Northstar's New Learn-to-Ride Center for Beginnings and Above
Northstar-at-Tahoe, Calif. (tel. 530/562-3560; www.northstarattahoe.com) introduces the first-of-a-kind Burton Academy, a learn-to-snowboard program to get beginners started and to enable those already in the sport to progress. The program, for ages 13 and above, operates out of a new dedicated mid-mountain facility. Full-day classes with limited group size and private lessons are offered.
Heavenly Adds Three Gladed Trails
Last season, Heavenly, Cal./Nev. (tel. 775/586-7000; www.skiheavenly.com) added the Olympic Express and Heavenly Flyer lifts. This season's terrain improvements include three new gladed runs. Two through the Ski Ways Glades are black-diamond terrain, while Powderbowl Woods is marked with a blue square. Also, the resort has regarded Skyline, the high traverse linking the California and Nevada sides and proffering great views of Lake Tahoe far below. Owned by Vail Resorts Inc., Heavenly has its own season pass and lift ticket program but also is part of some corporate-wide ticket deals.
New Lift Pass Covers Huge Austrian Region
The new Kitzbüheler Alpen AllStarCard is valid on 357 lifts accessing more than 600 miles (1,081 kilometers) of groomed pistes and 256 mountain restaurants Â? the latter important in a land where the food is as important as the skiing. Although the prestigious name of Kitzbühel (tel.: 0 (43) 5356 64748; www.kitzalps.com) headlines the ticket, it covers ski areas in the adjacent states of Tyrol and Salzburg. This super-ticket, which more the doubles the terrain accessed by the region's previous pass, can be purchased for anything from one to 14 days. It is good on lifts at Kitzbühel, SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, Schneewinkel/St Johann, Hochtal Wildschönau, Alpbach, Saalbach/Hinterglemm Leogang, Zell am See-Kaprun and the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, at more than 10,000 feet. The Austrian Alps benefited from record early-season snow, so this might be the winter to take advantage of the new ticket, which costs €204 for adults for six days (half-price for children).
Wiegele's Heli-Warmup
The ultimate skiing and snowboarding adventure of heli-skiing doesn't come cheap, but for those who can afford it, the experience is priceless. Booking early is imperative, because space is limited by the size of the helicopter and trips fill up early. Mike Wiegele Heli-Skiing (tel. 800/ 661-9170 or 250/673 8381; www.wiegele.com) has a new two-day special that includes unlimited skiing/riding, use of powder skis or snowboard, safety gear, lodging and use of the spa at Wiegele's deluxe heli-village near Blue River, B.C., and three excellent meals a day.
$100K Heli-Ski Season Pass Introduced
Although this might seem an odd season to do so, Great Canadian Heli-Skiing (tel: 866-424-4354; www.canadianheli-skiing.com) has announced its $100,000 Heli-Ski Platinum Pass, probably the world's most expensive ski season ticket ever. This $100,000 airborne season pass guarantees a seat on one of its choppers every day from December 26, 2008, and March 28, 2009. Great Canadian Heli-skiing is located halfway between Golden and Revelstoke, B.C. For the rest of us, the company, celebrating its 20th anniversary, promotes its small groups with one guide for up four skiers, free use of powder skis of snowboard and transceivers, luxury lodging and gourmet meals. The least expensive package is the two-night Powder Escape at $2,786-$3,440 per person.
Himalayan Heli-Ski Operator Set for 2008-09 Season
Halfway around the world, Himalayan Heli-Ski Guides (tel. +33 (0) 8 71 39 03 59; www.heliskinepal.com; E-mail info@heliskinepal.com, established in 2001, is the only heli-ski operator in Nepal. It operates in the Everest and Annapurna regions. Himalayan Heli Ski Guides offer private and mixed groups to these areas. Private trips are for up to 12 guests with two guides and a dedicated helicopter for the entire week. Mixed groups are two groups of six with two HHSG guides per group and shared air. International multi-lingual guides lead the groups.