Snow Alert -Saas-Fee , not a misprint


***
Mad River Glen Replacement Lift
The latest news is that the choppers will be here to fly out the towers the week of June 4. I'll be sure to keep you posted as the fianl schedule develops. Unfortunately helicopters around the country have been pressed into forest fire service and scheduling has become a moving target. www.madriverglen.com

***
Whistler Blackcomb
Peak to Peak Gondola
“The Peak to Peak Gondola construction project will be the largest of its kind in North America,” said Doug Forseth, Senior VP of Operations at Whistler Blackcomb, “yet it will occupy the smallest ecological foot print of any project we’ve done yet on the mountain. The estimated 2.5 hectare foot print will require a significant logistical command of our existing resources for transportation and construction.”
“We are committed to working with Whistler Blackcomb in minimizing the ecological impact,” said Stefan Huter, Doppelmayr Project Manager, “We have engineered the project to limit construction activity to the terminals and tower locations only.”
ESTIMATED WHISTLER, BC, April 17, 2007 – Whistler Blackcomb will move into the construction phase of the Peak to Peak Gondola project this May.
“The Peak to Peak Gondola construction project will be the largest of its kind in North America,” said Doug Forseth, Senior VP of Operations at Whistler Blackcomb, “yet it will occupy the smallest ecological foot print of any project we’ve done yet on the mountain. The estimated 2.5 hectare foot print will require a significant logistical command of our existing resources for transportation and construction.”
“We are committed to working with Whistler Blackcomb in minimizing the ecological impact,” said Stefan Huter, Doppelmayr Project Manager, “We have engineered the project to limit construction activity to the terminals and tower locations only.” ESTIMATED -December 2008 Grand opening
LIFT MANUFACTURER Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group, Wolfurt, Austria (www.doppelmayr.com)
GONDOLA TYPE Doppelmayr 3S
TOTAL DISTANCE 4.4 kilometres / 2.73 miles
LENGTH OF FREE SPAN 3.024 kilometres / 1.88 miles (between two towers furthest apart)
HIGHEST POINT 415 metres / 1,361 feet over Fitzsimmons Creek
GLASS BOTTOM CABINS Two
NUMBER OF CABINS 28
NUMBER OF TOWERS 4 (two on Blackcomb and two on Whistler)
HEIGHT OF TOWERS 35-65 metres / 115-213 feet
STATIONARY TRACK ROPES 56mm diameter for the two ropes that the cabins ride upon
LENGTH OF TRACK ROPES 4,600 metres HAUL ROPE 48mm diameter for the rope that pulls the cabins along track ropes
TOTAL HAUL ROPE LENGTH 8,850 metres

CAPACITY:
CROSSING TIME 11 minutes SPEED 7.5 metres / 24.6 feet per second DEPARTURE FREQUENCY One cabin every 49 seconds CABIN CAPACITY 28 passenger TOTAL CAPACITY 4,100 people per hour (2,050 per hour one way)
Whistler Blackcomb
http://ww1.whistlerblackcomb.com/p2pg/home.html

***
Banff Summer Arts Festival
The Banff Summer Arts Festival is now in full swing, with jazz concerts kicking into high gear next week. Be sure to stop in for one of the many evening Jazz Clubs – a terrific, intimate, low-key way to enjoy some up-close-and-personal jazz performances. Admission is by donation at the door
Exhibitions
Until August 17 - Skiing's Ancient Roots
Until May 27 - 18:Beckett
Ongoing - Winning Images - 2006 Banff Mountain Photography Competition

www.banffcentre.ca/events


***
Colorado Snow
Don't forget, now is the best time to buy next year's season pass. Check out www.ColoradoSki.com/Deals for a complete listing of killer spring prices. If you are tired of those summer temperatures already, head up to A-Basin and play in the snow for a little cooling action. You have a few more weeks to carve that mountain, catch those rays, and relax on the patio with your favorite beverage and a little live music. As most of you know by now, the Basin knows how to throw one heck of a party. The one I've been waiting for all season is just around the corner. On Saturday, May 26th, Shakin' at the Basin is throwing "That Eighties Day and Rail Jam." Then on Sunday, the 6th Annual Festival of the Brew Pubs and Memorial Day Beach Party is sure to be a great time. Hit up www.arapahoebasin.com

***
GIRDWOOD, AK – May 9, 2007 The Hotel Alyeska is launching a comprehensive three phase multi million dollar renovation that will start the month of May enhancing areas of the hotel and mountain.
The Hotel Alyeska’s 304 guest rooms will receive a comprehensive makeover. Phase I consist of a $3.5 million guest room upgrade including plush new carpets, new Serta’s Presidential Pillow Top Mattress bed packages, light fixtures, desk chairs, Judith Jackson spa amenities, designer shower curtains, and new artwork from Edward Curtis depicting Native Alaska images. Phase I & II are scheduled to be completed by the beginning of the 2007-2008 ski and snowboard season. Phase II will include new carpet and furniture in all public areas in addition to banquet and meeting space. A new retail shop, café, and ski arcade will be added on the second floor of the Hotel Alyeska. The award winning Seven Glaciers Restaurant will also receive a makeover, enhancing its spectacular setting.
This summer Alyeska Resort will embark on an estimated $4.5 million mountain upgrade to include snowmaking extension from the bottom of the mountain to the top of the tram. New snowmaking will allow Alyeska Resort to open the entire mountain by Thanksgiving. In addition the Terrain Park will move from Chair 7 to Tanaka providing more beginner runs on Chair 3 & 7. Magic Carpet installations will being this summer that will greatly enhance the beginner skier/snowboarder’s experience by eliminating the tow type lift. The upper mountain will be further improved with extensive summer trail reconstruction, including trail improvements and widening of Weir, Von Imhof, Denali and the Waterfall. Finally, a new ticketing system will be brought on line this winter which will greatly improve the speed and efficiency that is required to access our services and facilities.
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 www.alyeskaresort.com .


***