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WINTER PARK RESORT TO OPEN EARLY FOR 72^nd SEASONSATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2011 WINTER PARK, COLO. (November 7, 2011)- Winter Park Resort, one of Colorado’s premier resort destinations, has announced that it will open four days earlier than originally planned for the 72^nd season on Saturday, on November 12, 2011. Skiing and riding will take place on 36 acres and five trails accessible via four lifts; Arrow, Gemini, Endeavour and depending on conditions, the Discovery lift.

“Winter Park Resort is responding to the high demand for early season access to the slopes from Colorado’s Front Range skiers and riders. Also, by opening ahead of schedule we are putting seasonal employees to work earlier than originally expected,” said Gary DeFrange, president and chief operating officer at Winter Park Resort. “Thanks to the hard work of our snowmaking and grooming crews, plus early season snowfall, the runs are primed and ready to go.”

Winter Park Resort opened 18 November and it keeps dumping!  24.5  inches (62.2 cm’s) in the past 7 days, 14 (35.6 cm’s) in the past 72 and 3.5 (8.9 cm’s) in the past 24 with another 7-10 inches (17.8-25.4 cm’s) in the forecast for today!!!

WOO-HOO bring it on!

As if you weren’t fired up enough for the season, Breckenridge had 20 inches in the past 24 hours to get you itching for some mountain action. The T-Bar lift on Peak 8 opened 17 Nov and skiers and riders will be able to access North Bowl out to Forget-Me-Not as well as Contest and Horseshoe Bowls. Open terrain includes Duke’s, with access back to the Colorado SuperChair. Northstar and the Rocky Mountain SuperChair open 19 Nov. Nearly 600 acres and chair 6 will be up and running by Saturday 20 Nov.

Keystone are gearing up to open more terrain with eight inches of snowfall in the past 24 hours! The North Peak and Outback open Friday giving Keystone 604 acres with more terrain opening next week. It’s the earliest opening in Keystone history for the Outback, accessible via the Outpost Gondola. Current resort stats boast a 31″ base with more than two feet of snow falling in the last week, and with a Winter Storm Warning until Wednesday morning skiers and riders should look for more terrain openings as the week progresses.

Operations crews at Vail Mountain expanded their opening day plans to seven lifts and 550 acres of terrain. Both Lionshead and Vail Village bases open this Friday 19 Nov and with nearly a foot of new snow over the weekend at mid-mountain and snowmaking conditions prime for lower elevations.

Congratulations to Judy Everitt!

Judy and her partner Brent have won our 2009 Ski Holiday Prize: 

return flights Auckland to Los Angeles courtesy Air New Zealand
return flights Los Angeles to Denver courtesy United Airlines
return transfers from Denver to Vail
4 nights in a studio condo at Antlers at Vail
4 nights at Beaver Creek courtesy of Vail Resorts
7 day Vail Resorts lift pass for 2 adults courtesy of Vail Resorts
travel insurance

Having just returned from Fiona Stevens ski camps at Coronet Peak three things come to mind. Firstly what a priviledge it is to get instruction with experts like Fiona and her team. Secondly, how nice Coronet Peak has become. Thirdly, how I cannot wait to ski in Utah again utilising my new skills. I am going to ring the Ski traveller team  and make a few plans.

Getting back to Coronet Peak that used to carry the unfortunate monica of “Concrete Peak.” Much has changed. By increasing their water capacity and snowmaking they have been able to nail the May snow dump and make snow most evenings from then on. Coronet always had interesting topography and good lift capacity has been added in recent times. Being able to ski the whole mountain on good snow is great and has lead to a re-rate the resort as a ski experience.

Only 4 days to get your flights booked & paid on the Air New Zealand Airfare Sale.
Last day to buy is the 28th of July 2009.

Sale applies to most ski airports: Vancouver, Calgary, Kamloops, Kelowna, Denver, Aspen, Eagle, Salt Lake City & more….

Ring Lianne or Sarah at Ski Traveller to book asap!
0800 11 22 99

Be  in for the chance to win a  snow holiday to Vail and Beaver Creek Resorts all you have to do is enter  a few details http://skitraveller.co.nz/newsletter and be in to win the following fabulous prize courtesy of Air New Zealand,United Airlines,Vail Resorts,Antlers At Vail and Ski Traveller.

Ski Traveller’s Vail Snow Holiday Prize is worth $15,000
Includes:

Yes that’s right folks get those skis and boards waxed and get ready for Cardrona’s opening day Saturday 26th June 2009.