Sunday, February 24, 2013

Aspen Snowmass

The snow is bucketing down at Aspen Snowmass today! After a sluggish start to the season the whole area is swathed in snow and there's perfect powder everywhere - I am so lucky to be here right now!

New ski friends at Snowmass's foremost après-ski venue, Venga Venga

Thursday, February 21, 2013

NATIONAL PLAY HOOKY & SKI WEEK


National Play Hooky & Ski Week

Anyone heard of Liftopia? It’s an online way to buy discounted lift tickets to resorts in Canada and the USA. Savvy skiers and snowboarders can get up to 84 % off if they join in with National Play Hooky & Ski Week, March 4-8.

This is the second annual “hooky” week when over 100 North American resorts are offering deals at destinations such as Ski Banff Lake Louise Red MountainApex, and Owl’s Head in Canada. There are great deals across the USA too and snow is piling up everywhere now.

 “With continuous snowstorms hitting many resorts across the country, the second half of winter is shaping up to be a good one for skiers and boarders,” says Liftopia’s co-founder and CMO, Ron Schneidermann. “Now is the perfect time to forget work and school, pull out the excuses and plan a mountain getaway” – and take advantage of Ron’s “killer savings”!

Official proclamation for National Play Hooky & Ski Week:
Whereas the American worker has been experiencing undue stress in the workplace; and, whereas it is generally accepted that engaging in awesome activities outside of the workplace decreases undue stress; and, whereas skiing and snowboarding are proven to be awesome activities. Henceforth, it is proclaimed that the first Monday in March shall be the start of the second annual National Play Hooky & Ski Week.

Examples of deals:

Canada

  Save 47% at Owl's Head with lift tickets starting at $23.71
  At Apex save 44% with lift tickets and rental package starting at $56.99
  Enjoy Holiday Mountain and save 32% with lift tickets starting at $25.90
  Save 31% at Ski Snow Valley with lift tickets starting at $30.88
  Enjoy 31% savings at Ski Banff-Lake Louise-Sunshine with 4 of 5 day lift tickets starting at $311.21
  Ski Red Mountain and save 30% with 2-day lift tickets starting at $92.23

Utah

  Save 50% at Alta with 2-day lift tickets starting at $72.50
  Enjoy 40% off at Canyons with lift tickets starting at $63.00
  At Sundance save 35% on lift tickets with prices starting at $34.99

Colorado

  Ski Loveland and save 51% with lift tickets starting at $29.99
  At Arapahoe Basin save 39% with lift tickets starting at $47.99
  Enjoy 38% savings at Copper Mountain with lift tickets starting at $64.00

New England
  Save 84% on lift tickets at Suicide Six (VT) with prices starting at $7.00
  At Ragged Mountain (NH) save 65% with lift tickets starting at $21.99
  Ski Mount Snow (VT) and save 50% with lift tickets starting at $37.50
  Enjoy 41% savings at Stratton Mountain (VT) with lift tickets starting at $45.00
  Save 31% at Sunday River (ME) with lift ticket prices starting at $59.00
  At Okemo (VT) save 31% with lift ticket prices starting at $55.00

NY, NJ and PA

  At Mountain Creek (NJ) save 51% with lift tickets starting at $24.99
  Save 50% on lift tickets at Belleayre (NY) with prices starting at $23.50
  Enjoy 41% savings at Camelback (PA) with lift tickets starting at $29.99
  Ski Whiteface and save 33% with lift tickets starting at $55.99

California / Tahoe

  At Snow Valley enjoy 58% savings with lift tickets starting at $23.99
  Save 57% at Mt. Baldy with lift tickets starting at $22.99
  Enjoy 44% savings at Diamond Peak with lift tickets starting at $32.99
  Ski Sierra-at-Tahoe and save 35% with lift tickets starting at $49.99
  Save 34% at Mountain High with lift tickets starting at $39.00
  Save 32% at Homewood with lift tickets starting at $45.00
  Save 30% at Squaw / Alpine Meadows with "2 of 3 day" lift tickets starting at $137.99

Midwest

  Save 78% at Caberfae Peaks (MI) with lift tickets starting at $7.50
  Enjoy 60% off lift tickets at Shanty Creek (MI) with prices starting at $14.00
  At Cascade Mountain (WI) save 51% with lift tickets starting at $25.00
  Ski Crystal Mountain (MI) and save 44% with lift tickets starting at $28.00

About Liftopia
Liftopia is the largest online marketplace for ski lift tickets, rentals, lessons, and more. With lift ticket deals up to 80% off at more than 200 ski areas, including Aspen/SnowmassPark CityCopper MountainSun ValleySnowshoe, and Sunday River, Liftopia provides skiers and snowboarders the ability to buy date-specific, non-refundable lift tickets and on-mountain activities in advance via Liftopia.com and the Liftopia mobile app. Founded in 2005, Liftopia is headquartered in San Francisco and backed by leading institutional and angel investors. Liftopia is a proud supporter of the U.S. Ski Team and U.S. Snowboarding. For more information, visit the Liftopia blog or follow the company on Facebook (www.facebook.com/liftopia) and Twitter (@Liftopia). 

Thursday, February 14, 2013

It's Family Day Weekend in Alberta, Canada!
Marmot Basin, Alberta: great snow, family activities, quaint town
 in the heart of Jasper National Park


And we all know there's nothing better for family bonding than skiing and snowboarding! 

Lake Louise Inn, a great family hotel
with pools, hot tubs and skating

Huge hot tub at Sunshine Village
right on the slopes


Check out all the ski family fun in my Calgary Herald article at: http://www.calgaryherald.com/life/Find+slopes+this+Family/7961418/story.html

Mt Norquay, Banff's closest ski hill



Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Read my new article on one of British Columbia's hidden gems: Kimberley Alpine Resort. Click on the Canada header and then scroll down. 

Full of unique amenities, Kimberley's Sun Pit pictured here is probably my favorite feature. 


Monday, February 4, 2013

With all the snow falling in Canada right now, you might like to check out the latest articles in my Canada section: Sunshine Village in Alberta and Sun Peaks in British Columbia. Scroll down after the general introduction and you will see individual destination descriptions.


North American Expert Area at Mt Norquay




Coming soon are pieces on Kimberley, BC and Mt Norquay, Alberta - both great family resorts with several under-utilized expert ski areas which are often full of untrammeled powder well into the pm! Don't tell the locals it was me who tipped you off.





Flush Glades at Kimberley
I'm heading back to Canada in late March for some "spring" skiing - I won't be skiing slush and corn snow, though. Spring in Canada is like February elsewhere with oodles of snow and lovely cool temps to keep the powder light and fluffy all day long. There's a slight chance I might be able to wear sunglasses rather than goggles and sit outside occasionally but I will still be wearing my down jacket!

In the meantime, I'm starting to think about Aspen Snowmass where I am heading later this month for the 40th Summit of the National Brotherhood of Skiers. I've heard that among all those American ski clubs there is a UK contingent coming which is really exciting for me - I sometimes miss the old country and love to reminisce about traffic jams, English pubs and Marmite. Also, the Snowmass après-ski itinerary is being formulated right now including a gospel fest, pub crawl, club-style happy hour, concerts, R & B band and a comedy show. I am hoping they are scheduling a few hours each night for sleep!

Happy Skiing, Louise