Snow Alert -Crystal Mountain - Wa,& Lake Tahoe basin


FIS
- FIS World Cups continue ... more Still waiting for winter in Europe: With the winter still taking its time to settle in, changes continued to be necessary in some FIS World Cup calendars while others are progressing right on schedule. There is enough snow in La Clusaz (FRA) for the first period’s last Viessmann FIS World Cup Cross-Country events scheduled for this weekend. There is also sufficient snow in Engelberg where the e.on ruhrgas FIS World Cup Ski Jumping is continuing according to the calendar. The Warsteiner FIS World Cup Nordic Combined races in Ramsau (AUT) – a mass start and a hurricane sprint – will also go ahead as planned.


It was Team China that dominated the opening aerials competitions of the Freestyle FIS World Cup held at the Beidahu ski resort in north-eastern China on 9th-10th December. At the first event of the season, China claimed four of the six podium places led by national favorite Nina Li who won the ladies’ competition ahead of three of her team mates. In the men’s competition, the first-ever Chinese male gold medalist in the Olympic Winter Games, Han Xiaopeng, who took gold in Turin ranked second behind Ryan St. Onge (USA) and ahead of Jeff Bean (CAN). On Sunday, Nina Li won again, ahead of the Australian veteran Jacqui Cooper and her team mate Xu Mengtao, only 16 years old. With full points from the opening weekend, Li has established a strong lead in the overall rankings. In the men's second event, Canada's Steve Omischl, 2004 aerials FIS World Cup champion, took his 27th career podium. He ranked clearly ahead of two Belorussian athletes, Timofei Slivets and Alexei Grishin. Omischl also garnered the overall World Cup leader's yellow jersey. Jilin Province, the host of the 2006-2007 Bosideng Freestyle FIS World Cup, will also stage the ski and snowboard competitions during the 6th Asian Winter Games in January 2007. The Freestyle FIS aerials World Cup will continue in Mt. Gabriel (CAN) on January 7th, 2007.

The second parallel giant slalom in the NOKIA Snowboard FIS World Cup 2006/2007, held at Kronplatz/San Vigilio di Marebbe (ITA) today, ended with two first-time winners. On the ladies’ side, Isabella Dal Balcon (ITA) secured her career’s premiere World Cup win. In the men’s race, Rok Flander of Slovenia also took his first career victory ahead of Siegfried Grabner of Austria. The strong Slovenian performance was underscored by Isidor Sustersic in 4th place.

The moguls and ski cross season openers in the Freestyle FIS World Cup scheduled for Tignes (FRA) on 14th, Kreischberg (AUT) on 17th and in La Plagne (AUT) on 20th December had to be cancelled due to the mild weather. Considerations are being taken to reschedule the events later on in the season. In the NOKIA Snowboard FIS World Cup, the parallel slalom events in Bad Gastein (AUT) and Kranjska Gora (SLO) that were scheduled for 16th and 21st December, respectively, were also cancelled due to the mild temperatures and insufficient snow.

One month to go: Arosa 2007
The 7th FIS Snowboard World Championships will kick off in Arosa (SUI) in exactly one month’s time, on Saturday 13th January, with the qualification runs for snowboardcross. The SBX finals will be held on 14th January, while the finals for the parallel events will take place on 16th (parallel giant slalom) and 17th (parallel slalom) and the finals for the freestylers on Friday, 19th (big air) and Saturday, 20th January (half-pipe). This is the first time that the FIS Snowboard Championships have been hosted in Switzerland. Situated at 1800m altitude in the Schanfigg valley, in canton of Grisons, where the highest peaks reach over 2800m above sea level, Arosa and its infrastructure servicing more than 70km of terrain is a perfect host resort. As a snowboard event host, Arosa is no newcomer since it has staged three NOKIA FIS World Cup stops including the finals in 2003. What’s more, the set-up for the activity is ideal from the spectators’ perspective as everything will take place within just a few hundred meters. In the finish area at the bottom of the snowboardcross, giant slalom and slalom courses, there will be a big screen for the spectators to catch all the action as the athletes come down the course. Just a stone’s throw away is the big air finish area where spectators can admire the competitors as they try to best each other with aerial acrobatics.


In addition to sporting performances, the OC is planning a festival in the town of Arosa with live music every night and other activities as of 10th January. The entire village is bound to rock for a minimum of ten days! How to get there: Arosa is easily accessible via the Zurich international airport, and from there by car or train. By car get on the A3 towards Sihlholzbrucke and then take Exit 16 towards Chur-Nord/Arosa. From there, follow the signs to Arosa up the winding road for approximately 30km. By train take the intercity train to Chur and then change to the Rhaetian railway to Arosa (approx. 60 minutes). The reigning 2005 World Champions from Whistler (CAN)
Men
PGS: Jasey Jay Anderson (CAN)
PSL: Jasey Jay Anderson (CAN)
HP: Antti Autti (FIN)
SBX: Seth Wescott (USA)
BA: Antti Autti (FIN)

Ladies
PGS: Manuela Riegler (AUT)
PSL: Daniela Meuli (SUI)
HP: Doriane Vidal (FRA)
SBX: Lindsey Jacobellis (USA)


www.fis-ski.com

***
KIMBERLEY ALPINE RESORT WILL BE WIDE OPEN ON OPENING DAY Anticipation High As Big Snowpack Kicks Off 2006/7 Ski Season
Calgary, AB – December 13, 2006 – Kimberley Alpine Resort is scheduled to be wide open for its Saturday, December 16th opening day. With over 20cm of fresh snow in the past 48 hours, and over 6 feet of snow (190cm) to date, the resort is in great condition to start the season.
Opening day will also mark the annual Community Appreciation Day, which provides complimentary skiing to the residents of Kimberley, Cranbrook, Marysville and Wasa.
New for this year, Kimberley Alpine Resort is inviting local residents that are new to the sports of skiing and snowboarding to enjoy a complimentary “Discover” ski or snowboard lesson on December 16th as part of the Community Day festivities. Advanced registration is required. Participants should note that this lesson is for beginners only, and space will be limited. If you are a local resident and would like to register, please call Guest Services directly at (250) 427-4881.
The Resort will also be hosting a charity BBQ on December 16th, with support from Cardinal Meats and Nathan’s World Famous Hot Dogs. Local guests can treat themselves to $2.00 RCR Prime Rib Burgers or a Nathan’s World Famous Hot Dog, with all proceeds going to the Kimberley North Star Racers and the Youth For Kimberley Society.
To secure a complimentary local’s lift pass on December 16th, please be prepared to present to Guest Services a driver’s license or pay stub and valid identification.
Kimberley Alpine Resort was recently named a Top 20 “Holiday Hot Spot” by Westworld Magazine, and the Trickle Creek Residence Inn by Marriott at Kimberley Alpine Resort was named one of Canada’s “10 Best Winter Resorts” by VIA Destinations Magazine.
For more information and the latest ski conditions, ...
please visit www.skikimberley.com.


***
Crystal Mountain - Wa
Crystal Mountain has received 6" of new snow in the past 24 hours in Green Valley and15" in the past 48 hours!
Today upper mountain will be closed due to high winds. We will be open from 9am- 4pm with the Discovery, Chinook Express, Quicksilver and Forest Queen chairlifts in operations. Tickets will be discounted.
Date: Wednesday, December13th, 2006
Time: 5:30am
Weather: Snowing and windy, temps are expected to rise
Winds: Moderate to strong averaging 15 MPH from the Southwest
Base Temperature: 34 degrees
Base Snow Depth: 54 inches
Base New Snow Fall 24hrs: 5 inches
Base Snow Fall 48hrs: 7 inches
Summit Temperature: 23 degrees
Summit Snow Depth: 70 inches

www.skicrystal.com.

***







***
Panorama B.C.
Nor-Am competition today!.

RK Heliski is ready to fly for the season, their 36th year of fresh tracks. RK is unique, offering one-day heliski and heliboarding trips for intermediate skiers (and better) from the heart of Panorama. If you're a Panorama Season Pass holder call RK Heliski and ask how much you save

Vertical Drop 1,200m / 4,000ft
(One of the highest in North America)
Base Elevation 1,200m / 3,800ft
Top Elevation 2,400m / 7,800ft

www.panoramaresort.com

***
Jackson Hole - Wy
Yesterdays turns were soft and carvable with new light dusting we had overnight. Todays turns shall be soft and fluffy for those early risers. Discounted lift ticket pricing continues.

Events
December 05 - 18: Backcountry Camp I
December 16: Winter Solstice Party
5PM at the Jackson Hole Nordic Center Beer, Food, Music, Fire, Free Trail Passes, Half Off Rental Equipment
December 23: Teton Village Tree Lighting Ceremony
2:00 at the Crystal Springs Pond. Ice skating on the pond, holiday music, hot chocolate, cookies and a visit from Santa. Get into the spirit.
December 24: Christmas Eve Mass
Mass will begin at 5:30pm at the Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole in the Cottonwood Ballroom B. The service will include music, carols, lighting of candles and prayer.

Periods of snow, mainly after 11am. High near 35. Breezy, with a southwest wind 13 to 16 mph increasing to between 22 and 25 mph. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total daytime snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
Lifts Open: 4 of 11

www.jacksonhole.com


***
USSA
INVERMERE, B.C. (Dec. 12) - Chelsea Marshall (Pittsfield, VT) won a NorAm super G in the morning at Panorama Ski Area and Caitlin Ciccone (Bethlehem, NH) completed a rare two-race sweep by Americans as she won the completion of a super combined event in the afternoon. While World Cup super combined events are a total time for the speed leg and one run of slalom, NorAm officials have agreed that any super combined will include separate scoring for the speed race plus the aggregate time for the speed race - whether it's downhill or super G - and the lone run of slalom.
Tuesday, Marshall won the super G in 1:26.66 with Leanne Smith (Conway, NH) - who was second Monday behind Kaylin Richardson (Edina, MN) in the opening SG - was second again, this time in 1:27.44. Ciccone was fifth in the super G. Later, after the single slalom run, Ciccone had the fastest combined time (2:16.39) with Marshall holding onto second place at 2:16.65. Smith completed the podium (2:17.60) as U.S. women took the top five places and were 10 of the 11 fastest skiers even though defending NorAm SG champion Megan McJames (Park City, UT) and Keely Kelleher (Big Sky, MT) skied off course while they were leading. "Conditions were perfect and the girls really went at it," said U.S. Coach Jim Pollok. "[Monday] we had a super G course that focused on the ‘super' - pretty straight and really fast. Today, the course focused on the ‘G' and was technical, like a giant slalom, so they had two very different courses and different challenges...and they handled it well. McJames and Kelleher were 1-2 at the split when they went out, but we saw some good racing and the others did well."
The NorAm schedule at Panorama swings Wednesday to the men with another super G and super combined with a super G Thursday.
ALPINE NORAM CUP

Invermere, BC - Dec. 12, 2006
Women's Super G-2
1. Chelsea Marshall, Pittsfield, VT, 1:26.66
2. Leanne Smith, Conway, NH, 1:27.44
3. Marie-Pier Prefontaine, Canada, 1:27.72
4. Emilie DesForges, Canada, 1:28.01
5. Caitlin Ciccone, Bethlehem, NH, 1:28.10

--
Women's Super Combined (SG/SL)
1. Caitlin Ciccone, Bethlehem, NH, 2:16.39
2. Chelsea Marshall, Pittsfield, VT, 2:16.65
3. Leanne Smith, Conway, NH, 2:17.60
4. Laurel Carter, Norwich, VT, 2:17.81
5. Jenny Lathrop, North Conway, NH, 2:17.85

For complete results:
http://www.fis-ski.com/



***
Courcheval _ France
Sunday 17th December at the ice rink of Courchevel 1850, a special 60th years party is organized with the free concert of the french singer Liane Foly. To attend the show, all you have to do is to come and collect a free ticket from Courchevel Tourisme in Courchevel 1850.
To begin the ski season on the best conditions and to seize the opportunity of the « Premières Neiges », the Courchevel ski lift company will propose you sweety prices for your ski pass. From 9th to 22d December 2006, a ski pass One Day Adult Courchevel Valley will cost 23,5 euros (without insurance). Dont’ miss it ! Keep your skipass, you could use it again during your next visit in Courchevel. You could reload it on www.s3v.com
www.courchevel.com


***
Innsbruck - Austria


The ski regions of Olympia SkiWorld Innsbruck, where snow is guaranteed, offer access to 285 km of pistes and they are perfect for skiers, free riders, snowboarders and fans of powder snow
Holiday Villages: 25 Villages in the Surroundings of Innsbruck
Nestling amid beautiful landscapes between 590 m and 2020 m above sea level, the towns offer an inviting mix of outdoor activities and culture as well as rest and relaxation.

INNSBRUCK GLACIER SKI PASS
Unlimited ski fun in 9 ski areas near Innsbruck.
INNSBRUCK SUPER SKI PASS
715 km of slopes in the Innsbruck, Arlberg and Kitzbühel regions


INNSBRUCK GLACIER SKI PASS Available from 1st December 2006, Skibus starts 15th December 2006 Innsbruck ski areas comprise: Nordpark, Patscherkofel, Axamer Lizum, Muttereralm, Kühtai, Rangger Köpfl, Glungezer, Schlick 2000 and Stubai Glacier. 78 lifts, 282 km of pistes , free shuttle service.

www.innsbruck-tourismus.com
Christmas Markets
About four weeks before Christmas Innsbruck starts its Christmas Markets - the start for the festive season: stalls invite to look and maybe buy a present. Have a drink of hot tea or the stronger "Glühwein" (hot spicy wine) or try some of the spicy or sweet Christmas food.


***
Kvitfjell - Norway

Photo:Worldcup kvitfjell ORg.
Audi FIS Ski World Cup Races in Kvitfjell in Downhill and Super-G for men. The races will take place on the Olympic Downhill and Super-G courses on Saturday the 10th and Sunday the 11th of March 2007. This is the 12th year after the successful 1994 Olympics that Kvitfjell hosts Alpine World Cup races.
Accommodation
Kvitfjell Booking: booking@kvitfjell.no +47 6128 3630
www.kvitfjell.no
Hafjell Booking: booking@hafjell.no +47 6124 9000
www.hafjellbooking.no
Quality Hotel & Resort Hafjell: +4761277777
hafjell@quality.choicehotels.no www.qualityhafjell.no
Hotels in Lillehammer: Lillehammer Turist;

www.lillehammerturist.no




***
My Switzerland
Events
World Cup Skijumping in Engelberg
24 Heures Freeride Race in Verbier
Saturday, 27 January 07 - Sunday, 28 January 07 Category: Sports Desc: Here's another reason to ride! Participants will ski in teams of four, accumulating as many kilometres as they can and converting them into francs to help different associations. But these 24 hours will also be filled with partying, music, eating and fun. Address: Verbier / Val de Bagnes Tourisme, Place Centrale, Case postale 300, 1936 Verbier Phone: +41 (0)27 775 38 88 Fax: +41 (0)27 775 38 89 E-mail: info@verbier.ch

Trees and Lights Festival in Geneva
Christmas Markets in Switzerland


The Swiss Top resorts
Resort name// Number of km of slopes // Condition of snow //Condition of runs

Adelboden 16 km / 185 km 4 km powder good 1 /
Andermatt - Hospental - Realp 19 km / 80 km 2 km powder good 0 /
Arosa 10 km / 60 km 10 km powder fair-good 1 / 4
Crans - Montana 2 km / 140 km 2 km hard good-fair 0 / 4
Davos 25 km / 305 km 25 km powder / hard good 0 / 20
Engelberg - Titlis 6 km / 82 km 0 km powder good 0 / 2
Grindelwald 2 km / 160 km 22 km no info closed 0 / 9
Gstaad - Château-d'Oex 0 km / 30 km 0 km no info closed 0 /
Gstaad Mountain Rides 11 km / 250 km 1 km powder good 0 / 27
Klosters 25 km / 307 km 25 km hard / powder good 0 / 20
Lenzerheide 17 km / 155 km 17 km no info no info 2 / 15
Les Diablerets 0 km / 100 km 0 km no info no info 0 / 3
Leukerbad 0 km / 50 km 0 km no info closed 0 / 2
Mürren - Schilthorn 29 km / 53 km 10 km powder closed 2 / 5
Saas Fee 35 km / 100 km 4 km powder good 1 / 3
St.Moritz/Engadin 90 km / 350 km 50 km powder / hard good 5 /
Verbier - Mt.-Fort 23 km / 190 km 23 km powder good 0 / 15
Wengen 2 km / 110 km 22 km powder closed 0 / 5
Zermatt - Matterhorn ski paradise 73 km / 313 km 36 km powder good 1 / 6


deals on Lodging, things to do, alternative activities and MUCH more at
January Snow Safari - One Week Only Enjoy a week in beautiful Interlaken.

Ski all week in a winter wonderland - the perfect start to the New Year.

/usa.myswitzerland.com

Over 200 hotels in 150 cities throughout Switzerland -
Swiss Budget Hotels
more than 10'000 beds - booking
www.rooms.ch

Bacardi