pictured above: Seven Springs ski resort in Pennsylvania. One of three resorts in the state Vail recently purchased.

December 9, 2021

While we don’t claim to bring you breaking news from the ski industry, every once in a while we like to share some recent news that has caught our attention.

Skier seriously injured in Tuckerman Ravine avalanche – Here is an unfortunate reminder that avalanches can occur even with very little snow. On Sunday, a skier triggered an avalanche on Tuckerman Ravine on Mt. Washington in New Hampshire resulting him to slide more than 800 feet. That slide triggered a second slide taking out a second solo skier. This second slide took this individual over the rocks in Left Gully resulting in serious injuries. The complete story and accident report can be read here: Skier Sustains Severe Injuries in Avalanche on Mt. Washington

Vail Resorts adds three Pennsylvania ski areas to their portfolio – Vail is at it again. They’ve entered into an agreement to purchase Seven Springs, Hidden Valley Resorts and Laurel Mountain Ski Area for $125 million. Vail’s new CEO, Kirsten Lynch, indicated this move was to further their acquisition of ski areas near major cities (all three resorts are under and hour and a half drive from downtown Pittsburgh). This brings the total number of resorts that Vail Resorts owns and operates to 40 worldwide. For additional details: Vail Resorts Acquires Three Pennsylvania Resorts

New York state incentivizing vaccines with lottery – Here is a piece of news you never would have seen two years ago. New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced last week the “Ski for Free” Covid-19 vaccine lottery. Kids between the ages of 5 and 11 and all booster shot recipients are eligible to enter the states sweepstakes for a free lift ticket to participating mountains statewide. More detailed information on how to enter can be found here: New York offering ‘Ski for Free’ COVID vaccine incentive sweepstakes

Avalanche buries three, leaving one dead in BC – Early season avalanches are uncommon, but unfortunately still potentially deadly. Avalanche Canada is reporting that four snowmobilers were riding in Sunshine Bowl in northeast British Columbia when they triggered an avalanche resulting in three being buried, killing one. Additional information on the accident can be found here: Avalanche buries 3, leaves one dead in Pine Pass

Skiing in Hawaii? – Last week Hawaii residents were treated to quite an unusual event, a blizzard. Over a foot of snow fell in parts of the Big Island. The volcano summits of Mauna Kea (13,796 feet) and Mauna Loa (13,678 feet) were skiable and left local skiers overjoyed with a rare an opportunity to take some laps. For the full story and photos of the experience: Hawaii Blizzard Means Volcano Skiing—and It’s as Tricky as It Sounds

Skier found dead at Colorado’s Eldora Mountain Resort – In another unfortunate event, a 60-year-old male skier from Nederland, Colorado was found unresponsive after colliding with a tree on a ski run called ‘Hot Dog Alley’. This was the second death Eldora has seen since opening up in mid-November -the first being when a skier and snowboarder collided mid-mountain.  Local skier dies at resort in Colorado, one week after death at same ski area

conSKIerge co-founder

Charlotte Miller caught the ski bug early from her dad. An avid skier and gearhead, Charlotte claims Sugarbush, Vermont and Alta/Snowbird, Utah as her home mountains. In addition, she has explored many other resorts throughout North America and northern Japan. Despite having a job in the corporate world, she skis 40+ days a year. She is an Ambassador for Atomic. Warning – while she loves to share her love for the mountains with others, don’t try to keep up with her on the hill – it won’t end well.