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Father/Son bonding with Canadian Mountain Holidays & Ski.com

Published on March 1, 2013, by in Uncategorized.

Father and son duo of Amir and Alec shown here enjoying their fantastic CMH heli-trip last week at The Gothics in British Columbia, Canada.

One of our Mountain Vacation Specialists recently received the above photo from two satisfied clients after sending them on a heli-skiing trip with Canadian Mountain Holidays. Here is what Cindy, our Specialist, has to say about this type of experience:

“The Gothics offer a rich selection of both tree and alpine skiing. This is an excellent destination for first timers who want a faster pace. As part of this great experience CMH is famed for its hospitality and the graciousness of its staff.”

Amir and Alec agree!

If you looking for a father-son experience of your own give Cindy Bruce a call at 800-525-2052 ext. 3629 or email her at Cindy@ski.com. CMH is ready now to book for 2014!

 

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Powder in Jackson Hole

Published on February 25, 2013, by in Snow, Vacations.

A storm rolled through the Tetons on the last weekend of February, blanketing Jackson Hole with more than a foot of pristine powder. The snow that dropped during the storm pushed Jackson Hole Mountain resort over the 300-inch mark for the season, making it one of the best destinations in North America to visit if you’re searching for powder and steep skiing. Needless to say, the conditions were excellent and the powder in Jackson Hole was perfect. With a solid base of 300-plus inches, the skiing in Jackson is only going to get better!

Saturday, February 23rd, was a powder day as Jackson’s season total crested the fabled 300-inch mark. Saturated grey clouds settled over the Tetons throughout the day, and Wyoming’s powder-hungry masses turned out in droves for the awesome day of storm skiing. Everyone was calling it “the deepest powder day of the year,” and the excitement level in the tram was palpable. Here’s a video from Saturday’s action in Jackson:

The snow kept falling all day and overnight on Saturday. Then, as if the weekend couldn’t get any better, the clouds broke as the sun rose on Sunday, February 24th. Blue skies sat overhead, deep snow was underfoot, and Jackson Hole showed everyone on-hand why it is one of the most popular ski resorts to visit in North America.

Blue skies and deep snow. Jeff King samples some of Jackson Hole’s powder on Sunday, February 24th. (Photo: Greg Fitzsimmons)

CLICK HERE if you want to experience skiing in Jackson Hole first-hand, or for more information about the resort.

 

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Mary Jane, Blue Sky Basin, Highland Bowl and other notable terrain across Ski Country

Published on February 6, 2013, by in Skiing, Snow, Snowboarding.

Winter Park Ski Resort’s “Mary Jane” from a distance.

Last Friday I had the pleasure of visiting Winter Park Ski Resort for the first time. After reading and hearing about it for the last few years, I knew my one task at hand for the day was to make it over to their famed terrain for bumps and trees: Mary Jane Mountain. After a morning of warming up our legs on fresh powder and a lunch refueling on chili, we headed over to the terrain we had been eyeing all day. With six inches of fresh snow and more falling on us, it was everything I had expected and more. At one point in the afternoon a coworker pointed out that I had been giggling like a school girl over every bump and around every tree.

Every ski resort seems to have at least one iconic run, chute, bowl or section of the mountain that adds to its notoriety in the ski world. Mary Jane has officially been added to my list of favorites. Here are a few more you should add to yours:

Revelation Bowl – Telluride, CO: Relatively new to Telluride (it opened during the 2008/2009 season), north-facing Revelation Bowl is conveniently located off the back side of Gold Hill and Chair 14 and is accessible by a quad lift.

Blue Sky Basin – Vail, CO: As one of Vail’s legendary seven Back Bowls, Blue Sky Basin is seven miles from Vail Village and is the most remote destination at the nation’s largest ski resort. The trek to get there via four different lifts is worth it, however, as skiers and riders enjoy a 645-acre backcountry playground consisting of moguls, groomers, trees, glades and cliffs.

Highland Bowl – Aspen, CO: Located on the peak of Aspen Highlands, this locals’ favorite is left to those willing to earn their turns with a gradual 45-minute hike to its summit. The reward is spectacular views and 2,500-vertical-foot descents down varied terrain including incredible tree skiing and pitches as steep as 45 degrees.

Rendezvous Bowl – Jackson Hole, WY: Located 4,139 feet above the valley floor andaccessed by Jackson Hole’s famous aerial tram, Rendezvous Bowl gives skiers and riders the chance to experience a fairly steep grade and abundant powder stashes after one of Jackson’s many humongous snowfalls.

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Vail Ski Day with Ski.com!

Published on January 29, 2013, by in Skiing, Snow, Snowboarding, Vacations.

Last Friday, a crew of Ski.comers headed up to enjoy the on-mountain goods at our neighbors to the north: Vail. The Annual Vail Ski Day was a huge success with a full day on the mountain, complete with lunch at Two Elks on the edge of their famous Back Bowls and an après-ski session at the Arrabelle at Vail Square.

As a former Vail resident, I always love getting back there and enjoying some of my favorite places and am often contacted by twice-removed family members, friends of friends, and other acquaintances, requesting recommendations on places to eat, drink and be merry in this Colorado playground. During my quick visit last week I was sure to hit up some of my usual haunts and thought I’d share a few of my top experiences should you visit this High Country paradise:

  • Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek – keep an eye on their calendar and you could catch an incredible comedy show or world-renowned musician.
  • The Osprey Lounge – located in the Osprey at Beaver Creek, a RockResort, this tapas-inspired restaurant may look understated but serves up some of the best concoctions in the valley. Get the tempura asparagus, prosciutto and Gouda…and…well you basically can’t go wrong with any of it.
  •  French Deli – located in the heart of Lionshead, Les Delices de France (known to locals simply as the French Deli) is the perfect pit stop to grab a breakfast sandwich before jumping on the gondola.
  • Garfinkel’s – also located in Lionshead, Garfinkel’s is, in my humble opinion, the go-to place to après in Vail. An expansive sundeck is the perfect place to enjoy a cold one on a sunny afternoon and if you head there on a Friday, you can have any drink of your choice during “$3 You-Call-Its”.

If you’re looking for more recommendations and insider tips on Vail, Beaver Creek or any other one of your favorite ski destinations, our Mountain Vacation Specialists can share their extensive and intimate knowledge with you. Additionally, you should be sure to follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on the latest happenings in Ski Country.

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Mountain memories that last a lifetime

Published on January 22, 2013, by in Family, Newsletter, Skiing, Snowboarding, Vacations.

Family ski vacation in Steamboat Colorado

Growing up in Michigan, my first few times skiing took place at a small resort less than an hour’s drive from my parents’ house. If I remember correctly, the skies were always cloudy, the temperatures were very cold, the chairlift rides were long and the runs were short. The overall experience, however, was life changing. Because of my brother’s and my new shared interest in skiing, my parents were kind enough to take us on our first family ski trip to the big leagues. The destination: Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

Taking a family ski trip is definitely not the easiest or the most affordable type of family vacation. Frankly, I think it took some guts from my parents to make it happen. But they did, and that ski trip—and the subsequent ones after that—are and always will be some of my fondest memories of time spent as a family.

If you’re weighing the pros and cons of taking your family on a vacation this season, I think the New York Times addressed it best in an article they published last winter.

“Because, like generations of skiers before us, we will eventually push off, leaving behind not just all that schlepping, but the weight of Newton’s laws as well. Gravity becomes our friend. The sullen teenager lights up, the 8-year-old stops whining, and your spouse is no longer a parent, but a fellow skier. We will each take our own route, but we will go down the hill together.”

Decide to take a family ski trip this year and let Ski.com make it easy for you. From helping you choose the right resort to making sure everything you want in a vacation is included and within budget, Ski.com and our experienced Mountain Vacation Specialists are here for you. Get started by checking out our deals online and below. At any point in the planning or booking process, give us a call at 800-299-0656 to speak with one of our Specialists.

We look forward to seeing you (and yours) out here,

D.S.

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Spice things up with a romantic ski trip!

Published on January 22, 2013, by in Newsletter, Skiing, Snowboarding, Vacations.

Though Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, you don’t need to use that as an excuse to head to the mountains this winter for a romantic getaway. Combine your passion for the slopes with your passion for each other and break up the winter days (and nights) by traveling to a romantic mountain destination. Escape the normalcy of everyday life by skiing or riding your favorite mountain, taking in some majestic scenery, enjoying hot toddy by a roaring fire and soaking in a hot tub under a blanket of stars.

At Ski.com we always love to give our own personal recommendations for places to eat, stay, visit, explore and experience. Here are a few of our favorite picks in a few of our favorite categories.

Romantic Dinner Spots:

Romantic Hot Tubs:

Romantic Fireplaces:

There is something inherently romantic about being in the mountains. Whether you decide to book your mountain getaway for a special occasion, like Valentine’s Day, or you just want to spice things up in an otherwise dull winter, Ski.com is here to make sure you have the best experience possible – and at a great price. To start the process, take a look at our deals online and below or speak with a love doctor Mountain Vacation Specialist by calling 800-299-0656.

We’ll keep the hot tubs warm until you get here.

D.S.

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A Perfect Day on the Slopes

Published on January 22, 2013, by in Skiing, Snow, Snowboarding.

Have you ever had a “perfect day”? The kind where you wouldn’t change a single thing from the people you were with and the places you went to, to the things you did there? That sentiment seemed to be a theme this past weekend within myself and nearly everyone I came across. One of those days where between the time you put your boots on in the morning and when you finally take them off 10 or so hours later, you experience the full effect of this culture we love. From bluebird skiing and riding on your favorite mountain with a handful of your friends or family members to an outdoor après session in the sun where you reminisce over the turns you just took. My sun-kissed skin, wobby legs and perma-grin were similar to those of the people I encountered along the way over the weekend and I was reminded of that feeling of camaraderie I love about this culture – that feeling of, “Yeah, this is pretty great.” I hope you get a “perfect day” in soon!

 

 

 

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Where will you go in 2013?

Published on January 9, 2013, by in Skiing, Snowboarding, Vacations.

Last week I spoke about the time-honored tradition of setting goals and resolutions at the beginning of each year. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t already broken one or two for 2013, but I did, however, spend my first weekend of the year visiting a place high on this year’s bucket list – Telluride. Tucked away in the southwestern corner of Colorado, far away from mainstream America, this quaint and eclectic town still maintains the charm of an old-mining village. Complete with genuine hospitality from friendly locals, unmatched scenery and world-class skiing at its doorstep, Telluride is my own version of heaven.

As you look forward to the year ahead and all you want to accomplish, give up, get rid of and do less of, don’t forget to make a list of what you want to do more of, what you want to see, experience, and take pleasure in.

As the old adage goes, “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.”

See you on the slopes!

B.W.

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And the winner is…

Published on January 8, 2013, by in Contests.
Ski.com's Winner of the Banff Lake Louise Photo Contest

Cameron Redshaw’s “Airing the Trees”

Thank you to everyone who submitted photos in our Banff Lake Louise Photo Contest on our Facebook page last month. We were amazed by the volume of entries and were thrilled to see all the displays of stoke for the mountains. Over the last two weeks, our Facebook fans narrowed down the entries to the top 20 photos, which were reviewed by Ski.com staffers and Banff Lake Louise Local Legends. After intense deliberation, we’re excited to congratulate Cameron Redshaw for his winning photo, “Airing the Trees.” It’s featured above and was sent out to all our eNewsletter subscribers this morning. Cameron wins a free trip to Banff and Lake Louise, Alberta to focus his lens on one of the most picturesque locales on the planet. His prize package includes:

  • airport transfers from Calgary by Banff Airporter
  • 3 nights at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
  • 3 nights at Fairmont Banff Springs
  • 5-day lift tickets valid at Lake Louise, Sunshine Village and Mt. Norquay
  • a full-day photography session/photo shoot with professional photographer Callum Snape

Stay tuned for more trip giveaways on our Facebook page!

Ski.com’s Banff Lake Louise Photo Contest Finalists

Published on January 7, 2013, by in Contests.
6-Cameron Redshaw_Airing the Trees

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