Last year marked a record-setting ski season for U.S. resorts with 60.5 million skier visits, according to the National Ski Areas Association. As travelers begin thinking about where to find the best deals and the most snow for the upcoming season, Orbitz predicts Lake Tahoe will be this year’s most popular destination.
“While ski vacations are more popular than ever before, the current economy presents new challenges for travelers on tighter budgets than in past years,” said Heather Leisman, senior director of merchandizing for Orbitz. “Travelers looking for ski season savings need only a bit of expert advice on when and where to travel, and Orbitz has the insider knowledge to help them hit the slopes.”
2008-2009 Orbitz Insider Ski Index (Ranking* and average daily hotel rate**)
Lake Tahoe, CA/NEV $116
Breckenridge, CO $225
Park City, UT $239
Vail, CO $286
Aspen, CO $227
Keystone, CO $149
Winter Park, CO $193
Whistler, BC $292
Banff, Canada $189
Steamboat Springs, CO $204
*Based on hotel and vacation package bookings from 11/1/08 to 4/30/09 for bookings as of 10/14/08
** Based on average daily hotel rates from 11/1/08 to 4/30/09 for bookings as of 10/14/08
We’re barely a month into fall, and already Reno-Tahoe has had a nice dusting of snow – with more (hopefully) on the way soon. Local ski and board resorts are getting ready too, with opening dates set for next month.
If you’re not ready, here’s a taste of Tahoe powder to whet your appetite:
Warren Miller, the godfather of ski cinema, will emcee an event at Squaw Valley next month. Details from On The Snow:
The Squaw Valley Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to presenting programs having artistic, cultural, and educational values for the surrounding community, is host a fund-raiser that is sure to be a hoot.
Legendary filmmaker – and onetime Squaw Valley ski instructor - Warren Miller will emcee A Toast to Tahoe Skiing on the evening of Nov. 15 at the Resort at Squaw Creek.
The event, which figures to be North Lake Tahoe’s biggest and liveliest party to kick-off the 2008-09 ski and snowboard season, is a celebration of the region’s deep-seated winter sports roots.
A Toast to Tahoe Skiing will feature a cocktail reception, a variety of food stations, an energetic ski/snowboard fashion and equipment show featuring local ski celebrities - Tamara McKinney, Eric DesLauriers, Shannon Bahrke and Robb Gafney are among the “models” - world-class music and lighting by Swank Audio Visual, and a live auction all commentated by Miller, whose dry wit and droll observations are known to all.
Miller also will wield the gavel as A Toast to Tahoe Skiing will auction off vacation packages to such get-away spas as Sunriver in Oregon, Palm Springs, Inn at Loretto in Santa Fe, Vail Cascade in Colorado, and Monterey Plaza Resort and Spa.
Sounds like a great event for a great cause. Check it out if you can. (In case you’re wondering, Squaw Valley is set to open for the season on Nov. 22.)
Tickets for the event – which begins with a reception at 6 p.m. and followed by dinner at 7 p.m. – cost $85 per person, with a limited number of front-row sponsored tables available. Call (530) 581-4138 for more information or reservations.
Sounds like a great event for a great cause. Check it out if you can. (In case you’re wondering, Squaw Valley is set to open for the season on Nov. 22.)
If you haven’t seen the latest issue of Ski Magazine, the cover story is the “Top 50 Resort Guide,” with Reno-Tahoe-area resorts getting some major props from readers.
In the last decade, the resort industry has definitely taken a turn, shifting its attention from a niche of solely ski/board enthusiasts, to travelers and families who want the fresh tracks, but also after-hours activities, shopping, restaurants and nightlife.
Throughout Reno-Tahoe, resorts have been keeping up with demand – and readers of Ski have taken notice. Here are some of the rankings:
Squaw Valley USA, ranked number 15 overall, was recognized as “A giant playground. Never boring and always challenging,” with it’s 4,000 acres sprawled across six peaks.
Heavenly Mountain Resort’s addition of a new gondola a few years back certainly helped it earn the 17th spot in the poll, along with its expansive terrain bridging two states and 300 days of sunshine a year.
Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort, ranked 23rd overall, is a local favorite, and with a “terrific” new village, its reputation is growing in the larger ski community. The resort recently added expert terrain at Lookout Mountain, and the Ritz Carlton Club under development at mid-mountain will add a touch of class when it is finalized in a year.
Alpine Meadows, earning a ranking of 29th overall, looks like a hometown mountain at first peek, but the 2,400 acres of awesome terrain and snowfall that tops 500 inches some years tells a different story. Alpine is a good fit for skiers of every ability, but still exudes that Old Tahoe charm.
Other notable Ski Magazine rankings:
Family Programs: 8. Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort
Best Terrain Park: 3. Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort
Best Scenery: 2. Heavenly Mountain Resort
Best Terrain/Variety: 5. Squaw Valley USA
Best Terrain/Challenge: 6. Squaw Valley USA
Best Lifts: 9. Squaw Valley USA
Best Apres Ski: 4. Heavenly Mountain Resort
Best Off-Hill Activities: 5. Heavenly Mountain Resort
In other news, Squaw Valley USA received high marks in Outside Magazine’s November listing of the 15 Best Ski Resorts in North America, coming in at a respectable number nine.
What is your favorite Reno-Tahoe resort (and why)?
Last weekend’s snow in Reno-Tahoe reminded us of the reason for the season – skiing and boarding! Hopefully the early season flurries are indicative of a snowy winter ahead.
For regular, even semi-regular, skiers and boarders a season pass is a worthwhile investment. Here’s a breakdown of pass prices at local resorts (adult). Drop a few coins on a pass now … it will pay off when the big dumps come this winter!
Alpine Meadows Ski Resort joined forces with the Jamaica Ski Team with an unprecedented partnership inspired by the newest skier cross phenom, Errol Kerr. A resident of Truckee, Calif. who has dual citizenship in the United States and Jamaica, 22-year-old Kerr will represent Jamaica at the 2010 winter games in Vancouver, Canada.
“I want to represent the land of my father,” Kerr told a reporter at the Jamaica Gleaner this spring. “That’s the dream,” he added. Kerr’s father passed away 10 years ago, which gives his journey to the Olympic podium extraordinary representation of kindred father-son connection.
“I believe everyone has to appreciate where they came from. I feel like one day in his own way, he’ll say to me, ‘I’m proud of you, son!’”
Kerr’s number-one Olympic mission is to win the newest winter ski discipline, skier cross. Emerging on the scene during the 2007/2008 on the international skier cross circuit, his performance surprised the world with his 5th place finish in his first Winter X-Games competition in 2008. Former U.S. Olympic coach, Raul Guisado will train Kerr for the Games.
For the complete story, visit Alpine Meadows online. For more Alpine Meadows photos, check out their Flickr page.
- Photo and information courtesy of Alpine Meadows Ski Resort
Last year marked a record-setting ski season for U.S. resorts with 60.5 million skier visits, according to the National Ski Areas Association. As travelers begin thinking about where to find the best deals and the most snow for the upcoming season, Orbitz predicts Lake Tahoe will be this year’s most popular destination.
