Ski Colorado and Snowboarding Blog

Vail Ski resorts have developed a new season pass for the 2008 and 2009 winter season. The new passes house within them a radio frequency identification chip (rfid chip) that can be scanned while it is still sitting in your pocket, or even from deep within your clothing. This will be of good news to skiers and snowboarders on your Vail ski vacation who will not have to remove the pass from their pockets, and search about to use the lift. Instead, it will be like an EZ pass just for skiers: Just walk through a gate, receive either a yes or a no signal light, and proceed accordingly.

There are three different passes available, the Summit pass, the Colorado pass and the Epic Season pass, each with increasing levels of access. Each pass comes with a unique price point as well, which means that you can choose an option that suits both your interests and your budget as well, without having to sacrifice one for the other. The Vail Ski resort’s new answer to season passes is an excellent example of what a high ranking ski resort can do to turn the winter season into an even more enjoyable experience for visitors to Colorado.

The 2008 and 2009 winter season at Powderhorn Resort sees the arrival of the first annual Flat Top Festival, which is presented by Grand Junction Subaru. In August, a full day of concerts, activities, food, in all a good family fun day. There will be a juried art competition, in which people of all ages can submit art for prizes. In addition, there will be art activities for children to engage in. There will be hiking, disc golf, an inflatable jumping gym, a giant air slide; just a lot of physical activities. Then there will be live music, with performances by Slat Creek Gang, Vintage Voltage, and Flat Top Reed.

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Most importantly is the ability to purchase Season passes at their lowest price. These passes have rfid for ease of use. These passes may be worth it, as the shape of runs are changing and new ski runs are being formed. Two new runs are being cut, Hooligan and Bear Claw. These runs can be previewed at the upcoming festival. Difficulty wise, they will be from blue - black to black. The names were chosen by internet users voting online as a part of user - resort interaction.

In the second largest ski resort of the country, Snowmass resort in Colorado; new mountain improvements for the 2008 and 2009 winter season extend the capabilities of the resort in providing skiing challenges and transportation to its numerous guests. The new Sheer Bliss quad chair lift extends the ski-able area by 700 acres of black-diamond glades and easy-going blue regions. The new lift is capable of transporting 2000 people an hour, with the ride time around nine minutes over a vertical range of over 2000 feet. Snowmass has the highest vertical point, located at 4406 feet. This is higher than three Sears Towers or four Eiffel Towers.

Another new feature, Sam’s restaurant is a new dining establishment that features smokehouse barbecue and a variety of other culinary delights. As one enjoys their meal within a 7800 square feet dining room, they can take in incredible views of Garret’s Peak, Mount Daly and the surrounding back country through the restaurant’s floor to ceiling windows. The dining establishment will also feature a lounge area for quick coffee, breakfast and lunch. The Smoke House is located atop the village express snow lift.

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The Colorado Rocky Mountains have seen the snow pack build thanks to several early season snowfalls. The resorts areas are in great shape, with many areas reporting over 200% of the normal December snow. All resorts are open; Aspen, Vail and Summit County ski areas are nearing 100% of the lifts open. Winter Park and Steamboat are also reporting good conditions.