Big Sky
Weather: A mix of sun and snow this morning, with a slight chance for snow showers into the afternoon. Temperature: 36 ° to 18 ° (Fahrenheit) Wind: 5-10 from South East New Overnight Snow: 0" Snow Fall past 24hrs: 0" Snow Fall past 48hrs: 5" Base Snow Depth: 63-95"
What's Happening

Be sure to check out the Photo of the Day link under the grooming map. It's a good one! It's going to be a big weekend here at Big Sky. Saturday is Bike-N-Bash, a race that pits bikes, skis and boards against one another. And then Sunday is the 3rd Pipe Jam comp. Both events are always fun to watch as well as participate in!
Big Sky

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RCR Resorts- Lake Louise - Fernie _ Kimberley -Nakiska in Alberta
Calgary, AB – March 3, 2006 – Despite huge recent snowfalls all over the Canadian Rockies, “Some of the best snows of winter” could arrive early next week, says Jim Roemer, renowned forecaster with www.bestskiweather.com.

The most recent storms put over 60 cm of new snow in parts of British Columbia and Alberta, adding to already impressive snowpack, to the delight of skiers and riders. However, Roemer says that “If you thought that was a lot of snow, tonight into Thursday another storm is coming, and the models show yet another one next week.” The report is indicating that Fernie could see 25-35cm by the middle of next week, with temperatures remaining below the freezing point, and Lake Louise could be getting some of the best snows of the winter early next week, right through to the following weekend. Fernie Alpine Resort is currently having its best snow season in years, is sitting on a 355cm snowpack, and is just shy of reaching the 25 foot mark for total snowfall this season. Locals in Kimberley say Kimberley Alpine Resort is having “the best season in over 15 years.” Add that to the 74cm of new snow the resort has received in the past week. Lake Louise Mountain Resort has received 37cm in the past 5 days. Lake Louise’s Powder Bowls – the biggest bowl skiing in the Rockies, are in excellent condition. For more information, and the latest snow reports, phone the CHI-NOOK snow phone at 244-6665 Nakiska
Events
Mar 3 Stay In School Ski Day A day designed to motivate young people to continue in their educational pursuits by pairing them with a mentor in the Calgary business community. For more information please call (403) 670-7666 or click here. MENTOR Rental registration click here. Mar 5 Forum Youngblood Amateur Snowboard Contest - More information at www.forumsnowboards.com Mar 12 Telus Family Ski Day A day for Telus employees and their families to enjoy a day of skiing at Nakiska. Mar 16 Ladies Only Ski Day A day tailored to ladies. Transportation, 1.5 hours of instruction, and lunch. Please call 232-8477 to register. Mar 18-19 Discover Days Just a taste! If you are a new skier or rider wondering if you should go for it and give skiing or snowboarding a try, look no further than the Discover Sampler. Regular price $35, available on this weekend for only $20! Mar 19 Smith Optics Grudge Match - Finals
Resorts of Canadian Rockies

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Kirkwood
Tons of New Snow... Close to three feet of fresh snow has blanketed Kirkwood Mountain Resort in the past three days; with another two to three feet expected by tomorrow evening – it's going to be a huge powder weekend! Very low snow levels mean skiers and riders can find 2,300 acres of incredibly diverse terrain, all buried in tons of fresh, dry snow. Kirkwood has received 261-435 inches of snow season to date, and boasts base depths of 132-230 inches.
All three terrain parks are open with features for all levels - gentle rollers and banked turns in Adventureland (Chair 9), low to the snow rails and fun boxes in the DC Playground (Chair 7) with a fun new halfpipe close by, and a full blown rail yard and a series of high flying hits in the DC Stomping Grounds (Chair 5).
Event
Six Summit Peak Persuit... On Saturday, March 11th, Kirkwood is proud to present the Marmot Six Summit Peak Pursuit, part of the 2006 Life-Link Ski Mountaineering Race Series. Advanced backcountry skiers and riders will test their limits in the ultimate ski tour of the season. Participants will race up and down the mountain as they set out to bag the six peaks that punctuate Kirkwood's ridgeline. For more information, visit life-link.com
Echo to Kirkwood... Also on March 11th is the 35th Annual Echo to Kirkwood Tour and Race – Skiers will journey across 13 miles of stunning Sierra scenery on a well-marked backcountry route. The trail begins at Echo Summit and crosses the Sierra Crest to finish at the Kirkwood Cross-Country and Snowshoe Center. The race begins at 10 a.m. at the Echo Summit SnoPark. Log onto ednsp.org for information

Get your Kirkwood Tickets at Costco and Save Over 25%!
Adult and Junior Lift Tickets are available at participating Northern California and Nevada Costco Stores.
Average Snowfall: (mid-mtn, 10 yr. avg.) 500 inches/1,270 centimeters 2004/05 Snowfall: 804 inches Base Elevation: 7,800 feet/2,377 meters Top Elevation: 9,800 feet/2,987 meters Vertical Rise: 2,000 feet/609 meters Average % Sunny Days: 70% Average Length of Season: Mid-November into Late April Skiable Acres: 2,300 / 930 hectares
Kirkwood

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Crystal Mountain -Wa
NORTH AMERICA’S TOP ALPINE BOARDERS TO RIDE WASHINGTON’S CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN AT NORAM FINALS U.S., Canadian National Champions to be Crowned March 25 and 26 at Crystal.
CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, WA - One hundred of North America’s top alpine snowboarders, including several from the Torino Olympic Games, are expected to ride Washington’s Crystal Mountain March 25 and 26 at the North American Snowboarding Finals (www.NorAmFinals.com) – the U.S. and Canadian national championships.
As the first world-class snow sports competition in the region following the Torino Games, the 2006 NorAm Finals will give Northwest fans looking forward to the 2010 Vancouver Games an early taste of world-class competition. “These athletes will offer us a glimpse of what we can expect in four years at the Vancouver Winter Olympics,” said Washington Governor Christine Gregoire. “Some of the world's best snowboarders got their start right here in our state. It only makes sense that this prestigious event will take place here in Washington,” she said. “I am excited to welcome these top snowboarders to Crystal Mountain.” Among the alpine boarders expected to compete are Americans Rosey Fletcher (Girdwood, AK), Tyler Jewell (Sudbury, MA) and Chris Klug (Aspen, CO). At the Torino Olympics, the three-time Olympian Fletcher captured her first Olympic medal, earning a bronze in the parallel giant slalom (PGS) event. Jewell, who finished 11th in PGS competition in Torino is expected to carve along with Klug, who won bronze at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics just one year after undergoing a liver transplant.
The NorAm Finals kicks-off with the Ignite the Spirit™ opening ceremonies event, Wednesday, March 22 at KeyArena during the Seattle SuperSonics – Milwaukee Bucks game with NBA fans being treated to a taste of NW Olympic spirit at the game. The NorAm Finals is free to the public. For boarders and skiers, a two-for-one Crystal Mountain lift ticket voucher good for either March 25 or 26 will be available in early March through the Seattle SuperSonics.
Racing gets underway at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 25, with men’s and women’s qualifying in the PGS event on Crystal’s Gold Hills run - just a short walking distance from the Crystal Mountain Base. PGS finals begin at noon. Sunday’s schedule includes qualifying in the PSL at 9 a.m. with finals beginning at noon.

2006 North American Snowboarding Finals Schedule
Nor AM Finals Wednesday, March 22
- 5:30 p.m. 2006 NorAm Finals Opening Ceremonies Press Conference at KeyArena prior to Sonics – Bucks NBA game
- 7:00 p.m. Opening Ceremonies during Sonics – Bucks NBA Game at KeyArena
Saturday, March 25
- 9:00 a.m. Qualifying - Men’s / Women’s Parallel Giant Slalom - 12 noon Finals - Men’s / Women’s Parallel Giant Slalom - 4:00 p.m. - Awards Presentation at BullWheel Restaurant in the Crystal Day Lodge
Sunday, March 26
- 9:00 a.m. Qualifying - Men’s / Women’s Parallel Slalom - 12 noon Finals - Men’s / Women’s Parallel Slalom - 4:00 p.m. - Awards Presentation at BullWheel Restaurant in the Crystal Day Lodge

Crystal Mountain

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