Category: Ski Americas

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Is Vail Ruining the Skiing Experience? A new short documentary thinks so.

Is Vail Ruining the Skiing Experience? A new short documentary thinks so. Photo: Jack Affleck/Vail Resorts.

I have just seen a short documentary talking about Vail ruining the skiing experience. It is something I have asked myself many times. Now the industry in the US is divided in a duopoly- carried by Vail Resorts with its Epic Pass and Alterra with its IKON pass.

On one hand, if you are an avid skier, these passes are great, as it will result in cheaper rates, and you can ski a lot in lot of different areas. Compared to purchasing a season pass in one resort, this gives you variety.

The View from Aspen Highlands. Soft Pastels on La Carte Pastel. 100 cm x 35 cm (40" x 14") for sale in my shop here.
The View from Aspen Highlands. Soft Pastels on La Carte Pastel. 100 cm x 35 cm (40″ x 14″) for sale in my shop here.

On the other hand, if you are an occasional skier, the daily ski pass lift rates prices you out, unless you are wealthy. More if you take for first time your family to start skiing, where you need to rent equipment and take ski lessons for all. That is über expensive. I want to imagine that resorts have in place programmes to initiate to ski with some free lifts and an “entry rate” so you can try it and not mortgage your house for doing so!

At least in our local resort in Italy, (Pila), you have a couple of lifts that are free, and you just book a lesson and rent skis or snowboard and can have your first steps pretty cheap. And this is the norm in many other resorts in Europe I’ve been at.

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Vail Resorts Still in the News for the Wrong Reasons

Park City groomed slope. Photo: Vail Resorts. Vail Resorts Still in the News for the Wrong Reasons

I have already written about Vail Resorts having a rocky period in the news. The news is not calming down, and more things are coming to the fore. From a letter sent from a dissatisfied shareholder, Taylor Schmidt of Late Apex Partners asking for the replacement of CEO Kirsten Lynch, to the COO Angela Korch and also Chairman of the board Robert Katz, to more news on potential strike action and employees dissatisfaction.

The letter of Late Apex Partners.

This has been a scathing report on how Vail Resorts is doing business and is asking for a big change, focusing on guests experience and employees’ wellbeing and not so much on acquiring ski areas abroad, while there is still lots to do in the United States with what Vail Resorts got in stock.

Top of Eagle's Nest. Vail Mountain. Photo: The-Ski-Guru. Differences between skiing in North America and Europe
Top of Eagle’s Nest. Vail Mountain. Photo: The-Ski-Guru. Differences between skiing in North America and Europe

The latest development of this is that Late Apex Partner’s Taylor Schmidt been in contact with the local newspaper Vail Daily stating that he is a bigger stockholder than what today the head management of Vail is, when put into doubt how big of a stakeholder he was.

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Is the Vail Resorts’ Epic dream starting to falter skiers and the ski areas it owns?

Family Ski School Instruction in Vail, CO. Photo: Jack Affleck. Vail Resorts. The Must-Read Guide to Vail.

Vail Resorts has been lately a lot on the news and not for the good reasons. From a strike with the Park City Ski Patrol over salaries and benefits issues during the Christmas holidays, to the number of Epic passes sold descending for the first time by 2%, and to issues with the different ski resorts bought by Vail, one could only question if the Vail Resorts’ Epic dream is starting to falter skiers and the ski areas it owns.

There have been numerous posts of the strike action of the Park City Ski Patrol against Vail Resorts this past Christmas holidays. You can see a great account of it on this Washington Post article by Allison Pohle (you can read it for free on the MSN website here).

Kids Ski School at Vail, CO. Photo: Daniel Milchev. Vail Resorts. The Must-Read Guide to Vail.
Kids Ski School at Vail, CO. Photo: Daniel Milchev. Vail Resorts. The Must-Read Guide to Vail.

The strike in Park City Mountain. Is the Epic dream starting to falter the ski areas it owns?

The strike of Park City resulted in Vail Resorts bringing ski patrols from other mountains they own to operate part of the ski resort of Park City during this Christmas season! As there were not many ski patrols working, the bombing and securing the trails before opening was not possible, and very little was opened on a weekend with great snow and full occupancy in the resort. And that caused “Epic” lines Visitors took it to social media to post pictures of the queues and protest of the way they were treated, after spending a lot money to spend their holidays in the resort.

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Meeting President Carter in Crested Butte

A photo of the CBMR team with President Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter. Photo: Tom Stillo.

I had the luck to have met President Jimmy Carter, who has just had his state funeral in the United States. He used to come to Crested Butte when I was working in the Events, PR and International Sales department of CBMR under Gina Kroft. This was in relation to “The Atlanta Project”, a program President Carter and his wife Rosalyn put together to take care of disadvantage inner city kids of Atlanta, GA.

Shovelling snow in Crested Butte. You can see it in my shop here.
Shovelling snow in Crested Butte. You can see it in my shop here.

They used to bring a group of kids to Crested Butte that were exposed to come skiing for their first time. The CBMR ski school took care of their first steps on the snow, as well as the Crested Butte Adaptive Sports Center did for those that were not physically able. President Carter helped the ASC to start its for people that needed adaptive equipment and teaching to enjoy the big outdoors. Here is a short podcast of CPR retelling the story.

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I am at The Ski Podcast show talking about Valle Nevado and Portillo

Skier off-piste in Portillo. Photo by Liam Doran. Courtesy Ski Portillo.

If you go here, you can hear me talking about Valle Nevado and Portillo and their upcoming ski season. The show also talks of other subjects, such as the Ski Club of Great Britain reps (with journalist Lou Cameron-Hall), and what is going on in the ski industry.

Again, here is the link to listen to the podcast.

The View from Aiguille du Midi towards Grandes Jorasses. 65 x 50 cm. In my shop here.
The View from Aiguille du Midi towards Grandes Jorasses. 65 x 50 cm. In my shop here.

Start planning your next trip!

 

You can search for your own accommodation in the snow for your next ski holiday through our Accommodation Search tab. Or if looking to stay in the heart of the Mont Blanc Valley in the Aosta Valley, check the direct booking for Il Coure della Valdigne here. This is our own family home in the mountains, that I am renting out when not using.

 

Il Cuore della Valdigne. Stay at the Heart of the Valdigne to ski in Courmayeur, La Thuile and Pila/Aosta.

Il Cuore della Valdigne. Book your lodging directly with me here.Il Cuore della Valdigne. Stay at the Heart of the Valdigne to ski in Courmayeur, La Thuile and Pila/Aosta.

Featured Image: Skier off-piste in Portillo. Photo by Liam Doran. Courtesy Ski Portillo. 

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The Must-Read Guide to Valle Nevado

Valle Nevado at dusk. Photo Courtesy Valle Nevado.

Valle Nevado is one of those ski resorts that you should go and visit. That is why I have put together this must-read guide to Valle Nevado. Located high in the Chilean Andes, to the west of Santiago, this is the centre of the Tres Valles de Chile (the 3 Valleys of Chile). Here you feel that you are definitely skiing in high mountain.

The ski season runs from late June till early October, but it can be movable depending on snowing conditions.

The Andes are majestic, from whichever side you see them. Valle Nevado counts with the best sunsets you will ever see on the mountains. The pinks, oranges and yellows of the sky are jaw-dropping. This is caused by the smog in Santiago (believe it or not!), but even if smog is awful, up in Valle Nevado you have a spectacle of light. Plus the smog gets stuck down in the valley!

Endless possibilities in Valle Nevado. Photo courtesy of Valle Nevado.
Endless possibilities in Valle Nevado. Photo courtesy of Valle Nevado.

Location – The Must Read Guide to Valle Nevado

Valle Nevado is located 46 km west of Santiago. You need to take the road out of Santiago and the paved road to Farellones for 32 km until the diversion the last portion to  Valle Nevado.

How to Get There – The Must Read Guide to Valle Nevado

You do have to be careful driving up (and down!)- the 59 hairpin turns to get to the resort. Read beforehand the timing of going up and down the road, as depending on the time of the year, and during all weekends during the ski season, there are early hours to go up and hours in the day to go down. The road is a bit thin, and when there is heavy traffic, when people finish their ski week, it could be too tricky to have traffic both ways.

As you will not be driving while in Valle Nevado, you might be better off taking a shared or private transfer to get up the mountain and back.

Aiguilles des Drus et Aiguille Verte. Soft Pastels, pan pastels and charcoal on La Carte Pastel. 65x50 cm (20"x26") in my shop here.
Aiguilles des Drus et Aiguille Verte. Soft Pastels, pan pastels and charcoal on La Carte Pastel. 65×50 cm (20″x26″) in my shop here.

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$75 Airfare Offering into Aspen; Book by Friday, Oct. 8

$75 Airfare Offering into Aspen; Book by Friday, Oct. 8 Photo Aspen Snowmass.

$75 Airfare Offering into Aspen; Book by Friday, Oct. 8

In Celebration of Aspen Snowmass’ 75th Anniversary Ski Season, $75 Airfares to/from Southern California to Aspen/Pitkin County Airport

 Special this Winter, Also Book $75 Lift Tickets

This winter, Aspen Snowmass celebrates 75 years of skiing in Aspen. In conjunction with this occasion, airlines are offering special $75 airfares to/from Southern California to Aspen/Pitkin County Airport. This unique deal features direct service from Los Angeles and Orange County into Aspen and is available now through Friday, Oct. 8.

Aspen Mountain with the Town of Aspen. Photo Dan Bayer- Aspen Snowmass. $75 Airfare Offering into Aspen; Book by Friday, Oct. 8.
Aspen Mountain with the Town of Aspen. Photo Dan Bayer- Aspen Snowmass. $75 Airfare Offering into Aspen; Book by Friday, Oct. 8.

“Our 75th anniversary is a historic milestone and we are thrilled that our airline partners have joined the celebration by matching $75 one-way airfare offerings,” says Kristi Kavanaugh Bradley, vice president of sales, at Aspen Snowmass. “With up to seven flights daily between Los Angeles and Aspen, during the winter season, it’s a great time for guests to take advantage of these specials.”

 

The 75th anniversary airfare offers round-trip flights into Aspen/Pitkin County Airport from carriers American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, with $75 one-way, or $150 roundtrip basic economy fares. Bookings are valid 21 days starting now through Feb. 28. Minimum stay requirements apply and vary based upon departure date. Inventory is limited to certain fare classes and will not be available on every flight. Restrictions may apply. This offer expires Friday, Oct. 8.

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Vail Resorts announces indoor safety protocols for 2021-22 season

Kids Ski School at Vail, CO. Photo: Daniel Milchev. Vail Resorts. Vail Resorts announces indoor safety protocols for the 2021-22 season.

Vail Resorts announces indoor safety protocols for 2021-22 season

Vail Resorts today announced its Winter Operating Plan for the 2021-22 ski and ride season across its 34 North American resorts, centered on its commitment to safety and the guest experience. The protocols were shared in a letter to guests Monday, and focus on the spaces most prone to transmission – those located indoors. 

 

Straight from the Newsroom of VailResorts.com 

Photo: Craig Orsini. Vail Resorts. Vail Resorts announces indoor safety protocols for the 2021-22 season.
Young and Independents walk through the village to ski in Vail, CO. Photo: Craig Orsini. Vail Resorts. Vail Resorts announces indoor safety protocols for the 2021-22 season.

“We are fortunate that the core of our experience takes place outdoors in vast mountain settings,” said Rob Katz, chairman and chief executive officer of Vail Resorts. “However, as we welcome guests from around the world to the indoor experience at our resorts, we feel it’s important to do our part to combat the spread of COVID-19. We all need the opportunity to enjoy and experience the great outdoors, and we could not be more excited to welcome guests back to our resorts for the 2021-22 ski and ride season.” 

 

All safety protocols outlined in Vail Resorts 2021-22 Winter Operating Plan are subject to change based on the evolving nature of the pandemic as well as federal, state and local public health guidelines. Key details include:  
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Aspen Snowmass Releases First-Ever Progress Report on Methane-to-Electricity Plant

Aspen Mountain from the town of Aspen. Aspen Snowmass Releases First-Ever Progress Report on Methane-to-Electricity Plant

Aspen Snowmass Releases First-Ever Progress Report on Methane-to-Electricity Plant

Aspen Skiing Company (ASC) today released a report that tells the story of how ASC and its partners – Oxbow’s Elk Creek Mine, Holy Cross Energy, and Vessels Carbon Solutions – turned a coal mine in Somerset, Colorado into a clean-energy production facility. It also documents how much electricity has been generated since the project began, how much harmful methane has been destroyed, and how much revenue the project generates annually.

Aspen Snowmass Releases First-Ever Progress Report on Methane-to-Electricity Plant. Photo Aspen Snowmass.
Aspen Snowmass Releases First-Ever Progress Report on Methane-to-Electricity Plant. Photo Aspen Snowmass.

“We recognize global warming as an existential threat to our business,” said Matt Jones, ASC’s Chief Financial Officer, who worked with representatives of Oxbow to make this project happen. “We can’t stand by and wait for others to solve this crisis. We’re trying to do what we can to make a difference.”

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Cerro Catedral has opened its lifts: skiing for locals with masks and record snow levels.

Catedral Alta Patagonia, the resort of Bariloche, has opened yesterday. Photo: Diario La Nación. Cerro Catedral has opened: skiing for locals with masks and record snow levels.

Cerro Catedral has opened its lifts: skiing for locals with masks and record snow levels.

Cerro Catedral has opened this ski season 2020. Only residents with season pass can ski. This is a pilot scheme for ten days. Catedral is the first resort opening in the region amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. This is the first resort in South America opening!
Ski map Catedral Alta Patagonia. Cerro Catedral has opened: skiing for locals with masks and record snow levels.
Ski map Catedral Alta Patagonia. Cerro Catedral has opened: skiing for locals with masks and record snow levels.
Cerro Catedral, in San Carlos de Bariloche has opened its ski season 2020 only for locals with a season pass. The first day in the mountain in the year (Thursday 23 July) was fresh and sunny, with a depth of 2 m of snow in the summit.
Depending on this trial, the resort will do a bigger opening of its terrain in August and September.
skiing in Cerro Catedral. Archive photo. Cerro Catedral has opened: skiing for locals with masks and record snow levels.
skiing in Cerro Catedral. Archive photo. Cerro Catedral has opened: skiing for locals with masks and record snow levels.
Gustavo Gennuso, major of Bariloche told Télam:
“On one hand, the resort has an important role for Bariloche on jobs. But there are also vital needs as the relationship of mountaineers with the mountain. Those are the ones pushing on opening the mountain to help this activity”.