Travel

Best Places to Ski in the Rockies

The Rockies are synonymous with stoke-worthy skiing but with so many resort options it can be tricky to pin down the spot that will be just right for your needs.

The following resorts offer a bevy of amenities; whatever kind of traveler you are, you’re certain to be pleased.

  1. Jackson Hole Mountain Ski Resort

Known for its extreme terrain and a few runs that require avalanche safety equipment, Jackson Hole is best left to the experts. A favorite for those who go hard is the heli-ski tour – what’s more extreme than dropping from a helicopter onto an epically steep slope?

If you prefer to leave the intense snow sliding to others, the overwhelming beauty of this rustic wonderland makes it a prime locale for sitting fireside with a hot cup of something tasty, while you take in the majesty of the American West.

Sleep: Spring Creek Ranch. Located on a wildlife sanctuary and towering 1,000 feet over the town of Jackson, these luxury accommodations will allow your ears to enjoy a symphony of howling coyotes and elks practicing their mating call, while your eyes feast on unbeatable views of the Teton Mountain Range.

Plus, the limitless blue skies and Wilderness Adventure Spa, which offers unique goodies like High Altitude Facials and Soul Readings, ensure your mind, body, and spirit leave refreshed.

Eat: Mangy Moose. This cavernous steakhouse offers location-appropriate hearty options, like elk burgers, prime rib, and brisket. The “Moose” also hosts live music and is a fave après ski bar for locals.

Explore: Tour the National Elf Refuge by horse-drawn sleigh. Sit back, cozy up, and get your camera ready as a horse pulls your sleigh through snowy terrain dotted with thousands of elk. These rides are generally available from mid-December through early April and allow you to fully immerse yourself in the Wyoming wilderness.

Read more on TRVL

Travel

The Essential Guide to Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort

Mammoth Mountain is an 11,053-foot-high active volcano that has an annual average of 400 inches of snow and 3,500 acres of skiable terrain. Originally a mining town, Mammoth is now a mecca for alpine skiers and lovers of the Sierra Nevada mountainscapes. A past host of the X Games and U.S. Freeski and Snowboard Grand Prix, and a favorite training locale for the U.S. Snowboarding Team, Mammoth is regarded as a premier destination for not only the young and extreme, but also those that enjoy a gentle day of exploring.

Terrain

3,500 skiable acres; over 3,100 vertical feet; 25% beginner, 40% intermediate, 20% advanced, 15% expert 

Gullies, groomers, bowls, bumps, jumps, and more can all be found at Mammoth, making it a mountain that caters to every skill level. With 162 trails and 28 lifts, there’s enough terrain for every skier and boarder to think the mountain was created with their exact abilities in mind.

Read more on Trip Savvy!

Uncategorized

The Kick-Ass Calendar of Female Empowerment

 

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Photo by Keoki Flagg courtesy gallerykeoki.com

The cover of the Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, Women of Ski Patrol 2017 calendar makes me proud to be a woman. The image features 13 badass female ski patrollers radiating strength and confidence while hanging from all ends of a gondola: and the fact that all the proceeds from this calendar go towards funding avalanche safety education scholarships amps up my pride level.

In a field predominately filled with men it’s inspiring to see the women that step up to perform avalanche control, respond to injuries on the mountain, and help ensure the overall safety on the mountain, be featured.

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Photo by Keoki Flagg courtesy gallerykeoki.com

The stunning images captured by acclaimed photographer Keoki Flagg do an excellent job of exuding the vibe veteran patroller Robin McElroy describes: “The Squaw Valley Ski Patrol Team draws adrenaline junkies, and I’m definitely in that category. There’s a sense of excitement to our work with starting in the dark and not knowing what the day will bring. There is also an inherent risk of avalanches for anyone who loves skiing powder and exploring our mountains, which is why I believe avalanche education is so valuable. We are proud to have turned a fun idea into a beautiful calendar that will directly benefit our community.”

A native of Anchorage, Alaska, McElroy learned to ski at a young age and grew up ski racing with Alyeska Ski Club and Spyder in Girdwood, Alaska. After joining the ski and snowboarding club at University of Colorado, Boulder, McElroy taught skiing and competed on the Freesking World Tour Circuit before joining the ski patrol at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows in 2006.

Did I mention the term “badass”?

To check out these powerful photos buy your calendar here.