Rhode Island, Squaw Valley California and The Entire Ski Industry

Photo: SV Ski Corp " Alex's House"

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Alexander Cushing, Chairman President of Squaw Valley Ski Corporation,... my backyard.
"Alex" was key in bringing the 1960 Winter Olympics To California and convincing The USOC that Squaw had the Mountian, the ability and the desire to Host the first winter games to be on TV and put Lake Tahoe on the map as a major winter sports destination.
I personally could recite many of the "Firsts" he was responsible for. I could look forward to his annual letter to the pass holders mentioning the "Steely eyed bankers" when there was an increase in prices. His views, especially of Copa Cabana , south american beaches and his travels were always light hearted enough to make "THE LETTER" amusing.
His reference in the early days naming some of the lifts after east coast locations, was interesting. Newport, East Broadway, the original Tram, car 1 , The "Conneticut General".
Alex, did things his way "Full speed ahead" God bless him.
During the Olympic Torch relay that passed thru Squaw in 2002, I had a chance to speak WITH him as he smiled with the OLYMPIC flame burning behind him.
Alex sent me a personal letter a couple years back thanking me for a X-mas card. ...The Night before X-mas and all around SV, the chairs were ready,....ready as can be. The six packs were hung, and serviced "with care", just like His hat, Alex was there,....
I have come to use "ONWARD" a direct result of Alex's influence on my letter writing style.
To those that have experienced SQUAW, there is a huge loss. To those Alex has faced in business dealings, a unique character!. To those that have worked for SV Ski Corp, there is nothing like "that family".
The house under Squaw Peak lift with the 2 vintage snocats, is silent. The "Cushing Classic" Pond Crossing a ritual with springs "Writing on the Wall" that the end of the season is at hand, now seems like a sacred honor.
A Pioneer, a good man, a visionary and a deeply respected man I cherished in my own way.
To "Nan" his family, my friends at SV. I am truly saddened for the great loss , Thanks, for the Memories
The Slopes are silent


**************************************

Sugar Bowl
Sugar Bowl Passes are now available for the 0607 season. New this year, Season pass holders will automatically be enrolled into our new Core Mountain Club program. Members can track their vertical feet and lift rides with every scan of their pass. Core Mountain Club members will also earn valuable points with every dollar spent at Sugar Bowl that can be redeemed for great rewards!

Sugar Bowl

***
IT WAS A DAY OF BIG AIR - SKIERS, SNOWBOARDERS, SNOWMOBILE AND FMX

Photo: Cardrona MArketing /cardronagames
Two of Wanaka´s best snow sports athletes, skier Jossi Wells and snowboarder Mitchell Brown, added another trophy to their cabinets on Friday at the Coca Cola Cardrona Games, after winning the double halfpipe competition in their disciplines. Winter Olympian snowboarder Juliane Bray, also of Wanaka, and Australian free skier Janina Kuzma took the titles for the women´s events. Each athlete won $2500 cash. Wells (16) is currently New Zealand´s number one freestyle skier, and his performance today reaffirmed his top status. He impressed judges with a smooth overall performance, completing back to back rotations, including a 900 (two and a half rotations) in the Johnny Superpipe. Brown (19), also a Kiwi Winter Olympian, won his event by performing a variety of spins, tricks and inverts, including a 720 (two full rotations) and a 900. Both Bray and Kuzma achieved huge air with a variety of rotations.
Cardrona Games´ halfpipe competition is completely unique. Park designers have created the world´s first double halfpipe, consisting of the 150m long Johnny Superpipe, followed by a 10m connecting hip jump, then onto the 120m long International Halfpipe. Both Wells and Brown said they were impressed with the conditions of the pipes: "The halfpipes were great, they were cut really well. I´ve never seen any competition like this before, so it was pretty cool. I was quite tired by the end of it though, because it is so long," Wells said. Huge crowds gathered again yesterday afternoon to watch American Chris Brown perform his 21m step up jump on a snowmobile, as well as clearing a huge step up road gap jump, taking off by the Noodle Bar area, roaring past the crowd, up a steep jump, over a track and landing on top of a steep incline. Moto FMX riders also performed daredevil like stunts, taking off a second after the snowmobile and crossing over in the air, immediately behind them.
The crowd was just going off. The performances were huge, and it´s great that people can see so many exciting snow sports displays. It´s particularly special that Cardrona Alpine Resort is the first mountain in New Zealand to host the snowmobiling and FMX big air demonstrations.
The Coca Cola Cardrona Games concludes Sunday (due to poor visibility on Saturday) with the technical slopestyle event. Snowmobile and Moto FMX big air demonstrations take place at the end of each day´s competition, with Salmonella Dub DJ Sound System also playing live each day.
See www.cardronagames.co.nz for more details



***
International Ropeways

Recent News Stories:
The Portland Aerial Tram: The Critical Link to the Development of South Waterfront California and Nevada resorts: Summer means contruction Daily News Headlines:
Mt Abram: Owners announce long term plans Utah: Ski Areas Receive Face Lifts for 2006-07 Winter Season Doppelmayr: 6-CLD in Tichots Founder of Squaw Valley has died Obereggen / Italy: New chairlifts Snowbird: New for 2006/07 – Peruvian Chairlift & Tunnel Ski Roundtop / USA-PA: The New Triple Chair is Underway Jackson Hole Mountain Resort: new 100 passenger aerial tramway Shawnee Peak Ski Area Announces Major Lift Improvements for 2006-07 Peak Resorts: $8 million dollar expansion Canadian Ski Council Honours Industry Leader Dan Matthews PRINOTH T4S: Snow Groomer – Bus – Sled to Spitzbergen New Single-Issue Website On Climate Change in Ski Resorts Launched Intrawest Corporation announces agreement to be acquired by fortress investment group Vail Resorts: Ski with the wind Whiteface Mountain Ski Center: governor announces $5 million to improve facilities and programs Kicking Horse Mountain Resort: New Investments of Over $100 Million Anticipated by 2010 Marmot Basin Installs Advanced Snowmaking Forest Service approves Upper Independence Cat Skiing at Keystone Resort Val d’Isère / FR: Ski with your hands free Leitner: Tung Chung Cable Car in Hong Kong NSAA: Ski Industry Releases Annual Environmental Report www.ropeways.net

***