Cool 3D Ski Resort Maps

This is pretty cool. Ski.com just launched an interactive resort map section that lets visitors view maps of major ski resorts in 3D. Each map details restaurants, trails, lifts and more, all superimposed on a 3D representation of the mountain in a 360-degree environment. It’s really cool. So far, only Aspen, Breckenridge, Snowmass, Vail and [...]

Snowboarders and Skiiers Getting Younger, Report Says

According to this entry at First Tracks, a new National Ski Areas Association National Demographic Study says the American snowsports scene is getting younger, and is also becoming more interested in snowboarding.
Among the highlights:

The number of kids under 18 participating in skiing and snowboarding rising to
15.5 percent in 2005/06, up from 12.9 percent the previous [...]

Hilarious Shaun White Clip

Below is a clip from a Shaun White interview, presumably taken after
the American snowboarder won a gold medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics.
Shaun describes how he
received tons of attention on the plane ride home - and some drinks
too. Watch it, it’s only 20 seconds and very funny. But if you don’t
have time, here’s a recap:
Broadcaster: [...]

Hey Americans: Support the ‘National Ski & Snowboard Month’ Initiative

Looks like the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) and SnowSports Industries America (SIA) are working with the Congressional Ski & Snowboard Caucus to secure a Proclamation from the White House designating January as National Ski and Snowboard Month. What does that mean, exactly? It doesn’t seem like there is a direct benefit, but skiing, snowboarding [...]

What Are YOUR Top Runs?

Sometimes, when I can’t fall asleep, I’ll lay in bed and pick out some
of my favourite routes from my favourite resorts and recreate them in
my head. Why? Because I’m a loser. And because I find it kind of hard
to do, it puts me to sleep pretty quickly. But recently I thought:
hey, this could also double [...]

Coming in 2007: Arthroscopic Knee Surgery (”Arthroscopy”)

Today I paid another visit to the orthopaedic surgeon, so he could have another look at the knee I oh-so-brilliantly screwed up this winter. It also gave me the opportunity to demonstrate my totally extreme commitment to snowboarding.
How extreme? I told the surgeon I didn’t want to be operated on until
next spring, so I could [...]

Is It Snowing Yet?

Temperatures are starting to slip here in Toronto, about a week after
an incredible heat wave that stretched our power grid to the max. When
I stepped outside this morning to head to work, it was downright
chilly; I immediately thought about snowboarding, and how it was
starting to feel like fall again. We’ll see how long that lasts!
I’m [...]

Denver Wants the 2018 Olympics?

The chairman of the Metro Denver Sports Commission dropped a not-so-subtle hint
about the 2018 Olympics recently, pointing out that Denver has hosted
virtually every Winter Olympic sport except the luge and bobsled.
Whether Denver gets to bid, however, is up to the United States Olympic
Committee. In the meantime, the city is gearing up to host a slew [...]

Vail Goes Green

Vail Resorts, which operates a bunch of ski areas in Colorado, Wyoming, California and Nevada, said today it would buy enough wind-powered energy to power its ski hills, lodges and facilities.
It’s nice to see big resorts making a big deal about the environment. In late May, Intrawest pointed out it was taking an environmentally-first approach [...]

Ross Rebagliati Has A Blog

Ross Rebagliati, arguably Canada’s most famous snowboarder ever, has a blog… sort of. The site, rossrebagliati.com, is more about following Ross as he trains for the 2010 Winter Olympics and less about his thoughts. (In case you haven’t heard, he is training for a comeback. His aim is to win another medal in the snowboard [...]