8 • A • FEBRUARY-SPRING 2019 SSKIKIEERR NENEWWSS • WHAT’’S EPIIC at VAIIL RESORTS OUR 111th EDITION • SINCE 1988

PARK CITY Take in the Views VBROAIOMFLIERESORTSLD, CO – Vail Resorts’ indusCONTINUE- Parlour located at the The EPICRanch, offeringMOMEN nos- The Largest ReTUMsort in the Untoited StatesHIGHLIGHT 2019 try-leading season Epic Pass is prominent talgic ice cream novelties or a quick soup and The Scenic Gondola Ride at Heavenly again this season, providing skiers and snow- sandwich lunch. An exclusive specialty kid- Park City Mountain Resort and Canyons showcases one of the greatest views of Lake boarders with not only one of the best values in designed restaurant lunch area is also provided Resort combined in the summer of 2015 to cre- Tahoe, accessible by skis, snowboard or on- the industry, but also with worldwide access. at The Ranch for kids enrolled in Ski School. ate the largest single ski and snowboard resort foot. The first stop on the 2.4-mile ride is at the The Epic Pass offers unlimited, unrestricted For more discerning palates, guests can enjoy in the United States. With 7,300 acres of ter- Observation Deck, complete with sweeping access to 19 mountain resorts plus additional gourmet, ski-in lunch service at SaddleRidge rain, over 350 trails, 41 lifts, 8 terrain parks, views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding access to 46 more, including 20 new mountains Restaurant, renowned for its gourmet one super pipe and one mini pipe, Park City Sierra Nevada. Warm up with a hot cocoa and regional cuisine. grab a snack at Cafe Blue. Pro tip: Head out- for this 2018-19 season. With an Epic Pass, Willy the Mountain Safety Dog Mountain offers endless adventures for every you can discover 65 of the world’s premier level of skier or snowboarder to enjoy. side to snack and enjoy the panoramic viewing NEW High Meadow Park Beginner Area resorts throughout the United States, Canada, Beaver Creek’s newest ambassador cannot deck, from there, the Gondola heads to the top Australia, Japan, France, Switzerland, Italy give you directions or carry your skis. where Tamarack Lodge is perched at 9,136 feet and Austria. For the 2018-19 winter season, the new elevation. However, if you stop by and shake his paw, he High Meadow Park at Canyons Village offers Signature Events Epic Pass holders enjoy unlimited, unre- will share some safety tips on the mountain. guests a dedicated learning area designed stricted access to Vail, Beaver Creek, Willy, Beaver Creek’s first-ever Mountain exclusively for beginner skiers. A new high- Heavenly’s annual Spring Loaded event, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte and Safety dog, will be accompanying Beaver speed, four-passenger lift increased uphill March 23 - April 7, brings together the best of Arapahoe Basin in Colorado; Park City in Creek’s Mountain Safety team to spread the capacity by 50 percent and shortened overall winter and spring with live music, loud outfits Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood at word about safety on the hill. While Willy is ride time by 70 percent. Additional snowmak- and various fun-filled festivities in two weeks Lake Tahoe; Stowe and Okemo in Vermont; not a certified avalanche rescue dog, he and his ing throughout the area further ensures guests of sun and fun. Spring Loaded kicks off with Mount Sunapee in New Hampshire; Stevens handler, Mark Carll, have an equally important ideal snow surface conditions for learning. Pink Heavenly, a two-day cancer awareness Pass in Washington; Afton Alps in Minnesota; mission of educating Beaver Creek guests High Meadow Park also features three new event. It continues with a concert, the Mt. Brighton in Michigan; Wilmot Mountain about safely skiing and riding in the moun- adventure trails and a Candy Cabin that beck- Gunbarrel 25, Easter Egg and Bloody Mary in Wisconsin; in Canada; tains. Willy, a golden retriever, joined the ons guests to savor a sweet treat and chocolates hunt on the mountain, pond skimming, March and Perisher in Australia for the 2019 season. Beaver Creek team in the summer of 2018, and during a rest break. Madness and more. New for the 2018-19 season, Epic Pass is most definitely the cutest new member of the NEW Mid-Mountain Lodge Transformation KIRKWOOD holders will also receive seven days of skiing team. Be sure to follow Willy’s travels around Expedition: Kirkwood or snowboarding with no blackout dates at both Beaver Creek this winter using the hashtag New for this season, Park City Mountain’s Telluride in Colorado and at Resorts of the #WillyBeSafe iconic Mid-Mountain Lodge will undergo a Combining Kirkwood Mountain Resort’s Canadian Rockies, which are Fernie Alpine BRECKENRIDGE transformative interior renovation. The remod- legendary terrain and secret powder pockets Resort, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and Ski-In, Ski-Out Mountain Town el will feature a new interior design and a full- with unparalleled off-piste coaching, this is an Kimberley Alpine Resort in ; service bar while preserving the historic nature experience like no other in the region. Passion in Alberta; and Mont-Sainte Anne and Breckenridge, affectionately known as of the 120-plus-year-old historic miners’ for skiing and riding accelerates by directly Stoneham in Quebec. “Breck,” offers a serious dose of high alpine boarding house. Mid Mountain Lodge is one of applying it to the environment in Tahoe’s back- Emma: A Digital Mountain Assistant adventure, natural beauty and ski town charm. 16 unique on-mountain restaurants located at yard. Elevating safety and avalanche education at Your Fingertips With an abundance of slopeside lodging Park City Mountain. allows skiers and riders to hone in on skills accommodations, ski-to-town trails and the NEW Winter Improvements: Beginner Ski while navigating Kirkwood’s signature chutes, Vail Resorts has also introduced Emma, the BreckConnect Gondola, the connection and Snowboard Area at the Park City Base cornices, and bowls led by a team of expert Epic Mountain Assistant and the world’s first between mountain and town is seamless. It is mountain guides. digital mountain assistant to help guide guests as if the entire town of Breck is practically ski- Park City Mountain is committed to provid- Women’s Clinics and Camps visiting participating Vail Resorts locations. in, ski-out. In town, visitors can roam one of ing an excellent experience for every level of Using artificial intelligence and natural lan- Colorado’s largest historic districts, which is skier or snowboarder. This past summer, Park With various camps and clinics offered for guage processing, Emma has the ability to dotted with hundreds of shops, a creative culi- City Mountain installed a new, enclosed sur- all ages and skill levels, these Ladies Only answer a wide range of guests’ questions in nary scene, bars offering innovative libations face lift and a new designated beginner trail to packages allow women to excel at their sport in real time about their vacation via SMS text. and venues and a new and thriving arts district. serve entry-level skiers and snowboarders at a completely new adventure. This experience is Emma demonstrates Vail Resorts’ commit- Elevation, Elevation, Elevation! the Park City Base Area. The new area pro- about escaping, having fun, developing friend- ment to providing its guests with the best pos- vides a comfortable and spacious learning area ships, seeking adventure and doing something Thanks to a base elevation of 9,600 feet for those just starting to ski or ride. just for you. Throughout the day, skiers and sible experience as on-demand information, above sea-level, including the highest NORTHSTAR such as weather and grooming conditions. riders take on a variety of terrain and snow in North America, the Imperial Express, Northstar Traditions conditions while working on the terrain selec- From the early planning stages to arrival and Breckenridge is once again this winter blessed all the way through departure, Emma offers tion, tactical approach and off-piste skiing and with plentiful snowfall and traditionally one of Every afternoon skiers and snowboarders riding technique. guests an unprecedented breadth of informa- the longest ski seasons of any major resort in gather off East Ridge Run for a complimentary WHISTLER tion tailored to each resort. Emma debuted for the country. glass of bubbly or sparkling cider and tōst to the 2018-19 winter season at Vail, Beaver Whistler’s Cloudraker Suspension Bridge Breck’s high elevation and cooler tempera- the mountains, Lake Tahoe, and friends and and Raven’s Eye Viewing Platform Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in family. Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, tures combine to provide ideal conditions and Northstar and Kirkwood in Tahoe; and the perfect environment to capture and hold After ski school gets out each day, S’mores Check out the highest suspension bridge in Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, onto snow well into late-April. Yet, to be on the Ambassadors descend upon the Village carry- North America at the top of Whistler Canada. As Emma evolves, she will be able to safe side, for this season more than 50 snow ing silver platters covered in ooey-gooey Mountain, some 7,160 feet above sea level. support summer at the resorts as well. More guns were upgraded on Breck’s Peak 9 with chocolate, graham cracker and marshmallow Spanning 426.5 feet from the Peak to West info can be found at www.EmmaIsEpic.com new, high-efficiency ones, to make more snow, treats. Ridge, the Cloudraker Suspension Bridge VAIL more quickly, using less energy. Specialty Experiences rocks the sightseer, mountain biker, skier or Vail Receives Upgrade KEYSTONE Instruction and Guiding snowboarder’s world all year round. Four Keystone’s Mountain of Youth cables tensioned to 80,000 pounds support 101 Vail Mountain installed 10 large-capacity, Skiers and snowboarders can begin the day 500-pound steel modules to cover the span. low-energy fan guns on the Born Free trail for At Keystone Resort, kids have no age limit. at sunrise with Platinum First Tracks, where Get out midway on a busy day and your knees this winter. The snowmaking system on Vail It is a place where play is the root of all good Adventure Guiding and Learning Center will wobble with the bridge as you hang above Mountain also received upgrades to pumps and and play is for everyone. Keystone is a family mountain guides take two intimate groups on a Whistler Bowl. pump control. Both upgrades will increase playground where kids of all ages can discover tour of the mountain before lifts open to the Vail Resorts claims the bridge supports snowmaking productivity and set the mountain the magic of playing in the mountains. Located public. This shamelessly indulgent experience more people than it can hold, and the can- up for additional upgrades in the future. in Summit County, Colo., and just 75 miles gives private access to freshly groomed runs tilevered walkway at its pinnacle is well worth Colo. Ski & Snowboard Museum Re-Opens west of Denver, the resort boasts more than and sparkling powder across the entire moun- the daring traverse. The triangular Raven’s Eye 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, including three tain. platform extends 40 feet out from the West The Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum, incredible peaks, five above-tree-line bowls, elevates women’s pro- Ridge and is 164 feet above the ski run below. located in Vail Village, has reopened after a and an in-bounds cat skiing pro- gramming with “Her Mountain Retreat,” a pro- Take in views of Rainbow Mountain, Alta Lake year-long, $2.6 million renovation. The newly gram. gram designed for women, by women. The Kids Ski Free Makes Keystone the Place to Be and Black Tusk from a bird’s eye perspective, renovated museum features six exhibit bays, a two-day getaway is geared toward intermediate and enjoy watching the mountain activities too. theater and three state-of-the-art interactive NEW Blackcomb Gondola Easy on the wallet and easy on the rules, skiers or riders who would like to connect, touch screen exhibits that allow visitors to dig rejuvenate and learn with others in a supportive deeper into Colorado snowsports history. Keystone’s long-standing Kids Ski Free offer Running from the Upper Village to the has been providing kids with free lift tickets environment. Between intimate Her Mountain Vail Mountain Goes Strawless Lessons and après in the Village, participants Rendezvous Lodge on Blackcomb Mountain, since 2012. Every day, all season long, kids 12 the new Blackcomb Gondola rises 2.4 miles Last summer, Vail Resorts announced the and younger ski free at Keystone with no take part in Platinum tōst, private First Tracks access, onsite yoga and more. from bottom to top. This 10-person Company will aggressively pursue a compre- blackout dates when their family books just HEAVENLY Doppelmayr lift carries 184 cabins and trans- hensive sustainability commitment, called two or more nights through Keystone Resort. Heavenly Spans Two States ports 4,000 people per hour. Its mid-station “Commitment to Zero.” This ambitious under- Lodging accommodation options span from loads 656 feet below the mid-point of the taking commits to zero net emissions by 2030, affordable hotel rooms to family-sized condo- This is one of a few ski resorts in North Wizard and Solar Chairs it replaces. zero waste to landfill by 2030 and zero net miniums. Kidtopia: Free Family Programming Offered America to span across two states or two Connecting to the PEAK 2 PEAK and Village operating impact to forests and habitat. Vail gondolas, it completes the longest circuitous Every Day of the Season Canadian provinces. Heavenly allows skiers to Mountain has eliminated the use of straws at experience the best of both California and lift system in the world, at a ride just short of all on-mountain dining facilities in an effort to Nevada terrain. Guests can snap photos next to 7.5 miles. aid the goal. Keystone’s Kidtopia takes kidding around Fresh Tracks Breakfast BEAVER CREEK seriously, offering free activities and experi- the new “Welcome to California” and “Welcome to Nevada” signs that boast this NEW Beaver Creek’s Haymeadow Park ences on and off the snow every day of the Fresh Tracks Mountain-Top Breakfast, pre- week throughout the entire season. From feat. Among others, Lookout Pass straddles Learning Area: Adventure. Family. Learning Idaho and Montana, and Sunshine Village in sented by The Globe and Mail, provides guests Opening Day through Closing Day, families with the ultimate mountaintop breakfast expe- Following the debut of Red Buffalo Park have continued options in addition to skiing Canada briefly crosses into British Columbia from the province of Alberta. Though, none are rience. Guests get to board the Whistler Village during the 2017-18 season, Beaver Creek and snowboarding to connect and create life- Gondola at 7:15 a.m. and head up to the Resort is building on its reputation as the long memories. The Kidtopia lineup is free and as dramatic as Heavenly’s views of the snowy Tahoe side and the desert views of Nevada. Roundhouse Lodge for a delicious, mountain- world’s best luxury family resort when they includes activities such as the village parade NEW Guided UTV Tours sized breakfast buffet. Then, as an added opened a second signature learning area this and fireworks, family game nights, hands-on- bonus, guests get their fill of fresh powder or season. With the re-imagined Haymeadow learning activities, ice cream parties and meet- The Winter Guided UTV Tours leave from perfectly groomed corduroy on the upper Park, Beaver Creek will have one of the most ing Keystone’s Ski Patrol rescue dogs. the top of the gondola for a 45-minute ride mountain before the rest of world is even out of dedicated learning terrains in the state of The Kidtopia Culinary Festival, Feb. 9-17, accessing scenic viewpoints at 10,000 feet ele- bed. Colorado. features a savory lineup tailored to the vation. Guides traverse to Blue Sky Terrace This unique experience is not limited to At the heart of Haymeadow Park is a begin- youngest of foodies. and stop along the way to discuss Lake Tahoe, skiers and boarders; sightseers can get an early ner gondola and lift, Haymeadow Express The Kidtopia Music Experience, March 1- environmental interpretation aspects, along jump on the day by enjoying a Fresh Tracks Gondola and Highlands Lift, plus there are 10, begins the spring skiing and snowboarding with photo opportunities that are otherwise mountain top breakfast before setting out on adjacent magic carpets designed for beginner season with music-themed fun including the inaccessible. the PEAK 2 PEAK. skiers and riders of all ages. Beaver Creek’s NEW Lakeland Village Resort Snow Pants Dance Party, a live outdoor music For more information on what is new at Vail innovative learning terrain is designed around performance by popular family-friendly acts. Ski Tip Lodge Lakeland Village is an expansive retreat resorts or to receive updates, please visit: creating the most enjoyable beginner experi- right on the shores of Lake Tahoe. This beauti- ence with snow terrain features perfectly news.vailresorts.com Founded as stagecoach stop in the 1800s, ful townhome property boasts 19 acres of lake- View, read and share this page online at: sculpted to ensure a guests’ first skiing and rid- side woodlands and stunning views of Lake ing experience is positive. Terrain improve- Ski Tip Lodge is one of the most historical www.skiernews.net/Spring2019-Vail.pdf buildings in the ski industry today. This past Tahoe and the Sierra, making it an incredibly ments include a learning area with small terrain scenic place to stay less than a mile from features, a beginner racecourse, Buffalo summer, Ski Tip Lodge underwent a refresh to its rooms and interior design to elevate the Heavenly Resort. Hop on the on-site shuttle to SKI SAFELY - Bumps and Berms and Ske-Cology environ- nearby casinos, restaurants and downtown. As mental learning. experience to match the level of service and KNOW & FOLLOW quality of the restaurant while still keeping the a property newly operated by Heavenly, guests Haymeadow Park amenities also include charm and history of its past. can buy lift tickets, book ski school and plan THE culinary delights such as the new Ice Cream the entire stay right on location. RESPONSIBILITY CODE