Poach, snowboard, video and win $5000

by Abha Malpani on

There are four resorts in North America that still prohibit snowboarding: Mad River Glen, Vermont; Deer Valley, Utah; Alta Ski Area, Utah; and Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico.

Encouraging a “peaceful protest” against the ban, famous snowboarding equipment company Burton is sponsoring a contest where you must to go to one or all of these resorts, snowboard, and submit a video of it. The best video in each resort will win $5000.

Contests are not meant to be easy, but I don’t think this would even be possible! It’s hard to hide your snowboard so I don’t see you getting past the entrance; if you do manage that, how would you go up the ski-lift without being asked to leave your snowboard behind? The only “ski-resort” I have been to is the one at a mall in Dubai, so I’m the last person qualified to even think about smart ways to enter a snowboarding prohibited center, but if any of you can enlighten, I’d be curious to know.

Also, other than the fact that snowboarding packs the snow in a way not very suitable for skiing, and the general complaints from traditional skiiers, what are the other reasons that justify the banning of snowboarding?

It seems like the competition was launched end of November 2007, and there are no videos up yet. For those who are excited by events that make you eat forbidden fruit, the deadline for this one is March 1, 2008. Videos should be 5-minutes long and in *.flv format.

Make sure you read the “Poaching Commandments”; full details on how to enter can be found here.

Alaska’s only ski resort receives $25 million upgrade

by Neil Woodburn on

In a part of the world famous for its snow and magnificent mountains, I was quite surprised to learn that there is only one ski resort in all of Alaska.

There is more than one place to ski, of course, but the Alyeska Resort in south-central Alaska is the only place considered a proper resort –- you know, with rooms at the base of the ski lift and snow bunnies frolicking in the hot tubs.

The only problem is that few people outside of Alaska even know about its existence. But that’s all about to change according to a recent article in USA Today. That’s because the owners of the resort are investing $25 million to expand and improve facilities and to re-groom the 1,400 acres of trail to create more friendly slopes (currently 37% of the trails are black diamonds –- good news for hard core skiers but rather scary for amateurs such as myself).

Although the resort still remains “off the radar” in the lower 48, it’s only 40 miles south of Anchorage and therefore rather easy to get to. Perhaps not as easy as Whistler, for example, but it is still worth the journey before everyone else discovers it.

Where’s the best snow?

by Martha Edwards on

Here in my neck of the woods, on the eastern edge of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, we have tons of snow — and temperatures that match the chilly look of the landscape. But drive a few hours west to the central mountain region–where I’m spending my Christmas Vacation–and the snow’s terrible. What gives?

For many people, the less snow the better but for those of us who are planning on heading to the ski slopes this year, snow is a must. So if you’re planning on heading for the slopes, check out Bestnow.net for snow ratings, trends and reports at all the best slopes. Want to know what US resorts are the snowiest this year? MSNBC has the scoop.

Check out the ’08 season report for a look at the snow conditions across the board — it seems that snowfall at most resorts is either way up or way down. I’m hoping it will be a record-setting year here, provided the temperatures stay mild enough to actually venture outside.

Non ski resorts: Gearing up for a future without snow

by Neil Woodburn on

This is slightly scary but not entirely unexpected.

According to a New York Times report, ski resorts in Europe are making the necessary adjustments to continue attracting people to the resorts after global warming has all but eliminated the possibility to ski.

Resorts are already investing in more snow making machines, but this alone won’t solve the problem. Instead, in places like the Swiss Alps, ski resorts are beefing up their “off-slope attractions” and adding spas, shopping, sun decks, pools, and funky architecture to attract non-skiers to snowless ski resorts.

It’s a scary world out there folks. Better get your skiing in before Dubai becomes the only place on this planet where you can do it.

GADLING TAKE FIVE Week of November 11-23

by Catherine Bodry on

Hope everyone had a happy Turkey Day! If you watched the Macy’s parade yesterday, be sure to check out Jamie’s post where she got the inside scoop from a balloon handler’s perspective. And of the many things I was thankful for his Thanksgiving, one of them was that I didn’t have to fly this holiday. I’m wondering if the extra airspace Prez Bush opened over the Eastern corridor eased air traffic at all; we’ll find out soon, I’m sure.

Also this week:

Happy Friday! And if you celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday, happy digesting!