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I recently returned from a late season visit to the ski resorts in Utah.  I have just heard that Snowbird will be open until June as it has recieved over 600inches (15 metres) of snowfall this season.  If you thought the USA did not offer good skiing in April then think again and think Utah. 

I took this picture at Snowbird on the 15th of April….over 30cms of snow fell that day!

Lianne Stott - Ski Traveller
Email me if you would like more information on skiing in Utah: liannes@skitraveller.co.nz

Wanting to experince somewhere new - have you thought about Niseko,Japan?. Highlights of my recent visit here were amazing light powder, fabulous modern accommodation, unbelievable food,warm sake that puts you in the mood for karoke, efficient lifts and welcoming hospitality.  Even at the top of the mountain the toliets had warm seats a plesant surprise for us boarders whom may spend some time sitting down.  Niseko resort is Western enough to make your first visit to a Japanese Ski resort an easy transitition but still retains enough Japanese culture to not be completely spoilt.

I had no problem with the language, I did’nt speak a word of Japanese before I went to Japan.  Even in the middle of Tokyo station there was always someone who could speak English or wanted to pratice their English.  If that failed the use of hand signals never fails and is always a source of entertainment. I have spent many seasons at ski resorts around the world.  If you are thinking about skiing Japan talk to me, there is a not to be missed 25% discount being offered for accommodation in Niseko, this makes Japan a great value ski holiday!

There is something for everyone in Niseko from ski in ski out, 5 bedroom town homes, studios in the heart of the villlage to penthouses with stunning views.  The properties are modern yet with a good blend of Japanese and Western architecture.

Learn more about Niseko: http://www.skitraveller.co.nz/japan/Niseko

Sarah - Ski Traveller

Free Ski Days at Aspen Snowmass, Colorado

• Buy an 8 day lift pass and get 6 more days free
  Valid: 26 Nov - 17 Dec 2009 
  Must purchase on/before: 16 Nov 2009
• Buy an 8 day lift pass and get 6 more days free
  Valid: 5 Jan - 9 Feb 2010
  Must purchase on/before: 1 Dec 2009
• Buy a 12 day lift pass and get 8 more days free
  Valid: 5 Jan - 9 Feb 2010
  Must purchase on/before: 1 Dec 2009
• Buy an 8 day lift pass and get 6 more days free
  Valid: 10 Feb - 25 Mar 2010 / Must purchase before: 11 Jan 2010
  Valid: 26 Mar - 4 Apr 2010 / Must purchase before: 10 Feb 2010
  Valid: 5 Apr - 11 Apr 2010 / Must purchase before: 1 Mar 2010

Note: all lift passes must be purchased in conjunction with accommodation and/or transportation.

More on Aspen Snowmass:
http://skitraveller.co.nz/usa/AspenSnowmass

Want to talk to someone who has skied & stayed at Aspen Snowmass? 
Toll free 0800 11 22 99 NZ
Toll free 1800 19 95 25 Australia
Email Sarah or Lianne: info@skitraveller.co.nz

Ski Traveller is able to give you a 25% discount on your accommodation if you book before the 1st of July 09.

This is a fantastic saving.  Travel from 2 Jan - 12 Feb 2010 for best value accommodation.  Christmas & New Year accommodation is still good value and your 25% discount applies.  You must book Niseko quickly as the accommodation is in hot demand this season.

Read more on our hot deal page:
www.skitraveller.co.nz/hot_deals

Email us:
info@skitraveller.co.nz

Ring us:
0800 11 22 99 from NZ
1800 15 95 25 from Australia

Black Tie Ski Rentals are fantastic and offer a great ski rental service.  They will come to your condo or hotel with a selection of skis, fit your boots and ensure you have the best equipment for you.

Locations:
North & South Lake Tahoe, Aspen/Snowmass, Breckenridge/Keystone, Steamboat, Crested Butte, Telluride, Vail/Beaver Creek, Big Sky/Moonlight Basin, Park City, Deer Valley & The Canyons and in Whistler.  Coming for the 2009-2010 season is: Mammoth & Winter Park.

We can pre-book this service for you or check out their website:
http://www.blacktieskis.com/

Hi,

My best ski holiday was in Steamboat Springs, Colorado where I discovered Nordic Ski Jump.  I am only 128cm tall and my skis were 180cm, even taller than Dad! They go really fast as there are no edges, so the only way to stop was to get to the flat bit.  You had to turn them upside down when they weren’t on, otherwise they would slide away down the hill.  It was really scary at first, but after a while it was great!

Submitted by Sarah A, age 9

Gulf Harbour, NZ

Sun Peaks & Ski Traveller are offering kids 18 & under free skiing all season. 
The conditions are as follows:

• Kids 18 & under ski for free with one adult
• Minimum 5 day lift pass
• Valid all season 2009-2010 (except Holiday Season: 19 Dec 2009 - 02 Jan 2010) 
• Must purchase before 15 November 2009.

For more information: info@skitraveller.co.nz or Toll Free 0800 11 22 99

• Pay your ski holiday deposit before 30 September 2009 with Ski Traveller.

• Your travel insurance policy will be issued the day your deposit it paid.

• A return airfare & seven nights accommodation is required to qualify.

• Your travel free ski travel insurance is valid for a maximum of 16 days.

• A fee will apply if you cancel your holiday after the travel insurance is issued.

Contact Lianne or Sarah at Ski Traveller for more information: info@skitraveller.co.nz

Ring Toll Free 0800 11 22 99

Aspen/Snowmass has received more than 25 feet of snow this season and the spring skiing and riding is fantastic. Aspen Highlands will open for two bonus weekends – April 18-19 and 25-26 – with more than 100 inches still on the ground in Highland Bowl. 

Thanks to Jeremy Swanson for this amazing image.

 Hi Sarah

Vancouver: Fabulous city (as I am sure you know).We stayed at the hostel when we arrived which was a great idea as we got to mix and mingle with loads of other young Kiwis and Aussies (I think we only met a handful of Canadians the whole time we were in Canada). Granville St was interesting and the spare day we had it rained so we geared up and walked to Granville Island which was fantastic. The second time we were in Vancouver we stayed in Gastown which was good to see a different part of downtown (even though it was only 5 blocks away!) Gumboots are a must have (both for fashion and to combat the rain) and the concept of a 20% tip took us a while to get the hang of. The Moose Tour: Our tour guides were Matt Paugh and Sara Wyatt. They were both great, very different people which meant the two trips were a bit different but overall they made it go smoothly. We didn’t get one dump of snow the entire time we were on the ski tour which was extremely frustrating. On the up side it was so warm - about 0 to 5 degrees from Vancouver till we got to Banff which meant we had some great blue bird ski days. Banff was colder - about -10 the first time we were there and -30 the second time we were there (which made for great beer cooling conditions!). Fernie was the coldest skiing we encountered - even the heating tents didn’t help! The temperature gauge said it was only -10 but with the wind chill it felt more like -25.  Fernie was Ian’s favourite ski field and mine was Big White. The ski fields over all were impressive, amazing scenery, great facilities, such wide runs and each place had a great night life. We will have to go back to experience the fields with decent snow!Snow mobiling was great fun (Ian’s favourite activity) and I loved the snow tubing at Silverstar. The hot springs were lovely and perfectly placed to be able to relax. Ice Hockey in Fernie was one of the biggest highlights - AAA League so the boys were pretty violent (there was even blood on the ice at one point).  So overall it was a great trip, saw some amazing sights, got some great photos, met lots of people and drunk a little too much along the way.
Rebecca W. - Auckland