Podpro Ski and Snowboard Guides

by Jeremy Kressmann on

Snow season might be winding down, but that’s no reason not to start thinking about next year’s fresh powder. While you’re waiting, why not check out the iPod and iPhone-compatible skiing and snowboarding guides by Podpro? The company offers free downloadable trail maps for a number of the most popular resorts in both the U.S. and Canada.

iPhone users will be pleased to find full maps for more than thirty resorts across the United States and Canada, including top spots like Whistler, Aspen, Snowbird, and Snowmass. What’s more, iPhone owners who visit the Podpro website will have access to live updates on current weather and ski conditions as well as a rundown of local lodging options. iPod users don’t have quite as many options as their iPhone friends, though they still have access to Podpro’s free guides to British Columbia’s Whistler resort. Glove fingers crossed that they’ll add a few more options in the near future.

Now all you need to figure out is how to avoid dropping your precious Apple device in a snowdrift when you wipe out.

Après-ski with the best of them

by Iva Skoch on

It has been a while since “après-ski” meant simply “after skiing.” Today, après-ski is a whole philosophy. What you do after you ski often means more than how you ski, which is undoubtedly good news for people like myself.

Concierge.com has compiled a list of 13 best après-ski activities in the world. Here are the first 7 to give you an idea:

  1. Ultimate Suite — The Penthouse at the Sky Lodge, Park City, Utah (What’ll Snow You: Tickling the ivories on the baby grand piano in the 338-square-foot living room)
  2. Most Crackling Public Fireplace — The Great Room at the Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek, Colorado (What’ll Snow You: The fireplace is a full three stories tall.)
  3. Niftiest Night Light — Hotel Alyeska, Girdwood, Alaska (What’ll Snow You: Watching the Northern Lights in your pajamas-and wondering if it was all a dream in the morning)
  4. Ultimate Spa Treatment — Virgin Touch Spa, The Lodge, Verbier, Switzerland (What’ll Snow You: Sweet relief provided by Sir Richard Branson’s own massage therapist.)
  5. Hottest Private Hot Tub — Game Creek Chalet, Vail, Colorado (What’ll Snow You: The bubbly views from 10,500 feet)
  6. Most Crackling Private Fireplace — The Chalet at Twin Farms, Barnard, Vermont (What’ll Snow You: The aroma from the fireplace, matched only by the perfumes from the award-winning kitchen)
  7. Finest Place to Drink Al Fresco — Le Chamois, Squaw Valley, California (What’ll Snow You: The California sunshine)

Get the full list here.

By the way, après-snowboarders are also welcome.

1 dead, 3 hurt in Swiss ski lift accident

by Justin Glow on

I’m scared of heights, and not afraid to admit it. To be fair, it’s not all heights that worry me; planes, for instance, do me no harm. But even the thought of particular situations make me a bit queasy. Hot air balloons, for instance, are the worst. A thin piece of fabric, a wicker basket, flames? No thanks. Another worrisome device that makes me nervous is the ski lift. Case in point:

Recently, near the Alpine Ski Resort in Grindelwald, Switzerland, one person was killed, and three injured when something terrible happened on a ski lift. The report is light on details, but you can let your mind wander with the horrors that come with someone dying on a ski lift. “Mountain rescue officials said other passengers on the chairlift had to be evacuated from the ground as high winds made the use of helicopters too dangerous.”

I’m sure more and more details will surface over the next few days. Until then, here are three tips for ski lift safety, from yours truly:

  1. Don’t get on a ski lift.
  2. Never go skiing. Ever.
  3. Why are you even leaving the house? It’s much safer inside…

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.