Utah Skier Online

Copper Mountain Hosts 78-Mile Copper Triangle Bike Ride

Davis Phinney joins 3,000 cyclists at fourth annual ride 

COPPER MOUNTAIN, CO - Colorado Cyclist Copper Triangle organizers are working to raise $100,000 in their fight against Parkinson’s disease this weekend and one of America’s top cyclists, Davis Phinney, will join more than 3,000 cyclists in their fight against Parkinson's disease at the 4th Annual Copper Triangle on Saturday.
 
The Copper Triangle is considered one of Colorado’s classic alpine road rides and this year’s event offers both recreational and competitive cyclists the opportunity to participate in a challenging 78-mile ride. The 2008 Copper Triangle raised more than $72,000 for the Davis Phinney Foundation.

Science of Cycling: Retül 3-D Bike Fitting System

By Jeff Hemmel

Bike fitting is part art, part science. Traditional fitting involves static measurements and some basic tools, like a plumb bob and ruler. My local shop sized me for my bike; later, another shop graciously fine-tuned things like cleat and seat position. Still, I never felt completely dialed in. Some of my issues may have been due to past injuries, including an ACL reconstruction and herniated disc. Others, however, were just my obsessive-compulsive wonderings, like why I never felt comfortable riding in the drops, or why my left leg often brushed the top tube. Eventually I went looking for an advanced bike fit. After all, even the priciest bike is no good if the owner doesn’t feel comfortable riding it.

ACR Introduces New Personal Locator Beacons For Backcountry Enthusiasts

SALT LAKE CITY - ACR Electronics introduced their next generations of  Personal Locator Beacons to outdoor retailers this week and the new devices are smaller. lighter and affordable.

The SARLink™ features a new strobe light function and multi-use GPS acquisition testing.  According to ACR, the SARLink represents one of the smallest, lightest 406 GPS PLBs in the world. 

SARLink features include:

• Built-in, super bright LED strobe light increases visibility to Search and Rescue.
• Onboard 66-channel parallel GPS acquires then transmits LAT/LON when the unit is activated, dramatically saving valuable time for the distress message to reach local rescue centers, and provide rescue agencies with exact position to within 110 yards (100 meters). 
• In addition to full functional self testing of internal circuitry, battery voltage and power, the SARLink allows for an increased number of long GPS acquisition tests—up to 12 times per life of battery. 
• More efficient design uses less power, making it smaller and lighter.

The suggested MSRP for the SARLink™ is $650.00.

Ski Community Rallies Support For Injured U.S. Ski Team Member

Update: Cody Marshall Making Steady Improvement

SALT LAKE CITY - Posters cover the walls, balloons are secured to most stationary objects and cards adorn the top of every flat surface available in Cody Marshall's (Pittsfield, VT) room at University Hospital in Salt Lake City where he is recovering from an accident last week.

Friends and family shuffle in and out - most are teammates of Marshall, a third year member of the U.S. Ski Team, who is living in Park City while training for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. They bring smiles, hope and most of all comfort for younger sister Chelsea, also a U.S. Ski Team member and older brother Jesse, a Team alum.

It's been a week since Marshall suffered severe head trauma after a fall from a Park City escalator, but in that week, the seemingly small ski community opened its arms in a worldwide hug for Cody and the Marshall family.

Copper Mountain Offering Free Scenic Chairlift Rides

COPPER MOUNTAIN, CO - Copper Mountain ski resort is offering free round-trip rides on the American Eagle chairlift, available from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. everyday, weather permitting.  Guests are asked to visit Guest Services in the Village at Copper to pick up their free round-trip ticket on the American Eagle. This is a limited time offer. 

Copper offers an array of summer activities including go-karts, quad bungee jump, Copper Creek Golf Course, mini-golf, bumper boats, hiking, mountain biking, cycling and more.  Summer package deals include a summer activity of your choice and lodging, starting at $69 per person, per night.  Visit www.coppercolorado.com for more information or to book online.

Utah's Snowbasin Ski Resort Lands Winter Dew Tour Event Jan. 15-17

SALT LAKE CITY - Utah's Snowbasin ski area will host the second round of the 2010 Winter Dew Tour scheduled for Jan. 15-17.

The Winter Dew Tour showcases the top winter athletes from around the world competing in freeskiing (slopestyle and superpipe) and snowboarding (slopestyle and superpipe) for both men and women. The Tour begins at Breckenridge Ski Resort in Breckenridge, Colo., Dec. 18-20, 2009, continues at new host resort, Snowbasin, in Huntsville, Utah, Jan. 15-17, 2010 and concludes at Mount Snow Resort in West Dover, Vt., Feb. 5-7, 2010.

All three stops of the Winter Dew Tour will be televised Live on NBC and simulcast around the world on Eurosport 2, Extreme Channel and Fox Sports Australia, with additional coverage on USA Network and MTV2.

U.S. Ski Team Athlete With Diabetes Shares Experience At Summer Camps

The U.S. Cross Country Ski Team's Kris Freeman had an outstanding year in 2009 as he earned two U.S. titles and a fourth place at World Championships. But, even with intense training for the 2010 Olympics at the forefront of his mind, Freeman is taking the time to speak to youth about Diabetes.

A Type 1 diabetic, Freeman was told when he was diagnosed that he would have to end his career as an endurance athlete because the disease would keep him from that type of competition. But, nearly nine years after his diagnosis, Freeman is spreading the word throughout the diabetic youth community that diabetics can reach their dreams.

Powder Mountain Season Pass Sale Starts July 15, First 150 Get Discount

Utah ski area announces 09/10 season lift ticket prices

POWDER MOUNTAIN, Utah - Powder Mountain is kicking off its ski season pass sales on Wednesday and the first 150 people to purchase a season pass are guaranteed the lowest prices of the season.  Season pass rates for the young adult (18 – 24 years old), adult (25 – 62 years old) and senior (62 – 79 years old) will increase every time an additional 150 passes are sold.

“We know that everyone is seeking the best value these days and we want to maintain our #1 rating for value,” said Gregg Greer, president of Powder Mountain Resort Management.  “So, we closely examined all of our rates and slashed prices in quite a few categories. For example, K-12 and military season passes are the lowest they have been in 8 seasons.”

Timberline Hosts U.S. Snowboarding HalfPipe Team Summer Camp

TIMBERLINE LODGE, OR, - U.S. Snowboarding’s halfpipe athletes are working with the High Cascade Snowboard Camp at Timberline Resort’s 22-foot halfpipe as they kicked off a summer camp Tuesday in preparation for taking on the 2010 Olympic season.

“This camp is definitely a very important piece of our Olympic preparation.” U.S. Snowboarding Halfpipe Head Coach Mike Jankowski said. “Without our partnership with Timberline Lodge and High Cascade it would be impossible to get quality riding time in a 22-foot pipe. Having them support U.S. Snowboarding and our goals makes us feel right at home here on Mt. Hood.”

Among the athletes headed to the Mt. Hood area are Olympic gold medalists Kelly Clark (Mt. Snow, VT) and Hannah Teter (Belmont, VT), Olympic silver medalist Gretchen Bleiler (Aspen, CO), Grand Prix winners Steve Fisher (Breckenridge, CO) and Louie Vito (Sandy, UT), as well as the likes of Clair Bidez (Minturn, CO), Scotty Lago (Seabrook, NH), Ellery Hollingsworth (Stratton, VT) and Elena Hight (South Lake Tahoe, CA).

Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort Introduces Conditions-Based Lift Ticket Pricing

BEND, Ore - Mt. Bachelor winter season passes are now on sale, and the ski resort is offering a variety of new lift tickets programs that includes a payment plan for guests who wish to spread out the cost of a season pass over the summer and fall months; and a new 12-day non-holiday pass priced at $399 is available.

In addition, a Club Card program offers savings on single day tickets purchased in advance is aimed at the occasional skier and rider. Along with these new products comes the announcement of sliding scale, 1-day ticket pricing based on a combination of expected lift operations and daily weather.

“We aim to empower our guests with the information to make the best possible decision for their individual skiing and riding lifestyles,” said Dave Rathbun, President and General Manager. “That’s the primary reason we have chosen to announce this diverse lineup of products simultaneously. There are a variety of new options on the table and we’re proud of the innovative steps we’re taking to give customers multiple choices to visit Mt. Bachelor in an affordable manner.”

Discover Snowbird Resort By Horseback or ATV

SNOWBIRD, Utah – Guided horseback and ATV tours opened this week at Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort.

Both horseback and ATV tours begin on Snowbird’s 11,000 foot Hidden Peak where visitors meet their guides before descending to the base of Mineral Basin. Horseback tours are $65/1 hour, $95/2 hours, or $155/3 hours (including lunch). ATV tours start at $59/1 hour and $89/2 hours. More information is available by calling (801) 601-6159 or www.snowbird.com.

Preview of 2010 Sunglasses

A good pair of sunglasses is essential gear for anyone that spends time outdoors. For 2010, the leading eyewear manufacturers continue to innovate both in the quality of their lenses and the styles of their frames. 

Transworld Business offers a glimpse of the new styles that consumers will see soon. To see the video below in better detail, open in full screen.

Park City to Host U.S. Olympic Halfpipe Qualification Grand Prix

PARK CITY, UT - Olympic dreams will be made and broken at Park City, Jan. 22-23, when the 2010 U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix makes its final stop and the 2010 Olympic halfpipe team is announced. 

A total of five Olympic qualification competitions will take place at Copper Mountain, Mammoth Mountain, and Park City Mountain Resort.

The Grand Prix series, which will feature 22-foot halfpipes at each of its venues, will narrow down the competition for Olympic spots through its first two tour stops and solidify the 2010 team at the final event in Park City.

"Copper, Mammoth and Park City are all classic Grand Prix sites and will provide a most fitting stage on which to name the Olympic halfpipe team for 2010," said Grand Prix Tour Director Eric Webster. "Copper, Mammoth and Park City all have a proven track record in hosting world class snowboard events, which lends confidence to the riders and coaches in a season with so much on the line."

Telluride Asks Residents To "Imagineer" Their Perfect Resort Tonight

TELLURIDE, CO - Telluride Ski Resort invites the public to "Imagineer Your Perfect Ski Resort" at a presentation and work session tonight from 6 - 8 pm at the Telluride Conference Center.

“It is time we begin working on a new plan and vision, and we are seeking input on the future of the ski area,” said Dave Riley, CEO of Telluride Ski & Golf. “We would like to discuss and hear from Telluride and Mountain Village residents, employees, and second homeowners regarding the resort’s future, including what they would like to see in the next 5, 10 and 15 years. We all want this community to thrive, and obviously the ski resort is an important amenity and has a key role in the future of the area.”

The Canyons Kicks Off Independence Weekend With Free Concert and Fireworks

PARK CITY, UT - The Canyons Resort is kicking off the Independence Day weekend with its annual free July 3rd celebration.  Headlining the night is the popular disco cover-band the Disco Drippers, performing at 7:30 pm at the Resort Village.  Following the concert will be a spectacular fireworks display above the resort.

Guests are invited to bring blankets and pack a picnic for the show. Food and beverages will also be available for sale in the Resort Village. The venue will open at 5 pm. No dogs will be allowed in the venue. Due to the popularity of the concert, The Canyons encourages the public to carpool or use public transportation.

This event is the first performance of the summer, kicking off another season of music in the mountains. The Canyons Summer Concert Series will begin July 18.

For more information about summer events at The Canyons, visit www.thecanyons.com.

Save $500 on Sun Valley Season Ski Pass through July

SUN VALLEY, ID - Buy your Sun Valley season ski pass in July and you'll save a whopping $500.

For the first time in more than 10 years, a Sun Valley 2009-10 season lift pass will cost $1,499.  This offer goes on sale Friday and will continue through July 31.

The new value-added year-round pass is called Sun Plus  and also carries additional benefits including six days of skiing in Snowbasin, and a 10% discount at Pete Lane’s Demo & Tuning, Sun Valley Village restaurants, Sun Valley retail shops and a Sun Valley Heli Ski base day rate.