"Endless Winter Snow"

Snow Alert -
Teton avalanche warning - Moderate: Areas of unstable snow exist. Human triggered avalanches are possible. Larger triggers may be necessary as the snowpack becomes more stable. Use caution.

Chamonix - France
80% of the ski areas open

From this week-end, opening of Balme, les Grands Montets (except for the Lognan-Grands Montets cable-car and Retour Pendant chairlift), Brévent–Flégère, La Vormaine, Les Planards and Les Houches.
The legend asscociated with off-piste in the Chamonix valley was born on the confines of the glaciers, there where the slopes seem to go on forever. The Valley Blanche, the Pas de Chevre, the Rognons glacier, so many fabulous names and places that, each year, attract the elite from the « planet freeride » ! The most famous off-piste descent is doubtless the Valley Blanche, accessed via the Aiguille du Midi cable car and offering several variants: the normal Valley, the Petit Envers du Plan or the Grand Envers du Plan. This glacial route is very popular in early spring, but is nethertheless a high-mountain intinerary and the presence of a mountain guide is strongly recommended. www.chamonix.com/

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Tignes - France

You are itching to grab your skis? Offer them an XXL ski area! The Tignes – Val d’Isère espace killy and its 300 kms of slopes have been waiting for you since its opening on November 28th, meaning 1900m difference in high to slide down from the Grande Motte Glacier to the heart of the resort. Looking for even more thrill? Join the freestylers, experts on the Swatch Snowpark, and beginners on the Nissan Gliss’Park
Winter X Games Europe
THE snowsports event not to miss this winter! Top news! For the very first time, the Winter X Games land in Europe! And we are pleased to announce that Tignes was chosen to host this key event in freestyle ski and snowboard. For 3 days, from March 10th to 12th 2010, the best riders will gather from all around the world to compete against each other on Tignes’ snow for exceptional competitions. For this first European edition, the Winter X Games have scheduled 8 events: the Men and Women’s Super Pipe Ski and Snowboard, the Men and Women’s Slopestyle Ski and Snowboard, and a freestyle Snowmobile demo. Europe is set to witness a sporting technique and prowness never seen before on these shores!
http://www.tignes.net/en/

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Not so good news
One of the missing climbers on Oregon's Mount Hood spent part of his younger years in Montana.
Authorities suspended the search for Anthony Vietti, 25, and Katie Nolan, 29 on Wednesday. Last Saturday, search crews found the body of 26-year old Luke Gullburg.
Anthony Vietti was studying to become a physician's assistant in Longview, Washington, but he spent seven years in Montana, mostly in Clyde Park, north of Livingston.

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Mt Hood Meadows

Surface Conditions: Groomers are setting up nicely for fast carving turns this morning, softer in the sun. Off the groom = awesome powder and variable conditions
www.skihood.com

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FIS World Cup Skiing Events
http://www.fis-ski.com/data/document/calendar-09-10_1.pdf
Speed Skiing
Events
27.1.-2.2.2010 Vars FRA WC A A Check changes
4.-7.3.2010 Sun Peaks CAN WC 2xA 2xA
14.-17.3.2010 Salla FIN WC 2xA 2xA
20.-24.3.2010 Idre and Hundfjallet/Salen SWE WC 2xA 2xA
19.-21.4.2010 Verbier SUI WC A A

Sochi - Russia 2014 Olympic Games
During the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Alpine skiing events will be held at the Rosa Khutor Mountain Ski Center located on the Aibga Ridge. The Olympic Alpine skiing routes will total 9 km. The Center will seat and stand 18,000 spectators.
This facility is to be put into operation in November 2011 for test competitions
www.sochi2014.com

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The 70th International Hahnenkamm Race from 22nd January to 24th January 2010

The Kitzbüheler Ski Club and the Organizing Committee of the Hahnenkamm Race bid their welcome to all media representatives planning a coverage of the event from Kitzbühel, making it accessible to a large group of interested sports fans thanks to the quality of their media services. Now already we would like to extend a warm welcome to all media representatives. www.hahnenkamm.com/

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80th International Lauberhorn Races 2010 - Wengen Switzerland

Race Programme 2010
Wednesday January 13, 2010
12.30pm Lauberhorn Downhill training run
Start: Lauberhorn
Finish: Ski Stadium Innerwengen

Thursday January 14, 2010
12.30pm Lauberhorn Downhill training run
5pm Official Opening of the 80th Int. Lauberhorn Races in Wengen
5.45pm Drawing of numbers for the Lauberhorn Super Combination Downhill
Start: Lauberhorn
Finish: Ski Stadium Innerwengen

Friday January 15, 2010
10.30am Super Combination Downhill
1.30pm Super Combination Slalom (one race)
6.15pm Drawing of numbers for the Lauberhorn Downhill in the World Cup Village in Wengen
7.00pm Prize-giving ceremony for the Super Combination in the World Cup Village in Wengen

Saturday January 16, 2010
12.30pm Lauberhorn Downhill
6.15pm Drawing of numbers for the Lauberhorn Slalom in the World Cup Village in Wengen
7.00pm Prize-giving ceremony for the Lauberhorn Downhill in the World Cup Village in Wengen

Sunday January 17, 2010
10.00am Slalom 1st run
13.15pm Slalom 2nd run
3.45pm Prize-giving ceremony

http://www.lauberhorn.ch/en/ Jackson Hole
Events
December 18: Nordic Center projected opening
December 18: Pray For Snow Party at the Nordic Center
December 19: Village Christmas Tree Lighting & Party at Nick Wilson's

www.jacksonhole.com

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White Pass- WA
Steeps are open!
Weather: Overcast
Temp: 32F Summit / 32F Base
New Snow: Trace
Base: 44" Base area / 66" Summit
Freeride Club: White Pass welcomes back guest coach Carrie Uren of Randle, WA who is currently the 10th ranked female boardercross athlete in the US.
www.skiwhitepass.com

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Big Sky - Montana
Great Conditions Surface Conditions: Powder & Packed Powder Today's Word: Snow has been consistently falling over the past few days and there is plenty of soft, crisp powder on the mountain for all to enjoy! Lift ticket rates are $69 for Adults,$59 for seniors and $49 for juniors and college students through Friday, Dec. 18. Frequency Card holders get $10 off the listed price. Share the powder! Go to Big Sky's homepage and click on the 2 for 1 banner, deal valid Sunday-Monday, Dec. 20-21, only available online, limited availability, so buy today! www.bigskyresort.com

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Killington - Vermont
Ramshead Opens Friday
We’re expanding our open terrain once again with the addition of Ramshead Mountain and the Ramshead Express, serving Caper, Header and Easy Street Trails. This weekend we expect up to 65 open trails served by 11 lifts. We’ll have more terrain opening as soon as conditions permit, including Bear Mountain and the Needle’s Eye area.
www.killington.com

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COLORADO SKI COUNTRY SEES SECOND STRAIGHT WEEK OF DOUBLE-DIGIT SNOWFALL Resorts Report Heavy Snow in Last 48 Hours Denver, Colo. – – A wintery deluge has erupted throughout Colorado Ski Country over the past 48 hours, despite milder temperatures and less precipitation elsewhere in the state. The storm signals the second straight week of double-digit snowfall at Colorado Ski Country resorts. Increased snow has resorts optimistic about attracting skiers and riders throughout the holiday season, since consistently good snow conditions are the largest attribute that entices skiers to visit Colorado’s world-class resorts. A storm system over Crested Butte Mountain Resort dropped 21 inches of powder there over the last two days. Silverton Mountain saw the same amount and is reporting a full 60 inches of snow over the last eight days in total. Wolf Creek, as usual, got over a foot of snow, with 13 inches piling up at mid-mountain. Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort and Monarch Mountain each got an even foot of powder in the last 48 hours. Nearer to the Front Range, skiers at Loveland Ski Area were happy with a fresh 11 inches there and just on the other side of the Continental Divide, schussers at Arapahoe Basin experienced nearly that amount, with nine inches of accumulation. Sunlight Mountain Resort will celebrate its 10.5 inches of snowfall by hosting Demo Days this weekend, where skiers and riders can try out the new equipment from top manufacturers and take some turns with Santa, who will make a special appearance. Just down the road, Aspen’s four open mountains saw plenty of winter white too. Aspen Highlands fared the best, with 10 inches of new snow. Aspen Mountain picked up eight inches, Snowmass got six, and Buttermilk also experienced a heavy coat of powder. Telluride Ski Resort, which is opening an Olympic-qualifier World Cup Parallel Giant Slalom race today, welcomed nine inches of fresh snow over the last two days. Winter Park Resort also got a new nine inches in the last two days, showing the expansive range of this storm across the state. Winter Park’s northern neighbor, SolVista Basin at Granby Ranch, was excited to see the storm’s impact on the area as it prepares to open for the season tomorrow, December 16th.

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