Privatization of the Ski Industry
March 23, 2024 Last week we had two very dear friends visiting us for two days. As Snowbird/Alta season pass holders we are able to get them day tickets for half price. When the total came to $220 per day for the two of them I started to protest that the person had forgotten the […]
Snowbasin - Utah's Unknown Gem
March 19, 2024 The Utah ski scene has loooong been dominated by a relatively small group of resorts, particularly when compared to states like Colorado. First there was Alta. And for some die-hards that’s all there still is today. But other resorts – Snowbird, Park City and Deer Valet – have developed into masters of […]
Is Skiing Dangerous?
March 15, 2024 We have been struck (shocked really) by several articles recently stressing that skiing is a dangerous sport. We would expect such sensationalism and slander from the New York Post or the National Enquirer. But these headlines have come from what we consider respectable publications – think Outside Magazine and The Atlantic. Yes, […]
Saddleback, An Interesting History & Positive Experience
March 14, 2024 If you read our last article on Jay Peak we labeled that ski area as the Phoenix of resorts given it tortured history and current rebound (Jay Peak Resort – The Phoenix of the Ski Industry). There is another eastern resort worthy of this perhaps dubious honor. And that is Saddleback Mountain […]
Jay Peak Resort - The Phoenix of the Ski Industry
March 8, 2024 Phoenix – “an immortal bird that cyclically regenerates or is otherwise born again.” We have written about Jay Peak before. (See our article from November 2022 on the sale of Jay Peak – Jay Peak Finally Sold). It remains one of our favorite ski resorts in North America. Tucked away in the […]
We Don't Need to Worry About Avalanches In-Bounds, Right?
March 6, 2024 Charlotte and I probably shouldn’t admit to this, but we love waking up to the sound of the Alta/Snowbird howitzers. While these big guns are being phased out (watch The Last Gunners for more on this), they are still relied on in an attempt to control avalanches in Little Cottonwood Canyon in […]
Ski Gear, My Favorite Topic
February 29, 2024 I’ll admit, I love ski gear. There is no good reason why, it’s outrageously expensive, the options are seemingly endless and the boots, why are they so uncomfortable! But the gear to me just adds to the already ridiculous sport of skiing, and I spend a good deal of time with skis […]
JaPow - Part 2
February 26, 2024 If you are reading this and failed (amazingly!) to read our first JaPow article then go into reverse and read it. It has the very original name of “JaPow.” We left you hanging as we ventured north on the bullet train (why can’t we build bullet trains in the US?!?) to the […]
JaPow
We are lucky enough to ski Alta/Snowbird for much of the winter. Occasionally we look at conditions elsewhere in North America and wish we were there. But the consistency of the conditions, the terrain, the predictability of snowfall (average over 500 inches year) and the lightness of the snow in our part of Utah rarely […]
Some Fun, Funny and Fascinating News From the Ski World
As you might suspect and as we imagine many of you do as well, we follow one zillion websites, media sources, etc. that cover and discuss the ski industry. Throughout the year we file away articles and releases that interest us, contain juicy information, or, in many cases, simply make us laugh. As I was […]
Jackson and Powder Sell but Remain Independent. A Basin Not So Much.
We are long past the days when each ski area was its own independent entity. Some of us remember the days when each area had its own vibe and identity – some had their own color schemes, unique tickets and quirky features. But given the increased operating costs in running a ski area, particularly with […]
Smuggs/Stowe - The Deal Nobody Knew About Isn't Happening
So imagine your favorite fiercely independent little coffee shop talking to Starbucks about selling out. Imagine your favorite fiercely independent little bookstore talking to Barnes and Noble about selling out. Shift to the ski industry…imagine Smuggler’s Notch Resort in Vermont talking to Stowe Mountain Resort (aka Vail!) about connecting the two resorts with a lift?! […]
Ski Films
At the start of each ski season we are inundated with extraordinary ski films to get us stoked on the winter ahead. While there are so many out there we wanted to feature a few of our favorites that we’ve seen highlighting skiers in Utah, Scotland, Japan, Michigan and beyond. We hope you enjoy! The […]