The economy is rough, gas is expensive, and airline tickets aren’t much better. Does that mean you shouldn’t come shred the Greatest Snow on Earth this winter? HELL NO! Here are some tips for planning a winter vacation on a budget from an article I found on MSNBC that originally appeared on WeJustGotBack.com.
Book now: Every year around this time, awesome early-bird ski vacation deals begin popping up all over. But time is ticking; you have to snap them up before ski season gets underway. For example, if you book the “Lift Off” package before November 23 at Copper Mountain, a family-friendly resort in the Colorado Rockies (see our review), you can save 15 percent on lodging when you book a lift ticket. Book a four-night stay at Steamboat Springs by November 3 and get 20 percent off lodging, lift tickets, and equipment rentals. Book before November 15 at Mont Tremblant, voted the No. 1 ski resort in eastern North America by SKI Magazine readers, and you can save up to 25 percent on your stay of three nights or longer. These act-quick opportunities are a dime a dozen right now, but they typically dry up by Thanksgiving.
Aim off-peak: Timing is everything. Depending on where you want to ski, the season can last anywhere from four to six months. Many resorts out West are open by mid-November and remain open through April. In general, prices at ski resorts are highest when there is a greater chance of snow (read: coldest months) and also during school breaks. Resorts’ rates can fluctuate wildly throughout the season. To wit: At Smugglers’ Notch, voted the No. 1 resort for family programs by SKI Magazine readers (see our review), prices during SuperSaver Value Weeks are a full 50 percent lower than over the New Year or President’s Week. Opting to ski before December or after mid-March can almost always save you a bundle. Hint: If your travel dates fall on the fringes of ski season, it’s wise to choose a resort with a reputation for good snow-making capabilities, in case Mother Nature doesn’t oblige with a layer of the white stuff.
Go midweek: Lodging and lift tickets are always more expensive on weekends, so a Monday-to-Thursday ski break can cost half of what a Thursday-to-Sunday getaway does at the same resort. But saving money is just the beginning of the good news. Midweek typically means fewer crowds, shorter lift lines, and smaller group sizes during lessons.
If you haven’t noticed I’m a big fan of the Utah Avalanche Center. They are all great guys and they are doing a lot to keep us from not getting killed in an avalanche. If you’ve never taken an avy class then you really have no business being in the backcountry. Not only are you putting yourself at risk but you’re also putting those around you at risk. I’m not saying you need to be a level 10 ++++ avalanche ninja, but, you need to know the basics in order to be a responsible backcountry user.
On November 1st, the Utah Avalanche Center will be hosting a seminar at the Depot in Salt Lake City. Maybe you’ve been there to see a show in the past, but on that day the UAC will be using the venue to hold a avalanche workshop. Afterwards there will be a party with music by Fat Paw. I’m not all that into hippy jam bands, but, I might stick around for some of that. My only question is, can we drink beer during the workshop? Here are the details of seminar.
Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop
11/01/2008 - 8:00am
Location:
The Depot, downtown Salt Lake City, UT
This unique seminar geared for professionals and recreationists alike, hosted by the Utah Avalanche Center, features presentations by local avalanche experts. The symposium is geared for all backcountry users no matter your avalanche skill level. We’ll focus on avalanche mitigation, forecasting, snowpit evaluation, advancements in beacon technology and rescue techniques. In addition, you’ll experience a behind-the-scenes look at TGR Films avalanche safety program, presented by lead guide Jim Conway. At the end of the seminar, join us for an evening of dancing and fun with a long time local favorite band Fat Paw.
Seminar admission- $25.00
Begins at 1:00 pm and includes fundraising party with music by Fat Paw.
Schedule
1:00pm-1:05pm Welcome/Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center
1:10pm-1:30pm Bruce Tremper- 2008 International Snow Science Workshop Overview
1:35pm-1:55pm Chris Covington- Highway Avalanche Control Work and Ski Touring- How to Get Along
2:00pm-2:15pm Larry Dunn- National Weather Service Support for the Snow Safety and Avalanche Community
2:20pm-2:40pm Bruce Edgerly- Digging Deeper: Uncovering the real issues in North American multiple burials
2:45pm-3:00pm Brian Dahle/Pieps- The iProbe
3:00pm-3:15pm Break
3:20pm-4:05pm Ian McCammon- Back Country decision making Tool kit
4:10pm-5:00pm TGR- Conway- Method to the Madness: A behind the scenes glimpse into TGR’s snow safety program
Abstracts
Bruce Tremper- 2008 International Snow Science Workshop Overview
The International Snow Science workshop occurs every two years. This year it was in Whistler, B.C., Canada.Bruce will give a summary of the important recent developments in avalanche science.It will be an avalanche geekfest in plain language.
Chris Covington-Highway Avalanche Control Work and Ski Touring- How to Get Along
The Utah Department of Transportation is responsible for avalanche safety on the state highways in Utah. The roads within the state that are monitored by a full-time avalanche safety program are in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Little Cottonwood Canyon, American Fork Canyon, and Provo Canyon. UDOT attempts to close these roads and artificially release avalanches above them using explosives before natural avalanches occur that might threaten the roads. This same terrain has become increasingly popular for backcountry touring. This presentation will talk about the UDOT avalanche safety program and the potential problems associated with having ski tourers in the starting zones at the same times when explosives control work is to be carried out.
Larry Dunn- National Weather Service
The National Weather Service provides Watches, Warnings, Advisories, and general forecast support for Utah’s Snow Safety and Avalanche community. Professionals and the public with an interest in snow safety and weather can access a wealth of real-time information about current and forecast conditions in the mountains. The goal of the NWS is to assist individuals and organizations with decisions associated with protection of life and pr f the winter outdoor community, this means minimizing risk for those recreating or traveling in Utah’s mountains. This presentation will describe the products and services offered by the NWS that may be of interest to the winter outdoor community.
Bruce Edgerly/BCA-Digging Deeper: Uncovering the Real Issues in North American Avalanche Rescues To understand the crux issues in avalanche rescues, statistics only tell part of the story. We dug deeper than the statistics and called the actual rescuers, survivors, and coroners involved in 35 of the worst North American avalanches since 1995 in which transceivers were used. Our finding: on the debris pile, it’s not about beacon searching, it’s about shoveling–and staying out of avalanches in the first place.
Brian Dahle/Pieps- The iProbe
Pieps has introduced a new, revolutionary, backcountry device that guarantee’s a quicker retrieval time in avalanche situations- The iProbe. The carbon iProbe has created a new standard in backcountry rescue, reducing pinpointing by almost 50% with its multiple target indicators (both visual and acoustical), Quick-closing latch, and deactivation/activation transceiver option.
Ian McCammon- BC decision making Tool kit
Avalanche experts agree that some of the biggest hazards in avalanche terrain are the psychological traps that can fool us into thinking a slope is safe when it is not. This talk will review some of these traps and give you simple tools for navigating the psychological hazards of avalanche terrain.
Jim Conway- Method to the Madness: A behind the scenes glimpse into TGR’s snow safety program
Method to the Madness is a behind the scenes look at how TGR responsibly enters some of the world’s most radical terrain while making their films. The talk reviews the company’s philosophy of “Riders First”, and how this commitment to risk management and athlete creativity has resulted in some of the worlds most serious ski and snowboard lines being captured on film. Venue selection, rider skills, avalanche assessment, and backcountry rescue are all covered as part of TGR’s comprehensive risk management program. The presentation ends with a big picture look at what you can and can’t control in the backcountry, and the factors that can interfere with even the best risk management plan.
Support the guys that help keep you on top of the snow and score some sweet deals on backcountry equipment. Or dump some of that old equipment that you don’t need anymore or are looking to upgrade.
Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center
Backcountry and Cross-Country Ski Swap
at REI Salt Lake, November 1st, 9 a.m.
Support the Utah Avalanche Center and get great deals on gear at the same time! The best selection of backcountry and cross-country ski and snowboard gear. There is a $2.00 per item charge to enter anything in the swap. In addition, 20% of the selling price of each sold item benefits the UAC. Equipment may be dropped off at the Salt Lake REI October 30th and 31st from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. (NO SATURDAY DROP OFFS)
The Swap starts at 9 a.m. at REI Salt Lake (3300 E 3300 S).
Admission is $5. For information call the Friends of the UAC at 365-5522. ALL proceeds benefit the Utah Avalanche Center.
Nidecker and Westbeach up in O-Town are apparently blowing out some product this weekend. Get it while it’s hot, and cheap.
SNOWBOARD SALE
BRAND NEW GEAR AT DISCOUNT PRICES
UP TO 75% OFF
October 10th Friday 10a - 6p
October 11th Saturday 10a - 6p
October 12th Sunday 12p - 5p
2440 Washington Blvd (across from the Egyptian Theatre)
Apparently it’s now illegal to have a mini-ramp in Salt Lake City. Sign the petition and help keep minis safe, legal, and in the privacy of your backyard.
Teton Gravity Research’s new ski and snowboard flick opens this month in Park City. These movies are always great and I heartily endorse movies like this that have skiers and snowboarders coexisting in harmony. Be sure to check it out.
Don’t miss this awesome beginning of the season kickoff party and help support the guys who keep you on top of the snow! If you need anymore motivation to attend this event, let me add, your admission includes basically all the beer you can drink. (Bring a designated driver!)
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2008, 6:00 P.M.
AT BLACK DIAMOND: 2084 EAST 3900 SOUTH, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84124
INFORMATION: (801) 365-5522
A DONATION IS REQUESTED
$30 BEFORE SEPTEMBER 13TH INCLUDES A RAFFLE ENTRY
$35 AFTER SEPTEMBER 13TH
EVENT IS OUTDOORS AND WILL BE HELD RAIN, SNOW OR SHINE • GEAR RAFFLE AND AUCTION.
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE BLACK DIAMOND STORE • MUST BE 21 YEARS OLD TO ATTEND
On September 20th come on down to the Gateway and witness three great new movies. Come on down to the Depot, have a few drinks, watch some movies, listen to our boy DJ Knucklz spin some beats, and have some fun. All these movies are sure to feature lots of Utah action and hot jibbing. See you there.
