Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!
By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large
December 2005
In the northeast, winter is getting an early start, and snow has already blanketed many ski destinations around the country. Ski resorts were booking up early this year for the holiday period, but there are early bird deals now and spring skiing deals to look for later—plus, there are lots of opportunities on the mountain in between.
At Travelocity, the data shows that the most popular destinations for snow hounds are Colorado, Utah and Nevada. The average ski destination vacation length is seven days, a day shorter than most beach vacations. This year the greatest growth destinations for skiers are Kamloops, British Columbia; Telluride, Colorado and Twin Falls, Idaho. But the biggest trend in skiing for 2006 is the multi-mountain pass.
Beyond data, our resident mountain mogul Natasha Carvell tells you all about what's new on the slopes. But don't just take it from us–get out and check out the powder for yourself, just be sure to bundle up, it's a cold one!
Climb Every Mountain: You’ve heard of island hopping, but what about mountain hopping? Hotter than ever before are multi-passes, which allow skiers and riders to visit more than one mountain on the same interchangeable lift ticket all while saving money. Try the SKI SALT LAKE SUPERPASS (includes Alta, Brighton, Snowbird, or Solitude), VAIL RESORTS “PERFECT TEN” TICKET (Vail/Beaver Creek ticket is also valid at Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin) or STRATTON/OKEMO (the three-day lift ticket at Stratton offers one day at Okemo too).
Ski New Ground: Added terrain is a huge draw for repeat skiers, and this year’s crop of newly opened runs amp up the adrenaline factor. Vermont’s Stratton has a new gladed course designed and hand cut by Bill Koch, the first and only American to win an Olympic medal in Nordic skiing. A true local’s favorite in Colorado, Aspen Highlands unveils Deep Temerity offering new, advanced, expert and extreme terrain.
Off the Hill Apres Improvements: Mountain towns and resorts alike are stepping it up so that the once-uninspiring après scene is now almost as exhilarating as the black diamonds themselves.
DINING/NIGHTLIFE:
Owners of highly touted Wild Fig in Aspen have opened D-19, serving the notable Italian fare of Executive Chef Dena Marino, formerly of the Aspen’s famed Ajax Tavern. In Quebec, The N’ice Club Mont-Tremblant sports a 4,200 square foot lounge built entirely out of snow and ice, just off the slopes.
SPAS/YOGA:
After a chilly day out on KT visit the Trilogy Spa at the Village at Squaw and warm up to the Hawaiian-influenced signature treatments at this brand new day spa where sweet island aromas, fresh cut flowers, and exotic herbal teas make it welcoming. Remede Spa at St. Regis Resort is the first and only resort spa in Aspen, this 15,000-square-foot property includes fitness and yoga/Pilates rooms and 15 treatment rooms, and offers signature treatments incorporating Aspen’s alpine and mineral environment.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES:
A new Tube Park will be introduced at Base II on Blackcomb Mountain in Whistler this year, offering an exhilarating snow sliding experience. It will be serviced by a conveyor lift, with at least six different sliding chutes. Panorama’s Northern Lights Wolf Education Centre will be open through the winter season this year in B.C.. In-house grey wolves Moab and Maya are well adapted to survival in snowy conditions and take Canada’s harshest winter weather in stride while helping to educate visitors about wolf and bear conservation.
For more information on what's new in the ski industry this year, visit www.travelocity.com/newski and for deals, visit www.travelocity.com/ski. It kind of makes “happy trails” take on a whole new meaning…Ski safe!
For more travel tips and advice, check out Amy Ziff’s monthly column, Travel Trends & Advice from A to Z, at www.travelocity.com/atoz. To suggest a topic for a future column or to tell about a travel experience of your own, please email Amy Ziff at ask.amy@travelocity.com.
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