

Stern’s induction to the Ski Hall of Fame will take place in Aspen, CO, on April 9, 2016, with a special enshrinement ceremony weekend for all 2015 inductees at the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and Museum in Ishpeming, MI, the following September.

Everest To Ban Newbies??

 

 

Nepalese officials say they will ban beginners from making the trek up Everest. The decision to quarantine the epic peak was apparently made to lessen crowds and protect the safety of everyone else who makes the journey in the wake of recent catastrophes including last April’s avalanche. There’s also thought of preventing the disabled, seniors and climbers under 18 from reaching the top of the world’s highest mountain as well.

Kripasur Sherpa, the country’s tourism minister, told The Guardian the rules should go into effect by next spring when hundreds of climbers from around the world begin the 29,029 summit. Climbers wanting a permit for Mount Everest would need to show proof they have scaled peaks above 6500 metres (21,325 feet).

It used to be that only the best of the best attempted Everest. Now, anyone who can afford a guide or outfitter can pay to risk their lives. Sherpa related this to “legal suicide” and added that these people are a hazard not only to themselves but everyone there; as well, they would be incapable of helping other climbers in an emergency.

In addition to weeding out newbies, officials are also looking at stopping the “feeble” from the climb. “The disabled or visually impaired people usually need someone to carry them, which is not an adventure. Only those who can go on their own will be given permission,” Sherpa said. Enforcement plans, however, have not been disclosed.

“There’s a reason why they have to do this stuff,” said Park City, Utah’s, Chris Waddell and first parapalegic to climb Mt Kilimanjaro, “But I’d hate to see them categorically eliminate a group because of assumptions. I don’t agree with that. Eric Weinhenmayer climbed all seven summits blind. Don’t be so stringent that they eliminate people who could really do it.”

The World Travel Council states that tourists spent $508 million in Nepal in 2014, supporting 487,500 jobs. No telling at this time whether the ban will affect tourism dollars.

Utah Ski Resorts Pump Cash Into Areas Hoping For Payoff

Utah Ski Resorts
Utah Ski Resorts

Photo courtesy Vail Resorts

The irony isn’t lost on locals. Four miserable winters (comparatively) and yet Utah ski resorts spent millions on “improvements” this summer, while raising the cost of lift tickets yet again, all in the hopes of attracting more visitors.

Don’t they know by now that we skiers are all about deals? I’d rather have the option of brown-bagging it for a $50 lift ticket than spending $100 because there’s a shiny new lodge or snowmaking equipment that needs to be reimbursed. That said, Utah skiers can expect to see some major alterations to the Wasatch Front landscape this 2015/16 ski season.

Utah Ski Resorts

Photo courtesy Vail Resorts

This was a HUGE year for construction and retooling. You would have been living in a cave in the North Pole not to have heard about the conjoining of Park City Mountain Resort and Canyons into one massive area now named “Park City Mountain” and “Canyons Village at Park City”. The area(s)’ owner, Vail Resorts, plunked down $50 million dollars to transform Park City into “the largest resort in the United States.” Not that anyone would actually want to spend more than half of their day skiing between the resorts (cabriolet, three lifts and two gondolas, with only one intermediate run to be had through it all) just to get from Canyons to PC) but, whatever, there will now be 7,300 skiable acres for one lift ticket or season pass price ($789 and $101, respectively). The folks it’ll suit best are intermediate skiers who start at Park City and want to spend the night at Canyons or ride their zipline. Or perhaps people staying in Park City who want to backcountry ski because you can only do it from Canyons. Think Whistler/Blackcomb not Alta/Bird.

In addition to the Quicksilver Gondola that links the two areas, PCM’s King Con Chair is now a six-pack, The Motherlode lift is now a detachable quad, “Miners Camp” replaces the Snow Hut Lodge- 500 indoor seats (yay!), a large deck and fresher food choices like homemade soups, made-to-order sandwiches and tossed salads- and the Summit House has been remodeled to increase seating; the Red Pine Lodge has a new, upper deck and 250 more indoor seats, and they’ve added snowmaking on two trails in the Iron Mountain area to handle increased skier traffic for Quicksilver Gondola access.

Utah Ski Resorts

Photo courtesy Snowbird Resort

The next big spender was Snowbird Resort with $35 million dollars in capital improvements. Hidden Peak is finally crowned with the Summit Lodge. Guests can dine surrounded by a spectacular, 360-degree-view from 11,000 feet. The two-story glass-enclosed structure replaces the modified port-a-John that housed Snowbird’s elite Ski Patrol. The new 23,000 square foot building will have cafeteria seating for 192 people on the first floor, a private dining room for 180 guests, restrooms, a coffee/pastry shop, a 10,000 square foot deck and a new Ski Patrol headquarters. Patrons of the Cliff Lodge waved good bye to those quirky windowed-showers in 350 guest rooms in the east wings. The remodel includes carpeting, marble counters and tile in the bathrooms, ergonomic mattresses, contemporary furnishings and entertainment systems, energy efficient lighting and upgraded Wi-Fi. No more wire wickets. Following in Alta’s footsteps, RFID has come to the Bird.  The Bird plans to extend the ski season in Peruvian Gulch, Gad Valley and Mineral Basin by adding more snowmaking guns to those areas.

 

Then comes Deer Valley and Solitude. DV officially took ownership of the Big Cottonwood Resort in May 2015 and immediately began ripping out the aged Summit fixed-grip double chairlift. They installed the new, four-person detachable high-speed Summit Express chairlift and added a new ski run from the top of the existing Apex Express chairlift to the bottom terminal of the new, realigned Summit, significantly lessening the current travel time to Honeycomb Canyon. So now you can access Honeycomb without freezing and falling asleep. You’ll still have to ride two lifts to get back to the base of Summit but at least they are now all high speeds. When you’re ready to eat expect that Deer Valley Difference in the remodeled Moonbeam Lodge Restaurant. In fact, DV revamped the menus at all of the resort’s restaurants.

Brighton made the best move of all. They’re celebrating their 80th anniversary by bringing back their extremely popular ‘kids 10 and under ski free’ deal. Smart families will be packing that brown bag and heading up BCC a lot this winter.

Utah’s newest resort, Cherry Peak Resort, is planning for their inaugural season this December. The Northern Utah area 15 miles from Logan features three triple chairlifts, a comprehensive snowmaking infrastructure and a 1.25 mile-long-run. They didn’t have enough snow to open last season so fingers crossed for something better soon. The resort has an impressive three-story day lodge for year-round events.

Feel like having a mountain all to yourself? Rent-a-Resort at Eagle Point, south of Salt Lake City, is available for private rental Tuesday through Thursday, January 5 – April 3.

1 17 18 19 20 21 34