Sun Valley
Jack dropped me a note, Holiday Storm Drops 12.5 inches on Baldy in the last 24 hours. Still snowing and additional snow in the forecast. Snow report 800-635-4150
The history of the “American Shangri-La,” as Sun Valley is sometimes referred, is not too different from the magical village of legend. It all began in 1935, when Count Felix Schaffgtosch, under the hire of Union Pacific Railroad chairman Averell Harriman, set out in search of the perfect spot for a grand American resort.The count spent months searching the mountains of the west and surveying many areas that would latter become famous resorts, but none of them met his strict criteria. Feeling defeated and ready to abandon the search, the Count was preparing to wire Harriman the bad news when he heard locals talking about Ketchum, an old mining town in central Idaho. The Count postponed his return home and set out for the Ketchum area. Upon reaching the Ketchum valley, Count Felix Schaffgtosch was overwhelmed by the area and wired his employer, saying: “This combines more delightful features than any place I have ever seen in Switzerland, Austria or the U.S. for a winter resort." Sun Valley
..... sister resort
Snow Basin
Snowbasin's 2,959 vertical feet of ski trails, powder bowls and lush glades cover over 2,500 acres and truly offer terrain to suit everyone's needs. Our 64 designated runs include 11 percent novice terrain, 45 percent intermediate and 44 percent expert. Twelve lifts, including two high-speed gondolas, two handle tows, one magic carpet and a detachable quad, provide a lift capacity of over 14,500 skiers per hour, meaning less time in line. Our wide runs ensure you'll have all the elbow room you need. Nordic trails are also available for Nordic skiing and snowshoe enthusiasts. The Superpipe and two terrain parks are perfect for winter sports enthusiasts of all levels. Our tubing hill has six lanes, each with a different terrain type and steepness, for all fans of snow-tubing. Snowbasin's three day lodges will tempt anyone to stay in-doors and enjoy the fine cuisines and sumptuous scenes served daily. Whether you're an expert, taking to the mountain for the first time or here for the food, Snowbasin's mountain will fit your style
Events Date: Jan. 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29
Event: Mountain Outdoor Program Classes Description: Snowbasin is pleased to offer our Mountain Outdoor Program Classes again this year through the months of January, February and March. For additional information, view the Mountain Outdoor Program Brochure Snow Basin Home of the 2002 Olympic DH & Super “G”
Ski Canada Organization
Canada Passes US In 2005-06 World Cup Medals Race
After concluding one of the most memorable weeks in the history of Canadian winter high performance sport, Canada passed the United States of America and remained in second place behind new leader Germany in the overall 2005-06 World Cup medals standings.
From the start of the season, through last weekend’s competitions (see SnowOnline’s reports on WC wins in THIS WEEK IN COMPETITION), Canada recorded an additional 20 podium finishes to boost its overall total to 94 (accomplished in a nation-leading 37 events and 11 sports). Germany leads all nations with 103 total medals (34 events and 11 sports), followed by Canada, the United States of America with 93 (35 events and 10 sports), Russia with 58 (24 events and seven sports) and China with 56 (13 events and four sports).
Canada’s current medal haul of 94 in 2005-06 is now 18 ahead of the pace set in 2004-05 and 26 ahead of the pace set in 2003-04.
Prior to December 12, Canada ranked second overall in the number of total 2005-06 World Cup medals won with 74 (accomplished in 29 events and nine sports). The United States of America led all nations with 84 podium finishes (33 events and 10 sports) followed by Canada, Germany with 72 (29 events and 10 sports), China with 51 (13 events and four sports) and Russia with 41 (21 events and seven sports).
The Canadian Olympic Committee’s (COC) findings were compiled using the results of the 71 events on the 2006 Olympic Winter Games program which have been contested on the World Cup or Grand Prix circuit to date. The notable absence of Norway in the top five overall medal standings is due to the fact that several World Cup Nordic events have yet to be contested this international season. The 2006 Games in Turin will feature a total of 84 events in 15 disciplines.
“Canadians from coast to coast received an early Christmas present last week as Canada’s athletes are winning more medals in more events than ever before in the history of winter sport,” said COC Director of International Performance, Alex Gardiner. “It’s rewarding to see Canadian athletes and coaches building off the success and the momentum created through the Fast Track To Turin plan. As we get closer to the opening ceremony in Turin, the Canadian Olympic Committee is becoming increasingly focused on achieving the goal of a top-three finish at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games."
Last season, World Championship podium performances indicated that Canada was on target to achieve the COC’s goal of a top-three finish at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games after ranking third overall in terms of total medals won at 2005 World Championship events.
More news from Canada
Tremblant Strike: Freestyle Cancelled, Moved to Mont Gabriel The union at Mont-Tremblant Resort initiated an unlimited strike on Saturday, December 17th. Negotiations are continuing but the union has rejected the company’s latest offer and no immediate end to the disruption is in sight. “The Canadian Freestyle Ski Association (CFSA) has investigated all possible contingencies and alternatives over the past several days,” say CFSA officials “as we waited to hear what impact the labour disruption would have on our ability to stage the 2006 Freestyle Grand Prix from January 6-8, 2006. “We were informed by the management team at Station Mont-Tremblant that they would not be able to provide the site preparation, accommodation and logistical support that are required to successfully stage a Freestyle FIS World Cup event.
Ski Canada Intrawest Completes Sale Of Mammoth Canadian-based Intrawest Corporation has announced an entity controlled by Starwood Capital Group Global, L.L.C. (Starwood Capital) has completed the previously announced purchase of a majority interest in Mammoth Mountain Ski Area (Mammoth Mountain), California, based on an enterprise value of $365 million. The transaction has resulted in a pre-tax profit to Intrawest of approximately $101 million. Pre-tax net proceeds to Intrawest after debt assumed, working capital adjustments, transaction costs and reinvestment in Mammoth Mountain amount to approximately $171 million. Initial use of the proceeds will be to pay down debt while Intrawest evaluates its options for the best use of the proceeds. Intrawest has retained a 15 per cent interest in Mammoth Mountain and will continue to provide management expertise and other corporate resources as required. The operations of the resort will remain unchanged with Rusty Gregory continuing as chairman and chief executive officer and maintaining approximately a 12.5 per cent interest. Also previously announced, Intrawest and Starwood have entered into a preliminary agreement for a joint venture on the development of the majority of Intrawest's separately owned real estate in the Town of Mammoth Lakes.

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Worldwide Call For Submissions of Snowboard & Skateboard Art After its hugely successful debut at the 2005 TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival, Masterpiece in Motion has expanded for 2006 with a worldwide search for the best in original snowboard and skateboard art. The contest is open to amateur and professional artists anywhere in the world. Masterpiece in Motion (MIM) is an artistic competition created by US-based OriginalSnowboardArt.com, the world's source for original snowboard and skateboard art. MIM is produced in association with the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival, the largest annual winter sports festival in North America held each April in Whistler, Canada. For 2006, MIM is casting a worldwide call-for-submissions for the best original visual art and graphics for the snowboard & skateboard canvas. Artists can enter the amateur Open Division for free or pay a modest fee to enter the Professional Division for cash prizes. The work of the 30 finalists will be profiled on the whistler2006.com and OriginalSnowboardArt.com websites and will be exhibited in front of an international audience in Whistler during the ten days of the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival. All winners will receive an Original Snowboard Art Topskin(tm), in addition to cash prizes or honorariums. "The passion and energy of board art is an ideal fit with the creative spirit of the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival" says Bob Lutnicki, co-founder of OriginalSnowboardArt.com, "The Masterpiece In Motion Snowboard and Skateboard Competition gives board artists an incredible opportunity to present their art to a massive audience that shares this passion." "Over the years, the Festival has become the epicenter for showcasing the arts in the action sports world," says Doug Perry, Chairman of the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival. "Some the most progressive, innovative art today emanates from the snowboarding and skateboarding cultures. We share Original Snowboard Art's vision for creating the forum to celebrate the artists who are constantly pushing the boundaries of creativity." Registration and competition details can be found online by going to whistler2006.com, or directly to OriginalSnowboardArt.com. The deadline for submissions is March 17, 2006, at which point the art is judged by a jury of respected members of the creative and board riding communities. Value will be placed on successful presentation of the vitality and creative energy for which board riders of all disciplines are known. Contest Information: please visit
original snowboard art

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Big White Makes Gold List The readers of LUXURY TRAVEL magazine, one of Australia's top travel and lifestyle publication, recently voted Big White Ski Resort as the number seven ski resort in the world. The Luxury Travel Gold List awards are the result of a survey in which tens of thousands of Luxury Travel Magazine’s subscribers and readers nominate the World’s Best Hotels, Ski Resorts, Spas, Cruise Lines, Golf Courses, Airlines and Destinations –a total of 22 categories in all. LUXURY TRAVEL is a quarterly publication that has an international travel focus.
Results were tallied from an extensive online survey, conducted between September and October this year, where no prompts to respondents were provided, simply allowing readers to choose their favourite luxury travel experiences.
The top 10 ski resorts were: .
1) Whistler, Canada .
2) Aspen, USA.
3) Vail, USA.
4) St. Moritz, Switzerland.
5) Zermatt, Switzerland.
6) Courchevel, France.
7) Big White, Canada.
8) Val d'Isere, France.
9) Steamboat, USA.
10) Chamonix, France.
Big White

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