The Tahoe Backcountry Alliance Requests Public Help to Ensure Success of Donner Lake Run Parking Lot With good snow and exciting lines, the Donner Lake Run has become a popular backcountry ski area for the likes of Tahoe backcountry users. Beginning at Donner Summit Skyline, the Donner Lake Run offers incredible, picturesque views of the Tahoe area. There’s just one problem… In order to gain access to this area, backcountry recreationists must park in the neighborhoods […] Backcountry Spencer Cox | August 27, 2020 4 Comments
Vail Resorts Outlines its 2020/21 Winter Operating Plan Vail Resorts’ CEO Rob Katz revealed the company’s operating plan for the upcoming winter 20/21 season in a letter this morning. Today I want to share with you as much detail available on our approach to prioritizing your safety this winter. But first, I want to give you a sense of the principles guiding our decisions. It goes without saying […] Industry News SnowBrains | August 27, 2020 3 Comments
Surfer Killed as He Tried to Ride Waves Created by Incoming Hurricane Laura A 25-year-old Texas surfer was killed yesterday after attempting to ride the waves created by the incoming Cat 4 Hurricane Laura, prompting the mayor of Corpus Christi, Texas to close the gulf beaches. Related: 5 Experienced Surfers Killed in Rough, Foamy Seas Off Coast of Netherlands First responders rushed to the beach just after 3 pm for what was initially […] SwellBrains | August 27, 2020 28 Comments
Miraculous Rescue as Woman Survives 2 Days and 2 Nights in 50-Foot Swiss Glacier Crevasse A Russian tourist, who lives in Germany, is recovering in hospital after falling 50-feet into a crevasse on a Swiss mountain and being stuck there for two days and two nights. Rescue crews said they have not seen such a miraculous rescue in over 20-years. Related: VIDEO: Story of Survival – Falling 50-Feet Into a Crevasse in Chamonix The 43-year-old woman […] SnowBrains | August 27, 2020 0 Comments
Despite North American Alpine World Cup Cancellations, FIS Freestyle Events Remain on Schedule Last week, the International Ski Federation (FIS) announced that all Alpine World Cup tour events in North America would be canceled for the 2020/21 season. The decision ultimately and unsurprisingly comes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Related: FIS Alpine Ski World Cup To Commence One Week Earlier Than Anticipated In lieu of the North American events which normally […] Industry News Spencer Cox | August 27, 2020 0 Comments
Swimming The Length of Lake Tahoe Kate Rye became the latest person to swim the length of Lake Tahoe this past week. Rye grew up in Incline Village by the shores of Lake Tahoe. In high school, she was a competitive swimmer winning the freestyle state championships for her division four years in a row. Now enrolled at the University of Nevada, Reno she has refocused her […] Alex Camerino | August 27, 2020 1 Comment
“Freeride Forest” Debuting at Norwegian Ski Area Norwegian ski area Kvitfjell will be debuting a brand new, dedicated, freeride area this winter known as Pudderskogen. What does Pudderskogen mean you ask? Aptly, Pudderskogen translates to “powder forest,” with the ski area hoping riders of all abilities take on the new section of terrain. Kvitfjell is located about 3 hours due north of Oslo, the capital city of […] Industry News Taylor Stephan | August 27, 2020 0 Comments
Opinion: “Hike Your Own Hike”- Why Moving Fast in the Mountains isn’t Everything As readers of a ski industry publication, I think we can universally agree that there is something inherently special about moving in the mountains– whether it be on skis, snowboard, bike, or foot. Disagreement, however, may start to occur when defining what exactly makes moving in the mountains so extraordinary. For some, that amazing feeling stems from overcoming challenges that […] Spencer Cox | August 27, 2020 2 Comments
Maine Pass Debuts for Coming Ski Season at Sunday River and Sugarloaf New for the 2020/21 winter season, the Sunday River and Sugarloaf ski areas will offer the Maine Pass with varying levels of season-long access, as well as Maine Four-Day ticket packs, available to all. These products go on sale on September 1 and will be available through October 12, 2020. Related: The Top 9 East Coast Ski Resorts & Why You Must “SKI THE […] Industry News SnowBrains | August 27, 2020 0 Comments
How Do Athletes Get Sponsored These Days? We are living in a world where the sky is the limit when it comes to becoming a ‘sponsored’ athlete. Although the reality of being a sponsored ‘athlete’ comes in all different shapes and sizes from being sent a couple of beanies and a t-shirt twice a year to full-blown sponsorships by companies which have nothing to do with a […] Rouchelle Gilmore | August 26, 2020 0 Comments
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, WY Pass Holders Will Receive START Bus Pass Benefit Amidst the multitude of uncertainties this upcoming ski season, bus passes for Jackson Hole season pass holders no longer remain one of them. As in previous years, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) season pass holders will receive the bus pass benefit. The bus service, known as START, is operated through Teton County and the town of Jackson and provides public transportation […] Industry News SnowBrains | August 26, 2020 0 Comments
Update on Robb Gaffney’s Rare Cancer Condition: Cautious Optimism Skiing legend Scott Gaffney broke the news last year on Instagram that his little brother, Robb Gaffney, was battling a rare form of bone marrow cancer. In a couple of updates, one on Facebook and another on his Caring Bridge journal, the family has provided updates on Robb’s recovery. Baby steps and cautious optimism for now, but we’re on track! […] Industry News SnowBrains | August 26, 2020 0 Comments
Breckenridge, CO Restaurants to Install Yurts on Street to Increase Dining Capacity In order to survive a winter that will be influenced by COVID-19, businesses across the country are having to come up with novel ideas to ensure the dollars keep coming in. For restaurants, in particular, this could prove to be extremely difficult. In Colorado, to support social distancing, restaurants are running at 50% capacity, which takes a huge slice out of […] SnowBrains | August 26, 2020 0 Comments
Squaw Valley, CA Legend Scott Gaffney Supports the Resort Changing Their Name Scott Gaffney, filmmaker, Matchstick Director, skier, mediocre diehard surfer, and literally the G in GNAR, spoke out in support of Squaw Valley’s decision to remove ‘Squaw’ from their name in 2021. Squaw Valley ski resort in Lake Tahoe, CA yesterday committed to changing their name from the word “Squaw” since the word “Squaw” is considered a racial & sexist slur against […] Industry News SnowBrains | August 26, 2020 6 Comments
Why You Need to Get Your Backcountry Gear Now | Gear Shortages Possible When powder-coated lifts stopped spinning in the middle of last season, touring skins went like candy. As did touring bindings, beacons, probes, shovels, and all that is related to backcountry skiing/snowboarding, gear-wise. And industry professionals such as backcountry ski shop owners and avalanche forecasters expect it happen it all over again (the gear flying off store shelves, not the closing […] Backcountry Martin Kuprianowicz | August 26, 2020 2 Comments
Propelled by Segway, First Person Scooters Coast to Coast On August 25th, exactly two months after setting off, Graham Pollard became the first person to scooter across the United States. He completed the 4,000-mile journey on a Segway Ninebot KickScooter Max traveling at a max speed of 18.6 mph. The venture mostly followed the TransAmerica Trail, a bike route from coast to coast. Chasing Pollard across the country, Christian Boyle and […] Alex Camerino | August 26, 2020 0 Comments
Ski Corralco, Chile Opens on Saturday for the 2020 Season Good news sailed out of Chile today as Ski Corralco announced that they’re opening for the 2020 season this Saturday, making them the third ski resort in Chile to open this year. La Parva and El Colorado opened earlier this month on the 19th. Related: El Colorado and La Parva In Chile Prepare For Opening This Week Starting Saturday, August […] Industry News SnowBrains | August 26, 2020 0 Comments
Trip Report: Relaxing Weekend in Lake Arrowhead, CA Report from the weekend of 22-23 August 2020 This past weekend I had the opportunity to enjoy some much-needed lake time at Lake Arrowhead, CA. Lake Arrowhead is located in the San Bernardino Mountains at an elevation of 5,108 ft. It may be smaller and not as well-known as its neighbor, Big Bear Lake, but it’s smaller town vibe is […] Trip Report Taylor Stephan | August 26, 2020 0 Comments
New Snowsport Coaching Podcast Gaining Worldwide Attention A new and innovative podcast series has recently gained attention from snowsports enthusiasts from around the globe. ‘Locked in Shed’, created by two highly ranked ski coaches from the United Kingdom, was originally geared towards instructors and coaches interested in learning about the history and process of coaching in the UK. However, it has gradually gained an audience from across […] Industry News Emily Crofton | August 25, 2020 0 Comments
Sandboarding Takes Over Cape Town, South Africa No snow? How about sand? Sandboarding is taking over Cape Town, South Africa as the city’s next great extreme sport. It almost never snows in Cape Town, but that isn’t stopping adventurers from riding the local mountains. And by mountains, I mean sand dunes, huge, white, sand dunes. Cape Town, South Africa is located on he southern most tip of […] Industry News Taylor Stephan | August 25, 2020 0 Comments