Camelback Mountain Resort Hosts Adaptive Camp for Kids

Week Culminates with Diana Golden Race
Tannersville, PA - Camelback Mountain Resort is hosting the 17th Annual Adaptive Camp for 5-18 year olds with physical disabilities February 1nd to 5th. This is a fun sports camp for children who want to learn how to ski or want to improve their skills. The camp includes five days of ski lessons with passionate, fun-loving instructors, as well as a chance to bond with other kids that share their passion for skiing.

"Our partnership with the Pennsylvania Center for Adapted Sports is wonderful because it helps make snowsports possible for everyone," said Charles Blier, General Manager/Executive Vice President at Camelback Mountain Resort. "This gives kids with disabilities a great opportunity to learn a new sport or improve their skills; and most importantly, they can meet new friends." continued Blier.

At the conclusion of camp, the campers will be prepared to race in the Diana Golden Race Series held on Saturday, February 5th on Raceway. This gives each child the opportunity to challenge him/herself while having fun!

The Diana Golden Series is an introductory alpine ski racing series for children and adults of all ages with physical disabilities. The races are two run GS courses on a NASTAR style course. These races are the first step towards making the Paralympics.

Epic Snow Storm Brings 4 Feet of Snow Last Week!

Loveland Ski Area, CO - Last week here at Loveland we saw a snowstorm of epic proportions. Over 4 feet of snow fell last week alone bringing our year-to-date total to 255 inches! This is more than double the amount of snowfall we had on this date last year! Not only do we have tons of snow, but the forecast is calling for the weather stay nice and clear for this weekend. Come up and enjoy some of the best skiing and riding conditions we have seen in several seasons here at Loveland Ski Area: So close to home!

Searchmont Ski Valley Founders Day

Sault Ste Marie, ON - A twenty minute presentation honouring Searchmont Ski Valley founders, Herb Lederer and Ian McDonald, will take place this Saturday January 29 at Searchmont Resort. Families and friends of the two founders will be in attendance to say a few words and unveil a commemorative plaque.

Join us Saturday January 29, 2011 at 3pm.
Master of Ceremonies – Greg Peres, Searchmont Ski Association Inc. President
Guest Speakers – Ray Stortini, Jean McDonald-Haines, Herb Lederer Jr.
Wine and cheese to follow in Slopesides.

Chicks on Sticks

Kewaskum, WI - Come on out ladies:
Get a group of your lady friends together and have a day on the slopes. Learn to ski together or get a few tips from a professional instructor.

Spring with the ladies:
February weather often offers the best spring skiing of the season at Sunburst. Warmer temperatures, blue skies and great spring snow conditions, all make it perfect for a fun day on the slopes with your friends.

Ski like a girl:
Women often learn differently than men. Understanding those special skills might be key to a good ski lesson. Some of our best female ski instructors are scheduled for the day and on hand for these lessons.

February 11, 2011, 10am-4pm
Lift ticket, ski rentals, beginner lesson:$25
Lift ticket, ski rentals, ski with a pro:$32
Lift ticket & beginner lesson:$22
Lift ticket & ski with a pro:$29
Season pass holder beginner lesson or ski with a pro:$15

Marcus Caston Wins First Stop of Rahlves Banzai Tour

Lake Tahoe, CA - This past Sunday, under sunny skies and warm temps, on a fast and firm race course that included challenging steeps, rollers and berms, some of the best skiers and riders in the game gathered atop Alpine Meadows' Beaver Bowl for the first stop in the 2011 Rahlves' Banzai Tour.

124 skiers and riders competed in Saturday's qualifiers, with 74 athletes moving on to Sunday's finals. Competitors and spectators alike were treated to a festive Banzai party at the River Ranch Lodge on Saturday evening and a celebratory finish corral after Sunday's finals with the winners claiming their take of the $10,000 purse.

Kirkwood Mountain Resort will host the next stop on the Rahlves' Banzai Tour, with the Eagle Bowl Banzai February 5 & 6th. The resort's Eagle Bowl promises to offer another exciting and challenging course.

The grand finale of Banzai will return home to Sugar Bowl on March 12 & 13th with the historic Silver Belt Banzai, the Overall Tour Final and Super Final winner-take-all.

Mt. Hood Meadows Presents Friday Night Rail Jam Series @ Shipyard

Mt. Hood, OR - Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort presents the Friday Night Rail Jam series this season. The series will allow freestylers to session on selected rails, progressing from lower level abilities through more advanced riders as the evening unfolds.

The event is all about fun, but also progression allowing freestylers to hang with each other and learn some new tricks. Helmets are required, no inverts are allowed. There’s no charge to participate, although a liability release is required (signed by parent or legal guardian for those under 18). Sign up is at Shipyard during the event.

Series event dates are Fridays:
January 28; February 11; February 25; March 11; March 25

Deep Daze

One month after its opening, hype over 2.044-foot Glory Ridge Triple Chair elevated by sizeable month-long snowfall
Nelson, BC - One month after an opening that was highly anticipated by the North American ski industry, even by British Columbia’s famous snow standards, the launch of Whitewater Resort’s new Glory Ridge chair has lived up to great expectations.

Since skiers hopped aboard its maiden chair Friday, Dec. 24, Whitewater and the mountains enveloping Nelson B.C. have been thumped with over two metres (six-and-a-half feet) of snow.

As of Wednesday, Jan. 19, 149 centimetres, or nearly five feet of snow has blanketed the resort since the beginning of the month, some of it amongst the lightest and deepest storm snow a lot of locals can recall this decade.

Snow has fallen 14 out of 18 days.

When Whitewater Resort threw the switch on its first new chair in 17 years, the mountain marked a rare achievement by ski industry standards — literally doubling in size, with the addition of just one lift.

Sugar Bowl Announces Environmental Awareness Day

Norden, CA - Environmental Day returns to Sugar Bowl Resort on January 29, 2011. Environmental Day is designed to educate guests on what the resort is doing to chill winter and pass along education tips that can be used in their own homes. The resort will have a Vendor Village set-up on the Mt. Judah Deck sponsored by local businesses and organizations that will be at the resort educating guests on how to decrease their carbon footprint and live greener lifestyles. Sugar Bowl will match all Ski Green Tags purchased on January 29 as a charitable donation to Ski Green. Guests may also enjoy live music on the Judah deck from 2:00 - 4:30PM.

It’s Kearney and Colas Again in Lake Placid

Wilmington, NY - When American Hannah Kearney (Norwich, Vt.) races on Whiteface Mountain, in Wilmington, N.Y., the question is, “Who’s going to finish second?” Kearney won for the third straight time on the Olympic mountain, when she skied to another first place finish during Sunday’s, Jan. 23, FIS Nature Valley Freestyle World Cup women’s moguls’ competition.

The reigning Olympic champion and current overall World Cup leader came away with her second victory of the weekend when she tallied 26.12 points from the scoring judges. Two judges even awarded Kearney perfect scores of 5.0.

“It’s great to get perfect scores, but I’m more happy with how consistent I was all weekend. I’m most excited about winning all four runs,” noted Kearney. “At the top during the finals today I was hearing some pretty high scores and that just pushed and focused me even more before my run.”

For the second day in a row, Canadians occupied the podium’s two remaining steps. Chloe Dufour-LaPointe claimed the silver medal with 24.85 points, while Kristi Richards won bronze with a final point total of 24.57.

France’s Guilbault Colas is also feeling right at home on the 240-meter long Wilderness trail course. The men’s World Cup leader also picked up his second gold medal this weekend, squeaking by two more Canadians to grab the event’s top spot.

Colas skied to 25.70 points, just .11 points more than silver medalist Mikael Kingsbury. Kingsbury’s teammate and fellow Canadian, Alexandre-Pierre Rousseau, finished in the bronze medal spot, with 25.16 points from the judges.

This weekend’s FIS Nature Valley Freestyle World Cup event brought more than 140 athletes from 19 countries to the region. It was also the only freestyle World Cup in the United States.

Be sure to look for all of this weekend’s World Cup action NBC and Versus. NBC’s coverage is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 29, at 2 p.m., while Versus’ coverage is slated to begin at 3 p.m., Saturday. Versus will also air coverage of the event, Sunday, Jan. 30, beginning at 2 p.m. Check your local listings.

Freestyle World Cup Skiing Begins Friday in Lake Placid

Lake Placid, NY - Ski fans will have only one chance to see the world’s best aerial and freestyle skiers compete in the United States when the FIS Nature Valley Freestyle World Cup begins tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 21, in Lake Placid, N.Y. The event, scheduled through Sunday, Jan. 23, is the only World Cup in the United States and will also serve as a qualifier for the U.S. ski team’s world championship squad. The three-day competition features more than 140 athletes from 19 countries.

Action begins Friday at the Olympic Jumping Complex with both the women’s and men’s aerials competitions. The women’s qualifying round begins at 9:45 a.m., while the men’s qualifier is slated to start at 12:25 p.m. The finals get underway at 2 p.m.

During the intermissions, fans will have the chance to compete in the Wii Challenge and also participate in other contests to win great prizes.

The World Cup will move over to Whiteface, in Wilmington, N.Y., and the Wilderness trail for moguls, both Saturday and Sunday. Competition begins both days at 9:15 a.m., with live music to follow, at 3 p.m., in the Cloudspin Lounge.

Tickets for Friday’s aerials are $15 for adults and $9 for juniors and seniors. A lift ticket and skis will be required to view the moguls’ competition at Whiteface.

Meadows Saturday Safety Fair Celebrates National Ski Area Safety Week

Mt. Hood, OR - Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort celebrates National Ski Area Safety Week this Saturday with a Safety Fair. The National Ski Areas Assocation has designated January 15 – 23, 2011 as National Ski Area Safety Awareness Week. The event promotes and encourages responsible practices and etiquette designed to make skiers and snowboarders more aware of safety on the slopes. Essential to courteous and safe sharing of the mountain is the Responsibility Code – seven simple rules which if followed can provide an extra margin of safety on the slopes.

Saturday’s Safety Fair will encourage guests to find the seven Safety “Codesters”, learn the rules and win prizes ranging from safety whistles to safety messenger bags. Those who collect all seven Codester stamps on their Code Card will be eligible to win a 10 Time Pass given away in drawings in the afternoon and evening.

Representatives from Meadows Pro Patrol will be on hand to discuss safety issues and introduce guests to the safety search and rescue dogs. A contest will also be presented to allow guests to find hidden targets with tracking beacons used by backcountry enthusiasts. The Safety Fair is presented by Fuel TV, Monster Energy Drink, Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital and the Anheuser-Busch Responsibility Matters Program.

International Snapshots Pour in as Snow Bum 2 Enters Final Month

Sun Peaks, BC - Just one month remains for Snow Bum hopefuls around the world to enter to win a trip to Sun Peaks Resort in the British Columbia Interior to star in their very own winter video.

Snow Bum 2: The Snapshot launched in mid-November and since then, more than 85 people from around the world have submitted their photo with a hope to win the grand prize. Canada, the United States, Australia, Belgium and Norway are just a few of the countries represented by contestants in the contest thus far.

In addition to the entries, online tracking shows that winter enthusiasts from nearly 70 countries have visited the www.SnowBumCanada.com website to see what the contest is all about. With all those Snow Bums off snapping their shots and preparing their entries, the Sun Peaks forecast is calling for a heavy submissions during the contest’s final weeks.

Sun Peaks will accept photo entries until Sunday, February 20, 2011. The lucky winner of the Best Photo wins a trip for them and three friends to for a six night trip to Sun Peaks. Plus, Kevin Hagell of Kaizen Visuals will spend a full day on the slopes with them to film their very own exclusive winter-themed video! Kevin has worked with the likes of Adidas, Scion and Von Zipper, just to name a few. There will also be secondary prize for most popular (most-voted for) photo as contestants will be rewarded based on how many votes they get on their photo, by promoting their entry through social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

Canadian Open Freeskiing Championships – Senior FINALS

Rossland, BC - RED Mountain hosted the 10th Annual Canadian Open Freeskiing Championships Senior event this past weekend. With a flurry of walk-in registrations the competition had a healthy group of competitors vying for top spot in the Senior Open.

With variable cloudiness, fresh snow and mild temperatures, the finals for the senior portion of the event concluded on Saturday, January 15th. With all of the athletes descending down the slopes of Mount Roberts, typically known as a backcountry enthusiast slope, the championship saw a tough pool of competitors showing top caliber skiing. Prize money was issued for the top 5 athletes in the men’s and women’s categories. Top athletes, CJ Wright and Kasie Stroshin took top spot for the Senior Men’s and Women’s categories respectively. Local RED athletes Colston Villanueva Beatson placed 4th in the men’s category and Leah Evans placed 5th in the women’s category. Rafters Bar, RED’s renovated bar, played host to the Kokanee Afterparty which rounded out the celebration.

Blake Jorgenson Named 'King of Storms' at Deep Winter Photo Challenge

Whistler, BC - Iconic Whistler photographer Blake Jorgenson took home the King of Storms title at the fifth annual Deep Winter Photo Challenge, presented by ARC’TERYX and Whistler Blackcomb. Second place went to the event’s first-ever female competitor, Robin O’Neill, and third went to up-and-coming photographer Andrew Strain. Ten-year photography veteran, Ilja Herb’s epic ski photo was voted Best in Show by the panel of judges.

“I don’t think winning is as exciting as executing an idea and bringing it to life in front of the audience. For me that’s the thrill.” says Jorgenson. “As a photographer, I never choose the photos that get printed. It’s always somebody else’s choice. To come up with a concept and bring it to life exactly the way I want, in front of a home crowd, is the best thing ever.”

Jorgenson took home the $3,000 grand prize and will have his name added to the King of Storms trophy, a new addition to the event that was designed by Keith Berens at Live Metal Promo. All previous Deep Winter winners will be added to the trophy to commemorate their achievements.

The six photographers had three days to shoot in bounds at Whistler Blackcomb with their athlete teams. In addition to the photographers named above and powerhouse of athletes, Snowboard Canada Photo Editor John Scarth and accomplished snowboard photographer, Tim Zimmerman joined the quest for ‘King/Queen of Storms’ title and a total prize purse of $6,000.

Beyond skiing at Mont SUTTON…

Sutton, PQ - In addition of having fun all winter long at Mont SUTTON on the trails and into the glades, skiers and snowboarders can enjoy several activities, beyond skiing.

Recommendations of restaurants to be discovered, spas of the area for a complete relaxation after a day of skiing, good places to go in Sutton for the après-ski, vacation packages… To find a range of information in one click, there is a new section “Après-SUTTON equals après-ski” available at MontSutton.com.

Camelback Mountain Resort Ski Patrol Awarded Outstanding Alpine Patrol

Tannersville, PA - Camelback Mountain Resort Ski Patrol Team won the Outstanding Alpine Patrol award in the Eastern Pennsylvania Region of the National Ski Patrol organization.

The Ski Patrol and Ranger Team at Camelback is a group that has a strong desire to help others, to learn emergency care techniques, to improve their skiing and snowboarding skills, and to enhance the safety and enjoyment of snow sports for all.

The Ski Patrol and Ranger Teams are hosting Safety Week in partnership with the National Ski Area Association and the Pennsylvania Ski Area Association January 15-23. For this program, we are hosting a poster contest, Chuck the Camel is handing out pamphlets and Ski Patrol and Ranger Patrol will be interacting with the guests in the lodges talking about safety and smart style safety within the CBK Terrain Park.

"Our entire organization is dedicated to a positive and helpful experience for every guest,' said William Snyder, Director of Risk Management, Camelback Mountain Resort. He continued, "You can be confident that in time of need, the Camelback Ski Patrol and Ranger Patrol will respond quickly with quality services provided by competent, caring and friendly professionals."

Do You Know the Code? National Safety Awareness Week 2011

Cortland, NY - Recite a Code and Win a Prize!

On Saturday, 1/15, look for "Winter Rules" spots, or ask any

Greek Peak associate, Resort-wide!

TGR Launches The North Face 2011 Ski & Snowboard Photo Contest

Teton Village, WY - Teton Gravity Research & The North Face are proud to announce The North Face 2011 Ski & Snowboard Photo Contest. Through February 2, 2010, all are welcome to submit their top photos from this winter into the Best Powder or Best Freeride categories for a chance to win a North Cascade Heli Trip for two or a $250 The North Face gift card and skis from Atomic.

The 10 photos with the most Facebook "Likes" from each category will make into the finals. From these finalists, The North Face athletes and representatives of the TGR production team will choose a First Place Winner for each category as well as the Grand Prize Winner for Best Overall photo. Prizes will be for two as photography requires both a rider and the documentarian.

Last year's contest amassed an astounding 641 entries with Erik Bro Hostetler's "Wasatch Pow" photo of Colter Hinchcliffe reigning supreme and taking the Grand Prize and Best Powder Category. Copa's "Squaw Valley Air" photo of skier Jamie Blair won last year's Best Air Category.

Start uploading us your best shots, share them with your friends and don't forget to “Like” your favorites to help them become finalists.

Click Here to Enter!

Bromley Dedicates Kare Andersen Telemark Center

Bromley Mountain, VT - On December 30, Bromley Mountain honored its long-time telemark instructor, Kare Andersen, by rededicating and renaming its Telemark Center after the 93-year old telemark phenom (telemark, aka “free heel skiing,” is a downhill skiing style in which boots are bound to the skis only to the toes, similar to cross-country skiing).

Among those who gathered to honor Kare Andersen were John Schweizer, past president and CEO of Garmont Boots, Bill Cairns, Director of Resort Operations at Bromley Mountain and Peter Robertson, Director of the Bromley Mountain Ski & Snowboard School, and John Tidd, Andersen’s longtime friend, colleague and fellow PSIA telemark instructor and Examiner.

Andersen, who learned the sport as a child in his native Norway and skies regularly still, has helmed Bromley’s Telemark Centerl for the past twenty-one years. He’ll be stepping down from his instructional role as of now, passing the torch to Greg DeCell.

Happenings at Belleayre Mountain

Highmount, NY - It has been snowing at Belleayre for nearly a week straight and the mountain is in excellent shape. Throw in the fact the Northeast is scheduled to get another major winter weather event Tuesday into Wednesday, and that equals one thing – awesome skiing and riding conditions at Belleayre Mountain. Winter is in full swing and the Belleayre event calendar is packed with fun family events.

The Pine Hill Arms Race Series begins Wednesday, January 12. Join us for a fun adults only 10-week long race series sponsored by the Pine Hill Arms Hotel & Restaurant (845-254-9811). This friendly competition is run on the Yahoo NASTAR/Giant Slalom course. Registration is pre-paid of $55 entry fee and includes the race series and awards dinner at the Pine Hill Arms at the end of the season. Lift ticket is not included, but required and the minimum age limit is 21 years. Trophies go to the top 3 finishers, male and female, skiers and snowboarders.

On Friday, January 14 don’t miss Emerson Resort and Spa Day by the fireplace in the Garden Room of Overlook Lodge from 10am to 2pm. The Emerson Resort and Spa will have a masseuse onsite giving complimentary 10 minute massages to Belleayre patrons.

The Belleayre Cup Race will be held on Saturday, January 15 beginning at 10:30am on Lower Yahoo. This is a fun all-ages race for skiers and snowboarders. Registration will be held in the Garden Room of the Overlook Lodge and is $5 for skiers and riders age 18 and under and $8 for ages 19 and over. Helmets are required for all racers. An awards ceremony honoring the top male and female snowboarders and skiers will be held at 3pm outside of the Overlook Lodge.

On Sunday, January 16, the Coalition to Save Belleayre will be holding their annual Coalition Cup Race open to all skiers and boarders. The $10 Race entry fee is to benefit to Coalition to Save Belleayre. Helmets are required. An awards ceremony honoring the top male and female snowboarders and skiers will be held at 3pm outside of the Overlook Lodge.

Whitefish Mountain Resort Officials Advise Tree Well Awareness

Whitefish, MT - After losing one skier and one snowboarder to off-piste tree well accidents, Whitefish Mountain Resort officials are urging those wishing to take advantage of the deep powder covering the mountain to familiarize themselves with risks and safety techniques related to Non-Avalanche Related Snow Immersion Deaths, or NARSIDs.

A 29-year-old snowboarder lost his life in a tree well in an off-piste area at Whitefish Mountain Resort on Saturday, Jan. 8, less than a week after a 16-year-old skier was removed from life support after becoming trapped in a tree well in the same area of the mountain on Dec. 29.

“This has been a very sad and tragic two weeks for all of us at Whitefish Mountain Resort,” said Winter Sports, Inc. President and CEO Daniel Graves. “Losing three lives in two weeks, two in tree wells and one due to natural causes, affects us all deeply, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and families of the victims.”

A tree well is an area of deep, unconsolidated snow that forms beneath the overhanging branches of evergreen trees as the surrounding snow pack deepens. When a skier or snowboarder falls into a tree well, the loose snow packs in around and on top of them, making it very difficult to move and/or free oneself. Further struggle can worsen the predicament.

According to the industry-created website TreeWellDeepSnowSafety.com, 90% of volunteers placed into tree wells in two experiments could not rescue themselves.

For this reason, the only way to effectively prevent tree well and other NARSID deaths is to ski within sight of a ski buddy at all times, close enough to reach them in the amount of time a person can reasonably hold their breath.

10 to 100% rebate at Owl’s Head, Mont SUTTON and Burke Mountain

Sutton, PQ - Again this year, Owl’s Head and Mont SUTTON have joined together to offer rebates on their lift tickets with the return of the Carte Blanche. For the 2010-2011 season, Burke Mountain, a Vermont based ski center, have joined the two resorts in the Eastern Townships.

The carte Blanche allows the customer to choose the participating center they want and save each visit on the regularly priced ticket for the complete day for an adult or student. The very first time you use the card, you save 10% followed by increasing rebates for each subsequent visit by using the card. You can save up to 40% and after each 4th visit, your 5th visit is FREE again at the center of your choice. In total the Carte Blanche offers up to 15 visits of rebated skiing and riding.

Join the Snow Day Team before January 13

Copper Mountain, CO - Copper reported 8 inches of snow this morning, Monday, January 10, so it is an Official Snow Day. If you don’t have your Snow Day Pass yet, you can still pick it up for upcoming powder days by January 13. Just in case you were wondering: this is the 15th Snow Day this season where Copper reported four or more inches, and we average 42 Snow Days a year. In addition, Copper has received 19 inches of snow this month and an amazing 176 inches this season, that’s almost 15 feet of snow!

Basically, the Snow Day Pass works like so: join the Snow Day team for just $99. Every time Copper gets four or more inches of snow, come on up and use your pass for free, because four inches has never been so satisfying.

The Snow Day pass will be on sale through January 13, so the sooner you buy it, the more chances you will have to use it. After January 13, this offer will self-destruct.

Top Disabled Skiers Compete at Winter Park Open

Winter Park, CO - Conditions as of 5:00pm on January 4, 2011

Packed Powder conditions with a 45 inch mid-mountain base and a 50 inch base at the summit. 20 lifts turning at 9am this morning, getting you to 133 trails, 8 terrain parks/pipes and 2560 acres are open.

Gore-Tex Deep Winter Experience Week Storms Into Whistler

ARC’TERYX Deep Winter Photo Challenge Returns as Marquee Event January 15

Whistler, BC - January in Whistler is storm season, which means plenty of snow and deep powder days on the mountains. The GORE-TEX Deep Winter Experience celebrates storm season with clinics, ski and snowboard camps and discounts on outerwear. For the fifth year in a row the ARC’TERYX Deep Winter Photo Challenge pays homage to this sacred occasion and the skiers, riders and photographers who cherish it.

“As Deep Winter enters its fifth year of competition, it continues to be an important event in Whistler. It is a celebration for the locals who are passionate about Whistler Blackcomb and skiing, regardless of the weather,” says photography veteran and former King of Storms, Paul Morrison. “From the beginning, the venue has been sold out and the competition impressive. This year's event will be another memorable celebration of the people and their passions who add to soul to Whistler.”

During the Deep Winter Photo Challenge, professional photographers shoot in-bounds at Whistler Blackcomb for three days capturing athletes in their natural mountain habitat of powder filled bowls, trees, and après bars. This year’s contenders are: 10-year veteran, Ilja Herb; accomplished snowboard photographer, Tim Zimmerman; Whistler local, Blake Jorgenson; outdoor lifestyle photographer, Robin O’Neill; Snowboard Canada Photo Editor, John Scarth; and up and comer, Andrew Strain. Their edited slideshows will be played in front of a live audience at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler and judged by a panel of industry professionals. A prize purse of $6,000 and the title of “King/Queen of Storms” are up for grabs.

“Deep Winter is all about showing images from the often untold side of winter,” says professional skier, Mike Douglas. “We get a lot of snow in Whistler and it's interesting to get out there and document the stormiest days. Shooting in stormy weather is way more work for both the photographers and athletes, but it's also really rewarding to see what you can produce in just three days”.

Tickets for the ARC’TERYX Deep Winter Photo Challenge are $17 and are available at any Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations location or by calling 1-800-766-0449. Doors are at 7pm and the slideshows start at 8pm with an after-party at Merlin’s Bar in the Upper Village.

The North Face 1st Annual Park and Pipe Open Ski Series Drops In to Northstar Resort and Waterville Valley

Waterville Valley, NH - The North Face and Mountain Sports International have announced The North Face Park and Pipe Open Series, a two-stop tour featuring ski slopestyle and halfpipe competitions. The North Face Park and Pipe Open Series kicks off January 6-9, 2011 at Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort in California and February 17-20, 2011 at Waterville Valley in New Hampshire.
"The North Face is excited to bring its big mountain heritage to the park and pipe competition scene with a series that will inspire up and coming athletes and drive pro level competition," said Aaron Carpenter, Vice President of Marketing for The North Face.

The North Face Park and Pipe Open Series will dedicate one competition day to halfpipe and two days to slopestyle. Judging will be overall impression based on creativity, degree of difficulty, combinations, variations, style, and amplitude.

Snowmaking Begins at Ruby Hill Railyard, Denver's Free Urban Terrain Park!

Winter Park Resort, Denver Parks and Recreation and Christy Sports Again Team Up To Bring Winter Sports To The City Of Denver Free Of Charge

Denver, CO - Due to cold temperatures in the Denver area, snowmaking at Ruby Hill Rail Yard has begun with over an acre of snow in anticipation of the Rail Park opening mid- January through February 2011.

Approximately 1 million gallons of water will be used to cover the area with snow. When it melts, it will return to the surrounding vegetation. Denver Water has agreed to let the City use this water as long as they reduce water needs in the summer by an equal amount. As a result, no water is being wasted – just reallocated.

First established in 2007, Ruby Hill Rail Yard was the country's first free urban terrain park based in a city. The experimental program instantly became a nationwide model for numerous cities and ski resort collaborations.

2010 Photo Credit: Dave Watson Photography