Whistler village is the centerpiece of Whistler-Blackcomb.

With the upcoming sale of Whistler-Blackcomb ski resort, potential buyer Vail Resorts is staying quiet about whether it’s interested in acquiring it’s North American rival.

Vail’s Chief Executive Officer Rob Katz did not make direct comment when asked by journalists whether Vail Resorts might be interested if such a purchase became a possibility. The question came up during a media question and answer session on Vail’s second quarter earnings.

Continue reading ‘Vail Resorts stays mum about Whistler sale’

British ski tourists are getting back out on the hill.

The newest evidence of a recovery in the European ski industry is growing sales numbers from a French Alps-based ski rental company.

Ski Republic has reported its ski rental sales are up 34% this season compared to the winter of 2008-9. UK customers represent 55% of turnover and around 50% of all bookings now being received online the company’s website.

Continue reading ‘Growing ski rental sales another sign of industry recovery’

Once the ice and snow leaves, all that's left are cracked rocks which cause dangerous rock slides.

Rock slides blocking prominent alpine routes have become a prominent issue in the Alps.

Due to global warming, the permafrost is unfreezing by degrees, giving way to a fast erosion of high peaks like the Swiss Matterhorn.

An interdisciplinary team from the Universities of Basel and Zurich and other organisations are researching the processes involved in a project called “Permasense” and have installed battery-powered sensors in some of the key affected areas including the Matterhorn above Zermatt and the Jungfraujoch to gather information.

Continue reading ‘Researchers dig into Alpine rockslides caused by global warming’

Mont Tremblant in Quebec, Canada is one of the major resorts on the Fortress/Intrawest chopping block.

It appears the troubled company which owns major North American ski resort operator Intrawest has been granted another chance to survive.

The Fortress Investment Group LLC owns Intrawest, operator of leading Canadian resorts of Mont Tremblant and recent Olympic venue Whistler. Fortress is reported to have reached agreement with its creditors to extend the time it needs to refinance its debt through to mid-April.

Continue reading ‘Whistler and Tremblant stay in Intrawest-Fortress hands, for now’

Groups have been trying to stress ski safety and helmet use.

Ski resort safety was brought back into the forefront this weekend after two skiers died after hitting trees at Canadian resorts.

A 27-year-old man from the Vancouver area died after snowboarding in-bounds and slamming into a tree at Big White Mountain. Efforts were made to administer First Aid, but the victim died of his injuries. Police have not released the man’s name. Whether he was wearing a helmet is unknown.

On the opposite end of the country, a 38-year-old Quebec City man died while sliding down an unlit ski slope at Mont Ste. Anne, 40 kilometres northeast of the provincial capital, early Saturday.

Continue reading ‘Two deaths at Canadian ski resorts mark dark weekend’

An artist sketch of Meadowlands Xanadu snow complex.

The story of the giant Xanadu complex in New Jersey, which incorporates North America’s only constructed, if not open, indoor snow centre continues to rumble on.

According to some media reports, the State of New Jersey may be considering seizing the land on which the ‘ultimate mall’, previously considered, “too big to fail” is located. This seems unlikely since owners Colony capital have paid $160 million in advance rent through to about 2020.

On the other hand billionaire Steve Ross, owner of the Miami Dolphins football team, is reported to be in negotiations to bridge a $500m gap left by the collapse of investment bank Lehman brothers, potentially enabling it to be completed and opened.

Continue reading ‘New Jersey Xanadu getting closer to fruition’

Valle Nevado ski resort was far enough to not be seriously damaged by the earthquake.

Last Saturday a massive earthquake struck just off the Chilean coast near Concepcion which is south of Santiago.

Santiago, located 310 miles north of the epicenter, suffered damage to some buildings, many of which were older structures located principally in the city’s downtown.

Fortunately, Valle Nevado ski area and the road that connects the resort to Santiago were not affected. Following an exhaustive inspection engineers found only a few minor cosmetic damages at Valle’s hotels and buildings.

Continue reading ‘Valle Nevado ski area not harmed by Chilean earthquake’