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Would you like to ski Japan this coming season? 
Not sure if Japan is for you? 

Talk to Sarah, she has skied on the mainland at Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen and Shiga Kogen.  Sarah has also skied in Hokkaido at Niseko, Furano, Tomamu and Rusutsu.

Email Sarah at: sarahh@skitraveller.co.nz
NZ Toll Free: 0800 11 22 99
AU Toll Free: 1800 15 95 25
Visit: http://www.skitraveller.co.nz/japan
Sarah is still working on the website to add more resorts in Japan, so call her for a chat about your ski holiday plans to Japan.

Hi Sarah - have finally made it back to Dunedin & heading off to Wanaka Wednesday.

Just a short note to say thank you for your travel bookings & to let you know every thing went to plan.

Arrived at hotel at Robson St & were upgraded so that was nice.The Gables were very good (as you predicted $500 “bond” on credit card) & once we had worked out where we were, discovered we were close to both Whistler & Blackcomb.Snowed for 2 days when we arrived so had great snow the whole time.Sunpeaks again was very good snow but very very cold - minus 25 & afraid the fingers & toes froze - apparently very unusual for that time of year.

So again thank you for your super efficiency in organizing every thing. 

If you are ever down “south” do contact me - ski mainly Coronet Peak (although based in Wanaka) but intend to do odd days at Cardrona.

Regards

Hilary

WHISTLER, BC, February 26, 2009 – Skiers and riders have enjoyed consecutive powder days all this week as a heavy storm bombarded Whistler Blackcomb with the best snowfall of the season in what has been described as the resort’s very own stimulus package. The mountains have been blanketed with 82 centimetres (32 inches) of snow in four days – a season record!

Hi Sarah,Finally back to normal but have our marvellous photos to remind us. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Lionshead although we were doubtful if we were going to get a chance to ski as on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning, it did nothing but snow, however, the afternoon arrived with its brilliant sunshine and off we went. 

The accommodation was very adequate and being right in the middle of the “town” was just what we wanted.  -  We are now convinced Helmet and Goggle wearers as was just about everyone else on the USA slopes. We hired Helmets while in Vail and brought our own when we returned to New Zealand. The exchange rate was pretty high and what cost around $NZ100 for a Helmet here was double that in the USA.  

Overall, a great trip, good accommodation, excellent snow and we wish Vail wasn’t so far away. Oh yes, the altitude didn’t cause us a problem but we didn’t push the quick walking etc, everything relaxed.

Thanks Sarah for all your help,pleased your Japan trip went well and who knows, we may see you again especially if we win LOTTO, as we have promised the whole family we will take them to Vail and travel Business Class on whatever airline it is we fly.

Regards Sue & Ken. 

 This morning when Banff and Lake Louise locals woke up they found the town and mountains were covered with a lovely 23cms of fresh snow.Check out the photo that was taken this morning in the heart of Banff.

It’s always great to hear right from the source our very own ”Ski Traveller” clients that are out in resorts experincing things first hand.

Ski Travellers first guest of the season is Dave who headed to Telluride in preparation for opening day the 27th November 2008.He has chosen to head to two fantastic areas in the US Telluride and will then be basing himself in Breckenridge Resort for 28 days!!. Dave will be emailing us from time to time so drop back by the Ski Traveller Blog to check on his adventures in Telluride and Breckenridge.

Here are some comments from Dave so far:
“Just done 1st day skiing. Runs very limited but its fun anyway… Its snowing as I write this.Its bloody high up here.I had one night in Denver ( mile high city ) then to here about 8000,ft, skiing at 10000.ft.I coped with the jet lag .But an extra day at say Denver would have been a good idea for this old fella .Altitude sickness = all day headaches etc …..(I sort of knew  but thought i was bomb proof.).”

 The lifts started running Wednesday 19th November 2008 at Winter Park Resort Colordao.

Check out the keen skiers and boarders who were ready and waiting.

MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN OPENS TOP TO BOTTOM

• Mammoth open top to bottom as of Friday, November 7
• Terrain available for all abilities for the weekend
• Mammoth remains the only ski resort open in California

Mammoth Mountain, CA – Clear skies started the day in Mammoth today, allowing skiers, snowboarders and resort employees the first look at conditions on the top of mountain. The recent storms left considerably more snow at Mammoth’s 11,053-foot summit, enabling the top to open this Friday.

Last weeks winter storm dumped up to 5 feet of snow at the top of Mammoth Mountain, the highest ski resort in California. The storm carried massive precipitation and high snow levels, leaving a thick blanket of snow on some of Mammoth’s most popular terrain. The Upper Panorama Gondola will open for the season Friday morning and all trails will be accessible from the top. Expert’s favorites like Dave’s Run, Cornice Bowl and Scotty’s all have good coverage and 3-5 feet of variable, wind packed snow.

“This is the best opening of the top in years,” stated Bill Cockroft, Mammoth’s Senior Vice President of Operations and Mammoth employee for over 30 years. In addition to terrain accessible from the top of the mountain, Mammoth will open Facelift Express (Chair 3) and Discovery Chair (Chair 11) for the weekend. With these additions Mammoth has terrain open for all ability levels.

Jamie Lokan - Mammoth Lakes Tourism

Mammoth Mountain opened on Monday the 3rd of November ….one of the first in the USA!
We love this mountain…..you will too…..with direct flights from LA to Mammoth (1 hour)  and a FREE Shuttle from the Airport to Mammoth Village (just 15 minutes) this is one of the easiest ski resorts in the USA to get to from Australia and New Zealand.

Talk to Sarah, she spent a week in Mammoth in March 08 and LOVED it…..RING her now to chat about your ski holiday to MAMMOTH.
0800 11 22 99 from New Zealand
1800 15 95 25 from Australia
sarahh@skitraveller.co.nz

CONGRATULATIONS to Geoff Price ….he won the Ski Traveller VAIL Prize: 4 Nights & 4 Days Skiing in Vail for 2 Adults…..when I spoke with Geoff he had just started to make plans to travel to North America to ski in 2009 - my phone call was PERFECT timing.  Now Geoff can experience Vail as part of his holiday.  

Thanks so much to Vail Resorts for the Lift Passes and to Antlers at Vail for the accommodaiton.

Lianne - Ski Traveller