Now that the ski season is more than half way over why not try renting a demo ski from skibutlers. the selection is top notch and as your know the technology in recent years is ever changing. if you are exploring buying new skis for next season what a better way to try them out. the team here at skibutlers will personally deliver the ski to your hotel, condo, house, or your place of your choosing. good luck and enjoy the slopes.

Having a GPS unit while skiing or snowboarding can be a very useful tool out on the slopes. Not only do GPS units give you your exact location, but they also allow you to track your speed, distance, elevation, and bearing. Many people use GPS devices to keep track of their progress while they ski. Some GPS units even come with heart rate montiors that allow them to track their excercise, while out on the slopes. Other uses included "marking" your favorite/secret powder stashes on the mountain. A useful website for viewing GPS data is www.gpsvisulizer.com . This website allows you to tranfer all of your GPS data and convert it to Googel Earth. There are several features on the site that allow you to see the GPS data on a very simple color coded Google Earth map. GPS units are becoming very popular on mountains, even in the winter. DT

If you are coming into Vail or Baver Creek for the first two weeks of February you may want to think again. This time can be just as busy as Christmas. If you are coming to rent skis make sure you rent skis ahead of time because the skis may be rented out or the time you are looking for a delivery may by booked. Another thing you may want to book is valet parking at the resorts to avoid the huge parking issue in the valley.  If you can avoid this busy time you will avoid the crowds and the high prices.

A very popular and common question that people coming out to the mountains want to know is if they have never been on the mountain before, what should they do ski or snowboard?  I feel that there is a simple answer to this question.  If someone is only going to have a couple of days on the mountain than I would recommend skiing over snowboarding.  Most people find it easier to get the basics with skiing before they do with snowboarding.  I am not saying that skiing is easier than snowboaring but in terms of making it down the mountain, beginners find it easier to make it down on skis than a board.  This does not mean that snowboarding is impossilbe and nobody should try it.  There is nothing wrong with it other than you have to expect to be frustrated the first day.  This goes for skiing as well.  Bottom line is that on your first day on the mountain you are going to fall.....alot.  This is totally normal and should not deter people from trying it.  You will get better and fall less and thus spend more time having fun and less time getting frustrated.


JS

Skibutlers is a great service that takes the hassle out of renting skis. It is great for out of town people who are not too familiar with the resort. The employee is very knowledgeable about the equipment and the town. Ask about their favorite places to ski, and other questions you may want to know that will familiarize yourself with the mountain as well as the town, transportation, places to eat, etc.
JC

Beaver Creek has top notch service. On a cold windy day I was getting off the lift and the BC employees were right there handing out hot chocolate, that alone made my day. Around 3:00 I went down to grab a beverage at McCoy's cafe, and this time there were chef's (atleast dressed like it) handing out chocolate chip cookies right out of the oven, maybe the best cookies I've ever had. Beaver Creek places "information" personnell all over the mountain to help their guests out, their is no excuse if you are lost on this mountain especially when they even have maps on the lift bar. Upon leaving the mountain the same day the employees were handing out free skiing postcards, and they even offered to mail them for you with no postage fees. How often do you get this kind of service at a ski resort? It might be a cold bitter day but the mountain does it's best to keep their guests happy.

-CJG

Its sunny here in Vail CO.  There was a high pressure system coming through the western United States this week, brining blue skies and high fives.  It was a beautiful time to practice you moves in the terrain park, or go have a nice afternoon BBQ out in Bells Camp.  With all of this beautiful sunshine the skiers are treating the days like it is the spring time.  However, a storm is brewing out in the pacific, bringing hopefully about 6 inches to the Vail valley.  This is a very exciting thing for the guys here at the ski shop because while we are enjoying the sunshine, snowfall is what we live for!

PS

In lue of the economic slump one would think people would be looking everywhere for a place to save a penny.  However when it comes to renting ski equipment people are not taking any short cuts.  A new and  growing trend in mountain towns is Ski Rental Delivery.  It is your ordinary ski rental shop without a store front.  Most of them have warehouses where they store all their gear and use vans to go to the persons hotel room or condo.  There a couple of companies that soley delivery skis and most major rental shops are seeing the growing trend and are themselves beginning to delivery ski equipment.  It is great for people that are staying extremely close to the slopes but not near the town that would have rental shops.  It is a breeze to have everything fit to you and when your done they come and pick it up.  Its the future of renting skis and everyone is trying to get there share.

JS

After skiing for many years I have seen a lot of different ideas about what is the best way to keep your feet warm. And let me tell you wearing four pairs of socks is not going to keep your feet warm! When you wear that many pairs of socks it makes your feet so big around that when you put your foot in the boot the blood circulation is cut off, this = cold. The key to warmth is blood circulation. The boot liner is made out of foam and material that is not only good for padding but warmth also. So next time you go skiing get a good thin wool sock (not cotton), from your local ski shop and let the blood flow in the feet!

Sometimes its hard to commit to just one pair of skis for your whole vacation when you have so many options. Here at Ski Butlers we understand that. If you're dying to ski the AC50 Unlimited, but halfway through your trip decide you want a ski a little more forgiving like the Phantom 80, don't be afraid to give the butlers a call! With Ski Butlers service, we offer switch outs on boots skis and boards and will meet you in your room or on the mountain. Now that's service!