by The Editors on March 1, 2012
Now, when you’re in line or riding a lift at Southern California’s Mountain High you won’t have to wonder if any of your friends are on the mountain, you’ll know (if you have their all-new iPhone (and Android) app.
It allows users to track and share on Facebook and Twitter the number of runs they have done, vertical feet conquered, maximum speed achieved, photos and videos taken, number of days on the mountain and many other metrics. At the day’s end, the app allows users to compare their achievements to those of their friends by easily accessing the data on their smart phone or any online computer. Data for the entire season can be maintained and compared by season pass holders.
It will also let you know where your friends are and what they’re doing. As if we’re not spending enough time staring at our screens as it is. For the official details, follow the jump or click here to download the app for your iPhone. Android users are own their own.
by The Editors on March 1, 2012
We began getting emails yesterday morning (February 29, 2012) saying that California’s Mammoth Mountain had cut a large portion of their full-time staff. Some were saying 75 full-time employees were cut after having already taken 10 percent pay cuts. Now, the details have been confirmed by Mammoth CEO Rusty Gregory in a Mike Lewis story on TransworldBusiness.com.
Twenty percent of the mountain’s full-time employees have been laid off and most of them were from senior management, admin, accounting, IT, and maintenance. Gregory blamed it on a really bad season.
“It was clear things weren’t going to change dramatically. If we can’t pay our bills, everyone loses their jobs,” says Gregory, who has been CEO since ’95. “This was one of the most heart-wrenching decisions I’ve ever made. These people are part of the community. Our kids all go to school together.” Gregory adds that while the decision was hard on him, it “was a million times harder for those that lost their jobs.”
Yeah, we bet. Luckily, the lifts are still running and there is snow. We know, we just tasted some. And who knows if things get too bad maybe Vail Resorts will swoop in and snap up another legendary California resort.
[Link: Transworld Business]
by The Editors on February 22, 2012
Vail Resorts has reportedly agreed to purchase Lake Tahoe’s Kirkwood Resort for approximately $18 million, according to a story in the Washington Post.
If the deal goes through, Vail Resorts would operate three world-class mountain resorts in the Lake Tahoe region, including Heavenly Mountain Resort in South Lake Tahoe, Northstar California on the north shore and Kirkwood Mountain Resort. . . Vail Resorts said Heavenly and Northstar pass holders will have access to Kirkwood and Kirkwood pass holders will be able to ski and ride Heavenly and Northstar.
Looks like the only thing left at Tahoe for Colorado to buy is the lake. We haven’t really had a reason to drive all the way down to Kirkwood anytime in the last decade, but there are some goods to be had there on occasion.
[Link: Washington Post via TWSnow]
by The Editors on February 7, 2012
According to Derek Thompson story in The Atlantic Vail Mountain’s revenue isn’t down at all this year. While we find that pretty hard to believe Vail Resorts CEO Robert A. Katz says that’s exactly how it is this year and that the reason revenue is not down is because Vail has made their business about much more than snowfall.
Vail and Whistler hedge against bad snow by turning skiers into members. “Just under 40 percent of our lift tickets come from season passes sold before the ski season begins,” Katz told me. For just under $700, skiers can buy the Vail Epic Pass, which offers total access to all six Vail Resort mountains.
In other words, Vail gets people to give them money ahead of time and then when no snow comes the resort doesn’t have to worry about it because they already got paid. Genius. And, since people have already paid they’re more likely to come stay in hotels and eat resort food even though the snow sucks. And that is reportedly good snow farming. . . or something. For the rest of the story, follow the jump.
[Link: The Atlantic]
by The Editors on February 2, 2012
Registration starts tomorrow (February 3, 2012) for the 14th Annual Triple Air Show at Mountain High.
The Cholula Triple Air has been upgraded to a 3 star TTR (Ticket To Ride) event this year which means competitors will earn points towards their overall worldwide ranking. The TTR standard is what competitive snowboarders use to rank themselves against each other, and earn entry into events like the Grand Prix and the Olympics. . . The Cholula Triple Air Show is unlike any other big air event of its kind. Instead of one big jump, snowboarders must tackle three humongous kickers making their landings and execution crucial. Riders are scored on their best of two runs and the top 10 finishers make their way to the finals where awards are paid out to 5th place.
Follow the jump for all the details. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on January 13, 2012
From now until the end of January snowboarders with a season pass to any resort in California can show it at a Mountain High ticket window and get a lift ticket for only $25. Anytime. Sounds like one more reason for SoCal snowboards to say home the next few weeks and brush up on their acting. . .
[Link: Mountain High]
by The Editors on January 12, 2012
Mammoth Mountain has chiseled out a section of their website specifically for the park shred crowd. Called Mammoth Unbound (just like the terrain parks) the new “website” kicks down all the info on the parks, parties, and place to be both on and off the snow. Or, as Mammoth Mountain marketing says:
The dork box you’re staring at just got a whole lot cooler with the official launch of MammothUnbound.com. This all-new site contains everything skiers and snowboarders need to know about Mammoth, via a stunning new interface. . MammothUnbound.com is built largely around imagery. The stunning photos come from photographer Peter Morning, who last season was tasked with compiling a library of alluring images large enough to support an entirely new web site.
Now, if only this new website could magically coat the mountain in a blanket of real, deep, fresh snow then it would really be something. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on January 10, 2012
A snow storm that dumped 10 feet of snow in 48 hours has blocked off entire sections of the alps according to a story in the Telegraph. And it is supposed to keep snowing for the rest of the week.
In Ischgl, nearly 1,000 British tourists are ‘trapped’, while one Russian visitor reportedly managed to leave the resort by helicopter. . . Many huge trees have collapsed under the weight of the snow, further complicating road clearances.
The good news is that with all the roads closed all the new snow is out of reach for anyone who isn’t there. Get ready for some good footage to be coming out of Austria.
[Link: Telegraph]
by The Editors on January 10, 2012
Obviously, the new Forum sponsored terrain park at Pennsylvania’s Seven Springs Resort was not built for us, but maybe someone can explain why anyone would want to buy a lift ticket and then pretend to snowboard in the streets, when they could just save the money and go snowboard in the streets instead? Is it the lifts? Is it the safe, wholesome family surroundings? This whole thing seems a little too sterile.
Those who don’t agree should hit up the Forum Seven Springs The Streets grand opening on Janaury 19, 2012. There will be parties, riding, and then more parties. Or as the release says:
With music blasting, drinks flowing and good vibes spreading, all you have to do is be at Seven Springs Resort in PA next Thursday, January 19th. If you can’t make it, stay tuned for a video edit and photo blasts on FORUMSNOWBOARDS.com.
Guess we’ll stay tuned for the video.
[Link: Seven Springs]
by The Editors on December 29, 2011
Utah’s Snowbasin Resort took to Facebook yesterday to let their fans know how embarrassed they were by one of their ski patrollers, according to a story in the Standard-Examiner.
We at Snowbasin Resort had an incident yesterday for which we have received much deserved criticism. We are frankly embarrassed by this situation and have taken measures to prevent this type of incident occurring in the future. Snowbasin strongly believes in treating all of our guests with respect. We strive to deserve the respect and exceed the expectations of everyone visiting our resort.”
The patroller, seen above, told a snowboarder to “shut his fucking mouth” after one of the snowboarders friends had his pass pulled for what appears on video to be absolutely nothing. Patrollers obviously have a rough job during the holidays, but there really is no reason for them to act like Baltimore Police officers. To his credit the patroller did apologize later in the video.
[Link: Standard-Examiner]
Now, when you’re in line or riding a lift at Southern California’s Mountain High you won’t have to wonder if any of your friends are on the mountain, you’ll know (if you have their all-new iPhone (and Android) app.
