Skier Killed in Soft Slab Avalanche on Denali, AK A skier was confirmed dead after being caught in a soft slab avalanche from below the Rescue Gully above Camp 14 on Denali, Alaska. The slide occurred on the West Buttress Route at approximately 6:15 p.m. on June 10. Nicholas Vizzini, age 29 of Washington State, and his climbing partner, a snowboarder, triggered the avalanche while descending the slope. According [โฆ] Avalanche SnowBrains | June 12, 2025 0 Comments
Mount Baw Baw, Australia, Opens This Weekend for the 2025 Winter Season Mount Baw Baw, Australia, has announced it will officially open for the 2025 ski season this Saturday, June 14. The news was shared in a video on social media by resort team member Jake, who confirmed that skiing, lessons, tobogganing, and key guest services will be available from opening day this Saturday. Related: Victorian Government Eyes Sale of 2 Australian [โฆ] Industry News Oz Brains | June 11, 2025 0 Comments
Taicang Alps Phase II Breaks Ground as the Chinese Mega Ski Resort Seeks to Set New Global Records This week, Chinese conglomerate Fosun broke ground on the second phase of the Taicang Alps Resort, an ambitious project aimed at establishing China as a global benchmark in ski tourism. The new developmentโbacked by a 5 billion yuan ($695.88 million) investmentโofficially began construction on June 6, with completion slated for June 2029. When finished, it will become the worldโs largest [โฆ] Industry News Gregg Frantz | June 11, 2025 0 Comments
Four U.S. Ski Stars Punch Early Tickets to 2026 Olympics The Stifel U.S. Ski Team is thrilled to announce the first four athletes to qualify for the 2026 Olympic team: two from the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team and two from the Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team. 2022 Olympic gold medalist Alex Hall qualified for slopestyle and big air and two-time Olympic medalist Alex Ferreira qualified in halfpipe. 2022 Olympic silver [โฆ] Olympics SnowBrains | June 11, 2025 0 Comments
Valle Nevado, Chile, is Opening This Friday, June 13 Following a historic winter last year, Valle Nevado, Chile, is officially set to open for the 2025 season on June 13, one week earlier than planned. Valle Nevado offers North American skiers and riders a prime opportunity to keep the turns going long after their home mountains close. Located in the Chilean Andes just 90 minutes from Santiago, Valle Nevado is [โฆ] Featured Video Gregg Frantz | June 11, 2025 0 Comments
Why is the Return of Rob Katz to Vail Resorts as CEO Such a Big Deal? On May 27, 2025, Vail Resorts announced that Rob Katz would be retaking the helm as CEO. Katz was previously CEO of Vail Resorts from February 2006 to November 2021. Katzโs first tenure as CEO was marked by drastic changes in the ski industry, many of which were pioneered by Katz himself. In 2006, when Katz first took over as [โฆ] Industry News Zach Armstrong | June 11, 2025 1 Comment
Aviation Report: Pilot Lacked Key Training and Lead Ski Guide Had Elevated Cocaine Levels in Fatal Alaska Helicopter Crash That Killed 5, Including Czech Billionaire On March 27, 2021, under the bright, deceptive calm of a blue sky, an AStar helicopter carrying six peopleโthree Czech nationals, two American guides, and a pilotโlifted off from Wasilla Lake, heading for the remote, untouched powder of Alaskaโs Chugach Mountains. It never returned. By the end of the day, Petr Kellner, Czechiaโs richest man, was dead. So were four others. [โฆ] Deep Dive Martin Kuprianowicz | June 11, 2025 0 Comments
Whatโs Happened To Peak Skis? The ski industry is a notoriously challenging and competitive business, with numerous moving parts and uncontrollable variables that make profitability elusive. This reality doesnโt just affect ski resortsโit extends to every business orbiting the ski world, from local shops and outfitters to clothing, apparel, and gear suppliers. Peak Skis was founded in 2021 by former pro skier Bode Miller and [โฆ] Industry News Gregg Frantz | June 11, 2025 0 Comments