Ski Utah First Chair
Below is a blog from our Friends at Ski Utah. Great info on the Utah ski scene. To read more of their blogs, click here.
First Chair
Vol. 7 Issue 3 | November 12, 2012 | Salt Lake City, Utah
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Brutus Unleashes on Utah as State’s Ski Season Opens
Just in time for this week’s opening of Utah’s 2012 – 13 ski and ride season, Winter Storm Brutus steamrolled through the Wasatch over the weekend, dropping up to four feet of the Greatest Snow on Earth® on slopes across the state.
Many anxious powderhounds were turned away as both Alta Ski Area and Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort closed their slopes to uphill travel during the storm as each prepares to open this week. Snowbird’s lifts will start spinning on Thursday, and Alta will follow on Friday.
Many of those powder aficionados turned instead to Big Cottonwood Canyon for their pre-season turns and jibs, where Brighton opened its Majestic, Snake Creek Express and Explorer lifts today, with Crest to follow tomorrow as Solitude plans to open for the season as well with its Apex, Link, and Moonbeam lifts turning and lift tickets reduced to just $49.
The complete list of Utah’s opening dates is as follows:
— Alta Nov. 16
— Beaver Mountain TBA
— Brian Head Nov. 16
— Brighton Nov. 13
— Canyons Nov. 23
— Deer Valley Dec. 8
— Eagle Point Dec. 21
— Park City Mountain Nov. 17
— Powder Mountain Nov. 21
— Snowbasin Nov. 22
— Snowbird Nov. 15
— Solitude Nov. 14
— Sundance Dec. 7
— Wolf Mountain Nov. 23
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Explore All 14 Utah Resorts with Ski Utah’s Fifth and Sixth Grade Passports and Yeti Pass
With Utah’s first major snowfall of the 2012 – 13 season now on the ground, don’t let your fifth and sixth graders get stuck inside this winter when they could be exploring all 14 Utah resorts for free with the Ski Utah Passport.
Using the Passport, fifth graders can ski or ride three times free (42 total days) at each of Utah’s 14 ski resorts and sixth graders can enjoy one day (14 total days) at each resort. Passports can be acquired for a $25 processing fee which includes shipping, handling and 500 inches of The Greatest Snow on Earth®.
“Participating in skiing and snowboarding keeps students active and happy during the cold winter months,” exclaimed Ski Utah Marketing Director Raelene Davis. “The Passport is the most affordable way for students to get introduced to this incredible lifetime sport.”
Parents looking for a more cost-effective way to ski with their fifth and sixth grade students should take advantage of the Ski Utah Yeti Pass, good for one day of skiing at every Utah resort for $549 ($39 per day).
For the Passport apply online or print an application at www.skiutah.com/passport. Parents are encouraged to file applications early to get the most use out of the program. Other questions may be answered by emailing Ski Utah at skiinfo@skiutah.com or by calling (801) 534‑1779.
A limited number of Yeti passes are available. To fill out your application and to find out more information about Ski Utah’s Yeti pass, click to www.skiutah.com/winter/deals/deals/yeti_pass.
Each year 8,000 Utah students participate in the Ski Utah Passport program thanks to support from Delta Airlines, KSL-TV, KSL News Radio, Richard E. & Nancy P. Marriott Foundation, Zions Bank, Ski-N-See, Utah Ski & Golf, Smith Optics, Rossignol, Burton, Powderade and Hot Chillys.
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Snowbird Delivers Thousands of Meals to Utah Food Bank
Continuing its tradition of providing free Tram rides while helping Utah’s hungry, Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort collected thousands of pounds of food during the resort’s annual Customer Appreciation Days this fall. The donation was presented to the Utah Food Bank on Oct. 26. In addition, a financial contribution of $4,261 was raised for Wasatch Adaptive Sports.
Guests were asked to donate one can of food in exchange for a free Tram ride, or in lieu of food, customers could make a $3 donation to Wasatch Adaptive Sports. The food will help some of the 10 percent of Utahns who live in poverty.
“November is a critical time for the emergency food network and we are in great need for donations,” said Ginette Bott, Utah Food Bank Chief Marketing Officer. “We are very appreciative for the ongoing generosity of Snowbird and community members alike who give their support of food, cash and volunteer time.”
Snowbird is scheduled to open for the 2012 – 13 season this Thursday.
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Park City Mountain Resort Announces 2012 – 13 Snowmamas Blogger Team
Park City Mountain Resort’s Snowmamas.com, an online resource for families planning winter vacations, has announced seven new members to its blogging team for the 2012 – 13 season. This season’s additions represent five states from around the country and the first Australian, Asia-based, Snowmama.
Snowmamas.com, founded in 2008, is an interactive resource providing insight into planning a family vacation to the mountains. This engaged online community of adults shares advice on all aspects of planning a winter family vacation: from choosing the appropriate time to put your child on skis, to deciding what to pack and where to find the right dinner spot.
“Each year it proves incredibly difficult to choose only a few snow-loving parents to join the Snowmamas/Snowpapas blogging team,” said Krista Parry, founder of Snowmamas and director of marketing and communications for Park City Mountain Resort. “Planning a winter vacation can be a daunting task. Having the ability to connect and share tips with snowmamas and snowpapas helps make planning, packing and preparation for the adventure a lot easier.”
Hundreds of Snowmama/Snowpapa blogger candidates responded to an open call for applications in September. Selected bloggers post articles about Park City Mountain Resort family vacations at Snowmamas.com throughout the season and answer questions posed by other parents planning their own vacations. Applicants not selected as bloggers were invited to join the Snowmamas/Snowpapas Advisory Council, an online community of nearly 200 snow-loving parents.
Each Snowmama/Snowpapa brings a unique perspective to the winter vacation planning process for families of all sizes, ages and abilities. Get to know them below:
New Snowmamas/Snowpapas for 2012 – 13:
Kelly Brock; Bountiful, Utah
J.D. Cronin; Chicago, Illinois
Jill Johnson; Park City, Utah
Donna Norman; Orlando, Florida
Tania Reuben; Los Angeles, California
April Simpson; Phoenix, Arizona
Emma Worsley; Australia (currently residing in Singapore)
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Canyons Resort Ranked #4 in North America by Outside Magazine
Active lifestyle magazine Outside announced its top 40 Ski Resorts in North America last week and Canyons Resort has received its highest ranking ever from a national publication: #4 in North America.
It’s the second time in as many months that a major national magazine has given Canyons Resort an unprecedented lofty ranking. Last month, Canyons was named one of North America’s Top 10 resorts by SKI Magazine.
“Thanks to more than 350 inches of average annual snowfall and lots of powder days, Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah, is a grade‑A destination for the most dedicated of skiers,” said Nicholas Jackson, Outside’s Digital Editorial Director. “But it ended up very high on our final list — fourth out of the 40 that made the cut — because, with high scores in our affordability, safety, and hospitality categories, it’s an attractive travel destination for anyone just looking to get away.”
The article elaborates that Canyons offers a world of amenities and adventures including a friendly pedestrian village, myriad off-hill activities, a “serious environmental ethic,” and “high pedigree hospitality” as a result of so many Sundance Film Festival guests each January.
“I am very honored that all of our hard work to transform Canyons is being noticed not just by our guests but also by America’s top national publications,” said Mike Goar, Canyons Managing Director. “This makes us even more excited for Opening Day, scheduled for November 23rd, when we will welcome back our skiers and snowboarders for another great season.”
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Travel+Leisure Names Sundance Resort One of the World’s Best Hotels for Families
Sundance Resort ranked No. 37 on the Travel+Leisure list of the World’s Best Hotels for Families in the magazine’s September 2012 issue. Sundance provides an intimate setting that encompasses the adventure of skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking and fly fishing, as well as artistic experiences such as creating a piece of pottery or jewelry.
“It means a great deal to be recognized by the readers of Travel+Leisure as a resort favored by families,” commented Chad Linebaugh, General Manager, Sundance Resort. “Sundance is committed to being a haven for discovery and inspiration and creating a dynamic environment for families to experience a wide range of activities from the arts to mountain recreation.”
This winter Sundance is introducing a special Family Adventure Package, which offers two nights lodging, lift tickets, half day group ski or snowboard lesson per person, art lesson per person and breakfast per person daily. Rates are as low as $699 based on a two-night stay, double occupancy. Visit www.sundanceresort.com for more information.
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Conde Nast Readers Rate Alta Lodge Among the Best
Alta Lodge has been scored in the most recent Conde Nast Reader’s Survey as one of the Top 40 resorts in the west, which covers Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Utah.
Alta Lodge’s overall score of 83.1 placed favorably with other area properties, including the Grand America in Salt Lake City with a score of 84.2, and St. Regis in Park City which scored 87.3. Alta Lodge’s service scored highest with Conde Nast’s readers.
“It’s great to be included with such outstanding hotels in five states and to be the only one at Alta and the only one in Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons,” said Joni Dykstra, Alta Lodge’s Marketing Director.
The breakdown of Alta Lodge’s survey results may be viewed online at www.cntraveler.com/hotels/north-america/united-states/alta-lodge-alta-utah.
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Montage Residences Deer Valley Reports $88 Million in Sales
Montage Residences Deer Valley has reported more than $88 million in sales in the past 23 months, with 23 residences sold and continued momentum heading into the winter season.
This summer and fall, Montage Residences Deer Valley closed six residences, totaling close to $20 million in transactions, prompting a strong forecast for the remainder of the year and moving into 2013.
“Our recent sales activity provides validation that Park City is a true four-season destination and our owners are attracted to the distinctive Montage lifestyle,” said Ed Rehill, Director of Sales for Montage Residences Deer Valley. “Year-round interest in our residential offering speaks to the desirable components of the property, as well as easy accessibility from many cities throughout the country.”
Positioned at Empire Canyon in Deer Valley, Montage Residences Deer Valley offers breathtaking panorama mountain valley views and ski-in/ski-out access. Owners of the Residences have access to dedicated concierge services, as well as the programming, culinary arts, spa, and world class amenities that elevate Deer Valley’s reputation amongst ski resorts. Montage Deer Valley offers residents a selection of four distinctive dining venues, including a gourmet gastropub with a four-lane regulation bowling alley; Spa Montage, with 29 treatment rooms and mosaic indoor pool, is Utah’s largest retreat at 35,000 square feet; and Compass Sports, the resort’s high-tech recreation center featuring an assembly of iPad-equipped ski valets who make getting on the slopes a snap with three adjacent chairlifts just steps from their door.
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Women’s Ski Jumping Documentary Wins Prestigious Banff Film Festival Award
The documentary film Ready To Fly has been awarded “Best Feature-Length Mountain Film” at the prestigious Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival.
Ready To Fly, written and directed by William A. Kerig of Salt Lake City, follows 2009 World Ski Jumping Champion Lindsey Van of Park City and her ski jumping peers as they fight for inclusion in the Olympic Winter Games.
“This is the greatest honor of my filmmaking career and I’m in debt to the entire Ready To Fly team for helping make it happen,” said Kerig, who was in Banff, Alberta, Canada last week to receive the award. “Weíre thrilled to be recognized among this excellent line-up of mountain films. We hope Lindsey’s story continues to resonate and inspire people around the world to never give up on their dreams.”
Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival started 37 years ago and showcases the world’s best films, books, and photographs on mountain subjects — climbing, culture, environment, wildlife, exploration and adventure, and sport. The 79 films chosen as finalists this year were selected from 370 films entered in competition from 34 countries.
“This was probably the hardest category to judge, but in the end, one film overwhelmed us with its superb storytelling, inspiring characters and, most importantly, had the judges cheering at the finish,” said Banff jury member, Kathryn Bonnici. “The filmmakers spent years following this story, the pacing was spot on, and the images simply beautiful.”
On Oct. 12, Ready To Fly also won “Best Documentary” at the popular Carmel Art & Film Festival. Ready To Fly was released in Salt Lake City in February and test-marketed as part of the 10th anniversary of 2002 Salt Lake Winter Games. It had its World Première at the MountainFilm Festival in Telluride, Colo., in May and has appeared in film festivals this fall throughout the U.S. including the Adventure Film Festival & Tour in Boulder, New Hampshire Film Festival, Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival, Twin Cities Film Festival and the X‑Dance Action Sports Film Festival in Salt Lake City.
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Kick-start Ski Season With a Free Night in Salt Lake City
Southwest Airlines Vacations wants travelers to take advantage of the beginning of Utah’s ski season with one free night in Salt Lake City. Plus, travelers can save an additional $50 per reservation on their ski vacation package.
Travelers booking a flight plus hotel ski vacation package for four or more nights at any hotel Southwest Vacations offers in Salt Lake City can save $50 per reservation when using promotion code SKISLC at the time of booking. Plus, if they choose to stay at select hotels in the area, they can also enjoy one night free.
Salt Lake City ski vacation packages must be booked before 6 p.m. Central Time on November 15, 2012 for travel November 19, 2012 through February 28, 2013. Blackout dates may apply.
For complete details on this Salt Lake City package deal, visit: www.southwestvacations.com/Deals/Deal.aspx?deal=695
