We’re excited to announce our new photo contest! Even though lifts have stopped running at most destinations in North America doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to your hard-earned goggle tan! We want to help one lucky winner keep it by giving away the vacation of a lifetime to Valle Nevado, Chile and gear from our friends at POC.

To participate, take a photo showing how you keep your #goggletan during the summer. This could include lying on the beach, mowing the lawn, playing volleyball or hanging out on a boat – while wearing a pair of goggles.

Then follow these steps to enter to win:

Submit photos now through June 16. Then a panel of Ski.com judges will then select the top 21 photos to move onto the voting round. From June 17 to July 1, everyone is invited back to Ski.com’s Facebook Page to vote for their favorite photo from the list of finalists.

The photo receiving the most votes will win the grand prize, which includes:

• a seven-night stay at Valle Nevado’s hotel Puerta del Sol
• lift tickets for Valle Nevado, El Colorado and La Parva
• breakfast and dinner daily
• a pair of POC Lobes goggles and a POC Fornix helmet

If you’re ready to book your trip to South America this summer, visit the South America section of the Ski.com website or give us a call at 800-610-8911 to speak with one of our highly knowledgeable Mountain Vacation Specialists.

Happy posting and good luck!

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This could be you next season: ski Vail and St. Anton (plus 13 more resorts in Europe and North America) with your 2013-2014 Epic Pass.

Are you considering buying an Epic Pass next season? Here are 5 NEW reasons why you should! Earlier this week, Vail Resorts announced that 2013-2014 Epic Pass holders receive 5 free days of skiing or riding in Arlberg, Austria at 5 resorts: St. Anton, Lech, Zürs, St. Christoph and Stuben.

Lech, Austria

To enjoy free skiing at these Austrian resorts, all you have to do is show your 2013/2014 Epic Pass at the Arlberg tourism offices and you’ll receive a total of 5 FREE lift tickets to be used consecutively. (Call one of our Mountain Vacation Specialists at 800-610-8911 for more information.)

For $689, you have access to a total of 15 mountains in Colorado, Tahoe, Switzerland and now Austria; at that price, the pass pays for itself in 5 days. Here’s the breakdown of the resorts you can ski/ride with an Epic Pass:

EUROPE:

• Austria: St. Anton, Lech, Zürs, St. Christoph and Stuben
• Switzerland: Verbier

COLORADO:

• Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin and Eldora

TAHOE:

• Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood
  

  Zürs, Austria

That’s a lot of trip planning! Not to worry: Our team of Mountain Vacation Specialists can help organize multi-destination ski trips or just a few different vacations throughout the season. If you’d like to take advantage of the new European resorts added to the Epic Pass, we have a cadre of European Specialists who know the ins and outs of European travel, from the most efficient modes of transportation to the best ski guides at specific resorts.

Give us a call at 800-610-8911 to purchase your Epic Pass and start thinking about your travel plans for the 2013-2014 winter season!

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Breckenridge from the sky

Keystone

If you’re lucky enough to fly over the Rocky Mountains on a clear winter day, the views of Colorado ski resorts are spectacular. Earlier this week, one Ski.com staffer traveled back from Denver to our headquarters in Aspen and snapped some photos of Keystone, Breckenridge and Copper Mountain.

The typical westbound flight path from Denver follows Interstate 70 past A-Basin, Loveland, Keystone, Breckridge, Copper Mountain, Vail and Beaver Creek. Many mountain travelers land at Eagle County Airport to access resorts east of Edwards. If you’re headed to Aspen, the pilot banks a left turn just before Glenwood Springs and brings you into the Roaring Fork Valley. You can see Snowmass from the left-side windows just before you land at Pitkin County Airport, and as you disembark, Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands and Aspen Mountain serve as a backdrop for the plane. Flying into a small resort airport is quite the scenic experience!

Copper Mountain

As you can see in the photo above, the late-season snowfall has left enough of the white stuff to cover most of the runs, at least from this 30,000-foot vantage point. These ski resorts are closed for the season while the summer operations teams prepare to open terrain for mountain biking, hiking, summer festivals and other summer adventure activities. Temperatures have been in the high 60s this week, but more snow is in tonight’s forecast. It looks like spring may be on hold for a few more weeks, but the upside for air travelers is a spectacular, snowy view from Denver past the western slope!

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With over 30 inches of new snow and another 20 inches by next weekend, many Colorado ski resorts have decided to extend their closing day or re-open for one last weekend of powder skiing.

The lower 48 states may be well into spring, but winter just won’t give up in the Rockies. Most Colorado ski resorts have received over a foot of fresh snow in the last 24 to 48 hours, and could receive another 20 inches of new snow by Saturday, April 20. The only problem is that most Colorado ski resorts have already closed for the season. Aspen Highlands and Winter Park are among the few Colorado ski resorts that are still officially open. They were set to close this coming weekend, April 20-21. But this just in: Aspen Highlands, who’s received over 30 inches of snow in last week, recently announced they’d be opening up for a bonus weekend, April 27-28. And in other big ski resort news; both Vail, Breckenridge and Copper  have received over a foot of fresh snow since their closing day on Sunday, April 14, so they too are re-opening  for this coming weekend, April 19-21.

A view of Aspen Mountain and Aspen Highlands post snow-storm.

While the Colorado Rockies seem to have reaped the most benefit from this spring snow storm, there are still plenty of other ski resorts open. California’s Kirkwood recently announced that they will stick to their initial April 21 closing date, Squaw will also close April 21. Mammoth will be open until Memorial Day thanks to new snow in the Lake Tahoe area. British Columbia’s Whistler Blackcomb has also extended its season until May 27. Utah’s Little Cottonwood resorts−Alta and Snowbird−will also remain open.  Alta has closed for weekday skiing, but will be open April 19-21 and April 26-28. Snowbird will remain open until May 12, and after that they will only open on weekends until a determined closing date based on snow conditions.

So, if the promise of one more day of powder skiing this season is too tempting to pass up, you’ll want to consider booking a last minute ski vacation.

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Vail Closing Day
Thanks to 12 inches of new snow in the last week, Vail’s Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin will be open and skiing great through closing day on April 14. Like its terrain, Vail closing day is big. Vail has been celebrating its 50 years all season long. So, closing weekend will be party to end a year-long party, so to speak.  So, be ready. There are endless après parties all over the base villages, a stacked list of live concerts, including O.A.R., Sublime with Rome and reggae legend Jimmy Cliff,  and of course the World Pond Skimming Championships at Golden Peak. Book your last minute Vail Closing Day vacation.

Breckenridge Closing Day
If the concerts−Matisyahu and Colorado-native band 3OH!3 − don’t convince you to join the ruckus festivities of Breckenridge Closing Weekend, then the fresh 11 inches of powder should. Be sure to cheer on the competitors in the Imperial Challenge, a unique snow triathlon of sorts that includes a six mile bike to the base of Peak 8, and then an ascent to the top of Peak 8, and a descent back to the bottom. Book your last minute Breckenridge Closing Day vacation.

Aspen Mountain & Snowmass Closing Day
With a whopping 14 new inches of snow, Aspen/Snowmass seemed to fare best from this recent storm. Conditions will surely be prime for closing celebrations at both Aspen Mountain and Snowmass. For ultimate hilarity, you’ll want to head to Snowmass’ Schneetag−German word for “snow day” event.  Costumed participants perform silly dances before sending themselves and their handmade craft into frigid water. And don’t forget, Aspen Highlands is open until April 21, and with more snow in the forecast, you might want to consider a last minute Aspen ski vacation.

Steamboat Closing Day
Steamboat Springs is renowned as a “snow vortex,” it’s often a Colorado leader in annual snowfall, and this year was no different. Steamboat recently surpassed the 300-inch mark, so closing weekend conditions will certainly deliver. Be sure to check out the silliness of Steamboat’s 33^rd Annual Cardboard Classic. Teams construct cardboard crafts and ride them into a freezing pond. There’s also traditional, costumed pond skim to keep the laughs coming. And don’t miss jamgrass band Missed the Boat, who will be performing on April 13. Book your last minute Steamboat Closing Day vacation.

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Ski top-to-bottom terrain at Mammoth Mountain through Memorial Day!

As many ski resorts prepare for closing-day celebrations, Mammoth Mountain is just getting into the SPRING of things! With more snowfall this season than any other resort in North America, 300 sunny days each year and an impressive line-up of spring events, Mammoth is the place to be in April and May. Ski top-to-bottom terrain through Memorial Day. Conditions are prime with a 6.5-foot base at the Main Lodge and a 14.5-foot base at the summit!

If snow, sun and late-season fun aren’t enough reasons to start planning your trip, we’re offering 15% off lodging when you book two nights and 20% off when you stay three or more nights. Check out the ski vacation deals online or call one of our Mountain Vacation Specialists at 800-299-0656 to book your trip today.

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No joke: Alta and Solitude received more than a foot of snow on April 1!

An April 1 storm dropped a foot of snow on resorts across Utah, delivering mid-winter conditions and a welcome snow report! Park City Mountain Resort was the big winner with 15 inches, but Alta, Solitude and Canyons all broke the 12-inch mark. There are still a few weeks left to enjoy some spring powder, so check out our ski vacation deals and book your trip today!

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Big Sky Tram and headed down Headwaters on the Moonlight Basin side

Ski.com visited Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin this week, and it was quite literally awesome. Big and beautiful with a real sense of place, this stunning corner of Montana is a treat for expert skiers as well as families.

With 5,532 acres of terrain between Big Sky and Moonlight Basin and a tagline that boasts The Biggest Skiing in America© , the obvious size is impressive. However, it’s hard to believe the actual scale of the place until you see the Big Sky Tram disappear into the mist hanging on Lone Peak or a speck transform into a snowboarder descending Moonlight Basin’s Headwaters. These mountains are massive, and the extreme terrain is downright impressive. But don’t worry: skiers have to take some initiative to get involved in the serious double blacks (i.e. ride the tram or hike a short way), so thankfully little Billy isn’t going to get cliffed out on the Dictator Chutes by accident.

Speaking of little ones, this place is heaven for families. The lower-mountain terrain is a mix of wide-open groomers, irresistible tree trails, terrain parks and undulating runs that meander through pine forests. Off the mountain on the Big Sky side, Mountain Village is circled by lodges, the Mountain Mall and about a dozen restaurants. After the lifts close, teenagers circle around outdoor fire pits, giggling kids (and adults) fly across a zip line overhead, the Summit at Big Sky slope-side hot tub bubbles with après-ski activity, and snowcats depart for Montana Dinner Yurt.

There’s much more to say about Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin, and if you’d like to learn more, visit our resort page or call one of our Mountain Vacation Specialists at 800-908-500.

Thanks again to our hosts in Big Sky and Moonlight Basin. We’ll be back!

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Spring Back to Vail | Photo by Vail Resorts

While resorts across most of North America are far from spring-like thanks to several recent storms, it’s time to start planning your spring ski vacation! In addition to steep savings, we’re offering a guide to this year’s best spring skiing events in the mountains. Check out our list below, watch the video or visit ski.com/spring to learn about the best events to toast the seasonal warm-up and celebrate the conclusion of a fantastic ski season.

• Breck Spring Fever, Breckenridge – March 17 to April 14
• Spring Grüv, Canyons – March 22 to 31
• Spring Back to Vail, Vail – April 8 to 14
• World Ski & Snowboard Festival, Whistler – April 12 to 21
• Sunsation, Copper Mountain – April 13 & 14

Ski.com Presents: Top 5 Spring Skiing Festivals in the Mountains

While the snow totals continue to add up, start planning your spring ski trip by browsing our great deals online and below or by calling one of our Mountain Vacation Specialists at 800-299-0656.

Cheers to a snowy March!

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“[Snowcial] is Silicon Valley meets the High Sierra, “Revenge of the Nerds” hangs with “The Hangover,” according to Jules Older, San Francisco Chronicle.

Yeah, yeah… there aren’t any friends on a powder day, but if your crew isn’t with you, it’s a necessity to share the stoke. On that note, and after a weekend of geeking out on social media, we’re inspired to highlight our favorite ways to brag about fresh tracks, sick tricks and the best days ever.

Best skiing/snowboarding apps:

• SNOCRU – Called the “Frankenstein of winter apps” by ESPN, this mobile app does it all: check global snow conditions, find your friends on the mountain in real time, track your day on the slopes, hit up the best après ski party or local shop, and share the whole experience on Facebook and Twitter.
• EpicMix –Vail Resorts’ app has you covered at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly, Kirkwood and Northstar. Share your resort photos on Facebook and Twitter, chart your vertical feet, and win “pins” when you complete certain tasks, like the Connoisseur pin that’s awarded when you ride 75+ lifts. New this year, Vail and Heavenly offer EpicMix Racing that lets users track their times and race against others – even pacesetter Lindsay Vonn.
• Instagram – Alright, this one is pretty obvious, but if you haven’t used this photo-editing app to crop, filter and post your snow pictures, you’re missing out. It’s where the pros are posting, and our feed is pretty slick as well.
• Vine – Brand new from Twitter, Vine is a similar micro-blogging tool, but instead of 140 characters, you have 6 seconds of video to play with. That may not sound like much, but if a picture is worth a thousand words… you get the point.
•  Big Words – You had the BEST DAY EVER. Download this app, spell out your stoke and text it to you friends.

Get social with Ski.com on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and Pinterest.

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