"Endless Winter Snow"

3.21.2008

Snow Alert - Alyseka -Alaska, Alpine Valley Wisconsin, Upper N.Y. , Maine

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Steamboat - Co
Steamboat is enjoying the most Champagne Powder® snow in history.( 450 inches and counting )

1st ANNUAL SPRINGALICIOUS FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 2007/2008 EPIC SEASON
April 5 & 6, 2008
The inaugural Springalicious Festival, will celebrate the end of a historic 2007/2008 Champagne Powder® snow season! Celebration includes 28th Annual Cardboard Classic, a new SPLASHDOWN pond skimming competition and three free concerts!
Free Concerts Featuring:
• Susan Tedeschi
• The Radiators
• American Relay

www.steamboat.com/

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Montafon - Austria
The alpine valley Montafon lies in the south Vorarlbergs (Austria) and by the three powerful mountain courses of the Raetikons, the barrier and the Silvretta with mountains up to 3.312 m (Piz Buin) is surrounded. Beside places with a sporty character and varied leisure program cosy recovery villages suitable for families invite in the Montafon.
St. Anton im Montafon (650 m) lies at the entrance to the Montafon Valley and is popular with all holiday-makers. Here, within a radius of 2-6 km are all the requirements for an active winter holiday. The Skigebiet Golm ski area can be reached in approx 3-5 minutes free of charge and in comfort on the ski bus.

The Hochjoch, Silvretta Nova and Schafberg ski areas can also be reached in a very short time free of charge and in comfort on public transport. The athletically inclined can, depending on the snow conditions, also reach Schruns on trail-marked cross-country ski runs. St. Anton im Montafon and the parishes of Bartholomäberg and Silbertal are considered the “THREE CHARMERS

New in the Silvretta Nova 6-seater Sesselbahn Vermiel chairlift
The new fixed 6-seater Vermiel chairlift with conveyor belt entry and luxury upholstery replaces the three Vermiel drag lifts. With the new lift and the moving of the new mountain station to the mountain station of the Grandaubahn, this area is experiencing a substantial qualitative improvement.

Heated seating for the 6-seater Sesselbahn Nova chairlift The SB Nova, newly constructed last winter, is being equipped with heated seating Events
Musikfinale in der Silvretta Nova - 22.03.08

"King of the Water" in Gargellen & Hochjoch difrfernt dates - 29.03.08
A 20 m long pool - 2 skiers or snowboarders start at the same time and on their descent to the water have to pass through gates or over jumps. The one who arrives first on the far side of the pool goes into the next round. The event promises to provide an exciting day in Gargellen.

Großes Saisonfinale am Golm - 06.04.08

www.montafon.at/

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Snowbird
11th Annual U.S. Freeskiing Nationals at Snowbird

March 21, 2008 World Tour Day 1
March 22, 2008 World Tour Finals

www.snowbird.com

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Snow Fest - Canada

Sat. March 22 Valinouet, Qc
Sun. March 23 Ste-Anne, Qc
Sat. March 29 Mont Avila, Qc
www.snowfest.ca/

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US Alpine Championships
Mar 22-26
The US Alpine Championships, presented by Nature Valley, return to Sugarloaf for the second time in the past three years, March 22-26. Olympic champions Ted Ligety and Julia Mancuso along with other stars of the US Ski Team will reach speeds topping 80 mph as they fly down Sugarloaf's legendary Narrow Gauge trail.
The event will feature spectator-friendly viewing areas, grand opening and closing ceremonies, plus an autograph session and daily awards ceremonies.
Schedule:
March 21 - FIS downhill (not a title race)
March 22 - Men's and women's downhill
March 23 - Men's and women's super G
March 24 - Men's and women's slalom
March 25 - Men's giant slalom
March 26 - Women's giant slalom

www.ussa.org

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N American Training Seminar

Mt. Shasta Climb and Ski - Now is the time to start planning and training for NASTC's annual climb and ski adventure at Mt. Shasta. This is an overnight course, where you will basecamp on Mt. Shasta, climb up to the summit and ski down. This is an ultimate mountaineering adventure offered exclusively through NASTC and the Shasta Mountain Guides.

Annual Summer Adventure to Portillo! This will be NASTC's 14th year to paradise, Portillo, Chile. Portillo is always a magical and special destination, there is something about spending the day out on this big mountain (all above tree line) with the group, then coming back into the lodge for apres ski, playing ping-pong or getting a massage followed by apres-ski in the bar, then a 4-course gourmet meal and Chilean wine for dinner and if your a night owl, hitting the dance-club downstairs for a fun night out. The best part of it is you get to wake up the next day and do it all over again! NASTC has been going so long, its like being with family there, we know it well! So join us for a skiing experience you will never forget. For families, there is the option of bringing the kiddos to our special "Kids Camp," in which they will have their own groups and instructors! There is something for everyone at Portillo, and we guarantee you will have the time of your life! www.skiNASTC.com

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Mad River Glen
Mogul Challenge on April 5 The Triple Crown Mogul Challenge has been re-scheduled for Saturday April 5. Click here for details and to pre-register for the event. The “Ski It If You Can” mantra has long defined Mad River Glen as the home of New England’s most challenging terrain. But who is Mad River Glen’s best all-around skier? The Mad River Glen Triple Crown provides just that opportunity. The Triple Crown wraps up with the knee-pounding fun that is the Mogul Challenge. The event will be held under the iconic Single Chair on Chute.

The Wolaver’s Backcountry Challenge returns to Mad River Glen on Saturday, March 22. This grueling event pits you against the backcountry on a route that travels over five miles, while climbing over 2000 vertical feet! This is not a race. There are no winners and no losers – only those who finish the course and those who do not. Participants may choose their gear – Telemark skis with climbing skins, snowshoes, and/or Randonnee alpine skis – to ascend Stark Mountain on a wooded snowshoe trail, than climb the ridgeline to the summit, and finally descend on the Antelope ski trail at Mad River Glen. Proceeds from this event benefit Mad River Glen’s award-winning environmental education programs. Registration takes place on the morning of the event between 9:00 AM and 9:45 AM and the cost is $15, including a full lunch in the Basebox

Easter Fesivities at MRG Mountain-top services, Easter Egg Hunt, Chicken BBQ & Easter Pcostume Parade

www.madriverglen.com

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Valaisan Events - Switzerland

A selection of events from the beginning of March to the end of April 2008:
02.03.08 "Raquettissima", snowshoe race in Grimentz
08.03.08 SnowUp in Morgins
08.-09.03.08 World Cup Ski Race Ladies in Crans-Montana
11.-15.03.08 U-Games, Swiss & International University Championships in Veysonnaz/Evolène
14.-16.03.08 O'Neill Xtreme in Verbier
22.03.08 2nd "Ski Touring Simplon", ski mountaineering race in Simplon
26.-30.03.08 "Caprices Festival", music festival in Crans-Montana
28.-30.03.08 Nendaz Freeride in Nendaz
12.-20.04.08 XSpeedSki in Nendaz/Verbier
16.-20.04.08 "Patrouille des Glaciers", glacier patrol in Zermatt-Verbier

www.valaistourism.ch

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2008 Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Series & Freeskiing World Tour Schedule
• Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Nationals, Snowbird, UT, March 18-23 (World Tour #2)
• Subaru Freeskiing World Championships and Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Series Finals, Alyeska, AK, April 9-13 (World Tour #3)

For more information log onto www.usfreeskiing.com
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Trip Advisor
Find deals on on airfare to France

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WHISTLER, BC,
Action sports photographers from around the world bidding to be included in this year’s Pro Photographer Showdown set the bar so high with their 3 minute submissions that they vaulted out of the stadium and into a higher reality entirely, according to Multimedia Events Manager for the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival, Lilli Clark.

“The quality of submissions was mind-blowing,” said Clark . “Capturing these moments of frozen time and conjuring stories with amazing pictures is a really hard job and we offer our kudos to the action sports photographers who are helping fuel the progression of these sports and documenting an ever-changing world.”

What might be pain for action sports photographers striving out in the field is pure gain for the audience, with a spectacular line-up of photographers chosen to present at the eleventh annual Pro Photographer Showdown at the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival, April 17 2008.

Hailing from Switzerland , Norway , Whistler, and Vancouver, the five selected photographers, announced today, will be transported to Whistler for a gala presentation where they will show self-curated 9 minute multimedia presentations of the best work of their careers.

The photographer judged Best in Show by a panel of the leading creative minds in the industry (including renowned photographers Paul Morrison, Eric Berger (Best of Show 1998), Aaron Chang (Best of Show 1999) and prolific writer and editor Leslie Anthony) will take home the $10,000 prize purse, with the other four finalists being awarded $1500 each.

Tickets for the gala event, which draws a 2000 strong sell-out crowd, are $20 and available online at the Festival e-store at

The TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival is produced by Watermark Communications, a Whistler marketing & communication company, and presented in partnership with Tourism Whistler and Whistler Blackcomb. Founded by W1’s Doug Perry thirteen years ago, and now the largest annual winter sports and music festival in North America , the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival is a high-octane 10 day and night showcase of the best of snowsports, music, arts and mountain life. Featuring major professional ski and snowboarding competitions, the largest free outdoor concert series in Canada , the legendary Pro Photographer and Filmmaker Showdowns, and many more unique art and cultural showcases, the Festival is the ultimate winter wrap party. For information on the 2008 TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival, April 11-20, visit
www.whistler2008.com.

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Chamoinix - France
Excellent snow conditions and fine sunny weather !
Significant avalanche risk off-piste 3/5 on the European Scale.
33 km of cross country pistes open.

The Ski Areas Chamonix's skiing extends over 3 main areas : Brévent/Flégère, offering south-facing slopes and exceptional views of the Mont-Blanc chain, the Grands Montets, high altitude north-facing slopes which dominate the village of Argentière and the Balme area, wide open slopes at the top of the Chamonix valley, bordering on Switzerland. The sister resort of les Houches lies at the opposite end of the valley and is accessible with the Mont-Blanc Unlimited ski pass

Photo: Chamonix Resort archives
Aiguille du midi cable car
To the Top !
From the centre of Chamonix at 1035 m, the Aiguille du Midi cablecar carries you to 3842 m into the realm of high moutain peaks. A unique 360 degree panorama of the Mont-Blanc chain

• Off-piste skiing :
Vallée Blanche is a high mountain itinerary route on glacial terrain which is neither marked nor patrolled : it is strongly recommended to be accompagnied by a Mountain guide. For further information please contact the Office de Haute Montagne and consult their Vallée Blanche web page

Office de Tourisme
Chamonix Mont-Blanc
85, place du Triangle de l'Amitié
BP 25
F-74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel +33 450 53 00 24
Fax +33 450 53 58 90
info@chamonix.com
www.chamonix.com

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Snow 365 - Patric Thorne
North America’s long awaited first indoor snow centre at Meadowlands in New Jersey, Xanadu, is likely to be the most talked about new snow centre this year. The controversial and long delayed project currently aims to open ‘late’ in 2008, much of the indoor snow centre building is already complete.

Elsewhere another project delayed several years from the original date, the indoor snow centre at Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi, looks set to open in the first half of 2008.

Moscow’s first snow centre, like Xanadu already mostly complete and having already been supposed to open on various dates in 2007, should certainly open this year.

In the UK, the Bluestone Holiday Village in Wales, which plans to begin work on Phase 2 including an indoor snow centre next year, will open this summer. Work on two new snow centres at Hemel Hempstead and High Wycombe should start this year and a decision on whether the country’s largest and most southerly slope so far proposed, Snoasis, from a Public Enquiry launched a year ago, should be published any day
snow365.com

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Austria Info - Hostels

100 youth hostels in all of Austria are open to everybody. Groups and those travelling alone are advised to book in advance.

Each guest must present a valid International Youth Hostel membership card which can be purchased at any national Youth Hostel Association office.

Lists of youth hostels and detailed information can be found:
- at the Austrian Youth Hostel Association
- at the Österreichisches Jugendherbergswerk

Persons without an International Youth Hostel membership card need a guest card with a ”Welcome Stamp” at € 3,50 per night. Once the card has been stamped with 6 Welcome-Stamps, it automatically counts as a Youth Hostel membership card Transportation by Rail
The Austrian Federal Railway network has a length of about 5,700 km and connects all major national and international cities.
Motorail Trains:
Motorail trains operate daily between
Vienna - Salzburg, Villach, Innsbruck, Feldkirch
Graz – Feldkirch
Feldkirch – Villach
Vienna - Berlin
Vienna - Hamburg
Vienna - Düsseldorf
On specific days also Vienna – Lienz, Vienna - Schwarzach-St.Veit.
In the summer motorail trains are also operated:
from Salzburg, Innsbruck and Villach to Germany, from Vienna to Italy, Slovenia, Croatia.

Vehicles may be transported on the Tauern train through the Tauern tunnel (Böckstein - Mallnitz-Obervellach, 12 km). http://www.oebb.at/

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This is a good time to start planning your summer skiing & riding. Remember the cost of fuel passed on to the airlines. A good reason to compare airfares NOW to Ch,Fr Austria or out west to Timberline Lodge.

Spring Pass Deals at Sun Valley

Visit SunValley.com for details

Heavenly Mountain Resort
South Lake Tahoe, CA/NV—— Heavenly’s snow pack is 23 percent higher than average, its base depth ranges from 78 to 100 inches, and it has received over 300 inches of snowfall to date this winter. In response to this amazing amount of snow, Heavenly has announced that it is extending its season into May. The resort had planned to close for the season on Sunday, April 20, 2008, but now has an expected closing date of Sunday, May 4, 2008.

“We wanted to reward our pass holders and other loyal guests with an extra two weeks of skiing,” Carrig said. “Heavenly already offers the best views, best surface conditions, best grooming and best tree skiing. Now our guests can enjoy it all into May.”

www.skiheavenly.com