Having grown up in Colorado, Vail has always been such premier destination.  People from all over the world visit Vail while locals and front rangers alike agree that skiing is unmatched.  I would bet that we can all remember our first time dropping into the back bowls with nothing but open powder fields in front of us!   It is so much more than a ski area…it is VAIL!  It is hard to believe that the town is only 50 years old.  I can’t even imagine what the Vail Valley looked like before the legendary back bowls, before Vail Village, Lionshead, Beaver Creek, etc.  

Park City, UT…Ski Butlers is one of 75 small businesses across the country to win the Blue Ribbon Small Business Award by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  This award honors companies that demonstrate excellent business practices in several areas, including strategy, employee development, community involvement, and customer service.

Jackson Hole just keeps getting better! Last winter accumulated 723 inches of snowfall, 475 of those inches were during the ski season. Looking to next season, meteorologists predict a return of La Nina! Statistically, winters during which the ‘la Nina’ phenomenon provide 52% more snow than non-la Nina years at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.  We should expect another year with ample powder days. 

            

All new this season, the Marmot double chair lift! This lift will carry skiers and snowboarders 1200 vertical feet from the South Pass Traverse, below the Thunder Lift, to the top of the Gondola, helping to move along the morning madness. Beginning a day at the top of the Gondola Summit will provide guests with the opportunity to get ready for the day by grabbing something to eat at the Dog House Café or enjoying a relaxing morning and sitting back at the award winning Couloir Restaurant.

            

Off the mountain, lodging has been expanding there ranges from not only luxury but also convenient and affordable ski in-ski out properties. Jackson Hole Resort Lodging has developed it all. The Luxury Collection has full access to the 5 star clubhouse and spa. The Lift, Lodging and Lunch, continues to be one a terrific values, providing everything you need for a day for $99.

            

With tons of snow in the forecast, new lifts, and great lodging, what else can you ask for from Jackson Hole? We can’t wait to see you on the slopes!

      What a lot of people who visit Steamboat to ski don’t realize is summers are just as good as the winters.  Like many other ski towns, the multitude of activities allows any family visiting the opportunities to experience the summer alpine lifestyle.  From biking and hiking to outdoor concerts and rodeos, Steamboat will keep anyone active and entertained during the warm months.
      One of the greatest aspects of Steamboat is the Yampa River.  The Yampa allows people in town to enjoy some fresh water to raft, tube, kayak, and fish on.  Even just walking along the river on the Core trail, you can stop and enjoy the pleasant flow of the river.  Few ski towns have the luxury of bodies of water, Steamboat is one of those lucky towns, and the people take full advantage of it.
     If you have never enjoyed Steamboat Springs in the summer, start looking into it.  You can visit great websites like the Steamboat Chamber (www.steamboat-chamber.com) to get the low down on town, and all it has going on during your stay.  Once you figure out what a great place this ski town is in the summer, you will be hooked.

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.

 

 

Greetings from South Lake Tahoe

WOW! What a holiday season it has been. We’ve all made it through safely, opened the new year with some freshies, and we’re already at the big MLK weekend! There’s going to be a lot going on up here this weekend, and you don’t want to miss out, so here is what’s going at the Resorts found on the South Shore:

Heavenly:  Safety week is kicking off with a bang at Heavenly this week. There will be a ski/ride safety convention going on at the top of the gondola, run by Barton Memorial Hospital. Heavenly Sports is offering an added discount on all safety apparel, so if you need a helmet, now is the time to get one! Heavenly is also doing a safety scavenger hunt all week from the 15^th till the 21^st.  Scavenger  Hunt cards can be found at all on-mountain lodges, and any Heavenly employee wearing a bright orange cap will help you with your scavenger hunt as long as you can answer safety questions about the skier’s code. They will be giving out prizes, so study the code! And finally, there will be the Riperoo Parade starting on Friday at the Heavenly Village.

Kirkwood: The UC Band will be riding all weekend at the wood, so keep an eye, and an ear, open for them. Kirkwood is offering their avalanche class this weekend, the AIARE Level 1 course, which will teach one how to survive in avalanche situations, a must for any and all backcountry riders! The Kingtones will be playing at Bub’s all day, providing the perfect bar break atmosphere for a mid day stop. And to finish the day, Kirkwood is also offering their full moon snowshoe hike from 6p-10p. Snowshoes can be rented at Kirkwood, and reservations are required.

Sierra: Sierra has the Cal Big Band visiting, so there will be some encouraging tunes to psych you up for the slopes! Safety week is also beginning at Sierra this week, and the people of NSAA (the National Ski Area Assoc.) will be on site to help with all ski and ride safety tips. Blizzard Mountain, Sierra’s snow park has sack races, obstacle courses, and snowman building competitions set up for all those non-riders and little groms. Races will be offered on the slopes, The Bay Area Ski Buss Race will start with practice from 10a-11a, races from 11a-1p, and awards will be given out at 2p. The races are open to all and free,  so sign up and see what you got! And for those water breaks, the Cash Only Band will be rockin’ the Pub all day, grab a drink and enjoy!

That should be a good start to keeping you all entertained this weekend, just don’t forget to check out the playlists at the casinos. There are some big names in town, Snoop Dogg is playing at Mont Bleu, and for the more laid back crowd, Rebelution will be playing at Mont Bleu Sunday night. Have fun, be safe, and think Ski Butlers!

- Ben Marshall, Ski Butlers South Lake Tahoe