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Avatar photoBrent Thomas

Skier, mountain biker, fitness enthusiast, native Oregonian, and SnowBrains staff writer. Father to three and husband to one.

Why Do Ski Resorts Close When Their Snowpack Is Still So Deep?

Spring

At the beginning of the ski season, it is a race to see which resort will open first. Pent-up demand from not skiing during the summer and fall drives skiers to clamor for their first tracks of the season. Sometimes this is only on one lift and a measly 12-inch base, most of which might be man-made snow. Then, at […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | April 3, 2025
11 Comments

Washington Man Sets World Record by Skiing Over 137,000 Vertical Feet in 12 Hours at Alpental Ski Resort

On March 7, 2025, Rob Bernhoff of Woodinville, Washington, clicked into his skis, took a deep breath, and launched into a relentless pursuit of history. Over the next 12 hours, he would carve his way down the slopes with impressive endurance, claiming the unofficial world record for the most vertical feet skied in a single day. From 9 a.m. until […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | April 2, 2025
1 Comment

Whistler Blackcomb, BC, Reveals Plans to Build 1,700 Foot-Long Lift-Accessed Skate Park on Upper Whistler Mountain

Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, renowned for its world-class ski terrain and breathtaking mountain scenery, is taking a bold step to redefine its summer offerings. In response to the indefinite closure of summer skiing on the Horstman Glacier, the resort has announced the construction of a massive lift-accessed skate park on the upper slopes of Whistler Mountain. This groundbreaking project, set […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | April 1, 2025
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What Would be the Best Superpowers for Skiers and Snowboarders to Have? These are our Top 7 Picks

snow photos

We’ve all thought about it. The idea that if we just had a superpower, how much our lives could be enhanced. As skiers and snowboarders, harnessing a superpower could make an immense difference in doing something we already love. Imagine carving down a mountain with superhuman precision, effortlessly floating over powder, or never feeling the burn in your legs no […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | March 25, 2025
1 Comment

Mt. Norquay, AB, Offering $18.67 Lift Tickets to Celebrate Canadian Heritage

canada banff

Skiers and snowboarders looking for a deal and a chance to celebrate Canadian pride are in for a treat this spring. Mt. Norquay, a historic ski resort in Banff, Alberta, is inviting guests to hit the slopes for just $18.67 on April 2. This special promotion commemorates Canada’s rich history and the resort’s nearly century-long legacy as a proudly Canadian-owned […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | March 25, 2025
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Bogus Basin, ID, Increases Season Pass Prices 20% for the 2025-26 Season

Powder at Bogus Basin

Bogus Basin Ski Area, located just outside Boise, Idaho, is a unique ski resort that operates as a non-profit. Its mission is centered on affordable recreation, community engagement, and reinvesting in its facilities to benefit skiers and snowboarders. Since it is managed by the Bogus Basin Recreation Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, all revenue generated from lift tickets, season passes, […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | March 25, 2025
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The 9 Best Resorts for Snowboarders in the U.S.

buttermilk

There is no shortage of lists for the best overall ski resorts. These lists tend to be general and are based on a number of common factors. This list is different as it will cover the best resorts specifically for snowboarders. But what makes a resort great for snowboarders? First and foremost, plentiful amounts of powder. Of course, that is […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | March 22, 2025
1 Comment

Whistler Blackcomb, BC, Suspends Summer Ski Camps Indefinitely Due to Glacial Recession

hortsman glacier

Summer camps on the Horstman Glacier at Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, have long been indispensable for anyone who wants to ski and ride in the summer. Located high on Blackcomb Peak, the glacier typically opens from early June to mid-July for freestyle and race camps. It is one of only a few places in North America where you can ski and ride […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | March 18, 2025
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Seattle Skier Dies in Tragic Tree Well Accident at Mt. Bachelor, OR

oregon

A skier tragically lost his life at Mt. Bachelor on March 17, 2025, after falling into a tree well and becoming trapped in deep snow. The victim, identified as 34-year-old Benjamin Shelkey of Seattle, Washington, was found unresponsive by fellow skiers who worked desperately to free him before beginning CPR. The emergency unfolded at 3:04 p.m. when Deschutes County 911 received […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | March 18, 2025
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Mt. Bachelor, OR, Report: Beware the Ides of March Deep Powder

powder turn

Report from March 15, 2025 I don’t know why it stuck with me in my high school English class when we studied Julius Caesar, and there was the ominous warning to “beware the Ides of March,” but it did.  Although March 15 can be associated with bad luck and misfortune, I planned a trip with my two boys to ski […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | March 17, 2025
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The 9 Most Challenging Ski Resorts in North America

Some people love the steep and deep. The challenge of big vertical, black diamonds, moguls, cliffs, and glades. For advanced skiers looking for something formidable, this list of the most challenging resorts is for you. #9 Palisades Tahoe, CA Palisades Tahoe is known for its legendary terrain. Deep powder, steep chutes, and big bowls give advanced skiers plenty of challenge. […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | March 14, 2025
3 Comments

All the Latest Updates on Locals’ Plan to Purchase Mt. Bachelor, OR

[Updated March 10, 2025] On August 22, 2024, POWDR Corporation announced it was selling Killington Resort and Pico Mountain, Vermont, to local pass holders, as well as three other resorts, including Mt. Bachelor, Oregon, which it has owned since 2001 and is the largest ski resort in the Pacific Northwest. Shortly after the announcement, a local group, now called Mount Bachelor Community […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | March 10, 2025
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Reflecting on 5 Years Since COVID-19 Shut Down Ski Resorts and How it Has Shaped the Industry Today

Five years ago, the ski industry came to a screeching halt as the COVID-19 pandemic led to unprecedented shutdowns across North America. In mid-March 2020, just as ski resorts were gearing up for the busy spring break season, operations were abruptly halted due to government mandates and growing concerns over virus transmission. For some, this is a sensitive subject, as […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | March 10, 2025
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The 9 Sketchiest Ski Resort Access Roads in North America, According to SnowBrains Readers

snowy road

The drive to the mountain is an integral part of the ski day adventure, setting the tone for the excitement and anticipation that awaits on the slopes. However, reaching some of the best ski resorts often means navigating treacherous roads that can test even the most experienced drivers. From steep inclines and hairpin turns to icy surfaces and unexpected snowstorms, […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | March 8, 2025
4 Comments

Expansion at Copper Mountain, CO, Will Create the State’s 2nd Largest Resort Featuring North America’s Highest Lift

colorado sunny

Copper Mountain, Colorado, has received approval from the White River National Forest (WRNF) to move forward with an ambitious expansion and upgrade plan to expand terrain and modernize its lift system. This master plan aims to improve mountain circulation, expand access to high-alpine terrain, and elevate the overall guest experience. Copper Mountain’s Bold Expansion Plan On February 27, WRNF officially […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | March 7, 2025
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Why You Should Save Ski Patrol’s Number in Your Phone When Visiting a Resort

patroller

In a recent conversation with our readers, we asked, “Do you put the ski patrol number in your phone when at a resort, just in case?” The question sparked 120 comments and over 150 reactions, with many good points discussed. Related: SnowBrains Podcast Ep. 77 | Stephanie Cox – CEO of the National Ski Patrol Overwhelmingly, the majority of responses […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | February 28, 2025
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Top 11 Resorts with the Best Hike-to Inbounds Terrain Zones in North America

montana

For those willing to earn their turns, some of the best ski experiences in North America lie beyond the reach of a chairlift. Because hike-to terrain requires significantly more effort to reach than what the average ski area guest is willing to put forth, it often offers access to untouched powder, steep chutes, expansive bowls, and an extra thrill beyond […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | February 27, 2025
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The Top 9 Places to Put Your Ski Stickers

sticker collection

Who doesn’t love stickers? Especially ski stickers. Oftentimes, you can get them for free, which makes them even better. I mean, they should be free since you will be advertising at no cost for whoever or whatever the sticker represents. Swaps, shops, and resorts are the best places to get them. It’s always a good idea to get a sticker from […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | February 26, 2025
3 Comments

How a Frugal Family Put the Indy Pass to the Test on a Week-Long Road Trip

Brundage Mountain Resort

The Indy Pass, a cost-effective alternative to major ski passes like Epic and Ikon, designed to introduce skiers to smaller, independent resorts, was launched in 2019 with 34 member resorts, growing to more than 230 worldwide. It aims to make skiing more accessible by offering two-day access to participating resorts at a fraction of the cost of larger ski destinations. […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | February 24, 2025
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These 4 Young Siblings Have All Logged Over a Million Vertical Feet This Season

4 kids

In the last few years, skiers and snowboarders have had some impressive accomplishments logging big vertical feet on the ski hills. There have been 100,000+-foot days, five million vertical feet in a season, or more, including a world record. Also, we recently saw the first person to log over 20 million vertical feet on the Ikon app. Related: How Tracking […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | February 24, 2025
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