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Now that other resorts are finishing their season on Memorial Day Weekend, Breckenridge, decided to extend their season till June 9th.

A great family resort. Photo Breckenridge Ski Resort. Andrew Maguire.

Now that other resorts are finishing their season on Memorial Day Weekend, Breckenridge, decided to extend their season till June 9th.

After A Record-Breaking Winter Season And An Abundance Of Spring Snowfall, Breckenridge Ski Resort Announced Today Plans To Extend The 2018-19 Ski And Snowboard Season For Two Additional Weekends Beyond Memorial Day. The Resort Will Remain Open Daily Through Memorial Day, May 27 As Planned, And Then Will Shift To A Weekend Schedule, Offering Skiing And Riding On Saturdays And Sundays June 1-2 And June 8-9, Weather And Conditions Permitting.

Breckenridge Ski Resort Announces Plans to Regularly Extend Winter Seasons through Memorial Day, Beginning this Spring. Photo: Breckenridge Ski Resort.
Breckenridge Ski Resort Announces Plans to Regularly Extend Winter Seasons through Memorial Day, Beginning this Spring. Photo: Breckenridge Ski Resort.

“It Has Been One Of The Best Winter Seasons I Can Remember During My More Than 25-Year Career, And We Are Thrilled To Keep It Going For Our Guests And Passholders,” Said John Buhler, Vice President And Chief Operating Officer At Breckenridge Ski Resort.

During The Two Additional Weekends, Operations Will Continue To Be Based Out Of Peak 7, With Access To Primarily Advanced- And Expert-Level Terrain, Via The Independence Superchair.

Continue reading “Now that other resorts are finishing their season on Memorial Day Weekend, Breckenridge, decided to extend their season till June 9th.”

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Is the Snowpass Card taking Europe by storm?

Is the Snowpass Card taking Europe by storm? Snowpass Card.

Is the Snowpass Card taking Europe by storm?

The Snowpass Card is a new product catering “snowaholics”. The creators of Snowpass Card estimate the universe of 140 million skiers and snowboarders worldwide. The multi-country ski pass is a personal and non-transferable card that entitles its holder to ski up to 10 days at partner ski resorts.

Sierra Nevada, one of the resorts offered in the Snowpass Card. Is the Snowpass Card taking Europe by storm? Snowpass Card.
Sierra Nevada, one of the resorts offered in the Snowpass Card. Is the Snowpass Card taking Europe by storm? Snowpass Card.

So how does it work – Skiers and riders just present the Snowpass Card at the ticket office of the partner ski resort they are visiting, and the ski resort gives them a lift ticket of up to 10 days – which can be consecutive or not.

The control of the used days is done on the Snowpass website’s back office.

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PURGATORY Re-Opens for Memorial Day Weekend for the First Time Ever!

PURGATORY Re-Opens for Memorial Day Weekend for the First Time Ever!.Photo: Purgatory Resort.

PURGATORY Re-Opens for Memorial Day Weekend for the First Time Ever!

Purgatory Resort will add its name to a short list of U.S. resorts spinning lifts during Memorial Day weekend when it opens for a bonus weekend of skiing this Saturday and Sunday. May 25 will not only mark the kickoff to summer but also the first time in resort history Purgatory has opened for skiing on the last weekend in May.

Purgatory is waiting for people with lots of snow for this weekend. PURGATORY Re-Opens for Memorial Day Weekend for the First Time Ever! Photo: Purgatory Resort.
Purgatory is waiting for people with lots of snow for this weekend. PURGATORY Re-Opens for Memorial Day Weekend for the First Time Ever! Photo: Purgatory Resort.

After picking up 8” of snow through Monday morning (with up to two feet expected through Thursday according to OpenSnow), Purgatory officials announced today it will open Lift 1, an expected 130 acres and one terrain park (conditions permitting) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday. Winter operations are expected to conclude after Sunday, May 26 and summer activities will continue to be open every day.

Less than a dozen ski areas will be open in the U.S. this weekend – Purgatory is the southern-most resort.

Continue reading “PURGATORY Re-Opens for Memorial Day Weekend for the First Time Ever!”

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The Magic Pass has unveiled its offer for 2019-20

The Magic Pass has unveiled its offer for 2019-20. Photo: Magic Pass.

The Magic Pass has unveiled its offer for 2019-20

The Magic Pass is an annual pass valid from the opening of lift services in May until the end of the following winter season. This pass allows unlimited and unrestricted access to several ski resorts in Switzerland. Its validity started on 11th May 2019 and will go through 3rd May 2020.

For those paying an additional fee to the basic Magic Pass, they can access the Glacier 3000 lifts from November 9th, 2019.

The Magic Pass has unveiled its offer for 2019-20. Photo: Magic Pass.
The Magic Pass has unveiled its offer for 2019-20. Photo: Magic Pass.

Magic Pass is offering to its takers, two different insurance options:

The basic Pass insurance reimburses the cost of your pass if you have an accident and are unable to ski for the rest of the season. The full Pass + Rescue insurance offers the added benefit of reimbursing the costs of any rescue services in the case you have an accident while skiing at a partner resort.

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An expert skier killed by an avalanche in the Aiguilles Rouges and a snowboarder died on the Alpes Maritimes

Aiguille Rouges . Photo: AiguilleRouges.blogspot.com- An expert skier killed by an avalanche in the Aiguilles rouges and a snowboarder died on the Alpes Maritimes.

An expert skier killed by an avalanche in the Aiguilles rouges and a snowboarder died on the Alpes Maritimes.

A deadly avalanche occurred in the Aiguilles-rouges massif, Haute-Savoie, this Saturday, May 18, 2019. A 33-year-old skier, apparently very experienced, was found dead at 2500 meters altitude.

The Aiguille Rouges seen from Lac Blanc. An expert skier killed by an avalanche in the Aiguilles rouges and a snowboarder died on the Alpes Maritimes.
The Aiguille Rouges seen from Lac Blanc. An expert skier killed by an avalanche in the Aiguilles rouges and a snowboarder died on the Alpes Maritimes.

A skier of high level was killed Saturday, May 18, 2019 in the massif of Aiguilles rouges (Haute-Savoie). It was carried away, it seems, by an avalanche while it came down a corridor “rather steep”, one learned this Sunday near the platoon of gendarmerie of high mountain of Chamonix. He was climbing the North East couloir of Aiguille de Mesure (at 2812 meters) trying to descend the same way when the avalanche occurred. This skier was alone at the time of the avalanche.

The mountain rescue did a preliminary helicopter search and found an ice axe and a ski, before locating the victim, aged 33, partially under the snow 500 meters below at the foot of the needle of Praz-Torrent (2,573 m altitude).

Continue reading “An expert skier killed by an avalanche in the Aiguilles Rouges and a snowboarder died on the Alpes Maritimes”

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Due to a year of lots of avalanches, summer operations might be delayed as digging out will take time.

Country Road 2, north of Silverton, is buried under 80 to 120 feet of snow. Photo: Will Tookey. Durango Herald. Due to a year of lots of avalanches, summer operations might be delayed as digging out will take time.

Due to a year of lots of avalanches, summer operations might be delayed as digging out will take time.

Story from Durango Herald

Heavy snowpack could affect summer recreation near Silverton.

While spring is in full swing in most of Southwest Colorado, impacts of heavy snowfall and unprecedented avalanche activity this winter are expected to be felt for months.

“It’s more than just lingering issues,” said Pete Maisel, a former Silverton town trustee. “It’s part of our life now.”

Silverton Officials are worried that ATV riders, hikers and mountain bikers will not be able to use the terrain until later in the summer. Photo: Rutsy Melcher. - Durango Herald. Due to a year of lots of avalanches, summer operations might be delayed as digging out will take time.
Silverton Officials are worried that ATV riders, hikers and mountain bikers will not be able to use the terrain until later in the summer. Photo: Rutsy Melcher. – Durango Herald. Due to a year of lots of avalanches, summer operations might be delayed as digging out will take time.

The snowpack was epic.

When Southwest Colorado’s snowpack peaked April 5, it became the third-biggest snow year since 1986, falling just behind 1993 and 2005.

And with the heavy snow, an untold number of avalanches came down across Colorado. In the southwest corner alone, Colorado Avalanche Information Center data show nearly 230 slides were recorded since Nov. 1 – and that’s just avalanches reported to the center.

Now comes the aftermath, and the cleanup, of all that snowfall and avalanche activity.

Continue reading “Due to a year of lots of avalanches, summer operations might be delayed as digging out will take time.”

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The Indy Pass will get you skiing for just USD 199 at North America’s authentic independent resorts

Indy Pass - Hoodoo Ski Area in Central Oregon. The Indy Pass will get you skiing for just USD 199 at North America’s authentic independent resorts.

The Indy Pass will get you skiing for just USD 199 at North America’s authentic independent resorts.

The Indy Pass is the gathering of independent ski areas to offer you a deal as the market in North America concentrates its offer around the IKON and the EPIC passes.

The Indy Pass will get you skiing for just USD 199 at North America’s authentic independent resorts.
The Indy Pass will get you skiing for just USD 199 at North America’s authentic independent resorts.

But this pass is very sweet for those skiers and boarders watching their wallet, or who are not that committed to go skiing every single day of the season, as the price it is going to sell for, starting September 1st is of USD 199.

With this pass, you receive the following:

Catamount Ski Area in Massachusetts, one of the partner ski areas of the Indy Pass. The Indy Pass will get you skiing for just USD 199 at North America’s authentic independent resorts.
Catamount Ski Area in Massachusetts, one of the partner ski areas of the Indy Pass. The Indy Pass will get you skiing for just USD 199 at North America’s authentic independent resorts.
  • 2 free days at each partner resort in the USA and Canada
  • A minimum of one additional discounted lift ticket
  • Discounted kids’ tickets for those 12 and under, when redeeming an adult ticket
  • Special offers from participating resorts for lodging, rentals, lessons and more…

Continue reading “The Indy Pass will get you skiing for just USD 199 at North America’s authentic independent resorts”

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Aspen Mountain to Open with Skiing and Riding Memorial Day Weekend

Mattpowerphotography.com 2/24/15 SkiCo Aspen Mountain Shoot. Aspen Mountain to Open with Skiing and Riding Memorial Day Weekend.

Aspen Mountain to Open with Skiing and Riding Memorial Day Weekend

Aspen Mountain will open for summer operations Memorial Day Weekend May 25-27 with skiing and riding. In addition to opening 130 acres of skiable terrain, Memorial Day Weekend marks the start of Aspen Mountain’s summer operations with access to sightseeing and food/beverage options at the Sundeck restaurant. There will be a live DJ outside on the deck Saturday and Sunday.

Aspen Mountain to Open with Skiing and Riding Memorial Day Weekend. Photo: Aspen Skiing Company.
Aspen Mountain to Open with Skiing and Riding Memorial Day Weekend. Photo: Aspen Skiing Company.

The Silver Queen Gondola will operate from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. for sightseeing and the Ajax Express chairlift will run from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for laps on Aspen Mountain’s upper blue runs as well as black runs such as Summit and Blondie’s. Everyone will be required to download on the gondola.

“With a pleasant dropping of additional snow in the last couple weeks, we are excited to kick-off Memorial Day weekend and the start of summer operations with skiing/riding on Aspen Mountain,” says Katie Ertl, senior vice president of mountain operations, Aspen Skiing Company. “The weekend will offer classic conditions for a Colorado multi-sport weekend with town green and the mountain painted white.”

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A drive through the Nufenenpass (Passo della Novena) and Grimsel Pass in Switzerland

Nufenen pass on a cloudy and foggy day. Photo: The-Ski-Guru. A drive through the Nufenenpass (Passo della Novena) and Grimsel Pass in Switzerland

A drive through the Nufenenpass (Passo della Novena) and Grimsel Pass in Switzerland.

I like having our summer holidays, whenever possible, near the mountains. And each trip, we need to try a new mountain pass. That is part of the adventure!

A couple of years ago, the idea was to stop by at Interlaken, on our way back from Lago di Como. Looking online, the best way to go was via the Nufenenpass (Passo della Novena) and the Grimsel Pass. The Grimsel Pass is very well known by everyone I’ve asked about, but the Nufenenpass, not so much. Some friends of us that have a house in Moltrasio, and whom their father lives in Lago di Como and knows ‘all the mountain passes’, have not heard of the Nufenenpass, but we’ve checked it out online and he suggested me that it should be fine as it was paved.

The view towards Valais from the top rifugio of the Nufenenpass. Photo: The-Ski-Guru. A drive through the Nufenenpass (Passo della Novena) and Grimsel Pass in Switzerland.
The view towards Valais from the top rifugio of the Nufenenpass. Photo: The-Ski-Guru. A drive through the Nufenenpass (Passo della Novena) and Grimsel Pass in Switzerland.

Looking in Google Maps, the pass seemed pretty wide enough for two cars – which was what I wanted to see, but I did not see too much of a guardrail on the side. Another option was to go towards Airolo and then Andermatt and take either the St Gotthard Tunnel, or the St Gothard pass. The St Gothard Tunnel was not an option, as this was a Saturday, where you can be stuck for hours. On our way from Engelberg to Lago di Como, we did the St Gothard Pass, which was very nice. It is very busy too, but at least the traffic goes through.

Panorama of Nufenenpass on a nice day. Photo: Alexander Hoernigk. A drive through the Nufenenpass (Passo della Novena) and Grimsel Pass in Switzerland.
Panorama of Nufenenpass on a nice day. Photo: Alexander Hoernigk. A drive through the Nufenenpass (Passo della Novena) and Grimsel Pass in Switzerland.

Going back this way, we should have taken afterwards the Furkapass, which is a very renown way to go – mostly for bikers and cyclists alike!

Continue reading “A drive through the Nufenenpass (Passo della Novena) and Grimsel Pass in Switzerland”

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South Tyrolean passes with 12 meters of snow

Passo del Rombo, Timmelsjoch, Sudtirol. South Tyrolean passes with 12 meters of snow.

South Tyrolean passes with 12 meters of snow

The clearing work is continuing ahead of the summer opening

From AltoAdige.it

The exceptional snowfall, even out of season, forced us to postpone the opening of the main passes in Alto Adige, after a particularly rainy winter. These days the clearing crew is working on the Rombo Pass, on the border with Austria, on the Stelvio Pass, Passo Stalle and Passo Pennes. The snow is able to form walls of 10-12 meters. On the Rombo pass, at an altitude of 2,500 meters, the snow mass accumulated by wind and landslides reached a height of 21 meters.

Timmelsjoch- Passo del Rombo, Sudtirol. South Tyrolean passes with 12 meters of snow.
Timmelsjoch- Passo del Rombo, Sudtirol. South Tyrolean passes with 12 meters of snow.

“Every year mountains of snow are removed. Our road service does its utmost to prepare our mountain roads for the summer season. It is a difficult job but also dangerous because of the risk of avalanches,” stresses councillor Daniel Alfreider . The experts are however confident of opening the passage to transit by the end of May, at the latest in the first days of June.

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