Winter Park voted #1 by holiday makers

TUI is one of the largest travel groups in the World and encompasses over 3500 travel agencies, and their holiday makers have voted Winter Park as the 'best liked resort'. The list goes

1. Winter Park
2. Galtur
3. Breckenridge, Whistler, Arnisal
4. Obergurgl, St Johann, Zermatt
5. Alpbach, Montgenevre, Zell am See

Congratulations Winter Park and everyone who endeavors to keep it number 1. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Get your Season Pass and Save!

Have you decided that you are coming to Winter Park this season? If you have you can save big on your vacation!

Buying a season pass can save you big bucks. Daily lift tickets purchased at the window cost upwards of $90. If you plan on skiing 5 days you could save up to $80 if you buy a season pass instead. However you get more deals than that. Pass holder benefits include:

• 10 friends and family tickets that can be purchased for $69 to be used throughout the season.
• Discounts at Winter Park Resort Rental and Retail Outlets
• Discounts at Ski School
• Discounts at Winter Park Resort Food and Beverage Outlets.
• Discounted lodging at Intrawest Resorts
• Additional specials through the 'Pass Perks' email.

You have to act fast though as the price of Winter Park Season Passes goes up on October 16th. Grab a steal for $369 if you know you are coming to Winter Park!

Click here to get your pass now.

First Snow in the Rockies and you'll never guess which resort in North America opened first!

On October 6th the first significant snowfall came into the Rockies. In the valleys we saw around 6 inches of accumulation and more on the mountain tops. Temperatures, however, are expected to rise over the coming week and we will likely see snow in the valleys melt away. Hopefully the snow on the mountain tops will stay as snowmaking operations in Winter Park are expected to begin in mid-October.

Julie and I went for a walk around Winter Park as we were very excited for the first snow. We should have brought cross country skis! I was very surprised with the amount of accumulation.

 

The big news for this weekend though was that the North America Winter Ski Season has begun. On October 8th at least two ski areas opened for the winter. Wolf Creek in Colorado started their season with full resort services, 3 lifts and 3 feet of powder! 

The big news is that the first ski area in the US to open was in the least expected place. Ski and Snowboard Resort Las Vegas Nevada beat Wolf Creek by an hour to win the title. They opened with a 12 inch base and very limited services. It is unknown if these resorts will open next weekends but we can hope. Last year the title went to Loveland Ski Area, Colorado who opened on October 24th. 

Congratulations if you guessed right, and keep hoping for snow!

My Review of Smith Vantage Snow Helmet - Men's

Originally submitted at REI

The Smith Vantage snow helmet with Boa® fit system uses top-of-the-line technology to maximize protection for aggressive, big-mountain descents.

Smith Vantage Snow Helmet - Men's

Wear it whenever I am on the mountain

By ski pro wp from Winter Park, CO on 10/8/2011

 

4out of 5

Sizing: Feels half size too small

Pros: Protective, Well Ventilated, Headphone Compatible, Lightweight, Comfortable, Easily Adjustable

Cons: Expensive, Breezy

Best Uses: Downhill, Snowboarding, Skiing

Describe Yourself: Professional

Was this a gift?: No

I use the product every day in the winter. It has been through temperatures ranging from -40 to 50 and it's multiple, adjustable ventilation has always kept me comfortable. It is light weight an comfortable.

I do not like the fact that it has one ventilation system that you cannot shut down. When it is windy it blows cold air around your head even with all of the vents closed.

The helmet is also quite expensive.

(legalese)

My Review of Salomon Enduro XT850 Skis with Bindings - Men's - 2011/2012

Originally submitted at REI

The high-performance, all-terrain Salomon Enduro XT850 skis with bindings fly down the mountain atop powder, crud or corduroy.

Salomon Enduro XT850 Skis with Bindings - Men's - 2011/2012

By from on 9/23/2011

 

out of 5

(legalese)

What do ski instructors do in the summer?

Have you ever wondered what ski instructors do when there is no snow on the mountains?

Some are summer camp counselors. Some work at golf courses. Some go sailing. Some can't live with out the snow and travel to the southern hemisphere to get their endless winter.

I work for the US Forest Service cutting down dead trees to keep the trails around Winter Park open.

P.S. Ski Instructors are ineligible for unemployment benefits

Ride of the Week -July 31st 2011

This weeks ride is a road ride. The Tour de France just ended and I am now anxiously awaiting the Colorado Pro Tour to pass through. This road ride is pretty simple, turn right out of Winter Park Resort and just keep pedaling. The ride is 10 miles exactly from the last stop light in Winter Park to the top of the pass and climbs consistently for over 2000ft making it a category 1 climb according to the UCI.





The false flats at the start act as a great warm up and once you hit the first hairpin you know you are in for a ride. It kicks up to a mile long climb averaging about a 8% grade. It then flattens out the rest of the climb until you make it to the last mile of the climb where the hill returns to an average grade of about 8% again. You will be rewarded with some great vistas on either side of the divide.

I recommend that you do this ride in the morning because the winds are more calm. A head wind can be brutal. The traffic is not bad and the lanes are plenty wide.

The best part about working your way to the top - the descent. Make sure you don't get a speeding ticket on the way down.