SPRINT U.S. FREESTYLE CHAMPIONSHIPS
JENNIFER HUDAK MOVES FROM WORLD CUP TO U.S. SKIER HALFPIPE PODIUM Scott Hibbart wins men's title at 2006 Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships KILLINGTON, Vt. (March 23) – After capturing her first World Cup podium just one week ago, Jennifer Hudak (Park City, UT) won the inaugural U.S. Freestyle Championships title in skier halfpipe Thursday at Killington Resort to open the 2006 Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships. Canadian Scott Hibbert stuck a back flip to finish his run and win the men’s title.

Photo:Killington Resort
“I grew up skiing at Okemo (about 40 minutes from Killington),” said Hudak, 19, “and they always had a great pipe that I would go into just for fun. I’d try to go crazy big and get a little out of control. But I was a moguls skier initially and I did that until about four years ago.” All it took to hook Hudak on halfpipe was a formal stage on which to compete. She got her chance in 2003 when she won the World Junior Championships at Marble Mountain in Newfoundland, Canada. Since then she has competed on the World Cup and NorAm circuits (she won a NorAm HP at Alpine Meadows last February) as well as notable domestic competitions such as the X Games. For her winning run, Hudak took five hits starting with back-to-back mute grabs, a critical grab, a tail grab and finishing with a 540 mute grab. She said her skiing has been more consistent this season, leading to more confident runs like her performance Thursday.
Hibbert said winning the U.S. championship title was the highlight of his season and he hopes to continue his success at the upcoming Vermont Open (at Stratton Mtn.) this weekend. Hibbert kicked off his run with a 540 safety and a 540 mute grab, followed by a corked 900 reverse mute, a big straight air (also a mute grab) and a laid-out back flip. The Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships continue Friday with moguls competition. SPRINT U.S. FREESTYLE CHAMPIONSHIPS KILLINGTON, VT MARCH 23, 2006 SKIER HALFPIPE
Killington
The Superpipe championship took place Thursday and officially kicked off this year's Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships! It was a heated competition in the men's final, but Scott Hibbert from Canada secured the gold with a flawless backflip on his last trick and Jennifer Hudak took home the gold medal in the women's final. Check back for more updates and results as they come in over the weekend!
MEN 1. Scott Hibbert, Canada, 86.0 2. David Wise, Reno, Nev., 83.6 3. Tony Seibert, Edwards, Colo., 75.2 4. Troy Cook, Truckee, Calif., 72.6 5. Noah Labow, Jeffersonville, Vt., 70.4 6. Tyler Homen, Roseville, Calif., 69.4 WOMEN 1. Jennifer Hudak, Park City, Utah, 65.8 2. Sophia Schwartz, Ketchum, Id., 63.4 3. Kim Sharp, Park City, Utah, 56.4 4. Allison Lee, Manchester, Conn., 56.2 5. Calli DeGrace, Plymouth, N.H., 53.6 6. Elizabeth Maney, Hartland, Vt., 40.6
For complete results:
FIS Ski

***
Indoor Snow News From Patrick Throne of; Snow365.com

First Scottish Snowdome Opens This Month
The first indoor snow slope in Scotland is scheduled to have its formal opening party on April 6th with some 10,000 people expected to attends the event. Xscape Braehead near Glasgow is the third Xscape to open in the UK, a little over five years after the first, in Milton Keynes.
The £70million ($125 US) centre features a 200m slope, covered in 1500 tonnes of real snow supplied by sixteen snow-guns and operating at around -3ºC. Drag lifts will provide uplift.
Scotland has five traditional ski areas and a dozen artificial surface year round slopes, including one of the largest in Europe, at the Midlothian centre overlooking Edinburgh. The country's traditional areas have suffered from lack of snow over the past decade and typically are only now able to operate for five or six weeks each ski season since 2000. This year most were unable to open before the start of March.
www.xscape.co.uk
And,...
Kansas Plans To Build World's First Ski-Trac
An organisation called the 110th Street Corridor Development LLC, has announced plans to develop a large leisure centre, incorporating the largest free standing dome in North America, on the town of Edwardsville's 650-acre Riverview Redevelopment Area in Kansas.
The plan envisages the world's first Ski-Trac, a two million-gallon aquarium and a 1,000-foot observation tower.
www.ski-trac.com
For more Indoor and alternative slope news visit
snow 365

***
Jade Mtn - China
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is situated north of LiJiang Old Town. The highest point in the mountain reaches a height of 5596 meters. This prominent wonder is made up of thirteen peaks and the highest one is named as "Fan Peak".
This "Fan peak" is still a virigin peak and has yet to be conquered by mountaineering enthusiasts. Above the height of 4500 meters, you can find 19 marine glaciers extending to a width of 30 meters and approximately 100 meters in length. There are cable cars available in this resort that will bring you to a height of 4506 meters above sea level. You can also enjoy skiing on the northeast range of the Fan Peak.

Jade Mtn

***
Niseko -Japan
Weather Cloudy with occasional Snow Cloudy with occasional Snow

Ski the 940-m drop in elevation from the top of the lift. Powder flies over your head.
World-famous powder covers one of the biggest ski grounds in Japan. It’s all here at Grand Hirafu, the winter resort. Check out this information and enjoy skiing at Grand Hirafu.

Open until May 7 2006

Grand Hirafu Niseko Japan


***
Kitzbühel

The trails are in perfect condition, and the first warming rays of sunshine are turning the terraces of the ski huts into a sheer pleasure!
Even though spring is very much in the air, there is still more than enough snow. Up on the Hahnenkamm the white carpet is no less than one meter twenty deep! At the moment the weather gods are adding a few centimeters almost every night, so that skiers can enjoy dream conditions with sunshine and perfect powder the next morning.
And if you have had enough of the mountains by sundown- instead of skiing on an illuminated slope, you will find the less frosty evenings ideal for a serious tour of Kitzbühel's night life. Above all, a visit to the brand-new casino is a must. As always, the beautiful city in the Alps has lots of new and exciting things to see and do at the moment. Don't miss March in Kitz!
SNOW AND FUN PASS YOUR WINTER HAS NEVER BEEN SO SWEET Book now! Snow and Fun Pass Sweeteners available from 11.03.2006. Or take advantage of an Easter Bunny Sweetener – 6 days + 1 day free – available from 08.04.2006. Prices start at € 219 per person including a 5- or 6-day ski pass

Kitzbuehel

***

Choice Hotels International

Are - Sweden

A winter without a visit to Åre is not a true winter, according to many families in Sweden and elsewhere. In Åre we offer very special family experiences in the Årefjällen area during the weeks 13 & 14.
We offer a weekly programme packed with activities and competitions (most of them are free).
In Åre Björnen the programme is adapted for the younger children such as breakfast free of parents but with lots of play and fun while the parents go for early morning skiing, children’s après-ski, torchlight ski procession with hot dog barbecue, racy ski competitions and lots of other fun.
In Duved the slightly older children will be at their best. The weekly programme is packed with action and competitions for children from about 11 years. Great early morning skiing and breakfast, ski film screenings, ski camps, ski races, ice-carting, snowscooters, ATVs and lots of other activities.
THE BEST WEEKEND IN ÅRE
Freeride 2006 Freeride in Åre is an opportunity for anyone to enjoy and try the greatest fun park in all of Sweden and the coolest hangout high up on Åreskutan. The world New School elite, filmmakers and photographers from all over the world meet up in Åre for a proper final to the season, on 28 April to 1 May. Sections of the great peak are groomed into one of the largest slope-style parks you have ever seen. The programme also includes an MTB slope-style competition at Åre Square with the best MTB riders in the country, sessions, DJs, outdoor après-ski, live bands, and shows. Skutskjutet on 29 April 2006 The Skutskjutet downhill race is the funniest and largest downhill race for families and groups of friends. A great way of concluding the skiing season and suitable to almost all types of skiers be they alpine, cross-country, snowboarders, or telemark skiers.
Put together a team and enter the team class or race individually in one of the other 25 classes. The entire weekend will be a buzzing party also at night in the clubs; a Swedish festival including the greatest après-ski of the year, outdoors in Ullådalen at the finishing area and at Åre Square with some of the leading Swedish artists.
All who take part in the Skutskjutet downhill race on 29 April will be included in the bib draw and have the chance to win a new car or one of the many other exclusive prizes. For more information please visit www.skutskjutet.com . Ski Exclusive
Are you an early bird also when on holiday? Here is an offer for all the early birds, a memory that you will cherish for a long time. You can be the first skier on the slopes! Ski Exclusive is an opportunity to make it to the top of Åreskutan before the others even wake up. For an hour and a half, the freshly groomed, corduroy slopes of Åreskutan are ours and ours alone. Our most experienced guides will show you the best pistes and offer hints on how to improve your skiing technique. Ski Exclusive is organised on Thursday mornings during the weeks 7 to 16. Skill level – You can master all kinds of pistes at speed with good control. Booking - Ski Exclusive is booked on tel. +46-(0)0771 - 84 00 00. All Eurocard members take part without cost, others pay SEK 150 Ski Star

***
Big white - Silver Star
25 DAYS left to enjoy the best snow year since 1999! All runs are open! Spring is here! and the backyard mountains are still plastered with powder! Silver Star currently boasts a base of 235 centimetres, while Big White has a whopping 302 centimetres, that's ten feet of settled snow – as high as the rim on a basketball court! Thanks to the late Easter vacation dates, both mountains are in full operation until Monday, April 17, 2006. We had tremendous numbers out for two very special (and different!) events last weekend. Flynn Seddon, Director of Snowboarding & Outdoor Events, reports that over 200 people competed in the Ninth Annual Neil Edgeworth Banked Slalom held last Sunday at Big White. Seddon says, "Everyone keeps saying how this event is one of the best in North America. The organization from our event crew led by Jay Denyar and countless others who worked on the course made it the best organized Banked Slalom yet. The support from the industry was overwhelming with, over $20,000 in prizes." Not to be outdone, Silver Star Mountain Resort's Nordic Manager, Glenn Bond reports that over 100 Nordic skiers took part in the Silver Star 75 Relay. "There was a full house at the banquet, with great food, friends and good times. Don Weixl capped the night with his slide show of photos from the day." The event raised approximately $5000.00 for the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation.
Events
Big White Events Last $5 Friday of the Season! Mar 24 Food and Wine Pairing Mar 25 Samsung Ultimate Test Slide Mar 25
Silver Star Hosts BC Freestyle Ski Association Championships Kristi Richards had to start somewhere! The top up and coming freestyle skiers from around the province will be battling it out at Silver Star Mountain Resort in Moguls, Halfpipe, Big Air and Aerials at the BC Freestyle Ski Championships from March 31 – April 2. There will quite likely be a future Freestyle Olympian – come on out and cheer 'em on
Big White

***
Squaw Valley
Although it is officially spring, there is still tons of great snow and winter conditions to enjoy, only now, we wear less clothes. Spring Magic is back again with 8 weeks of the best spring skiing in the world, great events like Spring Jam 8, the Suzuki Halfpipe Jam, pool side BBQ's and much more. With the huge snow base we have, we should be skiing through Memorial Day weekend. Make your plans now!

TODAY'S MOUNTAIN STATS & CONDITIONS As of 6:30, March 23* 6200' 8200' Current Temp: 25
Base: 124-144" 286-306" Surface Conditions Packed Powder /Groomed Packed Powder/ Groomed
Weather: Partly Cloudy Partly Cloudy Lifts Running Today*: 11 13 Lifts Scheduled Sat*: 13 19
THIS WEEKEND AT SQUAW
FRIDAY-SUNDAY: 3 Day Just for Women Ski Clinic. 530-581-7184. SATURDAY: Rock and Hop Party at Bar One & Zenbu. No Cover! SATURDAY: Live Apres Music in the Village. 2-4pm SUNDAY: Apres games in the Village 2-4pm.
Squaw Valley

***
Ski New Hampshire Tourism
The recent cool weather has really helped keep the snow on the trails at your favorite New Hampshire ski areas. Now we have some spring weather in the forecast for the weekend to enjoy it!

photo:NH Tourism / Loon Mtn Boarder

The clock is ticking if you want to get in a few more days of skiing or riding. Take a look at the list below of proposed closing dates we have at this time. Although several areas are planning to be open into mid-April and even May, this is the final weekend of the 2005-06 winter for many areas, so be sure to check it out!
The dates below are only proposed closing dates so keep an eye on the Ski NH Snow Report for the latest updates! Attitash: 4/2, Balsams Wilderness: 4/9, Bretton Woods: early May, Cannon Mt.: 4/2, Cranmore: 3/26, Crotched Mt.: weekends only (date TBD), Gunstock: 3/26, King Pine: 3/26, Loon Mountain: 4/16, Mount Sunapee: 4/9, Pats Peak: 3/26, Tenney Mt.: 3/26, Waterville Valley: 4/9, Wildcat: TBD.
Ski New Hampshire

***
Sierra at Tahoe
MIRACLE MARCH IN TAHOE If you have not gotten a little taste of the Miracle March we are having in Tahoe, grab your skis/board and get up here now. Storm after storm since the beginning of March has covered Sierra-at-TahoeTM Resort in over 15 feet of snow, giving us a total snow base of 485 inches! Our throats are sore from hooting and hollering for all this snow. Come be a part of this MIRACLE MARCH!! Sierra at Tahoe >

***
Kirkwood
Some like it deep!....
Close to 20 feet of new snow in the month of March has set the stage for a terrific line-up of events as Kirkwood kicks off Spring Bling, a month long celebration of on snow frivolity and fun. Highlight events include the North American and World Tour Freeskiing Championships, the 13th Annual Spring Jammin', the Sort of Famous Banked Slalom and the Copeland's Super Sunday series.
Add in the deepest snowpack in North America, currently 180-291 inches, (15-24 feet!) and the lowest price on a Spring Pass, and you'd have a hard time trying to come up with a good reason not to head for Kirkwood this spring.
Events This Weekend... Included are the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge, a fun family race course located off the new high speed TC Express that promises great prizes for all competitors, and the Snowbomb Sick n Twisted Slopestyle Competition in the DC Stomping Grounds terrain park...this one is open to all ages of skiers and snowboarders with a $2500 cash purse for the pro class and lots of great prizes for the amateur class.
Coming Soon... The 10th Annual North American and World Tour Freeskiing Championships, AKA The Extremes, takes place from March 29th until April 2nd. This event draws the world's best freeskiers as they compete Kirkwood's legendary Cirque, a permanently closed area that is opened once a year for this competition. The Cirque is featured in the March/April issue of Skiing Magazine
For the latest snow totals, resort operations and road conditions, visit
Kirkwood

***
Big Sky
Weather: It's going to be a beautiful spring day! Temperature: 40 ° to 20 ° (Fahrenheit) Wind: 5-10 from South New Overnight Snow: 0" Snow Fall past 24hrs: 0" Snow Fall past 48hrs: 0" Base Snow Depth: 66-116" 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
Big Sky

***
USSA News
U.S. ALPINE CHAMPIONSHIPS
OLYMPIANS HIGHLIGHT OPENING CEREMONIES AT TD BANKNORTH U.S. ALPINE CHAMPIONSHIPS

SUGARLOAF, Maine (March 23) - The 2006 U.S. downhill champions will be crowned Saturday night during the Opening Ceremonies for the 2006 TD Banknorth U.S. Alpine Championships. Festivities kick off at 6:30 p.m. with traditional music from members of Maine's Penobscot Indian Nation. Bill Marolt, president and CEO of the U.S. Ski Team, will recognize outstanding athletes including Olympic gold medalists Ted Ligety and Julia Mancuso, U.S. Ski Team alumni and this year's national downhill champions. Title sponsor TD Banknorth will give special recognition to New England athletes Kirsten Clark and Bode Miller, while Ski Racing Magazine will announce its 2006 Athlete of the Year. Maines Governor John Baldacci has a conflicting appearance and will not be at the ceremonies as originally announced. The evening also will feature fireworks, an autograph session at 7:45 p.m. and a free concert at 8 p.m. with blues artist Jen Kearney, a native of Portland, Maine. For more details on the 2006 TD Banknorth U.S. Alpine Championships, visit the web at: US Ski Team

***

***
Closed This weekend, gone skiing !