Utah Skier Online

Oakley Introduces Pro Rider Series Outerwear

FOOTHILL RANCH, CA - Oakley is introducing a new line of premium performance apparel for skiers and riders.

According to Oakley, the company relied on the expertise of top skiers and snowboarders from around the globe to develop its new Pro Rider Series and test new designs that incorporate some of the best technologies in technical outerwear, along with refinements in fit, convenience features and aesthetic cues inspired by today's pros.

Primary features vary between garments and may include such technologies as the waterproof and breathable laminate known as eVENT®, the lightweight and highly efficient insulation from 3M® called "Thinsulate®," and the avalanche rescue reflector system developed by RECCO®.

Deer Valley Remains Top Ski Resort

DEER VALLEY, UT - For the third time in a row, and the fifth time in a decade, Deer Valley Resort was voted the No. 1 ski resort in North America by readers of SKI Magazine. Rising from fifth place, Park City Mountain Resort (PCMR) was voted No. 4 overall.

All three resorts were in the top 20, and The Canyons (20th) ranked highly in accessibility, on-mountain dining and lodging. Naturally, Utah resorts fared best in the "quality of snow" category, one of a dozen criteria used in the evaluation. Alta Resort, less than one hour from Park City, finished first for its powder.

Taos Ski Valley Patroller and Instructor Honored Best in New Mexico

TAOS SKI VALLEY, NM - Two Taos Ski Valley employees, Robert Scram and Christine Lowry, won the Best Ski Patroller and Best Ski Instructor categories respectively, in the annual 'Best of the Best' competition presented by Ski New Mexico. 

"Robert and Christine are outstanding examples of the values we embrace at Taos Ski Valley," said Adriana Blake, Taos Ski Valley's vice president of marketing. "Their dedication to the sport, coupled with their commitment to ensuring that our guests have the best mountain experience possible, is what makes them the elite. It goes without saying that we're extraordinarily proud of their accomplishments."

Oakley Releases New "Splice" Snow Goggle

FOOTHILL RANCH, CA - Oakley, Inc. announced the release of a new premium snow goggle called Splice, a reinvention of goggle architecture and a showcase for the company's finest technologies in optical performance and protection, according to the company.

The Splice snow goggle (MSRP $190.00 for Polarized Splice Snow) was developed with structural engineering that maximizes comfort. The O Matter frame remains flexible even in extreme cold, and a new skeletal support system spans the nasal area to reduce pressure on the nose while increasing airflow. Combined with moisture wicking triple-layer fleece foam and strap outriggers that evenly balance pressure, the new support system is designed to make the Splice goggle one of the most comfortable goggles ever created for winter sports.

Bode Miller Returns to U.S. Ski Team

LOS ANGELES, CA - Two-time World Cup overall champion Bode Miller (Franconia, NH) was named Thursday to the U.S. Ski Team and will compete this coming season on the Audi FIS World Cup. Miller has skied independently the last two years, winning his second overall World Cup title in 2007-08.

The U.S. Ski Team and Miller made the announcement in a joint press conference at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for Bode, the U.S. Ski Team and the sport of ski racing. We look forward to working with Bode on the Audi FIS World Cup and the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver," U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association President and CEO Bill Marolt said.

Ski and Ride Helmet Usage Up 12 Percent in 08/09

LAKEWOOD, CO - According to the 2008/09 National Ski Areas Association's National Demographic Study, helmet usage by skiers and snowboarders nationwide increased 12% over the previous season.

The National Ski Areas Association is the trade association for ski area owners and operators. The association represents 326 alpine resorts that account for more than 90 percent of the skier/snowboarder visits nationwide.

Other findings from the most recent NSAA study show that:

• 48% of U.S. skiers and boarders overall wear helmets, up from 43% from the year before; in comparison, only 25% of skiers and boarders wore helmets during the 2002/03 season;
• 77% of children 9 years old or younger wear ski helmets;
• 66% of children between 10 and 14 wear ski helmets;
• 63% of adults over the age of 65 wear ski helmets;

SKI BIZ: Online Unit Sales of Ski and Ride Gear Up 23%

MCLEAN, VA - SnowSports Industries America, the trade association representing the snow sports industry, released this week its 2009 Snow Sports Market Intelligence Report, a comprehensive study of the snow sports marketplace.

While the 2008/2009 season will be remembered for the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression, snow sports participation was healthy; and some categories of equipment, apparel and accessories grew, according to SIA.

Deer Valley To Host U.S. Freestyle World Cup

PARK CITY, UT - Hundreds of the world's best freestyle athletes will hit the U.S. for the final two stops prior to their Olympic team naming as the 2010 Visa Freestyle International and Nature Valley Freestyle Cup World Cup events hit Deer Valley Resort in Park City and Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid during the month of January.

The freestyle action gets started Jan. 14-16 at Deer Valley, the 2002 Olympic venue, with moguls and aerials events. For three days, spectators in Utah will be able to watch as the talent of the freestyle world, which includes aerials World Champion Ryan St. Onge (Winter Park, CO), moguls World Champion Pat Deneen (Cle Elum, WA), moguls World Cup champion and World Championship bronze medalist Hannah Kearney (Norwich, VT), and many more, as they look to pack on one more World Cup win just two competitions before the Olympics.

Snowboard Film Videograss Premiers at Squaw Valley on Saturday

OLYMPIC VALLEY, CA - The anticipated 2009 snowboard film VIDEOGRASS is premiering at the Olympic Village Lodge in Squaw Valley on Saturday. A special showing of BozWreck 3000 and a live performance by The Fiz will follow. 

Admission for the premiere is $10, or $5 with the donation of a gently used winter jacket or snow pants. Donated winter outerwear articles benefit families in need in the Tahoe Truckee community through the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation’s “Community Christmas” program.

Doors open at 7 pm and the show starts at 8  pm. Following the showings of VIDEOGRASS and BozWreck 3000, the 21 & up crew can stick around for live music with The Fiz. The Fiz is frontman-ed by Squaw Valley pro snowboarder Eric Messier, who also has a segment in VIDEOGRASS.

VIDEOGRASS features snowboarders Darrell Mathes, Eric Messier, Keegan Vailaka, Aaron Bitner, Laurent Nicolas Pauquin (aka. LNP), Luis Paradise, Nick Dirks, Jonas Michilot, Ben Bilouq, Justin Bennee, Nico Droz, Jordan Mendenhal, Jake Olson-Elm, Desiree Melancon, Laura Hadar and Mikey LeBlanc.

The teaser for VIDEOGRASS can be viewed at www.videograss.com..

Alpine Meadows Ski Resort Plans Dec. 5 Opening Day

TAHOE CITY, CA  - Alpine Meadows Ski Resort announced today that the ski area plans to open for winter operations on Dec. 5, according to Kent Hoopingarner, Alpine Meadows general manager.

Announcing an opening day date this early in advance is new for the ski resort. “Whether guests live locally or plan to visit from outside the Tahoe Basin, many tend to plan around when ski season begins,” said Hoopingarner. “The idea of establishing an opening day early is that it will allow skiers to plan ahead,” he added.

Copper Mountain Welcomes First Snow Day of the 09/10 Ski Season

COPPER MOUNTAIN, CO - It’s snowing at Copper!  According to Copper Mountain's PR department, snow started earlier this morning and continues with large flakes falling from the September sky.  Copper is scheduled to open for the winter season on Friday, Nov. 6.

Check out live streaming video from above the treeline with Copper’s newest Snow Day webcam. (Photo credit: Copper Mountain, CO)

Sun Valley Makes Golf Digest's List of Top 75 Golf Resorts

SUN VALLEY, ID - Sun Valley Resort has once again placed in GOLF DIGEST’S prestigious listing, “The 75 Best Golf Resorts in North America.”

GOLF DIGEST’S 900-plus course-rating panelists rated hundreds of U.S., Canadian, Mexican and Caribbean golf resorts on a scale of 1 to 10.  Positives impacting the ratings included resorts moving forward with new development, and not “waiting out the recession.”

Sun Valley Resort was noted for the new nine-hole White Clouds Course, a 25-acre practice facility and the 58,000-sq.ft. Sun Valley Clubhouse opening last summer.

The resort earning top ratings was Pebble Beach Resort/Inn at Spanish Bay.

Mt. Hood Fusion Ski Lift Pass Offers All Access To Both Skibowl and Timberline

GOVERNMENT CAMP, OR - With the ski and ride season coming on fast, one of the best values for season lift tickets on the west coast is again available with the popular Mt. Hood Fusion Pass that provides a single season pass for both Skibowl and Timberline. 

The Fusion Pass is valid all days and all nights beginning in October through Memorial Day. 

Purchased now through Oct. 31, Mt. Hood Fusion Passes are priced at just $249 for Youth (age 7-14) and Seniors (age 65-70); only $349 for Young Adult (age 15-22) and $449 for Adult Passes (age 23-64).

The Mt. Hood Fusion Pass is currently on sale at www.MtHoodFusionPass.com.

New Lens Care Product Promises to Keep Your Ski Goggles Fog Free

VALLEY VIEW, OH - Lens care products manufacturer Nanofilm has launched Clarity Defog It anti-fog liquid and towelettes designed for ski goggles and sunglasses.

According to Nanofilm, Clarity Defog It outperforms five leading anti-fog brands. In the first test, each of six identical optical lenses was treated with a different anti-fog, then held over constant hot steam. After 60 minutes, no fog formed on the Defog It lens. The others failed in as little as 5 minutes.

SQUAW OFFERS COLLEGE STUDENT SEASON PASS FOR $369

OLYMPIC VALLEY, CA - Temperatures are dropping, school is in session, and skiers and riders are still looking for deals on season passes. College students should look no further, as Squaw Valley is offering them a sweet deal.

Any college student enrolled in a full course schedule in a 2 year, 4 year, or graduate program at college or university is eligible to buy a 2009/10 Season Pass for only $369. The Squaw College Pass is on sale now at www.squaw.com/college-pass.

The College Pass is valid 7-days a week, with the exception of Saturdays in January and February and holiday blackout dates. After purchasing the pass, college students can save time by uploading their pass photo online and picking up their pass at a special college pass will-call. Pass photos can be uploaded online at www.squaw.com/pass-photo.

To pick up the $369 College Pass, students must bring current school photo ID, a copy of course schedule or registration, and a signed letter from school registrar/dean stating full-time student status to Squaw Valley’s Special Tickets office or college will-call (if pass photo was uploaded online).

Squaw Valley USA is scheduled to open for its 60th winter season on Nov. 21. The most up-to- operation and event schedules, season pass information and live mountain cams are available on www.squaw.com.

Mt. Bachelor Offers $399 12-Day Ski Lift Pass Through Sept. 30The The

BEND, OR - Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort is offering a 12-day ski lift pass priced at $399 that joins the regular pass line-up this year. 

The 12-Day Pass and all other passes are available at the lowest rates of the year through Sept. 30.  The 12-Day Pass price increases to $499 beginning Oct. 1.  Season pass information and product purchase details are available at www.mtbachelor.com.

U.S. Snowboarding Names 2010 Team

PARK CITY, UT - With athletes already landing on snowboard World Cup podiums this fall, U.S. Snowboarding revealed its 2010 roster which is highlighted by Olympic gold medalists Kelly Clark (Mt. Snow, VT), Hannah Teter (Belmont, VT) and Seth Wescott (Sugarloaf, ME).

Also bringing their medals to the scene are 2006 Olympic silver medalists Gretchen Bleiler (Aspen, CO) and Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, VT), along with five-time X Games gold medalist Nate Holland (Squaw Valley, CA), 2009 X Games silver medalist Graham Watanabe (Sun Valley, ID), and World Championship bronze medalist Nick Baumgartner (Iron River, MI).

"There are again great athletes in our programs. The depth and amount of talent is incredible and we're looking forward to getting competitions started," U.S. Snowboarding Program Director Jeremy Forster said. "2006 was a great Olympic season and hopefully we can have another great performance in 2010."

U.S. Snowboarding Roster (birthdate, hometown and * if Olympian)

Halfpipe Men: Pro Team
Greg Bretz (12/19/90; Mammoth Lakes, CA)
Steve Fisher (10/21/82; Breckenridge, CO)
Scott Lago (11/12/87; Seabrook, NH)
Luke Mitrani (7/24/90; Mammoth Lakes, CA)
Elijah Teter (3/7/84; South Lake Tahoe, CA)
Louie Vito (3/20/88; Columbus, OH)

Chance to Win Aspen/Snowmass Season Ski Lift Pass Ends Tomorrow Morning

ASPEN/SNOWMASS, CO - Text the word aspensnowmass to 32075 for a chance to win a free 09-10 Premier Season Pass to Aspen/Snowmass. Text only once, as each phone number will only be counted once.  Standard message and data charges apply.

The contest began on Sept. 9 and ends at 9 am tomorrow.

Passholders who have already purchased an Aspen/Snowmass Season Pass for 09-10 are still eligible to enter. The Super Early deadline for the best deal on a Season Ski Pass is Friday.

For information about Aspen/Snowmass Season Passes, visit www.aspensnowmass.com.

Whitefish Mountain Resort Unveils New and Improved Ski & Snowboard School Programs

New Junior Race Team, Freestyle Team Weekend Program, Development Program Highlight 2009-2010 Lineup

WHITEFISH, MT - Whitefish Mountain Resort has announced changes to their seasonal Ski & Snowboard School programs to improve their offering to young skiers and boarders looking to hone their skills.

Notable changes include a new Junior Race Team, a new Freestyle Team weekend program, and the combining of two former programs (Rough Riders and Development Team) into one. In addition, Buckaroos, a popular program started last season, will return.

The new Junior Race Team is designed for skiers from 8-12 years old who would like to work toward getting into competitive ski racing but who have limited race experience. The program will parallel the Whitefish Mountain Resort Race Team while requiring a less substantial commitment from racers and their families. Program coaches will blend all-mountain skiing, gate training, drills, and other options in a curriculum designed to develop a strong skiing foundation. Participants will be encouraged to participate in the Tommy Moe Competition Series ski races throughout the winter.

Skier Glen Plake Named Spokesperson for Learn a Snow Sport Month

BRETTON WOODS, NH - Organizers of Learn a Snow Sport Month announced that, extreme skier and snow sports ambassador, Glen Plake will be the official national spokesperson for the initiative that takes place in January.

The announcement was made during the annual Northeast Winter Summit in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. Learn a Snow Sport Month is a public awareness initiative organized by numerous snow sports organizations to encourage participation in alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing and snowshoeing.

Plake, the three time World Hot Dog Ski Champion, has traveled the globe and appeared in numerous films and television shows. He is known throughout the snow sports industry as a world class skier and for his trademark Mohawk hair style.