Sun Screen Alert: Torino & Lake Tahoe

Stowe Mountain Resort in full operation this weekend with great conditions!

Photo: Stowe Marketing Pic of The day
Thanks to a surprise storm Monday night that left 10" of new snow in it's wake, followed by more snow the following day, we're back in great mid-winter shape! And there is more snow forecasted right through the weekend. Winter is back!
With the more seasonable temps, we're also making snow and grooming around-the-clock to make the already great conditions that much better. It all adds up to us being in full operation, with all lifts and all trails open this weekend! Come up and join us!
The infamous Front Four (Starr, Goat, National and Lift Line) are arguably the most exciting runs in the East. For the novice skiers and riders, there's an entire mountain (Spruce Peak) criss-crossed with easygoing runs. And with the longest average trail length in New England, be prepared to spend some time on the mountain.
Midweek (2/6-2/10) – 9 Lifts & ALL Trails (100%), including our halfpipe, which is still Northern Vermont's ONLY halfpipe!
Stowe

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Olympic News
RAHLVES FASTEST BY 1.21 SECONDS IN DH TRAINING #1 Will Sit Out of Friday's Training
SESTRIERE, Italy (Feb. 9) - Three-time Olympian Daron Rahlves (Sugar Bowl, CA) topped the field in Thursday's first Olympic downhill training run as he blistered the Kandahar Banchetta course and won by 1.21 seconds over the next fastest competitor.

Obviously happy with his result on the hill, Rahlves will not take part in Friday's training run to rest and will return for Saturday's third and final practice session.
Read the whole story here:
US SKI Team
RAHLVES NOMINATED FOR FLAG BEARER TORINO, Italy (Feb. 9) - Three-time Olympian Daron Rahlves (Sugar Bowl, CA) was nominated by his U.S. Ski Team and U.S. Snowboarding teammates to serve as the Olympic flag bearer to kick off the XX Olympic Winter Games in Torino.
After 62 days Relay and over 10,000 kilometres covered, the Olympic Flame has reached Torino. Today, a little before 12.21, the Holy Fire of Olympia entered the city welcomed by 4,000 kids and begun it meander among streets, avenues and roads of a city whose inhabitants descended to salute and pay homage to the principal symbol of the Games.
Out of the 84 events and 252 medals at stake during the XX Olympic Winter Games – Torino 2006, the six International Skiing Federation (FIS) disciplines will be responsible for 38 of the events and 114 of the medals. This is two golds and a total of six medals more than four years ago in Salt Lake City, USA.
Cross-Country Skiing
Since 2002, the most changes for any FIS discipline have taken place in cross-country skiing. While the total number of events has remained at 12, six for both women and men, one of the individual competitions has been replaced by a new team event: the team sprint, in which nations are represented by two-member teams. In Turin, the team sprint will use the classical skiing technique with each team member skiing a 1.5-km loop three times. Another big change within cross-country has been the continuing development of the pursuit race. In Salt Lake City, the pursuit was staged as two separate competitions on a single day, with a several-hour-long break in between and with the starting order for the second, the freestyle race, being determined by the time differences in the first one. In Turin, there will be no break but rather the skiers will switch their equipment during a “pit stop” with the clock running. As in 2002, the combined time is what counts, only now the entire race is staged as a single, mass start event. Similarly, the long distance races, 30km for women and 50km for men, are also staged as mass start races rather than using the traditional individual start method still in use in Salt Lake City.
Ski Jumping
In ski jumping, there have been three main changes since the last Olympic Games: first, the athletes are now required to have a minimum Body Mass Index (BMI) of 18.5, though the measurement takes into consideration that the athletes are wearing their jumping boots and suit. They need to fulfil minimum weight requirements to be allowed to jump with the maximum length of skis (146% of the athlete’s height). Second, to provide all athletes with more equal weather conditions, the permissible starting time, the so-called “Green Period” during which the jumper must leave the start bar, has been increased from five to ten seconds. Finally, in the team event, only the best eight teams will continue to the second round. To keep the excitement high until the end, the starting order of the last jumper group is reversed so that the representative of the leading team will perform the very last jump of the competition.
Nordic Combined
In Nordic combined, the same BMI and equipment control rules apply as for ski jumping. The only other changes include a change in the point/time equivalent in the team event, with 60 points on the jumping hill now equalling 1min on the cross-country course. To make the competitions more spectator-friendly, the course length has also been reduced from 5km to 3.75km, ensuring that the athletes pass more regularly in front of the grandstands.
Alpine Skiing
In Alpine skiing, the only critical change has been the increase in the required minimum length of the racing skis. Contrary to 2002, when the minimum length for all events was 150cm/155cm for women/men, there are now specific minimum length requirements for each event and sex in order to protect the athletes’ health and safety.
Snowboard
The additional six Olympic medals for the FIS disciplines are awarded in snowboarding where snowboard cross is now an Olympic event, in addition to half pipe and parallel giant slalom. As opposed to the races in Salt Lake City, delayed start gates will be in use in the parallel giant slalom in Turin. This means that during the second run, competitors will start based on the time differences gained in the first run and the athlete crossing the finishing line first will be the winner!
Freestyle Skiing
Last but not least, in freestyle skiing the greatest change is that inverted jumps, i.e. off-axis jumps and flips, are now allowed in the moguls competitions. Before, only upright and straight jumps were allowed. As a result, the audience in Turin will see jumps with a higher degree of difficulty and up to 720° rotations.
TORINO 2006
The Olympic Winter Games will run from 10 to 26 February 2006 in Turin. The Winter Games comprise seven different sports and 15 different disciplines, which will be played out in eight different competition sites. Around 2,500 athletes, 650 judges and umpires and one million spectators are expected to participate in this 20th edition of the Winter Games.
torino 2006

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Swiss Info

Downhill racer Ambrosi Hoffmann represents one of Switzerland's best hopes of winning a medal in alpine skiing at the Winter Olympics in Turin.
Four years ago in Salt Lake City he was the highest-placed Swiss in the downhill competition, finishing in eighth position. The Swiss men's downhill team is doing well, but the athletes of the technical disciplines are lagging behind, according to Marc Wälti, spokesman of Swiss Ski. Experts say in the Swiss women's team it is Nadia Styger, Fränzi Aufdenblatten and Sylviane Berthod who stand good chances of qualifying for Turin. Sonja Nef, who has been struggling to keep up with the best, is less likely to make it to the Olympics. Swiss INfo Org.

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Jackson Hole
Events
Feb 5 - Backcountry Camp 2
- Coney Classic Fun
- Steep & Deep Snowboard Camp 6

Feb 7

- Wyoming Winter Special Olympics 8
- Wyoming Winter Special Olympics 9
- Wyoming Winter Special Olympics
- Steep & Deep Ski Camp III 10
- Steep & Deep Ski Camp III 11

- Bro Down Show Down in the Rodeo Grounds ..then a Hoe Down
- Steep & Deep Ski Camp III

Feb 12
- Bro Down Show Down in the Rodeo Grounds ..then a Hoe Down
- Steep & Deep Ski Camp III
March 18-19
Chevy American Evolution Tour
See the latest in American automotives from Chevy. Featured vehicles will include an array of 2006 cars and trucks such as the SSR, HHR, Cobalt, Equinox, Colorado and the all new 2007 Tahoe. Stop by and pick up a “Quick Pass” to the front of the line at either Teewinot or Bridger Gondola!

March
21- Jackson Hole Free Ski Open
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is proud to host the 3rd stop on the US Freeskiing Series. One hundred (100) of North America’s best freeskiers will compete for $7500 prize money in Casper Bowl in an event not to be missed!

Spectators welcome! www.usfreeskiing.com

Jackson Hole

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Maison de la France / French Office of Tourism ,br> Travel Deal Six-day "Paris Value Vacation" from just $399
Head to Paris for next to nothing! Check out Gate 1 Travel's four-night package to Paris, starting at just $399!!! Package Inclusions: * Roundtrip airfare NYC-Paris including all fuel surcharges * Four nights in a tourist-class hotel * Breakfast daily * Hotel...
France is a skier's paradise.
With over 8000 km of pistes, France has the largest ski areas in the world. There is something for everyone, from family-oriented village resorts to the purpose-built resorts where you can ski from your doorstep. There is alpine skiing, nordic skiing, all the new snow-riding techniques, as well as a large range of "natural" activities (snow-shoes, dog-sledding, tours following marked routes...)
Maison de la France

Rail Europe - Passes & tickets

Snow Alert - WhiteFace Lake Placid
Sun Screen alert 40+ degree temps in Torino and Lake Tahoe


Starting Mon, Endless Winter will carry the updates and news From

ST. Moritz Switzerland

Whiteface - Lake Placid
17" OF POWDER has fallen at Whiteface in the last 3 days.
Make your plans now to experience spectacular conditions at Whiteface! *Stashes of freshies are still available in our glades trails. NEW SLIDE SHOW AVAILABLE *Snowmaking resumes 24/7 *Terrain Park on Brookside is boasting new rails and features.
US Ski Team Day at Whiteface Saturday, February 11th
Whiteface will donate $1.00 of every lift ticket to the US Ski Team. The FIRST 300 people at our ticket windows will receive a Free US Ski Team pin.

Whiteface Lake Placid

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Mammoth Mountain
Sunshine continues to be the story around here as we are expecting another lovely day filled with bright sun, calm winds and 40 degree temperatures.
If you're asking when that snow is coming, well, there's something brewing out there that could head our way anywhere from midweek next week to President's weekend. I'll keep you posted, but for now enjoy these great sunny days, soak up that Vitamin D and definitely don't put those powder skies away yet. Mammoth's got plenty more winter in store!
With a 10-12 foot base of firm and machine groomed snow, all lifts will be in operation today with the exception of 7, 20 and 26. Be aware that steeper terrain on the mountain currently has hard, fast snow conditions. Ski and ride with caution and always be aware of your ability level.
Mammoth Mountain

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Panorama Resort
Soft snow all over the mountain. Great conditions for all abilities. The Half-Pipe is now open & it's big! Watch for Panorama's Lusti at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. Christina Lustenberger will 'fly' for Canada and Panorama on February the 24th
Great Last minute, mid-week deals at Panorama between Feb.12th-15th & Feb. 20th-23rd. Stay 3 nights with the Gold Studio Special from $299 per person* or choose the Powder Package from $199 per person* & stay 3 nights in the Pine Inn Hotel with unlimited skiing during your stay. Call 1 800 663 2929 now. Space is limited. *Available for midweek stays only. Book by February 17, 2006.
Panorama Resort

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Cortina d'Ampezzo


Last updated 09 February 2006
Weather conditions Mostly sunny, slightly cloudy
Temperature top 09:00 -13
Temperature base 09:00 -2
Depth of snow top 105
Depth of snow base 40
Last snowfall 28 January 2006
Wind force near gale (gale force 7)
wind direction north-west
Conditions slopes Powdery, corn snow

Cortina

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From Tom Kelly USSA

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9 PRESS CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Men's Freestyle Moguls: 6 p.m., Torino MMC, La Mole Snowboardcross: 7 p.m., Torino MMC, La Mole Women's Alpine: 8 p.m., Torino MMC, La Mole
www.usskiteam.com www.ussnowboarding.com
more ,...
RAHLVES WINS DH TRAINING #1 BY 1.21 SECONDS Five of Six U.S. Men in Top 30
SESTRIERE, Italy (Feb. 9) - Three-time Olympian Daron Rahlves (Sugar Bowl, CA) topped the field in Thursday's first Olympic downhill training run as he blistered the Kandahar Banchetta course and won by 1.21 seconds over the next fastest competitor.
Rahlves laid down a time of 1:49.46 on the same course he won a World Cup on in 2004. A pair of Austrians followed with Michael Walchhofer in second (1:50.67) and Hermann Maier in third (1:50.73).

OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES
Torino, ITA - Feb. 9, 2006
Men's DH Training #1

* TORINO TEST PILOTS *
1. Daron Rahlves, Sugar Bowl, Calif., 1:49.46
2. Michael Walchhofer, Austria, 1:50.67
3. Hermann Maier, Austria, 1:50.73
4. Klaus Kroell, Austria, 1:50.85
5. Antoine Deneriaz, France, 1:50.99
--
T14. Steven Nyman, Orem, Utah, 1:52.18
16. Bode Miller, Bretton Woods, N.H., 1:52.21
22. Scott Macartney, Redmond, Wash., 1:52.54
29. Marco Sullivan, Squaw Valley, Calif., 1:53.44
50. Ted Ligety, Park City, Utah, 1:55.69

Ski Team's
US Ski Snowboard Teams

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Olympic Venues revisited
SNOW BASIN - SALT LAKE CITY 2002
XIX Olympic Winter Games

Photo: Snow Basin The Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games saw the expansion of the Olympic programme to 78 events, including the return of skeleton and the introduction of women's bobsleigh. Athletes from a record 18 nations earned gold medals. Canadian teams won both the men's and women's ice hockey tournaments. Ole Einar Bjoerndalen earned gold medals in all four biathlon events and Samppa Lajunen in all three Nordic combined competitions.

Alpine skier Janica Kostelic won three gold medals and one silver. Simon Ammann scored unexpected victories in both individual ski jump events. Speedskater Claudia Pechstein earned her third straight gold medal in the 5,000m race and also won at 3,000m. By taking the silver medal in singles luge, Georg Hackl became the first person in Olympic history to earn a medal in the same individual event five times in a row. Short track speedskater Yang Yang (A) became the first Chinese athlete to win a gold medal at the Winter Games. Competing in the women’s bobsleigh, Vonetta Flowers became the first black athlete to earn winter gold, while ice hockey player Jarome Iginla followed as the first black male winner. Participation: 77 National Olympic Committees (Nations) 2,399 athletes (886 women, 1,513 men)
78 events


Photo: Snow Basin - Getty Images/Adam Pretty
Stephan EBERHARTER of Austria in action during the men's super-G during the Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games.
Olympic Organization Snow Basin today
Snowbasin is excited to host U.S. Ski Team Day along with over 65 other alpine and cross-country ski areas across the nation. All participating resorts will donate one dollar per lift ticket or track pass sold that day to support U.S. Ski Team initiatives. Snowbasin have inspired many pictures, the ability to describe such vistas have been hard to capture, bringing many aspiring writers back to our slopes again and again. Snowbasin's man-made structures and attention to service details are equally inspiring to our visitors. The About Snowbasin section is all about learning about the incredible vistas of nature, culinary delights and pampered service available at the resort, so feel free to learn and explore here, then come explore the real experience at Snowbasin: A Sun Valley Resort!
Snowbasin: A Sun Valley Resort is the essence of rustic chic and has fast become Utah's most asked about winter sports resort. Our European guests are telling us, "It feels like home!" Cultural diversity has arrived and our guests are enjoying the sun soaked slopes, panoramic views, rocky outcrops and the Needles Ridge sculpted by cirques with the breathtaking Needles Spires. Welcoming the world in 2002, Snowbasin successfully hosted six events, including the men's and women's downhill, Super G and combined events. Acquaint yourself with the allure of Snowbasin as the legend lives on!
More Events
Date: Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25 Event: Saturday Morning Breakfast in the Huntington Room
Description: Enjoy a Full Service Breakfast in the beautiful Huntington Room of Earl's Lodge. Try one of our pre-selected meals, or go a-la-carte. Time: 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Where: Huntington Room of Earl's Lodge
Price: Depends upon the selections made, see the menu for additional information. Reservations: (801) 620-1000

Date: Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25
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 (in PDF Format). Time: Depends upon the class. View the Mountain Outdoor Program Brochure (in PDF Format). Where: Depends upon the class. View the Mountain Outdoor Program Brochure (in PDF Format). Price: Depends upon the class. View the Mountain Outdoor Program Brochure (in PDF Format). Reservations: (801) 620-1000


Date: Feb. 11
Event: U.S. Ski Team Day
Description: Snowbasin is excited to host U.S. Ski Team Day along with over 65 other alpine and cross-country ski areas across the nation. All participating resorts will donate one dollar per lift ticket or track pass sold that day to support U.S. Ski Team initiatives. Participating alpine and cross-country areas will be conducting special on-site promotions during the event day. Join Snowbasin Resort in Earl’s Lodge for a taste of the flavors and wines of Piedmont. We will also be holding an Alpine Ski Race and two Nordic Ski Races (a Classic and a Skating). The Alpine Ski Race allows the racers to challenge themselves, their friends and even the U.S. Ski Team with the two fastest runs counting towards a pin or medal. Both of the Nordic races are approximately 3K long with age groups for both males and females. The prizes will then be handed out at a ceremony later in the day. Time: The Alpine Ski Race starts at 10:00 a.m. The Nordic Ski Races both start at 1:00 p.m. The prize ceremony will start at 3:00 p.m. Where: The Alpine Ski Race will be held at Cuity Hill. The Nordic Ski Races will start from the Stadium Area. The prize ceremony will be held at the Main Plaza Price: $5 entry fee plus lift ticket (Snowbasin's discount ticket rate will be afforded to all racers) Reservations: For additional information about the events that will be held at the resort for this event, visit usskiteamday.com.

Date: Feb. 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26
Event: Carving Workshop
Description: Take your skiing to the next level with this two hour intermediate/advanced group lesson! Matthias Moos, a U.S. and German PSIA Level 3 Certified Ski Instructor & carving enthusiast since 1997, will be your instructor. Time: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Where: Starts at the Grizzly Center
Price: $40 per person, maximum of 6 students per class (ski passes not included) Reservations: Please sign up for the workshop at the Snowsports Learning Center Desks at Earl's Lodge or Grizzly Center, or call the Snowsports Desk at (801) 620-1016. For questions regarding the workshop, please call Matthias Moos at (801) 706-1202.

Date: Feb. 18-20
Event: Intermountain Snowboard Series
Description: Snowbasin has joined with the Park City Snowboard Team and the United States of America Snowboard Association (USASA) to offer the Intermountain Snowboard Series Races. Time: Visit the USASA website then scroll down to the section about Snowbasin. Where: Visit the USASA website then scroll down to the section about Snowbasin. Price: $27 per person, per event
Reservations: To pre-register, visit the Park City Snowboard Team Online Registration website.

Snow Basin




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More news this afternoon....