Top Ten Things Only Skiers Know...

1. Chapstick IS a necessity.
2. The pure beauty of laying first tracks on an unskied trail.
3. The perfect place to meet someone is stuck on a chair lift.
4. It doesn’t matter how fancy your equipment is, it’s how you use it!
5. What a Misty, Frontside Rodeo & Hot Garbage is.
6. Après Ski rocks!
7. The importance of sun block.
8. Burning calories can be fun.
9. The reason mom always said put a hat on!
10. That Winter is the Best Season ever!

-Sam Norberg

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Cell Phone Service & Wi-fi Connections in the Mountains are Improving!

The following are some updates on cell phones that work the best and Wi-fi connection locations.

Hunter:
Has decent cellular service with Verizon & US Cellular being the best providers. Snowstorms do have an affect on connection believe it or not.

Wi-fi is available for a charge at the Ski Area Base Lodge.

Killington:
Verizon & AT&T have the best coverage. Others will have problems. Bear Mountain does not have good coverage all.

Wi-fi is available at the Killington Grand Hotel.

Loon:
Verizon & US Cellular are the best providers.

Wi-fi is available at all base lodges.

Smugglers Notch:
Verizon has the best coverage and AT&T is ok.

Wi-fI is available in the Village Condos for a fee.

Snowshoe:

AT&T is the best and make sure you are facing West. The Top of the World near the “Ticket Depot” is a great area.

Wi-fi is available at Shaver Center, Expo Big Top, Starbucks and Mistys

Silver Creek is good for Wi-fi and the Village has Ethernet/cable connect.

Stowe:
Verizon has the best coverage for cellphones.

Sugarbush:
Unicel and AT&T are ok while Sprint works in the Valley. Verizon does not seem to be able to connect in this area.

Wi-fi is located at Claybrook, Gatehouse Lodge and the Sugarbush Inn.

Sugarloaf:
Very good cellular coverage with most providers.

Wi-fi is available at the Sugarloaf Inn and Sugarloaf Mountain Lodge and Base Lodges.

Whiteface:
Verizon has the best coverage, other providers have issues making a solid connection.

Wi-fi is available at base lodge, cafeteria, bar and coffee shop.

We hope this information helps you while on your ski vacation to any of these resorts!

- Goody Dwyer … Continue

America's best hope for skiing gold in Vancouver

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. … Continue

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. … Continue

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

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