Snow Alert - Mt Hood, Hood Meadows OR, Stevens Pass WA,
               -Whistler Blackcomb, Jackson Hole


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Alpine Meadows -CA
Skier and Riders can Access the Top of the Mountain with the Addition of Summit Six Chair
December 16th, conditions permitting for daily operations. In addition to Summit Six waking up, you’ll find Hot Wheels chair added to the schedule on Saturday. Roundhouse, Kangaroo and Meadow Chairs are already up and running, as well as our Sun Kid Surface lift. Cold temperatures are brewing, so be sure to bring along the extra layers this weekend.
To get you even more into the holiday spirit, be sure to ski and ride December 23rd & 24th, we’ll have jazz carollers at the main lodge from 1pm – 4pm.
NEW THIS SEASON Alpine’s Premier Mountaineers for ages 7–12! Introducing our new Premier Mountaineers Program featuring a maximum of 6 children per instructor! This unique new program is the first of its kind in the Tahoe Basin, guaranteeing personal attention in a small group setting. Premier Mountaineers is offered during our busy holiday times and will ensure a maximum of 6 students with certified insructors. Available from Dec 23rd-Jan 6th, Jan 13th-Jan 14th, and Feb 17th-Feb 24th. Premier Mountaineers enrollment will ensure the best small group learning environment for your children with our hand selected instructors. SPACE IS LIMITED AND RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. Please phone 530.581.8200 to make a reservation
www.skialpine.com

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Crystal Mountain
Crystal Mountain received 15" of new snow overnight and 18" in the past 24 hours in Green Valley! We will be doing avalanche control all morning and hope to have upper mountain and Forest Queen open by late morning or lunch time. It will be well worth the wait. With upper mountain closed Wednesday and Thursday the untracked powder up top will be unbelievable.
We will be open from 9am-4pm.

Date: Friday, December15th, 2006
Time: 7:00am
Weather: Snowing and windy
Winds: Moderate to strong averaging 20 MPH from the West
Base Temperature: 26 degrees
Base Snow Depth: 58 inches
Base New Snow Fall 24hrs: 8 inches
Base Snow Fall 48hrs: 14 inches
Summit Temperature:18 degrees
Summit Snow Depth: 81 inches

What’s Happening at Crystal Mountain: 15" of new overnight plus continuing to snow heavily. Come visit us Saturday for the Sturtevants Ski Demo, please pre-register @ www.sturtevants.com. Also each Saturday we will be guiding snowshoe tours into our South Backcountry call 360-663-3040 to reserve today.
Crystal Mountain Express bus is the hassle free way to Crystal Mountain on weekends only. Please visit our website for event information or to view our live webcams. www.skicrystal.com



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FIS NEWS
REITERALM, Austria (Dec. 15) - Resi Stiegler (Jackson Hole, WY) laid down the fifth-fastest slalom run Friday and moved up to 11th place in super combined Friday leading two other U.S. skiers into World Cup points. Lindsey Kildow (Vail, CO) was sidelined by a stomach flu.
Austrians, led by Marlies Schild, who won the first two slaloms of the season, swept the top four places. Schild's time for one run of a shortened downhill and a lone slalom run was 2:13.69.
Stiegler, who was 31st in the super G, had a combined time of 2:16.00 and advanced 20 places in the final standings. Kaylin Richardson (Edina, MN) finished 15th and Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA), getting stronger after hip surgery for chronic problems during the summer, was 16th. Stacey Cook (Mammoth Mountain, CA) finished just out of the points, in 33rd place in the makeup race from then-snowless St. Moritz, Switzerland, earlier this month.
"Resi did a great job in the slalom, especially from 31st start. She was very impressive with that speed," Head Coach Patrick Riml said. "We know she's fast in slalom and she's showing she definitely can be a contender in combined.
"Julia had a great super G [fourth] and she started great in the slalom, but she got caught up in a hairpin section and couldn't find her rhythm after that...we're tweaking a few things with her, and she's getting back on track," Riml said. "And Kaylin had a solid run of slalom, and super G's a little easier for her - she needs more experience in downhill, so this worked well. She's such a good slalom skier and she can contend in combined, too."
Kildow was sick all day Thursday, he said, but felt better before Friday's race. "We felt it was better that she didn't ski today and got totally healthy. It was tough to miss this one, but tomorrow's another super G and then next week she's got some downhills in Val d'Isere - and she won there last year, so we want Lindsey strong...and then she'll get back into it." He said the course "was in perfect shape. It was sunny and the snow was rock hard underneath, so the guys had some tough conditions last week for their super combined, but we got a great track...and it should be like that again tomorrow."
The women run the second super G of the season Saturday - which replaces one lost race in Val d Isere, France - and then have two downhills and a slalom, starting Tuesday, in Val d'Isere; the second downhill makes up for one lost in St. Moritz and the slalom is a pickup from Megeve, France.

WOMEN'S ALPINE WORLD CUP
Reiteralm, AUT - Dec. 15, 2006
Super Combined (SG/SL)
1. Marlies Schild, Austria, 2:13.69
2. Michaela Kirchgasser, Austria, 2:14.03
3. Kathrin Zettel, Austria, 2:14.04
4. Nicole Hosp, Austria, 2:15.00
5. Sarak Zahrobska, Czech Republic, 2:15.31
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11. Resi Stiegler, Jackson Hole, WY, 2:16.00
15. Kaylin Richardson, Edina, MN, 2:16.46
16. Julia Mancuso, Olympic Valley, CA, 2:16.51
33. Stacey Cook, Mammoth Mountain, CA, 2:28.42

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



VAL GARDENA, Italy (Dec. 15) -
Reigning super G world champion Bode Miller (Bretton Woods, NH) nailed the top section and kept ripping down the Saslong course Friday to win a World Cup super G, the 23rd victory of his career and first win at Val Gardena. Steven Nyman (Provo, UT) was 10th.
WCSN.com will broadcast same-day video streaming beginning at 4 p.m. ET.

Miller, who drew closer to Phil Mahre's U.S. record of 27 World Cup wins finished in 1:32.35 with Austrian Christoph Gruber second in 1:32.99. Nyman's time in the sunny 30-degree weather was 1:33.45 for the 2.4K course; he and Swiss skier Silvan Zurbriggen moved up a spot when Hermann Maier of Austria was disqualified.

After taking a half-second lead at the top split, Miller - whose best previous finish in Val Gardena was fourth in a super G two years ago - lost a bit in the mid-section and then piled-on four-tenths of a second on the final section for the impressive victory. It's the fourth super G win of his career, his first since tying then-teammate Daron Rahlves in the SG at World Cup Finals last March in Are, Sweden, scene of this season's FIS World Championships in February.
"I skied it smart. I didn't risk too much," Miller said. "It was a perfect run, top to bottom...definitely the best run this season for me, not just in races but including training runs, too." He said he was confident and "always had the right direction. I had a good inspection [with Coach John McBride] and was confident all the way. I had a good line.

"I wasn't as much on the edge as usual. I knew I had to ski the right line, and I got it." He said super G has always been one of his favorite disciplines although he feels he's skiing faster at the moment in giant slalom.
"Not too bad," said DH/SG Head Coach Chris Brigham. "Bode skied incredibly well on the top part, which was difficult today, and he carried it on down the hill. He skied like we known he can ski; his equipment was working and he skied well...and Steven had a little trouble on the top part, but he skied very well after that. He's picking up confidence in every race. He's coming!" He added, "Bode should be fun to watch in the downhill tomorrow after today's performance. He'll be more confident in his equipment and his skiing."

Brigham praised the course crew for "a fantastic job. They've done an amazing job getting this place ready; they were saying five or six days ago it wouldn't even be close, but the track was pretty close to perfect. It's amazing, considering the little snow they've gotten in so much of Europe. This was prepared almost as well as they normally prepare it." The best previous U.S. results in Val Gardena were a third-place showings in downhill by Mike Lafferty behind Swiss great Bernhard Russi in March 1972 and by AJ Kitt behind another Swiss Franz Heinzer early in the '92 season. "This was a great day for Bode, a good day for the team," Brigham said.
The men race downhill Saturday and then move on for their traditional stop in Alta Badia with a giant slalom Sunday and a slalom Monday.

MEN'S ALPINE WORLD CUP
Saslong Classic
Val Gardena, ITA - Dec. 15, 2006
Men's Super G
1. Bode Miller, Bretton Woods, NH, 1:32.35
2. Christoph Gruber, Austria, 1:32.99
3. John Kucera, Canada, 1:33.08
4. Didier Cuche, Switzerland, 1:33.13
5. Aksel Lund Svindal, Norway, 1:33.23
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10. Steve Nyman, Provo, UT, 1:33.45
32. Marco Sullivan, Squaw Valley, CA, 1:34.74
38. Scott Macartney, Redmond, WA, 1:34.91
46. Jake Zamansky, Aspen, CO, 1:35.41
50T. JJ Johnson, Park City, UT, 136.20

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



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Air France


Specials
Europe, O/W:
Boston - Barcelona $183*
Philadelphia - Madrid $179*
New York - Paris $215*
San Francisco - Barcelona $224*
Houston - Nice $259*


Fares shown are one-way based on round-trip purchase. Fares are valid for departures through 12/20/06 through 03/31/07. Terms and conditions APPLY < See site for details

www.airfrance.com/us

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Big White
Big White and Silver Star continue to open more lifts and runs as conditions permit. This weekend Big White opens the Alpine T-Bar and TELUS park, Saturday 9am. As always during early season - be aware, and ski with care.
Under the lights , ....Silver Star and Big White offer some of Canada's finest night skiing. The Summit Chair at Silver Star – servicing over 400 metres of vertical – will be in operation starting December 15. On December 20, Big White will feature night skiing on the Bullet Express and the Plaza fixed-grip chairlift


Transworld Snowboarding magazine has rated the top terrain parks in North America, and Big White's very own TELUS Park finished fifteenth overall! Only three Canadian terrain parks were listed by TW Snow, which is the largest snowboarding magazine in the world. Congratulations to Big White park designer Flynn Seddon and his TELUS Park crew. Jibbers and New Schoolers will be stoked to learn that TELUS Park at Big White will be opening this weekend, December 15.
Silver Star's Bulldog Hotel Features Free Continental Breakfast!

With the grand opening of the new Bulldog Hotel at Silver Star on December 17, the new proprietors would like to announce that all guests will be offered a FREE, daily Continental breakfast for the duration of their stay. Newly remodelled for the 2006/2007 season, the Bulldog seeks to create the cozy ambience and flavour of Amsterdam's famed 'brown bars
Dec 30
Village Rail Jam
Don't miss the last rail jam for '06, showcasing local ski and board talent. This is one of the most exciting shows of the year. Watch riders as they butter up the rails and boost the big man made booters! Watch the resort's best athletes tweak out gnarly nose presses and clean super-long flat rails. And you can grab great prizes at the 'product toss!' A definite highlight for the whole family! Elevation:
Summit: 2,319 m (7,606 ft)
Village Centre: 1,755 m (5,757 ft)
Westridge Base: 1,508 m (4,950 ft)


Runs:
118 Designated Trails
18% Beginner
54% Intermediate
22% Expert
6% Extreme
Longest Run: 7.2 km (4.5 miles) Top of T-Bar to Bottom of Gem Lake

Vertical Drop:
777 m (2,550 ft)



www.bigwhite.com

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Cortina d'Ampezzo- Italy
Conditions slopes Very good
Number of open lifts 13 of 36


www.skipasscortina.dolomiti.org

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Red Envelope


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Snow Ending This Afternoon Then Clearing. Alpine Temperature Steady Near Minus 11. Snowfall Accumulation 5 To 10 Cm. Freezing Level At Valley Bottom. Strong Westerly Winds Will Ease Early This This Morning. A Weak Disturbance Will Bring In A Few Flurries Overnight Through Saturday
EVENTS
December 2006

17 Park Rider Ski and Snowboard Event - Rail Jam
23 Dress Like Santa Day - You could Ski or Ride Free
25 Christmas Day
30 King of the Rail


Whistler Blackcomb
Daily
Regularly Scheduled Events
(Wed-Sat) Avalanche Awareness Tours
Daily Fresh Tracks
Daily Mountain Orientation Tours
Daily Pontiac Race Centre
Daily Demo Days


wwW.whistlerblackcomb.com/

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Jackson Hole
It's hard to go wrong when you have twelve inches of new snow on every slope of the mountain. I tried to hit as much as possible yesterday, from Sleeping Indian to Ampitheater to the Gondola line. The snow was outstanding - I threw an enormous powder spray directly into my face as I came out of the trees directly under Casper liftline and heard hoots of delight from the chairlift above. Thunder opened mid-afternoon, providing fresh snow late in the day.

Periods of snow, mainly before 3pm. Temperature rising to near 34 by noon, then falling to around 26 during the remainder of the day. Breezy, with a southwest wind 16 to 19 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 4 to 6 inches possible in the mountains. Lifts Open: 5 of 11
Trails Open: 37 of 116
Groomed Trails Open: 37 of 40
Advanced Terrain Park: Not Open
Beginner Terrain Park: OPEN

www.jacksonhole.com/

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Kitzbühel Austria

The Kitzbühel Ski Area has opened its doors and lifts! The white blanket is waiting as of tomorrow, 16th of december, 8.30 in the morningfor the skiing freaks, boarding fans and of course all those who prefer to cut a good figure in one the mountain chalets ;)).

Your Julia was starting to dream of having a snow gun of her own, because just stroking your new skis is hardly the cure for a real bout of snow fever. But, thank God or whoever is responsible for the weather, there's no need for that now: the white stuff is ready and waiting! There are snowmen to be built, snowshoes to be ruined, snowballs to be thrown, mulled wine to be drunk and ski boots to be danced in for some serious après-ski!
So all that's left for me to do is to wish you a great time in the snow in Kitzbühel and the world's finest ski area!
Kitzbühel Tourism
Corporation of public law
Hinterstadt 18 A-6370 Kitzbühel Austria

www.kitzbuehel.com


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Monterosa - Italy
Friday 15 Decembers é the first day of opening of the carosello main from the Valsesia to Go them of Ayas through Go it them of Gressoney. The aperutra it is definitive, the systems will remain opened also in week.
OPEN CONNECTIONS Friday 15 Decembers we come down in track for the opening of the connections between them Goes them Monterosa Ski: from the Bettaforca Hill to the Step of the Salati

16-17 December: ski free test Monterosa Ski becomes “Quechua earth” for a weekend. 16 and 17 Decembers 2006: appointment in the Monterosa Ski for the Quechua Ski Experience, tests-tour of activity tied to the snow in some of the main Italian sciistiche stations. Marca Mountain Decathlon chooses wonderful places and accommodates them, in order to share with the own customers becomes attached and with all the curious skiers to try something of new, the pleasure, the convivialità and the semplicità to you of one sciistica station, on always new tracks and with equipment outside from the common one. We wait for you 16 Saturdays and Sunday 17 Decembers 2006 to Champoluc, in Crest zone for the two days dedicated to the innovationes ski Quechua 2007
Translated


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Heavenly Valley

Pass Discount deadlines
Purchase Heavenly Pass now and get: Access to the highest ranked resort in Tahoe by SKI Magazine readers Option to purchase four $40 Buddy Tickets during the 2006/07 season Skiing and riding in the Nightlife Terrain Park (blackout dates apply) A total of three free days at your choice of these Colorado resorts: (blackout dates apply)
OFFER ENDS DEC 17!
Heavenly Opens More Terrain! Heavenly has Lake Tahoe's best conditions and most open terrain, and we've just added some more runs. Canyon Express is open with access to Ridge Run, our signature lake view cruiser, and Sky Meadows for more great vistas.
$5 Million in Improvements for the 06-07 Season!
This latest infusion of cash will improve snow surfaces with high-tech snowmaking and grooming, wi-fi access in all base lodges, expand ski and snowboard school programs and will also strengthen the Resort's dedication to environmental stewardship.
Heavenly's slopes will receive even more meticulous attention with five new Bombardier350 groomers and one winch-cat for high-angle grooming. All new groomers and snowmobiles have category 3 "green" low-emission engines, as does Heavenly's fleet of South Lake Tahoe shuttle busses. Heavenly's state-of-the-art snowmaking system, which services 70% of the mountain's runs, will also see improvements for the coming season.
Also new for 2006-07, Heavenly's ski and ride school is further addressing guests' need for a safe and educational introduction to park riding with a new Beginner Freeride area at the top of the Gondola. This area will help set students up for jibbing success with hits and rails mere inches off the ground.

The Mountain
Ski Season:
November 18 through April 23
Hours of Operations (PST):
8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. weekends
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. weekdays
Base Elevation:
6,540 feet - California
7,200 feet - Nevada
Summit Elevation:
10,067 feet
Vertical Rise:
3,500 feet


www.skiheavenly.com


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Squaw Valley -CA
More Skiing and Riding This Weekend

Additional lifts are on the schedule this weekend starting Saturday! Top-to-bottom skiing will be offered with the addition of Gold Coast Express, Shirley Lake Express, Links and East Broadway.*
Holiday Season at Squaw Enjoy the many activities and seasonal events we have to offer. Explore the base Village and wander through the Festival of Lights continuing through Dec 25th.
Events
Annual Community Benefit Day
Dec 17 - offering $35 lift tickets

Scheduled Opening for Night Sking & Riding!
Dec 22

Santa Visits Squaw
Dec 23-25

Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade
Dec 24




Squaw Valley Lift Tickets / Lessons

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Closed for the weekend, Gone skiing !





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