"Endless Winter Snow"

Falls Creek
Inside Running Good skiing in limited areas Snow Making Description General Comments / Events Lift Status Snow Cover / Ski Rating Today's Weather increasing sunshine Snow Depth Avg 42 cm Snow Depth Fresh 4 cm Road Condition Open and Clear Temperature O/Night -5.1C Temperature Current -2.9C Alpine Skiing Conditions Good Alpine Snow Cover Moderate Alpine Snow Conditions Firm Packed Alpine Grooming Overnight Snow Making Status Operating A high pressure system will move across the State on today ahead of a weak cold front which will cross southern Victoria later on Sunday. On Monday another high pressure system will approach from the Bight and it will track across Victoria on Tuesday. Forecast: Saturday Fine. A mainly sunny day with light northwesterly winds.
Outlooks: Sunday Cloud increasing with isolated showers developing and falling as snow on the peaks. Moderate northwest wind shifting southwesterly in the evening. Monday Isolated showers, falling as snow on the peaks, clearing. Tuesday Fine and mostly sunny. Light wind.

Falls Creek

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US Ski Team
JOHN MCBRIDE RETURNS TO ALPINE PROGRAM AS MEN'S COMBINED COACH "Johno" to focus on coaching men's top multi-event skiers PARK CITY, Utah (Aug. 25) - John (Johno) McBride, who resigned in the spring after 10 years of World Cup coaching, including the last four as U.S. men's downhill/super G head coach, is returning as a combined coach with the men's squad, Head Coach Phil McNichol said.

McNichol said McBride would work at the World Cup level with the men's top multiple-event skiers including 2005 World Cup overall champion Bode Miller (Bretton Woods, NH). Miller is the all-time U.S. medals winner at the Olympics (two) or World Championships (five) level.

"We've wanted to expand our versatility on the World Cup outside of just speed, just tech, and wanted to provide more support for multiple-event skiers," McNichol said. "Johno's the best guy to bring in. This should give that support to our top multiple-event guys."

McBride, who announced in March he wanted to spend more time with his wife and two young daughters, won't travel with the men all season, but work at designated times during the World Cup schedule, McNichol said. While he was speed head coach, U.S. men had their greatest string of success, including Miller's world championships and Daron Rahlves (Sugar Bowl, CA), who became the most successful American male downhiller in U.S. history (nine World Cup DH wins plus three super G victories). Rahlves and Miller finished 1-2 in World Cup races six times in 15 months, including the 2005 Worlds downhill, which Miller won.

US Ski Team

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Treble Cone NZ
Epic week of snow
The snow is just amazing up here at Treble Cone at the moment. It started snowing on Friday… and it didn’t stop until Monday night! We received over 70cm of fresh snow across the mountain in that time, so it’s been a fantastic week with powder days a-plenty! Our snow base is now at 132cm at the top of the mountain, and with more snowfalls forecast from now until Sunday, it’s a great time to come and check us out!

Big Mountain event is big success at Treble Cone

New Zealand free skier Hamish Acland fought off strong competition from the world’s top free skiers at Treble Cone yesterday at the Volkl Big Mountain event – part of the New Zealand Free Ski Open Series. Acland beat fellow Kiwi and Treble Cone-sponsored skier Geoff Small – despite Small pulling off the most impressive move of the day.

The event attracted the biggest names in free skiing, including homegrown talent such as Geoff Small, (7 times New Zealand Big Mountain Free Ski Champion and 3 times North America Free skiing Champion), Sam Smoothy, Hamish Acland and Tom Dunbar and also European Free Ski Champion ‘05, Ted Davenport. Australia’s Janina Kuzma won the women’s event, continuing her successful form after gaining second place at the Open’s K2 Halfpipe event last week, while second and third places went to New Zealand’s Kate McDougall and Scotland’s Jacobina Home respectively.
The event – the world’s only heli-accessed freestyle competition – took place in the steep Motatapu Chutes and was helped along greatly by the fantastic snowfall over the past week. There was also a great turnout of spectators who were able to watch from the specially constructed viewing area across from the Motatapu Chutes.
UPCOMING – Speight’s Village Series – August 27th

The third installment in the Speight’s Village Series is taking place this Sunday, August 27th. The four-event series is a chance for local Wanaka businesses to enjoy some healthy rivalry on the slopes and in the (very dubious) fashion stakes.
Races 1 and 2 were a great success, with superb conditions on both occasions and we’re confident that this weekend’s event on Big Skite will be even better!

First place is closely contested by Starnasaxi (Ski Connect) and Split Ends (Hair Culture). Only 30 points separate the two teams, there are two more races to be completed before the conclusion of the series, watch this space.

Come and watch the teams – or maybe even join in with one of the groups – as they compete for the Speight’s Village Championship Crown and for various prizes for best costume, best crash, etc.

Treble Cone Pic of the week

Treble Cone

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Verbier

Every Thursday during the summer season, you can experience the magic of sunrise over Mont Fort, accompanied by Alpenhorn music. Afterward, a hearty breakfast is served at Col des Gentianes. CHF 49.00 (day pass included)
Verbier Ride
The Verbier Ride is one of Europe‘s leading "new school" skiing events. It attracts top athletes to compete in three disciplines : Big Mountain Freeride, a descent from the awe-inspiring Mont Gelé, Skier-X, a race where you can watch skiers compete against each other on a specially designed course, and Big Air, in Verbier‘s famous Snow Park at La Chaux. erbier Summer camp
Just for future reference
Les Elfes camps for students
Les Elfes searches for the perfect mix of education and recreation through international travel, helping students become more balanced, open and insightful world citizens. Designed for students from all corners of the world, our Les Elfes Camps in Verbier Switzerland and Whistler Canada offer unique and enriching experiences to children aged 8 to 18. Les Elfes

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Snowbird summer
Snowbird, Utah – The 34th Annual Snowbird Oktoberfest, which will run for seven weekends this fall, begins Saturday, Aug. 26, 2006. Enjoy live music, dancing, authentic German food and fun for the kids every Saturday, Sunday and Labor Day, through Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006.
Oktoberfest features performances by two to three bands each day, including The Bavarians and Salzburger Echo, in the Snowbird Event Center tent. Catch the Alp Horns on Hidden Peak throughout Oktoberfest. A Tram pass is $16/day or $10 for a single ride with discounts for children and seniors.
Admission to Oktoberfest is free. Hours are noon to 6 p.m.
Oktoberfest visitors will find art for all tastes at “Der Marktplatz,” where more than 35 local and regional artists display and sell handmade arts and crafts. Oktoberfest food includes bratwurst, sauerkraut, apple strudel, pretzels and Bavarian roasted almonds. Children’s entertainment and activities include Shan the Juggler/Magician, Dale the Yo-Yo Man, a bell ringer, a giant slide, a bouncy castle, games, face painting and more.
Snowbird’s newest summer activity, a mechanical bull dubbed Black Jack, is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Labor Day and then weekends throughout Oktoberfest. The hydraulic bull is operator-controlled enabling all ages to ride and costs $6 per ride.
Additional summer activities Oktoberfest visitors can enjoy include Snowbird’s ZipRider, Alpine Slide, Bungy Trampoline, Tram rides, horseback rides, ATV tours, mountain biking, mountain scooter riding, hiking, climbing wall, Cliff Spa, fine dining and shopping.

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Also from Switzerland

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