Snow Alert -Crystal Mountain, - Stevens Pass, WA


KILLINGTON, Vt. (March 21) - The first day of spring Wednesday brought final preparations for the Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships at Killington as aspiring Olympic skiers get set to measure themselves against U.S. Ski Team just back from the 2007 FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships and the end of the World Cup season.

Coaches and course workers at Killington's Bear Mountain made their last adjustments and tweaks to the moguls field on Outer Limits, shaping the aerials kickers and nearby superpipe after a weekend storm covered the competition sites.

Killington reported 34 inches of snow during a weekend storm, further enhancing the snow base for all events. On Outer Limits, the resort's heralded moguls run, snow depths range from eight to 15 feet, the resort said.

Competition begins Thursday at Killington for the second straight season and U.S. coaches are looking for another high-energy set of competitions with enthusiasm from spectators at the same high level as a year ago.

New champions will be crowned in at least three events. Vermont's Hannah Kearney (Norwich) is recovering from knee surgery, so there will be a new gold medalist in women's moguls and dual moguls, while Kate Reed (Montrose, CO), who won the women's aerials title a year ago, is taking this season off.
Among those defending their championships: local favorite Dave Babic (Washington, VT) in moguls; aerialist Jeret "Speedy" Peterson (Boise, ID, who was No. 2 in the World Cup aerials standings this winter); Sho Kashima (Zephyr Cove, NV) in dual moguls; Jennifer Hudac (Park City, UT) and Canadian Scott Hibbert in halfpipe

In addition, Nate Roberts (Park City, UT) - who added a bronze medal in moguls from Worlds to his 2005 World Championships title, and highly decorated moguls skier Shannon Bahrke (Tahoe City, CA), Worlds silver medalist in dual moguls (and 2003 bronze medalist), 2002 Olympic silver medalist, former World Cup champion and four-time U.S. champion, will be adding to the competitive fervor.
All events are at Killington's Bear Mountain. The schedule:

Thursday - Halfpipe
Friday* - Moguls**
Saturday - Aerials
Sunday - The Nature Valley Freestyle Challenge featuring dual moguls
* - Opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. in nearby downtown Rutland, an autograph signing session and live music ** - Rip It Trick of the Day, $2,500 prize awarded by two-time Olympian and World Cup champion Jeremy Bloom
"We had outstanding events a year ago and Killington's done another great job getting the venues ready for some intense competition. This is a big deal, especially for athletes looking to make their way onto the national team," Head Coach Jeff Wintersteen said. "It's also a big deal for our coaches, who will get to see some development-level skiers they don't normally get to watch during the winter. This is a showcase for those kids." The NFL's only two-time ski Olympian and World Cup champion Jeremy Bloom will be on hand Friday to award the Rip It Trick of the Day for the most progressive moguls air package with the winner receiving $2,500 for his or her athletic performance as well as being showcased on www.totaldistruption.com and highlighted on Versus as part of the regular television broadcast of the Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships on Sunday, April 1 at 3 p.m. ET. Additional coverage of the Nature Valley Freestyle Challenge dual moguls event will follow at 4 p.m.
-- www.usskiteam.com


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Cortina - Italy 40 cm of fresh snow has fallen on Cortina d'Ampezzo and more weaker snowfalls are forecast in the next few days. The excellent snow and weather conditions allow Easter holidays to be planned with the assurance of finding our groomed ski runs in an enchanting winter-world setting. See the snow situation directly from our webcams >>>
Some lifts (Faloria) will stay open until 25 April, the last date for which the seasonal skipasses are valid and 12 days in the season. The operating ski-lifts situation >>>
Please remember that Cortina's "skipass office" is open every day at these times: 8.30-12.30; 15.30-19.00; Sundays 8.30-12.30

Not skiing alone ...
For all mountain lovers, there is a lot to do on skis, snowshoes, sledges, cross-country skis. But also you can simply relax and sunbathe on the many terraces of the high-altitude refuges. 40 cm of fresh snow has fallen on Cortina d'Ampezzo and more weaker snowfalls are forecast in the next few days. The excellent snow and weather conditions allow Easter holidays to be planned with the assurance of finding our groomed ski runs in an enchanting winter-world setting. See the snow situation directly from our webcams >>>
Some lifts (Faloria) will stay open until 25 April, the last date for which the seasonal skipasses are valid and 12 days in the season. The operating ski-lifts situation >>>
Please remember that Cortina's "skipass office" is open every day at these times: 8.30-12.30; 15.30-19.00; Sundays 8.30-12.30
www.cortina.dolomiti.org


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FIS news
It was suspense pure at this year’s Audi FIS Alpine World Cup finals at Lenzerheide (SUI). It was also the first time in history that the winners in both the ladies’ and men’s overall World Cup rankings were decided in the very last race of the season. In the end, the happy winners of the big crystal globes were Aksel Lund Svindal (NOR) and Nicole Hosp (AUT). Both skiers needed to be - and were - at their best in the final races.
Although he had led the rankings for most of the season, Svindal turned on yet another gear during the finals week under the bright sunny Swiss skies. After winning the downhill on Wednesday, the super-G on Thursday and the giant slalom on Saturday, Svindal needed to finish in the top 15 in the final slalom to triumph (since only the top 15 earn points at the finals). His challenger Benjamin Raich (AUT) needed to win with Svindal placing 16th or worse. In the end, Raich won and Svindal finished 15th, meaning that the overall World Cup title went to Norway with a 13-point margin. As the only skier to race in every event this season, Svindal scored in 32 of the 36 races held. He won five races all season; three of them at Lenzerheide. With a remarkable performance in Sunday’s slalom, Raich - a six-time-season winner - claimed the slalom title ahead of teammate Mario Matt.
Marlies Schild (AUT) surrendered the overall lead in Saturday's slalom which Hosp won, her second-ever slalom World Cup victory and first since December 2003. On Sunday, Schild needed to make up 30 points on Hosp to win the coveted large crystal globe. With best times in both runs in the final giant slalom, Hosp gave Schild no chance and clinched the title with a margin of 90 points. Hosp's overall title marked the first time in five years that an Austrian female has claimed ski racing's top prize. She scored in 30 of the 35 ladies races and only won four races all season, while finishing 2nd eight times!
Overall, the Austrians, especially the ladies, had another superb season. Hosp, Schild and Renate Goetschl, the latter two of whom celebrated eight season victories each, shared all the World Cup crystal globes among the three of them. Austria ended up winning the Nations Cup by 8 874 points over Switzerland which ranked 2nd. It was the 18th straight time the Austrians have won. At the same time, 13 different nations garnered wins in the 72 races held this season.

Audi FIS Alpine World Cup 2006/2007 champions
Overall ladies: Nicole Hosp (AUT)
Overall men: Aksel Lund Svindal (NOR)
Slalom ladies: Marlies Schild (AUT)
Slalom men: Benjamin Raich (AUT)
Giant slalom ladies: Nicole Hosp (AUT)
Giant slalom men: Aksel Lund Svindal (NOR)
Super-G ladies: Renate Goetschl (AUT)
Super-G men: Bode Miller (USA)
Downhill ladies: Renate Goetschl (AUT)
Downhill men: Didier Cuche (SUI)
Super combined ladies: Marlies Schild (AUT)
Super combined men: Aksel Lund Svindal (NOR)
Nations’ Cup: Austria


Strong winds wreaked havoc at the Warsteiner FIS World Cup Nordic Combined season finals in Oslo (NOR) last weekend. The second-to-last event had to be cancelled due to the wind on Saturday, and the final event, the compact sprint, was delayed for several hours. Jason Lamy-Chappuis (FRA), the winner of the first event of the season also took the last one, just like last season, while winning the small crystal globe for the sprint. Ranking 2nd, Felix Gottwald (AUT) celebrated his 55th podium in his 171st and final World Cup start. Despite finishing 29th, Hannu Manninen (FIN) claimed his fourth consecutive overall World Cup title, becoming the first person in history to do so. Altogether, Manninen now has 45 World Cup victories and 83 career podiums.
The 2007 Nordic Combined Nations’ Cup went to Austria, followed by Finland and Germany. All in all, 58 athletes scored World Cup points and six nations took home at least one World Cup victory in the 16 competitions this season.
Warsteiner FIS World Cup Nordic Combined 2006/2007 champions
Overall World Cup: Hannu Manninen (FIN)
Sprint World Cup: Jason Lamy-Chappuis (FRA)
Nations’ Cup: Austria


SNOWBOARD
The Nokia Snowboard FIS World Cup season came to a conclusion over the weekend in Stoneham, Eastern Quebec (CAN) with Doresia Krings and Simon Schoch claiming the large crystal globes as the overall World Cup champions. Both also won the small globes for the parallel World Cup although the Swiss pair of Fraenzi Kohli and Heinz Inniger won the last event of the season. While it was the first overall title for Krings, Schoch repeated his 2006 victories in the parallel and overall wins.
The snowboardcross season closed in Stoneham with wins by two first-time World Cup victors: Helene Olafsen (NOR) and Pierre Vaultier (FRA). Lindsey Jacobellis (USA) already secured her World Cup title in the second-to-last race in Lake Placid while Drew Neilson (CAN), who won three of the four races, confirmed his title by placing third in the last event. In the season’s last half-pipe competition, the Swiss duo of Manuela Laura Pesko and Daniel Friberg grabbed the top spots. Japan's Ryoh Aono took the men's crown despite finishing second in the last event while Pesko took the title ahead of Holly Crawford (AUS).
In the 50 World Cup competitions, 18 nations celebrated podium finishes, 14 of them taking the top spot at least once. With a total of 34 top three appearances, Switzerland was the most successful nation, followed by Canada (14), USA (15) and Austria (24).
Nokia Snowboard FIS World Cup 2006/2007 champions
Overall ladies: Doresia Krings (AUT)
Overall men: Simon Schoch (SUI)
Parallel ladies: Doresia Krings (AUT)
Parallel men: Simon Schoch (SUI)
Snowboardcross ladies: Lindsay Jacobellis (USA)
Snowboardcross men: Drew Neilson (CAN)
Half-pipe ladies: Manuela Laura Pesko (SUI)
Half-pipe men: Ryoh Aono (JPN)
Big air men: Peetu Piiroinen (FIN)


The 3rd FIS Freestyle Junior World Ski Championships concluded Monday in Airolo, Ticino (SUI) with the Dual Mogul competitions. Athletes representing 19 nations competed in all the five official events at the Championships – ski cross, half-pipe, moguls, aerials and dual moguls - staged in beautiful spring weather and great conditions in Southern Switzerland. Ten nations collected medals at the 3rd FIS Freestyle Junior World Ski Championships at Airolo, eight of them gold. The top rank in the medals table was claimed by USA with nine medals (2 gold/5 silver/2 bronze), followed by France and Switzerland with four each. USA also collected the Marc-Hodler-Trophy.
The ski cross course was designed by Reto Griesenhofer, a former Swiss national team downhill coach. The 1170-meter-long course had several large jumps with several banked turns and some long gliding sections. This suited the Swiss team very well as they took all the top spots in the men’s race, led by Renato Trummer. The aerials competitions were held under the lights and the men’s champion, Maxim Gustik (BLR), won with a very high score for the junior category after he performed a back double full double which has four twists in flips. Finally, it may have been a light season for snow in Europe, but the Airolo half-pipe was constructed out of snow to provide a good test for the competitors.
The most successful athletes included Ekaterina Stoliarova of Russia who earned gold and silver from moguls and dual moguls, respectively, to accompany the gold medal she won at the 2006 Junior Worlds in Krasnoe Ozero (RUS). Jay Bowman-Kirigin (USA), the 2007 World Cup Rookie of the Year in the men’s moguls, captured silver in moguls and bronze in dual moguls, flipping his results from 2006 when he took silver in duals and bronze in moguls. The gold medalist in the ladies' ski cross, Alizee Boulangeat (FRA), the younger sister of Madonna di Campiglio silver medalist Meryl Boulangeat and herself a two-time medalist at 2006 Junior Worlds, just narrowly missed her second medal at Airolo as she finished fourth in the ladies’ dual moguls. Another impressive performance was delivered by the moguls skiers from Kazakstan, with Dmitriy Reiherd taking the gold and Yuliya Rodionova the bronze in the dual moguls. In moguls, Reiherd qualified first, but crashed in the finals and ended up 16th.



The 7th FIS Telemark World Ski Championships begin on 21st March in the Thyon Region with the Telemark sprint classic competitions. The Opening Ceremony took place on Tuesday evening with Jean-Pierre Meyer, President of the Organizing Committee, officially opening the event. 99 athletes representing 15 nations have been registered to participate. Medals will be awarded in three events for the ladies and men in both the open and junior categories. After considerable snowfall early this week, the Thyon region is ready for a week of exciting sporting competitions.
Some pictures © Agence Zoom.
All rights reserved.
International Ski Federation
www.fis-ski.com

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Crystal Mtn
Crystal Mountain has received 4" of new snow at the base in the past 24 hours and 5" in Green Valley! Our 48 hour total is 10" at the base and 12" in Green Valley.
Date: Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Time: 5:00am
Weather: Mostly clear this morning
Base Temperature: 19 degrees
Base Snow Depth: 86 inches
Base New Snow Fall 24hrs: 4 inches
Base Snow Fall 48hrs: 10 inches
Summit Temperature: 12 degrees
Summit Snow Depth: 119 inches
Summit New Snow Fall 24hrs: 5 inches
Summit New Snow Fall 48hrs: 12 inches
Total Season Snow Fall: 408 inches
Surface Conditions: Fresh snow over machine groomed and deep spring snow off piste.
Lifts Open: Discovery, Chinook Expr, Forest Queen, Rainier Express and Green Valley. High Campbell should open this morning after patrol evaluation.

What’s Happening at Crystal Mountain :
Crystal will be closing on April 15th (conditions permitting).
There is fun skiing and riding for the whole family. Some of the best weather and conditions can be found in March and April don't hang up your skis and snowboards yet.

Wednesday, March 21- Saturday March 24- Silver King Freeride:
Big Mountain Freeride competition for expert Backcountry skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. Cash purses and/or prizes for top male and female competitors in each class. Visit http://mountainchallenge.org for more information or to register.

Saturday, March 24- Dirt Bag Ball: SOLD OUT
Join us for the best party around. Dress up like a dirt bag attending a ball. Tickets are on sale now with ski patrol. $25 goes to benefit the Crystal Mountain Ski Patrol. Hurry tickets will sell out!!

Saturday, April 7- Dummy Downhill:
Teams build a "dummy" to send down the hill. No pulses please. Using a ski or snowboard platform you are invited to use your imagination and create a “dummy” that will withstand catching air after being pushed down a steep ramp and off a jump. Registration is from 7:30-10:30am in Day Lodge. $50 entry fee will benefit the Crystal Mountain Fire Department. Jumping will begin at 1pm. For more information visit http://mountainchallenge.org
www.skicrystal.com.

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Sun Peaks
This morning at 9:44am the snow started to fall from the sky, and in three hours Sun Peaks Resort received 13 centimetres of fresh powder. The temperature is expected to remain cold today with a high of -3.0C / 26.6F at the mid mountain. This cold temperature is ideal for maintaining our champagne BC powder

Sun Peaks Snow Reports as of March 20, 2007, at 2:15pm Present Weather Conditions
Past 12 Hours: 13.0cm / 5.1in
Past 24 Hours: 13.0cm / 5.1in
Past 48 Hours: 13.0cm / 5.1in
Past Week: 38.0cm / 15.0in
Mid-Mountain Base: 174.6cm / 68.7in
Alpine Base: 213.0cm / 83.9in
Surface Conditions: Variable with the best conditions found on runs
that were groomed yesterday and now have 13cm of fresh snow on top of them.
Valley Temperature: 0.3C / 32.5F
Mid Mountain Temperature: -5.0C / 23.0F
Top of the World Temperature: -7.2C/ 19.0F Sky: Lightly Snowing
Visibility: Good
Wind: Moderate
www.sunpeaksresort.com


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Foot Smart
15% Off Insoles

Foot Smart


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Jay Peak
2 for 1 Friday,..... Must see site for details
March 23 ONLY and specificially
www.jaypeakresort.com


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www.steamboat.com



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Alyeska Resort


GIRDWOOD, AK – March 15, 2007 – Alyeska Resort is proud of the dedicated ski safety patrollers who help to keep our mountain safe. The overall goal is to provide our guests with the greatest experience possible. That does require everyone to follow the rules. If you choose to break the rules you can risk losing you ski and snowboarding privileges or even worse, hit with a stiff fine by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
This season Alyeska Resort has dealt with 69 skier and snowboarders for various violations that have resulted in a total of 657 day of skiing lost. In addition there have been 12 DNR citations that have resulted in over $1800.00 in fines. Please remember to ski and ride responsibly.

Skiing and riding can be enjoyed in many ways. At Alyeska Resort you may see people using alpine, snowboard, telemark, cross-country and other specialized ski equipment, such as that used by disabled or other skiers. Regardless of how you decide to enjoy the slopes please show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk. Common sense and personal awareness are two keys to help reduce your risk. Observe the code and share with other skiers the responsibility for a great skiing experience.
• Always stay in control
• People ahead of you have the right of way
• Use devices to help prevent runaway equipment
• Stop in a safe place for you and others
• Whenever starting downhill or merging, look uphill and yield
• Observe signs and warnings, and keep off closed trails
• Know how to use the lifts


Alyeska Resort, located 40 miles south of Anchorage, is Alaska's premier year-round resort. Tucked amid the Chugach Mountains, Alyeska Ski Resort offers world-class skiing and snowboarding with stunning views of the Turnagain Arm.

The 1,400 acres of terrain with 2,500 feet of vertical rise, is serviced by nine lifts including a 60-passenger aerial tramway, and a high-speed bubble lift. Ski-in/ski-out access available from The Hotel Alyeska which features the luxurious Spa at Alyeska, fine dining at the Seven Glaciers and Sakura Teppanyaki Restaurants, and a mountain-view indoor heated pool and whirlpool spa. For information on ski packages and rates, call Alyeska Resort at 1-800-880-3880 or

visit www.alyeskaresort.com.


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Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Mountain) is the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. Consisting of 13 peaks, among which Shanzidou is the highest one with an altitude of 5,600 meters (18,360 feet), Jade Dragon Snow Mountain stretches a length of 35 kilometers (22 miles) and a width of 20 kilometers (13 miles). Looking from Lijiang Old Town in the south which is 15 kilometers (nine miles) away, the snow-covered and fog-enlaced mountain resembles a jade dragon lying in the clouds, hence, the name Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
The 13 peaks, which have the altitudes of at least 4,000 meters, are covered by snow all year round; the mountain is called the "Natural Glacier Museum" for it has all types of glacier
www.travelchinaguide.com






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Squaw Valley


The days are longer, the weather is perfect and we're loving the supreme spring ski conditions at Squaw Valley USA
Come experience the great vibe at Squaw

SV SQ SHOP
Squaw Valley Lift Tickets / Lessons
www.squaw.com got KT!

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Niseko -Japan

The real thrill of Niseko, off piste skiing. Enjoy the natural powder snow

At the [nisekoannupuri] international ski site, from this season, the season ticket 50 hour tickets 30 hour tickets [toku] of customer limitation of purchase service was begun to the customer of season ticket 50 hour tickets 30 hour ticket purchases. By the fact that the key card is presented, eating and drinking price and hotel Niseko of the restaurant inside [gerende] it is and is dense hot spring bath time fee of the village in discount. Please utilize by all means in at this opportunity. * Because it cannot jointly use with the other discount ticket and the like, please acknowledge beforehand. Eating and drinking fee 10%OFF hotel Japan Airlines [annupuriresutoran] “[azeria]” and dining “lilac” * lunchtime (11: 30~14: 30) Only * becomes only the payment with the cash. [nutsukuannupuriresutoran] “[niyusanko]” and Chinese noodles house “good good ([haohao])” * you not utilizing the meal ticket sale machine, please present to the staff. The restaurant inside the returning on the same day rest house * you not utilizing the meal ticket sale machine, please present to the staff. Returning on the same day hot spring bath time fee discount…400 Yen adults (usually 700 Yen in fee), 200 Yen children (usually 350 Yen in fee) hotel Niseko it is and is dense the village * open hours 12: 00~21: 00

30 Lifts inc Gondola
www.niseko.ne.jp


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Speed Ski FIS
The 2007 FIS Speed Skiing World Championships have been confirmed and will be staged in Verbier (SUI) under the auspices of Swiss-Ski. The teams will arrive on April 15th and, following official training, begin the racing runs on 17th April. The Finals are scheduled for Thursday, 19th April, 2007, followed by a “Speed Exhibition,” demonstrating such sports as speed flying, speed biking and ski-bob. The Organizing Committee together with TéléVerbier is looking forward to hosting one of the best and most exciting Speed Skiing World Championships ever seen

Traci Max Sachs
The official site of professional speed skier Tracie Max Sachs
EVENTS


148.27 mph
American Speed Ski Record


www.quickchick.com