My Tours de Sport - Social Website for Skiers and Snowboarders in the Northeast US and Canada

The Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia start in just two weeks, and Alpine skiing will once again take center stage. A total of ten Alpine Skiing events will take place at the Whistler resort, just a short drive north from Vancouver. Athletes will compete in five disciplines as medals will be awarded on both the men's and women's side in downhill, slalom, giant slalom, super-G, and super combined.

America's best hope for a gold medal is 25-year old Lindsey Vonn, who has won more World Cup titles than other female in U.S. skiing history. She has also claimed the title of overall champion in each of the last two World Cup seasons. Despite her current status as the top female skier in the world, Vonn has yet to win an Olympic medal. Vonn was just 17 years old at the Salt Lake City Games and finished an impressive sixth in the combined event. Four years ago, she crashed in training and bruised her hip just one day before finishing eighth in the downhill event. She was given the U.S. Olympic Spirit Award for continuing to compete in Torino despite the injury. Vonn is expected to ski in all five events at Whistler, but her best shots at gold will be in the speed races (downhill and super-G). She won gold at both of those events at the 2009 World Championships in Val d'Isere, France.

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Spring Skiing

It’s been a pretty good ski season in the east so far this year. Typically cold weather, good snow and the sun low in the sky.

Most outings include dressing in layers, hand and foot warmers and neck gaiters. For many people the season starts to wind down after the February vacation. Once the snow disappears from the back yard thoughts start to turn more to spring. For most major resorts in the east, the season regularly goes to mid to late April!

Spring skiing is a different experience. With all of the snow making efforts and the natural snow (February is the snowiest month with March being the second) there is good trail cover right to closing day. The temperatures are milder and with daylight saving time starting March 14th the sun is high in the sky the entire day. Think about skiing wearing a vest, ball cap and sunglasses and don’t forget the sun block. With resorts getting into the swing of things with outdoor barbeques, live bands on the deck and on mountain activities like pond skimming and fun races. If all this isn’t enough, the price go down late season so there are some good deals to be had.

Give one of Tours de Sport’s vacation specialists a call and let them put some packages together for you. It’s a great way to top off the ski season.

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Don't Give Whistler a "Miss" in this Olympic Year!

Unless you have been living under a rock, you are probably well aware that the Winter Olympics will set up shop in Vancouver and Whistler for two weeks starting on February 12^th. Yes, the games are returning to North American soil for the first time since the Salt Lake City games in 2002. Contrary to what you might think, this event makes it the perfect year to make Whistler Blackcomb your ski vacation destination.

The simple fact is that a visit this winter will let you experience Whistler at its “spit & polish” finest. Millions and millions of dollars have been spent to upgrade facilities, renovate lodging properties, and dramatically improve access to the resort, vis-à-vis the Sea to Sky Highway (Hwy 99) from Vancouver to Whistler.

Sure there are lodging blackouts during the games themselves, but if you can travel in March and April, you will find no roadblocks in planning your visit. In fact, if you want to get a taste of the Olympic experience without the madness, plan your visit during the Paralympic games which take place from March 12-21. Talk about some inspiring athletes that you should see in person, well, enough said!

Best of all the snow this year is amazing. After a record setting 18 feet, yes that's feet in November, it has not let up. The folks at VANOC, the Olympic organizing committee must have made a deal with old Scratch himself to provide such picture perfect conditions.

Both the ski resort and the lodging community want everyone to know that it is business as usual this winter, so come on up and make your own Olympic memories.

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Taking Flight to Vermont for Skiing?

If you are considering flying to Vermont, here at a glance are some quick points that will give you an idea on distance and transfer options to your ski area.

Stowe and Smugglers Notch are approximately 30 minutes from Burlington, VT.
Transfers are by car rental in Burlington. Taxi transfer is available.

Sugarbush is about one hour from Burlington. Transfers are by car rental in Burlington, VT.

Killington has 3 options for airports and all are about 2 hours travel.
Burlington, VT
Albany, NY
Manchester, NH

Transfers are by car rental to Killington.

Rutland Airport is a small airport approximately ½ an hour from Killington with limited service
A taxi transfer is available

Amtrak is an option via train also to Killington, VT. The station is in Rutland,VT and a
bus transfer to the ski area can be arranged for your convenience.

Mount Snow is approximately 1 hour from Albany, NY
Transfers are by car rental in Albany.

Enjoy your travel to these Vermont Ski Areas and remember that if you are renting a car, snow tires or all-weather radials are desirable, and a ski rack also is a great option.

Goody Dwyer

Goody is our resident Vermonter and if any of us know the ins and outs of getting around Vermont, she's the one.

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Snow Recap So Far...

The season started off with Whistler setting the standard for all other Western resorts. With over 18 feet of snow falling in November, the resort officially broke its record for most snowfall for the month. To date, they have received nearly 400 inches, and still have half a season to go.

Other resorts throughout the Western US got a bit more of a slow start to the season. Storms in Colorado and Utah would sporadically dump snow on occasion, giving locals and visitors hope for a season like last year. The snow so far hasn’t quite been what was dreamed about, but with the snowiest months on record coming up, there is plenty of potential.

Jackson Hole is having another great year. Over 16 feet of snow have fallen on the summit to date providing skiers and riders with the face shots they expect to receive from the Tetons.

In this past week, storms have moving through Utah, Wyoming, California, leaving behind plenty of white gold. It remains to be seen how the rest of the season will turn out, but hopes are high that Mother Nature will make February, March, and April months to remember.