Ski Season Down Under

Sailboats are now tied down...

As reported, the ski season opened last weekend in Australia ans new Zealand. If your able to leave the beach or put down the lemonaide, pack your skis and head "way down" south. Enjoy!

e-Travel Blackboard: Australia's Number One Industry Newsletter:

"A ferocious storm that created havoc throughout New Zealand has stimulated interest in its numerous ski fields.

They say every cloud has a silver lining. In the land of the long white cloud the snow enthusiasts are rejoicing! Whilst the most recent storm was tough on the farmers, particularly those in the higher, more remote sheep stations in Canterbury and Otago, it has resulted in some popular Kiwi (with Australian snow buffs) winter resorts receiving up to 85cm of new snow.

It was perfect timing! The snow season opened in Australia last weekend and Mt Hutt, the nearest ski area to Christchurch International Airport (which had to close until they got the snow off the runway) had announced it would open June 10. "

Again... Enjoy the fresh powder snow and be safe.

Gary

Ski Craze

Colorado Ski Results

DENVER (AP) — Colorado ski resorts set a record this past season with 12.53 million skier visits, easily besting the previous high mark set nearly a decade ago and thrilling industry executives.

My son owns a cabin up in "them there hills"... hmmm.

There are great ski resorts throughout that region and comfort remains the skiers preference. If you have never visited Colorado, maybe next year you can take in her gracious and majestic views.

If not a skier, now is as good as ever to see the mountains that attracts so many.

Gary
Ski Craze

Ski Pleasure Or Pain

Durango Herald Online: "Snow could be just around the corner. But there's still time to get in shape and learn how to avoid injuries - factors that can make the winter sports season a pleasure or a pain."

Are You Warming Up To Skiing?

Thousands are injured every year, according to statistics, while participating in winter sports. ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) knee injuries have increased 172%, in the past 15 years, and all knee injuries represent 25% of total reported injuries.

Additional injury reports include bone fractures, various ligament tears or strains, various back injury, head trauma and, unfortunately, death by injury.

If you have children that will be skiing, be sure to review safety instructions with them. In a previous year children skiers, 15 years and younger, suffered more than 146,000 injuries.

I encourage you, take the recommended course of action to increase your ability to ski safely. Proper exercise and warm up is essential for the well being of your loved one and yourself on the slopes. Pre-conditioning, know your limits and learning more about ski safety is simply plain old S-M-A-R-T... "Ski-Maturely-And-Respect-Training" (cc Ski Craze)

A ski resort is pleasurable when you are healthy and uninjured. Don't turn the resort into your personal ER. Seeking professional ski instruction may be well worth the investment.

Gary
Ski Craze

Wilma Annoints Northeast With Snow

photo from weathermatrix.com

Wilma Takes Rapid Turn Out To Sea

So, away she goes and for northeastern skiers... delight is on the horizon. If you listen carefully, you can hear Fred Flintstone calling Wilma back home... to the sea.

Snowfall Reports

According to AccuWeather's Web site, reports of more than two inches of snow were received across south-Central Pennsylvania this morning. Snowfall was expected to develop in an area stretching from West Virginia, through central Pennsylvania, and into New York's Catskill mountains and the mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire.

West Virgina reported 6-9 inches; New Hampshire's Mount Washington has been reporting record snowfall in a 24-hour period for October with 25.5 inches.

Killington Vermont Ski Resort

"There is about 6 to 8 inches as you head up the Access Road," said Tom Horrocks, spokesman for Killington Ski Resort. "As you get to the base lodge there is about 10 inches … We had to plow all the parking lots."

The elevation of the base lodge is at about 2,100 feet. It is reported that Killington's peak, at more than 4,200 feet, received snowfall totaling more than a foot.

The ski resort is scheduled to open Nov. 11 for the 2005 season. A few hardy people could be seen hiking up the mountain with their skis or snowboards strapped to their backs.

"Why?", asked the novice named Barny, Fred and Wilma's neighbor.

Well, Barny, they were seeking the ultimate virgin powder as the grand prize. The downhill flight was exchanged for the tough uphill hike. Ah, winter bliss. Let the ski resort lifts begin.

Be safe.

Gary
Ski Craze

USA: Make Your Ski Mark

Yes, Prepare To Make Your Mark

The nation's ski season opened with white brilliance late last week. It is the 6th straight year Loveland Ski Area has been number one in the nation to open for continuous skiing bliss.

The mountains of Loveland are 60 miles west of Denver. Ski slopes were open from the top to bottom and more terrain is being manicured for your upcoming adventure. It is reported nearly 1000 people attended the season opening celebration.

Most ski resorts do not open before November. Typically, Thanksgiving weekend is the target date for many.

Snowfall amounts will be difficult to predict this winter, according to the National Weather Service; we can expect above-average temperatures. And we all know how unpredictable the weather has been in 2005.

Colorado received more than 20 inches of snow recently. Be sure to check with your favorite resort or ski slope operation. Keep a close eye on The Weather Channel.

Arapahoe Basin will possibly be the next Colorado slopes to open. Planners say, "... perhaps this weekend...", but it is not a certainty.

East Coast... What will Wilma do?

Typically, Killington Vt is the first in the East to open for "marks in the snow". The planned opening is set for November 12. Concerning the recent flooding in New England and the chance of Wilma bringing in more rain, you folks are in my prayers.

Gary
Ski Craze

Ski Cams: Noted Colorado Snow

Ski Resort Views For All To See

Photo's from RSN (TM) Television Network

Steamboat

Winter Park

These are recent photo's of ski fun on the horizon in Colorado. Ski Resorts are preparing and news reports say the winter staff is scheduled for later dates. Hold on "Ski Craze" person. Soon you will be back in the powder.

Ski Craze Gary

Ski In France

A Good Thing When It Comes To France

A perfect view in the French Alps can be recorded on your camera. I am impressed with the photos and videos at http://www.world-ski-adventures.com/

You might want to take a gander at this budding European adventure in various geographical areas. Ski resort information can be acquired by sending a note to Jeff and Laura.

Let me know what your experience was in Europe.

Have a great season.
Gary
Ski Craze