Cerro Chapelco, Argentina, Report: Summer Skiing in the Tahoe of South America Report from Monday September 16, 2024 Skiing Cerro Chapelco is located three hours from San Carlos de Bariloche Airport. Only 25 minutes from San Martin de los Andes, it is a gem of a hidden ski town. The town is located in a valley surrounded by the snow-capped northern Patagonian mountains directly on Lago Lácar. The drive from Bariloche called […] Conditions Report Brett Ploss | September 17, 2024 1 Comment
Purgatory, CO, Report: American Spring Skiing at its Finest Report from Saturday & Sunday, April 13-14, 2024 I drove to Purgatory, Colorado, on Saturday, April 13, on the Million Dollar Highway, probably one of the most scenic drives in Colorado from Ouray to Silverton. The road snakes along cliff sides with no guard rails to give drivers incredible views of the San Juan Mountains. The sun was shining without […] Conditions Report Brett Ploss | April 21, 2024 0 Comments
Monarch Mountain, CO, Report: Exceptional Spring Conditions Ahead of Sunday’s Gunbarrel Challenge Report from Sunday, April 14, 2024 After extending its season twice, Monarch Mountain, Colorado, will close this coming Sunday, April 21, 2024. With the snowpack at 126% of the average, this season has been incredible compared to the rest of the USA. Related: Monarch Mountain, CO, Extends Season a Second Time Driving up towards Monarch Pass from Salida, it was […] Conditions Report Brett Ploss | April 16, 2024 0 Comments
Red River Ski Area, NM, Report: Your New Favorite Mountain Town Report from Saturday March 23, 2024 Skiing Red River Ski Area is located four and a half hours south of Denver. Only 8 air miles from its larger neighbor Taos, this is an area I’ve been dreaming to ski. During the drive in, it quickly became apparent Red River was different. Red River, New Mexico, is quaint town tucked into […] Conditions Report Brett Ploss | March 27, 2024 0 Comments
Angel Fire, NM, Report: Closing Weekend 2024 Report from Saturday March 23, 2024 Skiing The drive down to Angel Fire, New Mexico, from Denver was easy on front-range highways at four and a half hours and beats sitting in I-70 traffic on any day. On arrival, people were excited for closing weekend with a wide array of events planned. There was live music, free s’mores, and a […] Conditions Report Brett Ploss | March 26, 2024 0 Comments
Mission Ridge, WA, Report: Local Mountain With a Lot of Character Report from Sunday, March 3, 2024 Skiing I started the day with a quick 25-minute drive to Mission Ridge from Wenatchee, Washington. Parking was easy without the crowds you would typically find at busier resorts. I hopped on Chair 1, a two-seater from the base. It took me to the mid station where the main attraction, Chair 2 (a repurposed […] Conditions Report Brett Ploss | March 4, 2024 0 Comments
White Pass, WA, Report: Midweek Days are DEEP Report from Monday, March 3, 2024 Skiing I drove from Yakima around 6:30 a.m. since the forecast called for sun. I parked right at the base, threw my skins on, and walked up across the street from White Pass, Washington. Seeing the early morning sun shining from behind the White Pass after a fresh blanket of snow was incredible. It […] Conditions Report Brett Ploss | March 4, 2024 0 Comments
Mount Baker, WA, Report: Much Needed Snow has Arrived Report from Saturday, March 2, 2024 Skiing Mount Baker, Washington, has been on my bucket list for a while. After hearing about the incoming storms this past week through today, I found time to make it. With over 60” of fresh snow in the past week alone, the area looked like a new mountain compared to the low snow winter […] Conditions Report Brett Ploss | March 4, 2024 0 Comments
Top 33 Dog Names for Lovers of Winter Sport Training a dog to be a touring partner or ski buddy is the dream of many skiers. From long tours to solo adventures strolling through town, you can be sure to never be alone. For those of us willing to commit the time it takes, it’s only right for your dog to have a ski-inspired name. Here are skiing related […] Laughs Brett Ploss | February 26, 2024 0 Comments
Powder Mountain, UT, Report: Average Days Don’t Exist Here Report from Sunday, February 25, 2025 The first wow moment was pulling into the parking lot on top of the mountain. Let alone the short 35-minute drive from downtown Ogden, Utah. I parked at Timberline Lodge, the middle of the three offered at the resort. From there, waiting on the rope to drop at 9 a.m. rather than a lift […] Conditions Report Brett Ploss | February 26, 2024 0 Comments
Grand Targhee Resort, WY, Report: Never Crowded, Always Incredible Report from Saturday, February 24, 2024 I left Salt Lake around 4:30 a.m. to make it for opening. The drive was nice and easy on the front range I-15. This highway does not have as many weather closures as roads in the mountains, which makes for an easy drive. Upon arrival, parking and getting to the base was easy. It […] Conditions Report Brett Ploss | February 26, 2024 0 Comments
Nubs Nob, MI, Report: Gem of Michigan Skiing Report from February 4, 2024 Nubs Nob is located about 90 minutes from Traverse City, Michigan. An independent resort with 427 vertical feet, 248 acres, eight chairlifts, and 315 snowmaking guns, it’s one of the best local hills in Michigan. If you have your own equipment, there is even a free beginners area. Skiing After parking, it was a […] Conditions Report Brett Ploss | February 8, 2024 0 Comments
X Games Aspen, CO, 2024 Report: A Fan’s Perspective Report from January 27-28, 2024 The X Games The Aspen airport is located steps from the base of Buttermilk Mountain where the X games are held. Although this weekend is pricy, so many fans not within driving distance fly into Denver and make the four hour drive. We left early Saturday to get into town and take a few laps […] Conditions Report Brett Ploss | January 30, 2024 0 Comments
Steamboat, CO, Report: Finally Some Snow! Report from January 20, 2024 The Mountain Steamboat is located about three and a half hours from Denver. On IKON boasting 3,668 vertical feet, 2,965 acres and 18 lifts, there is a lot to explore. Skiing We started the morning leaving from Denver around 4:30am to park by 8am. Since Steamboat is a few hours farther than I-70 resorts, we […] Conditions Report Brett Ploss | January 30, 2024 0 Comments
Eldora, CO, Report: Weekend Warriors Arrive Report from January 21, 2024 The Resort Eldora is located about 45 minutes from Denver. On IKON boasting 1,400 vertical feet, 680 acres and 10 lifts, it’s a smaller hill for Colorado. But close to Denver and offers great terrain. Skiing We started the morning in Kremmling, CO, and made the drive to Winter Park for a few laps (and […] Conditions Report Brett Ploss | January 25, 2024 0 Comments
Conditions Report: Skiing La Vallée Blanche, Chamonix, France Report from January 13, 2024 La Vallée Blanche La Vallée Blanche is arguably the most famous off-piste ski run in the world. Starting atop the Aiguille du Midi, average people take 4-6 hours to ski the 22 km (13.5 mile) glacier run with a 9,000-foot descent. If you have any questions or have never skied it, it is necessary to […] Conditions Report Brett Ploss | January 22, 2024 0 Comments
Chamonix, France, Conditions Report: Sunny Skies at Brévent and Flégère Report from January 12, 2024 Chamonix The Chamonix region in France includes five main ski areas. La Balme, Les Grands Montets, Brévent, Flégère, and Les Houches. Unlike most places in Europe, Chamonix does not have a mega resort where all resorts in the area are connected by lifts. Although from town Brévent/Flégère are connected and the closest areas to the […] Conditions Report Brett Ploss | January 21, 2024 0 Comments
Portes du Soleil, France/Switzerland, Conditions Report: Sunny Skiing at the 2nd-Largest Resort in the World Report from January 10-11, 2024 Portes du Soleil, France/Switzerland Portes du Soleil is the second-largest ski area in the world. With about 600km (375 miles) of pistes spanning over 12 connected ski resorts, there is a lot to explore. The area lies on the border of Switzerland and France with part of the ski area on either side of the […] Conditions Report Brett Ploss | January 19, 2024 0 Comments
St. Anton Am Arlberg, Austria, Report: Low Visibility Changes to Inversion Up High Report from January 8, 2024 Ski Arlberg Ski Arlberg is one of the largest ski areas in Austria. The most famous towns are St. Anton and Lech, where Princess Diana vacationed. It encompasses five distinct areas with 304km of slopes offered on 88 lifts. To explore the whole area from one base, it would be necessary to ski backpack. You […] Trip Report Brett Ploss | January 9, 2024 0 Comments
Engelberg, Switzerland, Report: Sunny Powder, Late Gray Skies Report from January 9, 2024 Engelberg Engelberg is located in a valley only a 41 minute train ride from the Luzern Central Train Station. There are two main areas, Engelberg Titlis and Engelberg Brunni. With 82km of slopes and 24 lifts it starts to feel more like a North American sized resort. Yet with the vertical it is still massive. […] Trip Report Brett Ploss | January 9, 2024 0 Comments