snowboarding

Scientists Uncover the Ideal Conditions Causing Big Champagne Powder® Days at Steamboat, CO: ‘Speedy Snowflakes’

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Scientists at Storm Peak Laboratory in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, analyzed 45 years of snowstorm data to pinpoint what drives Steamboat Resort’s biggest powder days. They conclude that extreme snowfall—those top 5% events—requires a specific atmospheric recipe of cold temperatures, northwest storm tracks, and strong winds. “These are the days everyone remembers,” Gannet Hallar, Ph.D., director of Storm Peak Lab and […]
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Avatar photo Brent Thomas |
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Oregon’s Legislative Session Ends With No Change to Liability Protections for Ski Areas

Around a million pounds of salt is dumped on Palmer Glacier in the summer

Oregon’s outdoor recreation industry is facing a growing insurance crisis after major insurer Safehold Special Risk announced last month it will no longer provide coverage in the state. Safehold, which insures ski resorts in 37 states, cited Oregon’s legal environment—particularly its weak enforcement of liability waivers—as the reason for its exit. Related: Oregon’s Ski Resorts at Risk as Key Insurer […]
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Avatar photo Brent Thomas |
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A Closer Look Behind the Innovative Backfill Technology That Powered the Teton Pass, WY, Road Repair After a Devastating Landslide

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When a massive landslide took out a section of Wyoming Highway 22 on June 8, 2024, it didn’t just damage pavement—it cut off a lifeline. Known as the Teton Pass “Big Fill Slide,” the collapse destroyed a key stretch of road that connects eastern Idaho’s Teton Valley with Jackson Hole, Wyoming—a world-class destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The sudden failure, triggered by extreme weather […]
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Avatar photo Brent Thomas |
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Deer Valley, Utah, Provides Updates on its Massive New Infrastructure That’s Set to More than Double its Snowmaking Capabilities

Construction is underway for one of North America's most advanced snowmaking systems. Photo Credit: Deer Valley

Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah, is undergoing a massive transformation. This includes upgrades to existing facilities, expansion of the skiable terrain, and the new Deer Valley East Village to name just a few of the projects that encompass the “Expanded Excellence” plan. One of the biggest undertakings of the transformation is the major upgrade to the snowmaking infrastructure. […]
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Luke Guilford |
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Did You Know There Used to Be an Unconventional Ski Area in the Suburbs of Atlanta, GA?

For a few years in the late 1970s, Atlanta, Georgia, offered an unexpected twist for thrill-seekers: the Vinings Ridge Ski Area. Far from the powdery peaks of traditional ski resorts, Vinings Ridge operated on a synthetic surface due to the warm climate, making it a unique, year-round attraction. Related: The 5 Most Unique Ski and Snowboard Towns on The Planet […]
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Avatar photo Brent Thomas |
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Where Will it Be Deep This Week? These are the Southern Hemisphere’s Top 5 Forecasted Resorts for the Next 10 Days

It’s always snowing somewhere, and fresh snow is the essence of skiing and snowboarding. Whether you are chasing the deepest conditions or love seeing where the snow is piling up so you can live vicariously through others, these resorts will receive the most over the next week and beyond, hopefully setting them up for a successful winter.  More resorts are opening as the […]
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WeatherBrains |
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Idaho Supreme Court Overturns Ruling on Ski Death Case, Introduces “Standard of Care” for Resort Actions

Skiing and snowboarding are deeply rooted in Idaho’s culture and economy, with the state’s Ski Area Liability Law historically offering legal clarity on the risks of the sport. The law acknowledges that skiing carries inherent risks, such as collisions with trees or sudden changes in snow conditions, and generally limits a resort’s liability unless clear negligence is proven. Skiers are expected to take […]
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Avatar photo Brent Thomas |
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South Island, New Zealand, Report: Ohau Season Opener Oh-So-Good

Report from 21-22 June, 2025 The ‘hoots’ and ‘hollers’ you’ve been hearing on the breeze are because Ohau Snowfields, New Zealand, is open for skiing and snowboarding. The weekend just past offered up all that is classic and good about shredding the Southern Alps of New Zealand, and Ohau especially. Saturday was picture-perfect under full sun, with little to no wind, and […]
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Paulie |
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Where Will it Be Deep This Week? These are the Southern Hemisphere’s Top 5 Forecasted Resorts for the Next 10 Days

south america

It’s always snowing somewhere, and fresh snow is the essence of skiing and snowboarding. Whether you are chasing the deepest conditions or love seeing where the snow is piling up so you can live vicariously through others, these resorts will receive the most over the next week and beyond, hopefully setting them up for a successful winter.  More resorts are opening as […]
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WeatherBrains |
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17 Not So Obvious Bucket List Experiences for Skiers and Snowboarders in the U.S.

Most skiers and riders have a mental list of the usual bucket list items, such as visiting specific resorts or finally going heli-skiing. However, the mountains are full of lesser-known gems that only locals may know about, which can be just as memorable. From riding special lifts, conquering challenging runs, or basking in unique moments, the not-so-obvious experiences often turn […]
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Avatar photo Brent Thomas |
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Teton Pass, WY, to Close for 60 Hours Later This Month to Repair Damage from Catastrophic Landslide

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Updated June 19, 2025 at 7:14 a.m. PT In early June 2024, a catastrophic landslide caused a massive section of Teton Pass Road (Wyoming Highway 22) to collapse near milepost 12.8, severing a vital commuter route between eastern Idaho and Jackson, Wyoming. The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) had been monitoring deep cracks that first appeared days earlier, but overnight, the […]
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Avatar photo Brent Thomas |
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Oregon’s Ski Resorts at Risk as Key Insurer Exits Over Liability Laws

A growing insurance crisis is threatening the future of Oregon’s outdoor recreation industry, with ski resorts sounding the alarm after a major insurer announced it is pulling out of the state. Safehold Special Risk, which has provided coverage for iconic destinations like Mt. Hood Meadows and Timberline Lodge, is ending its business in Oregon, citing the state’s unfavorable legal environment […]
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Avatar photo Brent Thomas |
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