Squaw Valley
4-6 inches of new snow and more forecast throughout Saturday. Miles of great machined groomed terrain.
Events
Feb 18 Technine Snowboards Demo Days Come visit the gang from Technine Snowboards Saturday and test out some sweet boards. A large variety of boards available for Demos throughout the day. Make sure you swing down to Niros Night Club in South Lake Ceasers for the afterparty, featuring Pharcyde. $20 in advance, $25 at the dooor. Discounts available with Squaw lift ticket from 2/18/06 or Squaw season pass.

Feb 26-26 Jeep King of the Mountain Qualifier and World Championships Squaw Valley USA is proud to host the 13th Annual Jeep King of the Mountain Race Series. The National Open Qualifier will be held on Saturday for a chance to compete for the crown. Sunday, Squaw will host the grand finale of the Professional Skiing & Snowboarding World Championships. For Open Qualifier registration information, please visit jeepsports.com
Squaw Valley has been considered the birthplace of the American Extreme Skiing Movement and has been the playground of incredible athletes since Squaw's modest beginning. From Sandy Poulsen's 22 kick turns in the 1940s (inspiring the name KT-22) and the Olympians who descended on the valley for the VIII Winter Olympic Games in 1960, to Joe Auckenthaller's first decent of Chute 75, the infamous Chinese Downhill races of the 70s, Greg Beck's rock launch for the film Daydreams, thrill seekers like Scot Schmidt and Steve McKinney in the 80s, and the dozens of freeskiers, riders and racers of today like Marco Sullivan, Jonny Moseley, Shane McConkey, Brad Holmes, Jeremy Jones, CR Johnson, Jenn Berg and Jessica Sobolowski, Squaw has always attracted the best of the best.

Photo: Nathan Kendall / SVSC
Skiers that are looking for steep terrain, tight chutes and an excellent variety of off-piste skiing will find their dream at Squaw Valley USA as many of the legends that have come before you. If you want the numbers...30% of the resort's slopes will tickle your adventure bone.
Where is best terrain for advanced and expert skiers & snowboarders?
Experts will delight on the world famous pitches of the KT-22 peak. This peak is often referred to as Squaw Valley’s crown jewel, and virtually every inch of KT-22’s terrain will thrill and challenge even the most seasoned skier and snowboarder. Other advanced terrain includes the wide open bowls of Headwall, the wide open tree skiing on Granite Chief, the rocky outcroppings of Broken Arrow and the glorious glades in Silverado Bowl.
Squaw Valley

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Date: 2/17/2006 Weather: Artic air from the north bringing colder temps and a chance for snow. Temperature: -2? to -23? (Fahrenheit) Wind: ligh and variable from North New Overnight Snow: 0" Snow Fall past 24hrs: 0" Snow Fall past 48hrs: 9" Base Snow Depth: 56-85" Surface Conditions: Packed powder, machine groomed Terrain Open: 100% Lifts Scheduled to Open: Lone Peak Tram, Swift Current, Thunder Wolf, Ramcharger, Gondola One, Challenger, Iron Horse, Southern Comfort, Lone Peak Chair, Lone Moose, Explorer, White Otter, Shedhorn, Bear Back Poma, Mitey Magic Carpet, Magic Carpet, Pony Express, Cascade
What's Happening
Looks like we have some cold temps coming our direction, but here's a few more details. We have a shallow arctic air mass working it's way to Montana, however, with the current direction, Big Sky should just be catching the edge. The edges are thinner than the bulk of the jet stream and as it travels southeast, we're likely to be warmer than Bozeman.
Another phenomenon that is common in mountain areas is called inversion. It's a process where cold air will sink to lower areas at night after the jet stream moves through which translates to warmer temps higher up. This jet stream should pass through late Friday leaving a quiet atmosphere above us, meaning a good chance for inversion on Saturday, therefore, get out of town, warm up and go skiing at Big Sky!
This weekend is the first Half-Pipe Comp. It will be a series of 3 events. OUR SUPER PIPE IS NOW OPEN!! Big Sky


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US Team News

JACOBELLIS TAKES SILVER IN WOMEN'S SNOWBOARDCROSS BARDONECCHIA, Italy (Feb. 17) - Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, VT) won the inaugural silver medal in the Olympic Women's Snowboardcross event Friday afternoon in Bardonecchia.
STIEGLER 9th AFTER COMBINED SLALOM, DOWNHILL RESCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY SESTRIERE, Italy (Feb. 17) - Resi Stiegler (Jackson Hole, WY), competing in her first Olympics, is the top American following the slalom portion of the women's combined as she sits in ninth. Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA) is in 11th and Kaylin Richardson (Edina, MN) is 15th. Lindsey Kildow (Vail, CO) did not finish her second run.
UPCOMING COMPETITION SCHEDULE

Sat., Feb. 18
Alpine: Men's Super G, Sestriere Alpine: Women's Combined Downhill (make-up from Friday), San Sicario Cross Country: Women's 4x5km Relay, Pragelato Jumping: Individual Large Hill, Pragelato
Sun., Feb. 19
Alpine: Women's Super G, San Sicario Cross Country: Men's 4x10km Relay, Pragelato Freestyle: Women's Aerials Qualifiers, Sauze d'Oulx
Mon., Feb. 20
Alpine: Men's Giant Slalom, Sestriere Freestyle: Men's Aerials Qualifiers, Sauze d'Oulx Jumping: Team Large Hill, Pragelato


BEST ALL-TIME U.S. OLYMPIC PERFORMANCES PRIOR TO 2006
Alpine - Men
Downhill: Tommy Moe, gold, 1994; Bill Johnson, gold, 1984 Super G: Tommy Moe, silver, 1994 Giant Slalom: Bode Miller, silver, 2002 Slalom: Phil Mahre, gold/Steve Mahre, silver, 1984 Combined: Bode Miller, silver, 2002
Alpine - Women
Downhill: Picabo Street, silver, 1994; Hilary Lindh, silver, 1992 Super G: Diann Roffe-Steinrotter, gold, 1994 Giant Slalom: Andy Mead Lawrence, gold, 1952; Debbie Armstrong, gold/Christin Cooper, silver in 1984 Slalom: Andy Mead Lawrence, gold, 1952; Gretchen Fraser, gold, 1948 Combined: Gretchen Fraser, silver, 1948
PRIMARY INFORMATIONAL WEB SITES www.usskiteam.com www.ussnowboarding.com www.usocpressbox.org
STIEGLER 9th AFTER COMBINED SLALOM Downhill Rescheduled for Saturday SESTRIERE, Italy (Feb. 17) - Resi Stiegler (Jackson Hole, WY), competing in her first Olympics, is the top American following the slalom portion of the women's combined as she sits in ninth. Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA) is in 11th and Kaylin Richardson (Edina, MN) is 15th. Lindsey Kildow (Vail, CO) did not finish her second run.
Going into Saturday's downhill, Austrian Marlies Schild leads the field with a time of 1:21.22 over her two slalom runs at the Colle venue. Croatian Janica Kostelic is second in 1:21.68 and Austrian Kathrin Zettel is in third with a time of 1:21.75. The downhill will now be run Saturday starting at 2 p.m. (Torino time).


XX OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES Sestriere, ITA - Feb. 17, 2006 Women's Combined Slalom
1. Marlies Schild, Austria, 1:21.22 2. Janica Kostelic, Croatia, 1:21.68 3. Kathrin Zettel, Austria, 1:21.75 4. Anja Paerson, Sweden, 1:22.06 5. Nicole Hosp, Austria, 1:22.07 -- 9. Resi Stiegler, Jackson Hole, Wyo., 1:23.44 11. Julia Mancuso, Olympic Valley, Calif., 1:24.60 15. Kaylin Richardson, Edina, Minn., 1:25.00 -- Did not finish 2nd run: Lindsey Kildow, Vail, Colo.
US Ski & Snowboard Teams

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Vail Beaver Creek
March 4 Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge It's free, its' fun, and it's open to all ages and abilities-and there are tons of great prizes! March 8-April 12 Wednesday Night Free StreetBeat Concerts Rock, jazz, country, and bluegrass every Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Vail Village. March 22 - 26 American Ski Classic Skiing legends, entertainment celebrities and corporate America join together on the slopes for the oldest and largest skiing competition and festival of its kind complete with a charitable gala dinner and auction. March 30 - April 2 Best Life Vail Film Festival Independent films, documentaries, short films, we've got em! And we've got world premieres, celebrities, forums and parties to make it even more Hollywood. April 3 - 23 Spring Back To Vail Vail's end-of-the-season bash includes free concerts with national headlining bands, unique competitions and the World Pond Skimming Championships. April 5 - 8 16th Annual Taste of Vail Immerse your senses in flavors, aromas and sights as you enjoy the best wines from over 50 vintners and sample the most exquisite fare from our world-class restaurants. Vail Resorts

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Southwest Air Click & Save Deals
Reno/Tahoe, NV $69 one-way, to/from Boise, ID $39 one-way, to/from Las Vegas, NV $79 one-way, to/from Los Angeles, CA $49 one-way, to/from Oakland, CA $79 one-way, to/from Phoenix, AZ $59 one-way, to/from Portland, OR $69 one-way, to/from Salt Lake City, UT $49 one-way, to/from San Jose, CA $89 one-way, to/from Seattle/Tacoma, WA
Seattle/Tacoma, WA $104 one-way, to/from Albuquerque, NM $39 one-way, to/from Boise, ID $89 one-way, to/from Chicago Midway, IL $89 one-way, to/from Kansas City, MO $99 one-way, to/from Las Vegas, NV $99 one-way, to/from Nashville, TN $79 one-way, to/from Oakland, CA $99 one-way, to/from Phoenix, AZ $89 one-way, to/from Reno/Tahoe, NV $79 one-way, to/from Sacramento, CA $99 one-way, to/from Salt Lake City, UT $99 one-way, to/from San Jose, CA $39 one-way, to/from Spokane, WA
this is just a small sample of Southwest’s CLICK 7 SAVE Fares

Fly for $119 or less one-way with 10-day advance purchase in select markets.
Purchase through February 20 for travel March 1 - 31, 2006. THERE ARE TERMS & CONDITIONS See southwest.com fro details
Southwest Airlines

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Reminder! to find information on a resort, event or topic
enter subject into the "Search this Blog " field at top of this page




Gone skiing,Holiday Weekend !

Iceland Park Project
Since its conception in the summer of 2001 the Iceland Park Project’s impact has been phenomenal. Our inaugural camp in 2002 came out of nowhere on a shoestring budget and received more media coverage than any other European camp and since then IPP has gone from strength to strength especially with the help of our sponsor Nikita who have facilitated a huge improvement in our facilities. Run by three head shapers hailing from the legendary SPC55 Camps in Austria, IPP has proven it can deliver what it set out to do - namely to build a top quality park in a spectacular landscape, create a relaxed atmosphere where pros and guests ride together and to supply the snowboard media with unique and spectacular images. The following list of coverage is testament to just that. The 2005-06 winter is upon us and already IPP is featuring heavily in magazines and films around the world. The park itself is situated near to the top of the Snaefelles Glacier, reputed to be one of the seven ‘energy centres’ of the world!. A normal day up the hill at IPP involves a twenty minute van ride up the dirt road to the snowline. From there, depending on snow conditions, it is a five to ten minute hike or a short cat ride or sled tow to the main park area. Once in the park it’s a full hiking experience and as the park is never crowded this adds to the chilled and all-together atmosphere that IPP is all about Iceland Park Project
from Patrick Thorne of snow365.com

Snow Alert for Nakiska


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Nakiska
Past 24 hrs 2inches
Events
Feb 23 Honda Pro Am Snowboard Tour - Boardercross Feb 26 Boardercross Cash and prizes $30 Entry Fee *Must have a recreational provincal snowboard membership - Memberships will be on sale the morning of the event Registration in the Race Office 9:00am - 10:00am Register online at: www.skircr.com/series *Limited Spots Available *Helmets Mandatory Feb 28 Canadian Telemark Nationals Nakiska
Fernie
Powder 8 Championships
Powder 8 Canadian Nationals Feb. 3 - 5, 2006 Powder 8 Canadian Nationals Feb. 3 - 5, 2006 WOW what a weekend!!! The National Powder 8's saw 26 teams battle it out for the title of "Canadian Powder 8's Champions". The combination of excellent snow, savvy judges, experienced (and not so experienced) powder skiers, helpful volunteers and knowledgeable pro patrol resulted in an outstanding weekend!! We look forward to next year. We wish our new Canadian Champions Steve Smart, Guy Paulsen, Darcy Martin and Annica Collombin all the best at the World Championships in April. I would like to say a special thanks to Scapegoat Pizza for catering the Saturday Social for all competitors, officials and volunteers. Overall Results Overall Winning Team: Steve Smart and Guy Paulsen Total = 177 points (108 points today) Men's Winning Team Going to World's: Steve Smart and Guy Paulsen Women's Winning Team Going to World's: Darcy Martin and Annica Collombin Total Points = 139.5 Standings Bib Names Category First Run Score Second Run Score Final Score 2 12 Casey Bouius Colin Borrows Men 78 82 160 3 27 Kirk Gutzman Disco Stu Men 73.5 68 141.5 4 16 Janina Kuzma Dina Powers Women 50 85 135 5 4 Kathy Murray Louisa Cotton Women 44.5 82.5 127 6 6 Mike Collombin Phil Mittertreiner Men 61.5 55 116.5 7 13 Hi Brooks Dave Munro Men 55 60 115 8 19 Luc Nadeau Blair Craig Men 50.5 62 112.5 9 8 Michael McCann Micheal Broderlein Men 59 53 112 10 14 Darren Yuers Jonathan Squires Men 51 51 11 9 Garth Pakkinen Carl Salter Men 47.5 47.5 12 15 Tom Fry Travis Petracek Men 46.5 46.5 Events
Feb 18-20 : Fernie Food Bank The Rotary Club will be in the plaza all weekend long collecting food for the Fernie Food Bank.
Feb 24-25 : Night Skiing Come play on the "Mighty Moose" under the stars! Night skiing starts at 4:00am and ends at 9:00pm. Tickets $10.00 + GST
Feb 24-26 : Western Weekend The wild west is in full effect in Fernie this weekend. Dig out that 10 gallon hat and cowboy boots and hit the slopes with some cowboy/girl style.
Feb 25 : Kokanee Freeride The band "New Moon" will be playing in the plaza from 12 to 5pm.
Feb 26 : First Trax for Members Exclusive early lift access (8:30am) for Season Pass Holders only! Fernie

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SKI PATAGONIA
Ski Chile: Don’t miss Valle Nevado! Anticipate to winter and reserve your ski week at Valle Nevado now! From USD 1295 per person *07 nights lodging at chosen hotel *Breakfasts and dinners every day of your stay *7 days lift tickets *Climatized pool, kids care room, games room, fitness, skis storage,[...] From 2/1/2006 to 10/1/2006
2006 Ski Centres Promotions Take advantage of these promotions!
Portillo in Chile: 1. 2 kids for free promotion, during the weeks of June 17, September 23 and 30 each mother and/or father can bring two kids between 4 to 12 years old (included) and they will ski, eat and lodge at Portillo completely free. 2. 1 kid for free promotion, during the weeks of June 24, September 9 and 16 each mother and/or father can bring one kid between 4 to 12 years old (included) and they will ski, eat and lodge at Portillo completely free.
Valle Nevado: 1. The second adult will pay a 50% of his stay, when another adult is paying a 100% of his stay; they will lodge on a double room and will stay for 7 nights. Weeks of 8 and 23 June, 18 and 25 August and 22 September. 2. Additional adult will be free, when two adults pay a 100% of their reservation, the third person will be free when using an additional bed. Minimum 7 nights lodging. Weeks of July 28th and 4 and 11 August.
Termas de Chillan: 1. Weeks of June 10th and 17th at the Gran Hotel Termas, Perigallo y Pirimahuia: Kids are free (all kids under 12 years old) staying a minimum of 7 nights. Also all guests of the Gran Hotel and Hotel Pirimahuida will get a 50% discount on their ski rental. 2. Week of June 24 at the Gran Hotel Termas, Perigallo and Pirimahuida, Kids are free (all kids under 12 years old) staying a minimum of 7 nights. 3. Week of July 1st: Kids are free (all kids under 12 years old) staying a minimum of 7 nights. 4. Week of July 8th: Kids are free (all kids under 12 years old) staying a minimum of 7 nights at the Hotesl Pirigallo and Pirimahuida. 5. Week of July 29th: Singles Week. If you stay a minimum of 7 nights you will receive a 15% discount on the Spa services, and Bar at the Club House. It is valid at Gran Hotel, Pirigallo and Pirimahuida hotels. 6. Week of August 5th: Spa Week, when you stay a minimum of 7 nights you will get a 20% discount on the spa services at the Gran Hotel and Perigallo Hotel. 7. Week of August 12th: All guests at the Gran Hotel, Pirigallo and Pirimahuida Hotels and Condominiums will get a 50% discount on all dog’s sleigh and snow bikes. 8. Week of August 19th: All guests at Gran Hotel staying a minimum of 7 nights, will get full board for the value of their half board meals. 9. Week of August 26th: Guests at the Gran Hotel, Hotels Pirimahuida and Pirigallo, staying a minimum of 4 nights will get a 50% discount on ski rentals. 10. Week of September 2nd: at the Gran Hotel, Hotels Pirmahuida and Pirigallo c Kids (under 12 years old) staying a minimum of 7 nights, will get a 50% discount. 11. Week of September 9th: 2 x 1 with a minimum of 7 nights, the second guest sharing the same room, will stay for free. 12. Week of September 23rd, September 30th through the end of the season at Gran Hotel, Hotels Pirigallo and Pirimahuida, 2 x 1 with a minimum of 4 nights. SkiPatagonia

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USSA News

U.S. STARTERS FOR SATURDAY OLYMPIC EVENTS Alpine: Men's Super G Scott Macartney (Redmond, WA) Bode Miller (Bretton Woods, NH) Steven Nyman (Orem, UT) Daron Rahlves (Sugar Bowl, CA) Cross Country: Women's Relay Rebecca Dussault (Gunnison, CO) Sarah Konrad (Laramie, WY) Kikkan Randall (Anchorage, AK) Wendy Wagner (Park City, UT) Ski Jumping: Large Hill Alan Alborn (Anchorage, AK) Clint Jones (Steamboat Springs, CO) Tommy Schwall (Steamboat Springs, CO) 4th spot to be determined after tonight's trial jump

more news,
WAGNER TOP U.S. FINISHER IN 10km CLASSICAL PRAGELATO, Italy (Feb. 16) -- Estonian Kristina Smigun won her second gold of the Games, taking the women's 10-km classical technique race Thursday in Pragelato in a light, steady rain. Wendy Wagner (Park City, UT) led the USA finishing 50th. Smigun now holds the only two Olympic Winter Games ski medals in history for her nation. It was a tough day for the Americans. Wagner finished 50th 3:49.6 back, followed by Kikkan Randall (Anchorage) 53rd, Abby Larson (Bozeman, NT) 57th and Lindsey Weier (Mahtomedi, MN) 59th.
XX OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES Pragelato, ITA - Feb. 16, 2006 Cross Country Women's 10km Classical 1. Kristina Smigun, Estonia, 27:51.4 2. Marit Bjoergen, Norway, 28:12.7 3. Hilde Pedersen, Norway, 28:14.0 4. Kristin Steira Stoermer, Norway, 28:21.0 5. Katerina Neumannova, Czech Republic, 28:22.2 -- 50. Wendy Wagner, Park City, Utah, 31.41.0 53. Kikkan Randall, Anchorage, Alaska, 31:49.7 57. Abigail Larson, Bozeman, Mont., 32:09.0 59. Lindsey Weier, Mahtomedi, Minn., 32:43.3

DAWSON TAKES BRONZE IN MEN'S MOGULS SAUZE d'OULX, Italy (Feb. 15) - First-time Olympian Toby Dawson (Vail, CO) won bronze in moguls Wednesday night under the lights in Sauze d'Oulx. Jeremy Bloom (Loveland, CO) was sixth, Travis Mayer (Steamboat Springs, CO) was seventh and Travis Cabral (South Lake Tahoe, CA) finished ninth. MANCUSO 7th, KILDOW 8th IN DOWNHILL SAN SICARIO, Italy (Feb. 15) - Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA) was the top American finisher in seventh in Wednesday's Olympic Downhill. Austrian Michaela Dorfmeister won the race. Lindsey Kildow (Vail, CO) tied for eighth, Stacey Cook (Mammoth Lakes, CA) was 19th and Kirsten Clark (Raymond, ME) was 21st. WIND POSTPONES NORDIC COMBINED TEAM EVENT UNTIL THURSDAY PRAGELATO, Italy (Feb. 15) - An air of mystery and intrique surrounds the rescheduling of Wednesday's nordic combined team competition that was halted because of gusty, swirling winds after the second and final round of jumping had begun. According to Pragelato Press Manager Ingo Jensen, officials are now looking to re-start the competition with the second round as opposed restarting the entire competition, as had earlier been expected. COMING UP… Fri., Feb. 17 Alpine: Women's Combined, San Sicario Fraiteve Cross Country: Men's 15km Classic, Pragelato Snowboard: Women's Snowboardcross, Bardonecchia Sat., Feb. 18 Alpine: Men's Super G, Sestriere Cross Country: Women's 4x5km Relay, Pragelato Jumping: Individual Large Hill, Pragelato For complete results: FIS SKI

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Sugarloaf
EVENT
CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Maine - "The man who made Eddie cruise," and an icon of the 1980s John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, will headline a special Bud Light Concert event at Sugarloaf/USA on Saturday, Feb. 25.Tickets for the concert are free for Gold and Platinum All For One Pass holders and $10 for the general public. Also that weekend, The Widowmaker Lounge will host encore performances by The Cusacks who played to a sold out crowd at Sugarloaf on New Year'sEve. Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band earned national prominence following their music contributions to the hit movie Eddie and the Cruisers in themid 1980s.

WHAT'S HAPPENING · 02/17-18: Skeletones Live at the Widowmaker
· 02/10-26: Follow some Sugarloafers to Torino
· Half Price Demos on Tuesdays & Thursdays


Before Sugarloaf, Kingfielders happily skied Bigelow Mountain, where the Civilian Conservation Corps had cut a trail and built a lodge in the 1930's. But in 1947, for reasons that are probably legitimate, Central Maine Power Company dammed the Dead River to create Flagstaff Lake, which cut off access to Bigelow. Like true Mainers, the locals didn't mourn; they organized. A Kingfield storekeeper named Amos Winter was about to step up to the challenge in a big way.
The first Sugarloafers believed in the mountain and set forth the heritage and sence of community that Sugarloaf is known for. The now-famous sign on Doc and Joni Blachard's A-frame shown here features the early Sugarloafers' semi-secret acronym "SIAWOL," which stands for "Sugarloaf is a way of lfe." A celebration that would continue for the next 50 years had begun. And the rest, as they say is history.


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Snow Alert For SnowBird, Snow Basin Utah
Snow Alert for Tahoe Basin; Alpine ,
      Homewood, Heavenly, Sugar Bowl Squaw

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Big White / Silver Star
It's President's Week starting tomorrow! Guests will be treated to fantastic conditions at both Big White and Silver Star with over 200 cms of snow at both resorts, lots of activity and fun! There is still availability in certain accommodation types with a minimum two nights stay, book fast!
Vancouver mountain friends! Be sure to come out to the Advil Outdoor Adventure Show at BC Place this weekend and make sure you say hello at the Silver Star & Big White booth.
Congratulations to former Canadian national team downhiller Roman Torn, who ripped up the race course at the 26th Annual Over the Hill Downhill at Silver Star last weekend with the fastest time. Finally, a big cheer for all of our Canadian Olympic athletes competing in Torino, Italy – notably Drew Neilson and Tom Velisek, who are competing in the Snowboard Cross (SBX) race. (Drew and Tom are well acquainted with the snowboard cross course at Silver Star's TELUS Park!) You can catch all of the Olympic action in Big White's Village Centre Mall on the 42 inch plasma screen TV and on the big screen in the Town Hall Eatery at Silver Star!! Stop by TELUS Park and check out the future stars of skiing and snowboarding! Big White is hosting the first of two Free Ride Club competitions in TELUS Park. Events will include Snow Cross, Slopestyle, Half Pipe, and some of the kids will also be grinding up the rails. Get an autograph and photo now because there will probably be a big line-up at the podium in 2010! Events are scheduled for both days – Saturday and Sunday. For more information about the Big White Free Ride Club and Free Ride Team please contact Josh Foster, Director of Skiing, Big White Ski Resort at jfoster@bigwhite.com or (250) 491-6143.
Mountain Dew Series Half Pipe at TELUS Park Silver Star Skiers and snowboarders – on Saturday, show off those stylin' moves you've been working on in TELUS Park and enter the competitive world of half pipe skiing and snowboarding by competing in the Mountain Dew Series! Big prizes at the end of the series for the most points! Register at the Info Desk at the Silver Star Snowsport School. (250) 558-6065.
The brand-new TELUS Park race centre at Silver Star will debut with the high profile Pontiac GM Cup Race Series from February 25 – 28. Our future Olympians, both men and women, will be racing through slalom and giant slalom courses set in the TELUS Park Race Centre.
270 amateur racers are coming to Silver Star to race GS and SL for a piece of the $50,000 in prize money. Spectators can enter to win a trip for 4 to the 2006 TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival which includes 4 nights’ stay/$1000.00 cash and new Atomic Gear.
Big White

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Kirkwood
New snow and sunshine in the forecast for Ski Week, and Kirkwood is serving up a family feast of fun! With six inches of new snow since yesterday and more predicted for Saturday, the mountain will be in impeccable shape with 2,300 acres of terrain for all abilities to play in. Special for Ski Week: Junior Expedition Camps for kids who are ready to take on the whole mountain. High Angle Grooming... Like it steep and smooth? Kirkwood’s High Angle Grooming program will have you looking down some of the steepest groomed terrain in Lake Tahoe, with several black and double black diamond runs covered in wall to wall corduroy to choose from. Explore Kirkwood’s legendary off-piste terrain - Wagon Wheel Bowl, Palisades, Thunder Saddle, Fawn Ridge - they're all deep and soft and super fun! Kirkwood’s uncrowded slopes mean you only have to get up close and personal with the people you want to, and less people always means more fun on the slopes. Events
2/18, Sat.- Steeps Camp: Are you looking for added poise to get down the steeps or the control to ski and ride with complete confidence? Do you dream of ripping the terrain you see in all the video's and magazines? If so then join our Expedition Guides as they show you the unique terrain Kirkwood has to offer to elevate your skiing and riding.
Visit   Kirkwood

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Sugar Bowl
It going to be a great day out on the slopes, so get on up here and make some turns! Today adults, young adults, and seniors are $46 and children 6-12 are $15. Kids 5 and under ski for free! The National Weather Service Forecast is calling for scatter snow this morning with snow this afternoon. Accumulations of 4-6 inches above 7000 feet with light winds becoming 10mph this afternoon.

Join Babes in the Backcountry at Sugar Bowl February 24-26. Superstar Telemark Skier Leslie Ross shares her "Moving From Center" approach to help women advance to the next level and gain more confidence in their freeheel and backcountry skills. This is a great opportunity to ski with a legend in a comfortable, supportive environment. Call 530-426-6724 or log on to www.babesinthebackcountry.com for more information.
It's time for some spring cleaning...cleaning up those bad habits on the slopes that is. The weather is great and we've got a whole host of clinics to help you master new skills or simply refine the ones you have! Check out MSLC or Call 530-426-6772 for more information.
Sugar Bowl

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Val Gardena -Italy
Ski touring with a difference Ski mountaineering in the Dolomites is usually a demanding enterprise and certainly not for beginners. But the Dolomites offer a ski touring experience with a difference that everyone can enjoy: the Sella Ronda.
Events
18th February 2006 until 04th March 2006 19.02.2006 - Ortisei Parade by the "Schützen" and concert by the Ortisei Band 23.02.2006 - Ortisei Carnival procession with music entertainment 03.03.2006 - Ortisei Music entertainment by Alpine Horns 03.03.2006 - Selva Gardena 12th Sellaronda Skimarathon
Val Gardena

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Sun Peaks - Canada
Snow is still elusive here in Sun Peaks, but between all the FINE weather we’ve been having and the skills of our award winging grooming team, we’ve got no cause for complaints. The base is hangin’ out around 159cm and conditions just can’t be beat. Clear and cold are the bywords for today. The temperature is currently a chilly -18C in the Village, at Mid-mountain -20C, and -19C at the Top of the World. The winds are light, and the sky is clear as a bell, so wear your warm woolies and enjoy another bluebird day on the mountain. The forecast for today is calling for mainly sunny skies and a high of -15C All our major lifts are turning today, and as always the West Bowl T-bar will be open all weekend. All 3 mountains are 100% open, all 117 runs, and there’s some great carving out there for you folks to enjoy! The cross-country network is open as well. Trails were groomed and track set yesterday. Our skating rink and Tube Time are both open daily for those not inclined to strap on some boards. Friday race series is on again, and so come on out and challenge the family! Sign up at Snow Sports School and see how fast you really are. This is SnowFlake signing out with your thought for the day… You can’t spell snow without NOW and that’s when you should be skiing! Sun Peaks

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USSA / Olympic News

KRIS FREEMAN 22nd IN 15km CLASSICAL PRAGELATO, Italy (Feb. 17) - Kris Freeman (Andover, NH) was the top U.S. finisher in Friday's cross country 15km classical race in Pragelato as he took 22nd. Lars Flora (Anchorage, AK), Andrew Johnson (Greensboro, VT) and Justin Freeman (Andover, NH) placed 51-52-53, respectively. Estonian Andrus Veerpalu won the race and the gold medal with a time of 38:01.3. Czech Lukas Bauer won silver in 38:15.8 and German Tobias Angerer took bronze in 38:20.5. Freeman was 22nd in 39:57.4, while Flora was 51st in 41:53.1, Johnson was 52nd in 41:53.9 and Justin Freeman, Kris' brother, was 53rd in 42:00.9. Overnight snow made the course sticky and slow. "It was really rugged out there, it was a hard day," said Freeman. "The snow's really tricky, the skiing's really tricky." Freeman, competing in his second Olympics, finished 15th in the Pursuit and was part of the 4x10km relay squad that placed fifth, the best all-time Olympic finish for the U.S. "I think I came through with a decent race," said Freeman. "I'm not thrilled with it, but I think it was a good effort. It was representative of where I am today. I was a little sick last week and this is a good first race back." Freeman stayed at a strong pace throughout the course, despite the slow conditions. "I was skiing everything about the same," he said. "I went out at a steady pace and I just tried to hold it all the way around. It was so slow today that you can't afford to blow up out there." In January, Freeman won the U.S. Championships pursuit and was second in the 15km at Soldier Hollow in Utah. "It's very similar skiing (to the Soldier Hollow course)," said Freeman. "Some of the hills here are actually even harder. Any time you have snow like this, it just makes everything harder." Freeman is slated to start in Sunday's relay event and will then get a week off before the 50km race. XX OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES Pragelato, ITA - Feb. 17, 2006 Cross Country Men's 15km Classical 1. Andrus Veerpalu, Estonia, 38:01.3 2. Lukas Bauer, Czech Republic, 38:15.8 3. Tobias Angerer, Germany, 38:20.5 4. Vassili Rotchev, Russia, 38:24.4 5. Jaak Mae, Estonia, 38:35.2 -- 22. Kris Freeman, Andover, N.H., 39:57.4 51. Lars Flora, Anchorage, Alaska, 41:53.1 52. Andrew Johnson, Greensboro, Vt., 41:53.9 53. Justin Freeman, Andover, N.H., 42:00.9
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