My friend in Kansas woke up to a foot of snow this morning. And now that powerful winter storm is taking aim at the Midwest and New England. Winter storm warnings and watches are currently in effect from Missouri across parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. According to the National Weather Service, up to 15 inches of snow is forecasted for sections of southern Michigan, with 10 inches possible in Detroit.
While many travelers are dreading the onslaught of bad weather, skiers are rejoicing. I’ve dedicated quite a few blogs to the subject in the past few weeks and now that Mother Nature is helping to coat slopes on both coasts I figured I’d provide additional information about various ski-related topics.
Kids and Skiing. Snowmass Mountain in Colorado just opened The Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center last night. The $17 million, 25,000-square-foot center houses seven themed interactive rooms, each designed for a certain age group (8 weeks old and up), climbing wall, storytelling theater and babysitting service. Meanwhile, at Colorado’s Beaver Creek Ski Resort the new Buckaroo Express Gondola is getting rave reviews by pint-sized users. The gondola ferries youngsters to beginners’ slopes. But unlike chairlifts, which can be dangerous for smaller children, the Buckaroo Express is warm and safe.
New Ski Areas. Serious skiers are anxiously awaiting the opening of Revelstoke in British Columbia, formerly known as Powder Springs. It opens December 22nd with a new gondola that ferries skiers up Mount Mackenzie. According to ski experts, the resort offers some of the most challenging terrain in North America.
Soaring Ticket Prices. Avid skiers have been busy adding their two cents’ worth to travel forums warning others that resorts such as Aspen and Vail, Colorado, are now charging $90 for a day of skiing. If you are skiing as a family or are single and budget-conscious the inflated prices are daunting. Consider value destinations such as Mount Baker Ski Area in Washington State, where an adult lift ticket costs $41. Another option is to look for deals on multi-day, package or advance-purchase tickets. Otherwise, stick to resorts where you get more bang for your buck. For example, Big Sky and Moonlight Basin resorts in Montana are connected, and their combined two dozen lifts and 200-plus runs can be enjoyed on a joint daily ticket ($89 for adults).
Related Articles:
Winter Adventure Travel Packages—Colorado
Winter Adventure Travel Packages—Vermont
A Family Ski Vacation–Already?
Tips For Your Family Ski Vacation
Canada—Not Just A Winter Destination