Spring skiing? Maybe.  Or maybe not.  Steamboat Springs Colorado seems to have a mind of its own as it jumps from 60 degrees down to 20 and from blue sky’s to winter storm warnings, all in the matter of days (if not hours!).  For all those Spring breakers out there, bring your long underwear along with your tanks and shorts, because who knows what you’re going to be greeted with here!

After last weeks balmy temperatures of about 40 to 50 degrees, Steamboat’s base dropped below 100”.   Yet right when we all started to accept that spring had made its debut and the slushy snow was here to stay, mother nature came roaring in on Sunday to bring Ski Town USA another 18 or so inches.  Total, so far this season, the resort has seen 411”, which by most is considered to be pretty darn remarkable.  But for those of you banking on some nice blue bird slushy spring days on the hill, you may be out of luck.

Steamboat Resort is scheduled to be shutting down its lifts for the season on April 10^th.  This leaves us less then 2 weeks of the season to enjoy what mother nature has already brought us and whatever else she may brew up.  Looking back on the 2010-2011 ski season, I must say we have had quite a ride and we would all love to see this season ending with a bang.  Although the forecast is looking like warm temps from here on out, who knows what could happen! 

As the mountain begins to shut down, the locals of Steamboat Springs are starting to relax a bit.  It has been a phenomenal tourist year for our little town and we’ve enjoyed watching as people from all parts of the world experience Ski town USA and leave saying, “we’ll see you next time”.  Watching as the snow melts is a little bitter sweet.  True, we are ending what has turned out to be a brilliant ski season, but we roll now right into the next.  In hopes for high water rivers, sunny skies and warm temperatures, its hard not to be equally excited. 

While the smell of spring has been detected in Whistler from time to time over the past week or two the snow continues to fall drifting us deeper and deeper into the record books.  Having already surpassed our average annual snowfall early in February we’ve seen no signs of the snow gods easing up.  Coming off the second snowiest season on record last year with nearly 15 meters (1494cm) or 48 ft (588 inches) we are on a steady pace to crush that record.  We had a record breaking February and currently sit on about 1367cm (or 538 inches) of snow with more than 2 months left in our extraordinarily long season.

However, snow falling is never the only thing happening in Whistler.   This week we played host the one of the longest running Snowboard events in North America.  The Showcase Showdown on March 19^th saw 80 of the top riders from around the world come to compete for the 14^th consecutive year.   It is currently Oakley week in Whistler and they have teams all over the mountain and village hosting fun contests and handing out swag.   We also just played host to GMC Cup, a head-to-head team race event between Canadian and US National team members.  President’s week was a huge success and St. Paddy’s day brought families, friends, and hooligans alike together for a celebration of great snow, tons of activities, and of course green beer.

We are also proud to announce that March 12^th was the busiest day in Ski Butlers Whistlers history.  We had several large groups of families to fit as well as several smaller groups but with well-organized preparation and all hands on deck everything went off without a hitch and we had everyone raving about Ski Butlers exceptional service. 

Coming up in April we look forward to more snow of course.  As well as The Whistler Cup (a Jr. race series), the Red Bull Butter Cup Jam Session, and what is usually the biggest party of the season (unless we happen to be hosting an Olympic Games), the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival.  This year “Telus Fest” as it’s affectionately know by locals is celebrating its sweet 16^th and the 10 day ordeal boasted as “The biggest annual gathering of winter sports, music, arts and culture in North America, the TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival combines Canada's largest outdoor concert series with an eclectic mix of snow sports contests and anti-comps, fashion shows, film screenings, photography showdowns, live painting and even a dog parade. Take heed the festival motto: ‘Party in April. Sleep in May” is sure not to let down.

So that’s what has been keeping us busy.  We hope you have all been having a great season as well and will come visit us soon.  If we haven’t seen you by then we’ll send another update when we hit 50ft.

Cheers,

Brent – Ski Butlers Whistler.

Ahhh...March, with it comes spring, sunshine and believe it or not, historically the snowiest month of the year!
With some recent snow falls our base is nearing the 100 inch mark, so we have great coverage over all 4 mountains.

The March agenda is marked with the 11th annual "Bud Light Spring Jam." Put together over 2 weekends
(March 18-20 & 25-27) Aspen will be entertained in town for free by headline alternative act "Broken 
Social Scene" on the 18th.  The following night don't miss the Aspen Big Air, where skiers and boarders
throw down their bag of tricks under lights at the base of Aspen Mountain.  The following weekend we
have another free concert with band "Pepper" playing and then on the 27th the 4th Annual Helly Hansen
"Battle of the Bowls." Hosted at Aspen Highlands, this event was designed by local freeskiing legend
Chris Davenport.  Teams of 2 skiers or boarders are challenged by ascending and riding the many
bowls this mountain has to offer, including the famous "Highlands Bowl" twice! Some Teams manage
to cover 60,000 feet in the 3-4 hour event.  And yes there is a team "Ski Butlers Aspen!" Best of
luck Mike and Riley with that one!

Let’s talk skis!  Most customers understand the concept of "Parabolic" or "shaped skis" by now but the
latest technology to hit the market is "Rocker" or "Reverse Camber" The word is out, and our customers
are definitely asking about them.  The idea is to incorporate a "rockered" profile into the ski according to
how it is to be used. So for example a powder ski will be rockered in the tips to keep afloat, we often call
this "Early rise rocker." A beginner ski will be rockered gently in the tip and tail, this prevents edge catching
and creates an easy-to-turn ski but when skied on edge you will benefit from the full length. This technology
is not a passing fad but the new "standard." So get ready!

The Aspen/Snowmass Ski Butlers team is looking forward to a busy Spring Season and is excited to
continue bringing you the very best service we can deliver.