Sullivan and Cousins remain good friends, but Sullivan is going solo into his second entrepreneurial venture in outdoor apparel.  His new company, Stio (pronounced “stee-oh”), is again based just down the highway from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The brand launched its first line last fall.

“The biggest difference this time was that because I had some street cred. I was able to raise a significant amount of money to start this in good fashion and get it off the ground with a meaningfully sized line,” Sullivan said. “The difference this time is that I know how to make clothes and I still thought I had a lot of good design concepts in my head.”

Obviously relative to when Cloudveil started, e-commerce has grown exponentially, so Sullivan decided this time around to sell his new company’s products primarily though the Stio website.  Along with the website, Stio does have a print catalog and one brick-and-mortar store on the town square in Jackson.

Stio Rounder Blazer and Beech Shirt

Although Sullivan used to achieve the hardcore Holy Grail of 100 ski days in a season, he was still able to notch about 50 days of at least some time on the mountain last season. Some of those visits served a practical purpose to test new designs. Sullivan said he does about 60-65 percent of the design work himself.  Technical offerings such as the Environ Jacket and Pant typically go through 30-40 total days of on-slope testing with different staffers before the design is finalized.

Stio Environ Jacket

“It’s amazing especially when you are designing apparel for skiing or an athletic pursuit outside. You find that this zipper needs to be moved a centimeter or I don’t like how this pocket back hangs down on the front of my leg. It’s too far down. We find all sorts of little details in that process,” Sullivan said.

Stio Environ Pant

While Cloudveil often has been associated with its soft-shell Serendipity Jacket (that ironically was not the company’s biggest seller according to Sullivan), time will tell what develops as Stio’s calling card in the marketplace.

“You never know what’s going to catch on and what you’re going to be known for,” Sullivan said. “I don’t know if it’s going to be a product as much as it’s going to be an ethos and a lifestyle, a reflection of the mountain culture. That is what we are trying to embody with the brand.”

What are some of your favorite startup gear companies? Share with us in the comments below!

The post Stio: An Inside Look at a Gear Startup appeared first on Liftopia Blog.

So, mosey on over to Instagram, find us at @Liftopia, and get ready to feast your eyes on breathtaking pictures from the slopes, behind-the-scenes pics from the Liftopia HQ (ranging from occasional yeti sightings to adorable office pup glamour shots of Milo, Roxie, Pulver, June, Lima & Churro), and of course, photos submitted by YOU! Tag any and all of your ski, snowboard, and mountain-related photos with #liftopia, and if we like what we see, we’ll share them with our own followers and give you props! Plus, we’ve been known to give away sweet Liftopia shwag for those who are both enthused and engaged.

Oh yeah, and we’ve also put together a list of our top 30 favorite people and brands to follow on Instagram. You should probably give these guys a follow, too.

@gopro

@freeskiermagazine

@snowboardermag

@patagonia

@backcountrycom

@steepskiing (Chris Davenport)

@redbull

@volcom

@videograss

@travisrice

@ted_ligety

@surfer_magazine

@robkingwill

@natgeo

@marklandvik

@libtechnologies

@kimmyfasani

@heliskiing_canada

@hannahteter

@ejackshreds (Eric Jackson)

@curtismorgan

@chocorompe (Terje Haakonsen)

@brodyleven

@alisonsadventures

@abekislevitz

@kcdeane

@andreaswiig

@chrisbenchetler

@bobby_brown1

@auclairjp

What are some of your favorite Instagram accounts to follow? Let us know in the comments below!

Editor’s Note: This post was co-written by Katie Kearsey & Steph Wells, who compiled a list of the Liftopia Team’s favorite accounts to follow!

The post 30 Incredible Outdoorsy Instagram Accounts to Follow appeared first on Liftopia Blog.

Saas Fee – Head spinning skiing above 11,000′

I felt like a miner on my way into the dark mountainside shaft. But there’s light at the end of this tunnel – so cliché, I think as I clutch my skis for the swift ascent on the Metro Alpin. This highest underground funicular in the world  shuttles skiers to the 11,647′ glacier at Saas Fee, Switzerland. Emerging from the mountain train, the sunshine and brilliant blue glaciers are blinding and beautiful.

Photo by Greg Burke

A foot of fresh snow awaits us, we glide over diamond dust powder and gaze at the surrounding 13,000′ peaks (13 ironically) in this so called “Pearl of the Alps.” We are happy clams in our vast snowy shell, with few other skiers in sight. Saas Fee is sizeable with 22 lifts, 110 kilometers of prepared trails (groomed, marked) and a big vertical drop of 5,906,’ plus skiing in three other villages, Saas-Grund, Saas Almagell and Saas Balen, that we didn’t even get to. We also didn’t tackle the unbelievable off-piste ski terrain, which is tempting but riddled with hidden crevasses since this is glacier skiing. You better hire a mountain guide or the consequences could be big and bad.

Photo by Greg Burke

The only thing that might top the skiing on our perfect powder day is the Wallis Plattli, a plate piled high of Swiss cheeses, dried meats, pickled veggies and brown bread, which we savor as we slowly circle Saas Fee’s 11,482′ summit panorama at the highest revolving restaurant in the world – aptly named “360.” “Best lunch head rush ever,” my husband says swigging his beer as we finish our hour-long full spin.

Saas Fee may be the most under marketed ski resort in the Alps. It’s a gem, or a pearl as they say, with awesome scenery, rarely a lift line, and a lovely car free village at the base. Saas Fee is so quaint, quiet electric shuttles whisk you to your chalet hotel, the bus station or the ski lifts. Walking the classic streets and bridges is a splendid après ski pastime as you ponder which of the inviting Swiss restaurants to dine at. The folks of Saas Fee are genuine and gracious, passionate about skiing, racing (Pirmin Zurbriggen’s hometown) and preserving their meadow of the cows (translation of “Saas Fee”).  Saas Fee is German-Swiss speaking, but there is a strong English acceptance as Brit families know to holiday here.

Photo by Greg Burke

Saas Fee is near Zermatt. In fact, the two could interconnect with a few ski lifts, but that’s doubtful since Zermatt officials say they don’t need that. A few days in Saas Fee on a Swiss ski holiday makes for a refreshing break from the busier ski village of Zermatt and the Matterhorn.

Saas Fee Stats: Elevation 11,647′, 5,906′ vertical drop, 22 lifts, 62 miles of prepared trails plus off-piste and glacier skiing.

Skiing Zermatt – Italy for lunch, Swiss Fondue for dinner… Sehr Gut

Zermatt is a must for every skier’s list. First, the famed Matterhorn at 14,692′ is as awesome as you expect. This spectacular pinnacle that has claimed hundreds of hikers’ lives is your backdrop as you ski thousands of surrounding acres, over 153-miles of prepared ski trails served by 72 lifts from trams to trains, gondolas to funicular.

Photo by Greg Burke

Zermatt’s amazing alpine village, almost a ski city, has more than a hundred hotels and chalets, and some of the best Swiss restaurants and après ski bars on the planet. Plus, you can ski to Italy and dine on fresh pasta for lunch in Cervinia and return to the Swiss side for beer on a ski chalet terrace. No passport required on this cross country tour, just be sure to catch that last lift back or you are stranded in Italy or paying for a helicopter ride up over the Alps to your Zermatt hotel (I am sure the scenic ride is grand, but the price is more like $2 grand).

Photo by Greg Burke

Zermatt ski terrain is mega – comprised of four high elevation areas; Sunnegga/Rothorn, Gornergrat, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, and Matterhorn Cervinia (Italy) all interconnected with amazing lifts. The Gonnergrat Train, for example, leaves from the village and climbs a half hour up to 10,134′ – the longest highest railway in The Alps, and obviously a long ski down with the ever-present Matterhorn in view.

Photo by Greg Burke

Even more remarkable is ascending the Klein Matterhorn (the “little” Matterhorn next to the big daddy looming above), a beautiful four section gondola takes you up the Schwarzsee ski region, where you board the highest cable car in the world – a crazy suspended tram that enters the steep 12,791′ peak via tunnel. Emerging from the spectacular glacial mountaintop, you can ski an eight-mile run back to Zermatt village for 7,477′ vertical. Or stay left on the Plateau Rosa Glacier following the Italian flags to the sunny, spacious slopes of Cervinia – all on one ticket.

Photo by Greg Burke

Zermatt deserves all the accolades – highest, most scenic, most photographed, longest ski season in the Alps, most famous car free ski village, best cross-country skiing – literally. Personally I would add more preferable to ski Zermatt with views of the Matterhorn, than to attempt hiking the treacherously steep jagged peak.

Zermatt Stats:  Elevation: 12,500′, Vertical: 7,250′, Marked Trails/Pistes: 153 miles, 73 Railways and Lifts

Have you skied one of these incredible Swiss resorts? Let us know in the comments!

The post Skiing in Switzerland, Part 2: Saas Fee and Zermatt appeared first on Liftopia Blog.

On a Swiss Roll – Ski, Snowmobile & Drink in The Alps!

Three trains, two trams, and a speedy snowmobile ride through a snowy village all by 9am. Not your typical start to a ski day. But this is how we roll in Switzerland, traveling by Swiss Pass on trains that run with Rolex precision. On a sunny April morning, we arrive by tram in the car-free alpine village of Bettmeralp, and a snowmobile whisks us to our Swiss chalet hotel – which looks plucked from a postcard. A quick change into our ski gear at Hotel Alpfrieden (which means mountain peace), and we  load the closest six pack chairlift heading up to the vast terrain of Aletsch Arena. This Swiss ski complex is comprised of three villages miles apart, all connected by 35 lifts flanking multiple mountain peaks, covering a vertical drop of almost 6,000.’

Photo by Greg Burke

We ski our way to the Eggishorn Tram to 9,412,’ the highest of the three peaks and best panorama of the Aletsch Glacier – the largest ice flow in the Alps at 14 miles long. The massive sparkling ice glacier, 27 billion tons of ice,  is surrounded by towering 13,000′ peaks including the Jungrau, Eiger, and Mönch – an extraordinary sight. The ski run down is equally exciting, a narrow expert cat track swerves its way down the mountainside with fences on both sides, and serious cliffs beyond.

Run after run we ski high-elevation soft snow from Fiescheralp to Bettmeralp and Riederalp – these three resorts were previously independent but are now marketed on one Aletsch Arena ticket – making for an amazing ski vacation (that most skiers have not heard of, yet).  

Photo by Greg Burke

Skiing all day in The Alps builds a mountainous appetite. Fortunately Swiss flags along the trailside wave you in to delightful huts, like Heidi’s Hitta, for hearty Rösti and Goulash served with local cheese and fresh baked bread, and of course – Swiss wine and big beers.

Skiing through the village to our chalet at day’s end, we squeeze by snowmobiles and pedestrians pulling sleds with kids and groceries along the snowy trail. We ski by snow laden chalets, cozy bakeries, ski boutiques and après ski bars already full of ski instructors hoisting beer steins still in full uniform and ski boots. After our big ski day, we wanted to shed our boots on the heated boot dryers at the Hotel’s ski in/ski out locker room. They’d be warm and waiting the next morning after a bountiful Swiss skiers’ breakfast, “from bed to your boards” as they say here.

Photo by Greg Burke

Swiss fondue was the obvious choice for dinner that night as we toasted our good fortune – fantastic skiing, snowmobiling and picture-taking on the gorgeous Aletsch Glacier. Never skied in Switzerland? You must, the Alps are the source of alpine skiing and Swiss ski resorts like Aletsch Arena serve up big mountain terrain and beautiful views with all that vertical. Glaciers, gondolas and gooey fondue – say “cheese”!

Photo by Greg Burke

Aletsch Arena is located in Wallis Switzerland, near Brig, comprised of 3 ski villages – Riederalp, Bettmeralp, and Fiescheralp.

Aletsch Arena Stats: 35 lifts, 104 kilometers of prepared pistes (trails), countless acres of off-piste, highest summit  9,412,’  rated among the Best Ski Resorts in the Swiss Alps.

What’s wilder? Verbier’s skiing? Or après ski?

The Swiss fondue was to die for!  Almost literally given the steep run we skied to lunch  - straight down Mont Fort Glacier – Verbier’s summit which drops dramatically from 10,925.’ Our cliffside outdoor table at Cabin du Glacier served up glorious sun and a bubbly pot of cheese, surrounded by spectacular peaks like Mont Blanc.

Greg and I have skied some steep stuff (STH he calls it), we’ve both bagged over 110 places on Liftopia’s “Where I’ve Skied” facebook app. Verbier instantly moved into our top 5 for steep and deep – in the leagues of Jackson Hole Wyoming, Big Sky/Moonlight Montana, Snowbird/Alta Utah, and Sunshine’s Delirium Dive in Banff Canada.  Verbier has so much extreme lift-serviced terrain off Mont Fort and Mont Gelé – nothing is groomed off either summit, never mind marked with signage, just steep faces in all directions, cliffs and cornices – an expert skiers’ paradise.

Photo by Greg Burke

However, there is more to Verbier than core terrain and crazy off piste; this Swiss ski resort is the European ski playground of the chic. Verbier’s après ski gets a black diamond rating as well, ritzy hotels and designer shops line the stylish village streets next to rocking bars and Michelin-rated restaurants. A fantastic mix of young free skiers, ski bums, celebs and wealthy vacationers flock to this French Swiss town (Verbier is in the French speaking region of Switzerland, but English is widely spoken).  Prince Harry skis here, Richard Branson has a “Lodge” hotel and James Blunt owns La Vache summit restaurant, to name drop a few.

Photo by Greg Burke

Verbier is part of Les 4 Vallées (four interconnected valleys) encompassing 92 ski lifts and 256 miles of prepared ski runs plus limitless off-piste terrain. Verbier is the largest of the four areas (Nendaz, Veysonnaz and Thyon) with 38 lifts and 24 delicious on mountain restaurants, and there is so much skiing (not all expert and edgy), it would take a season to tackle it all.

We hit Verbier mid-April, with tons of snow still, brilliant sunshine and the biggest après ski parties. The Farinet was wild – picture guys dressed as bananas and zebras drinking from shot skis, and girls dancing on the bar in tutus to live bands – Animal House goes alpine. Meanwhile our suite just up the street at Verbier’s 4-star Chalet de Flore was peaceful elegance with a big mountain view balcony and a spa-like bathroom.

Photo by Greg Burke

Verbier is not for the meek, its big mountain skiing, and the fun is just getting started when the lifts stop. Put Verbier on your ski list, then save up (yes, its Swiss francs and its pricey), and rest up for this very extreme Swiss ski resort.

Verbier and Les 4 Vallées Switzerland Stats: Elevation: 10,925′, Vertical drop: 6,496′, Prepared Trails/Pistes: 256 miles, 92 Lifts. 

Have you ever skied in Switzerland? Share your stories in the comments below!

The post Skiing in Switzerland, Part 1: Aletsch Arena and Verbier appeared first on Liftopia Blog.

While skiing draws us to the mountains, summer beauty keeps us here. Summer in the mountains is spectacular. The warm sun, long views and cool temperatures make the mountains a perfect summer playground.

Whether your tastes run to hiking, concerts, festivals or biking, you can do these, and more, on mountain this summer.

Need inspiration? Check out these resorts in the mountains of Idaho, West Virginia and California.

Pedal Back Through Time at Lookout Pass and Silver Mountain Resorts

If your taste in biking runs toward flat, slightly downhill and breathtakingly beautiful trails, Idaho’s Route of the Hiawatha is for you.

The Route of the Hiawatha is a section of abandoned rail line turned popular rails-to-trail bike path. Originally built to serves the area’s mines and to provide passage through the Bitterroot Mountains, interpretive signs explore the region’s history.

Route of the Hiawatha. Photo Courtesy of Lookout Pass Ski Area.

Along its 15 miles, the Route of the Hiawatha crosses seven trestles, the highest of which is 230 feet above the canyon floor. It also goes through 10 tunnels, including the 1.66-mile Saint Paul Tunnel on the Montana-Idaho border.

Lights and helmets are required to ride the Route, as is a trail pass from Lookout Pass Ski Area. Lookout Pass also offers shuttles for one-way riders.

Route of the Hiawatha, Idaho. Photo Courtesy of Lookout Pass Ski Area.

Looking for something longer? Try the Trail of the Coeur D’Alenes, a 73 mile paved path along an abandoned Union Pacific right-of-way. This rails-to-trails route rolls downhill along the banks of the Coeur D’Alene River and around Lake Coeur D’Alene before reaching Idaho farmland.

Twenty trailheads and 17 picnic areas offer frequent public access. Ride as little or as much as you like.

Silver Mountain Resort is a great base for both bike rides. The resort is adjacent to the Trail of the Coeur D’Alenes, with a trailhead nearby. The Route of the Hiawatha is only 22 miles away.

Plus, guests at the Resort’s Morning Star Lodge have access to the Silver Rapids Water Park. In addition to being a perfect place to soak after a long day’s bike ride, there are plenty of slides and pools, as well as a wave simulator for surfing lessons.

Downhill Thrills in The Snowshoe Bike Park

Wild.

Wonderful.

While these two words are often used to sum up West Virginia, home of Snowshoe Mountain, they are also a good description of the Snowshoe Bike Park.

Especially, wild.

If you haven’t tried downhill biking, the first thing you need to know is that downhill biking is not the same as mountain biking. It’s a completely different sport, combining fat tire bikes with features normally found in a ski or snowboard terrain park. While the trails wind through stunning forest and meadows, man-made features including jump lines and berms take your skills and thrills to a new level.

Snowshoe Bike Park. Photographer: Philip Duncan. Photo Courtesy of Snowshoe Mountain Resort.

The Snowshoe Bike Park opens in late May, giving it a long season. With 40 trails and 1,500 vertical feet of descent (two chairlifts handle the ascents), it is one of the largest bike parks in the east.

This season, a new machine-groomed beginner flow trail will open in July on the north side of the mountain.

Beginner instruction, camps, and clinics for all levels are available, as are rental bikes and safety equipment. Best of all, women ride free on Sundays.

If downhill mountain biking sounds just a bit too wild, there’s always the wonderful side of Snowshoe. Kayak and canoe on Shavers Lake. Hike and explore over 11,000 acres of wilderness. Ride a horse into the sunset. Tee off at the Gary Player Raven Golf Club.

Wild? Not always. Wonderful? Yes.

Shavers Lake. Photographer: Philip Duncan. Photo Courtesy of Snowshoe Mountain Resort.

Yoga, Music and Nature at Squaw Valley’s Wanderlust Festival

Does it get anymore California than this?

Practice yoga with some of the world’s best teachers. Learn about and enjoy organic wines and farm-to-table dining.  Meditate under the stunningly blue ski.  Enjoy the gorgeous Sierra wilderness from the vantage point of your bike, a hiking trail or while relaxing by the mid-mountain pool.

Yoga at the Wanderlust Festival. Photographer: Tom O’Neill. Photo Courtesy of Squaw Valley.

And that’s just one day at the jam-packed Wanderlust Festival at Squaw Valley.

A celebration of mindful living, mountain fun and music, this year’s Festival takes place on July 18-21. Wanderlust is for everyone, of all ages. There is even a daily yoga program just for kids, ages 4-10.

And while the days are filled with an abundance of organic choices, the nights are all about the group groove, with a lineup of live music and late night DJs.

Not everyone likes a busy festival atmosphere, so if Wanderlust sounds too intense, choose another time for hiking, biking, and of course, the irresistible pull of Lake Tahoe. While the lake is busy in summer, Squaw Valley offers a quiet respite from the crowds.

Hiking at Squaw Valley. Photographer: Tom O’Neill. Photo Courtesy of Squaw Valley.

The High Camp pool and hot tub are open, and the mid-mountain ice rink turns into a roller rink. Dogs are allowed on the tram and if you hike up, you can download for free. The Shirley Canyon trail to Shirley Lake is recommended, as is the on-mountain disc golf course that plays down into Shirley Canyon.

Enjoy!

The post Find Your Summer at Resorts in Idaho, West Virginia and California: From Yoga to Downhill Biking, They Offer It All appeared first on Liftopia Blog.

Photo Credit: Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort

A Sad Time of Year

It’s a sad time of year. A few days ago I cleaned out the pockets of my snowboard jacket and pants, folded them up, and put them on the back of the top shelf in my closet. For many of us the season is over.

As I mourned the passing of another season, I recalled something that I’d been told by locals several times in random pub conversations: there’s a resort in Utah that has stayed open until the Fourth of July several times.

I had also been told that many resorts open and close at the same time (this year most closed on April 14th) because they are required to by their lease with the US Forest Service. I also thought it was economically impractical for a ski resort to stay open so long after the ski tourism season had ended.

“Where could this resort be?” I wondered. A few minutes online and I had my answer: Snowbird. This year, the resort – one of Utah’s favourites – is planning to stay open until Memorial Day, though after the 12th of the month they will be closed on weekdays.

The Economics of Late-Season Skiing

How could this be possible? I had to find out, so I called up Snowbird’s Communications Manager, Emily Moench.

The next day we met in her office in Snowbird Centre.

She was not aware, she said, of any restrictions on opening and closing dates in Forest Service land leases. She told me that she thought most resorts closed because of the lack of business late in the year. The fact that all the other resorts close is what actually makes it possible for Snowbird to stay open. At that point, even though demand has dwindled, they’re the only game in town and that brings enough business to keep them running.

To sweeten the deal, Snowbird also drops it’s day passes from $85 to $65 and offers an additional discount to any person who holds a season’s pass at any resort in North America.  (It’s worth noting that at the time of writing Liftopia was selling day passes to Snowbird for $54.99.)

Photo Credit: Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort

Let the Party Begin!

Spring skiing and riding is always a bit different than that in the winter. There’s more of a party vibe. Shirts come off. Bikinis make an appearance. Beer flows freely.

In the spirit of the spring skiing mood, Snowbird has live music on the deck every week. All performances take place on the Plaza Deck from 12 – 3pm weather permitting.  Here’s the schedule:

Other Late-Season Resorts

Not close enough to Utah for a trip to Snowbird? Not to worry, there are a few other resorts staying open nearly as long:

• Whistler/Blackcomb
• Squaw Valley
• Lake Louise
• Sunshine Village
• Mammoth Mountain

Photo Credit: Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort

The post Late Season Skiing and Riding at Snowbird appeared first on Liftopia Blog.

Fancy yourself a long weekend getaway this Summer?  Looking to kick back and have some fun, eat delicious food, and relax in one of the most scenic destinations in these here United States? We don’t blame you, which is why we’re co-hosting a sweepstakes with Hipmunk to give away a trip to the incredible Sun Valley, Idaho!

Still not quite convinced?  Crazy, but here are 4 great reasons to enter!

1. Sun Valley is simply beautiful. Situated in Idaho’s Wood River Valley, you’ll be able to explore lakes, rivers and of course, mountains galore.  Bald Mountain, affectionately called Baldy, stands tall over the valley at 9,150 feet.  It’s open to sightseers and adventurers alike, and whether you’re looking for a relaxing day among the wildflowers or a challenging journey through the rugged beauty of Idaho’s wilderness, Baldy’s got it all.  You’ll also have the option to water ski or take paddle boats out on Sun Valley Lake, or perhaps you’re more inclined to explore one of the area’s many rivers for floating or fly fishing.  No matter what you choose to do, you’ll be surrounded by sheer beauty.

2. Sun Valley Resort is classy, but it’s also comfortable.  Since it was built 1936, the resort has welcomed visitors with “elegant amenities and old world charm.”  From sweet suites to cozy cottages, you’ll find spacious rooms and a staff that is willing to go above and beyond for its guests.  Even though you likely won’t be spending much time in your room, you can rest assured that you’ll be comfortable when you return after a long day of exploration.

3. Sun Valley is seriously FUN!  Whether you’re the active, outdoorsy type, or more into shopping & cultural activities, you can fill your days with a variety of activities.  Perhaps you’d like to take advantage of unlimited tennis and a couple of rounds of golf.  Maybe you’d rather hike or rent a couple of mountain bikes and hit up some of Baldy’s 28 miles of trails.  Or maybe a day filled with art galleries and casual shopping, followed by the Sun Valley Ice Show is more your speed.  Take your pick, or do it all!

4. Don’t worry, you can also take a load off with some well-deserved R&R.  Spend some time bonding with Mother Nature in the fresh air to clear your head and rest your weary bones.  Or, swing by Zenergy for a relaxing massage or special spa treatment.

Whatever it is you’re looking for, you’ll find it in Sun Valley.  So, what are you waiting for? Enter now for the chance to win the weekend getaway trip of a lifetime for you and a friend!

The post 4 Great Reasons to Enter the Fun in the Sun Valley Sweepstakes appeared first on Liftopia Blog.

The dumping snow makes visibility imperfect, but after dropping down the face, I am protected from the howling wind at the top of the lift. Charging through tight chutes, floating on top of the fresh, heavy powder, the elements almost disappear. I don’t feel the cold, or the snow in my face, or the constant human elements of the city  – the desire to check my email, to see if someone retweeted that joke I wrote, to text that girl I met last weekend (what am I supposed to say, anyway?). Dropping into Avalanche Chutes and making the perfect turn to steer between two cliffs, everything else melts away. I am completely in the moment.

This is one of the greatest joys afforded by action sports, and probably why skiers and snowboarders identify so strongly as skiers and snowboarders. No matter where someone is on the ability curve, she can live in that ultra-present state of mind. A beginning skier just learning to put his turns together, diligent in his quest to reach the bottom of the hill, a young kid with a toy snowboard, or an advanced shredder doing cliff drops at Squaw – all parts of the spectrum fully engaged in the moment, pushing their boundaries, free of the distractions and mental wandering that is so pervasive in the World of world wide web.

I’ve been a snowboarder for most of my life, and the majority of it has been spent shredding with my dad, who is the type of dude who truly enjoys awful conditions because it means the mountain will be less crowded, and I was always along for the ride. Give us 60 mph winds, dumping snow, and vertigo-inducing white outs and we would be charging as hard as we could.

On a day exactly like my previous sentence, my padre and I had just barreled through Wipeout Chute off of Chair 23 in Mammoth and were halfway down to the gondola when the wild weather forced the resort to shut down almost all of its lifts, including the one we would use to get to the other side of the mountain and finally, back to our condo. This left us with two options: either make a sketchy traverse through thick trees above a large cliff, or take the bus home. I think it’s obvious what we (my dad) chose.

Padre led the way and I was close behind until a branch caught my jacket sleeve and I stopped. Sunk into the snow. I was waist deep in an area I had never been, my dad was out of earshot, there were such things as cell phones but digging furiously to reach the one in my pants pocket took 15 minutes as more snow fell down to replace what I pushed away. It was 19 degrees but I was burning hot. No reception. I couldn’t breathe. My inhaler is in another pants pocket, buried equally deep as my phone. Take off my face mask. Decide I’m might as well prepare myself to die. Decide that’s a bad idea. Grab hold of the branch that stopped me and with adrenaline and desperation flooding my senses pull myself from captivity.

I make it out of the trees and finally down to an actual trail.

“What happened to you?” my dad asks.

I was smiling ear to ear, high on that mysterious energy of exploration and adventure that strips the rest of the world away.

I don’t recommend getting yourself stuck in the trees on stormy days. But that moment where nothing else mattered has stuck with me my entire life. And it’s easy to find on the slopes, even when the weather is nice.

Travis Rice shredding.

The post In the Moment appeared first on Liftopia Blog.

Skiers and snowboarders were big winners at Colorado ski resorts this year, with a variety of mountain enhancements unveiled at the outset of the season. In my neck of the woods, Snowmass added 230 acres on Burnt Mountain. Accessed via a short hike, this terrain has some awesome glades and tree skiing – it was a huge hit among Snowmass’ frequent visitors (it’s always nice to have something brand new to ski at a favorite mountain). Also new at Snowmass, and highly recommended: the spacious Restaurant at Elk Camp, with its fresh pizzas, rotisserie chicken and awesome salad bar.

Photo Credit: Aspen/Snowmass

A-Basin added a new conveyor lift in its learning area, as well as an adjacent beginner-level terrain park. Many resorts (Steamboat, Crested Butte, Telluride and Wolf Creek, to name a few) improved their snowmaking and grooming operations. Off the ski trails, Winter Park debuted its fun Coca-Cola tubing hill, and Copper Mountain continued to operate its Alpine Rush Zip Line through the winter months.

Snow-wise, Colorado’s ski season certainly had its ups and downs – dry spells suddenly punctuated by big snow dumps. Most recently, attendees at the annual ski-industry event, Mountain Travel Symposium – held in Aspen/Snowmass this year – were treated to an amazing Spring storm that brought more than a foot of snow to local mountains. (Who could blame attendees for hitting the fresh powder instead of sitting inside conducting business in meeting rooms?)

Mid-November, mid-December and pre-Christmas storms coated Colorado’s mountains with snow in preparation for welcoming holiday skiers.  Another big storm hit the state just as many schools were celebrating Spring break.  In fact, all of these Spring storms brought so much snow at the end of the ski season, some Colorado resorts — including Breckenridge and Vail – re-opened a couple of weekends ago after their original closing days in mid-April. Aspen Highlands also re-opened for a bonus weekend April 27 and 28.

Here’s hoping you had a great season. See you next year!

The post Colorado Ski Season Wrap-up appeared first on Liftopia Blog.

It may be hitting 75 degrees here in California, but what about the rest of the country? Where can one go to squeeze in a few more runs?

Dusting off my trusty 1992 IBM ThinkPad 700 (still works like a champ), I quickly got to work, researching my late-season mountain rendezvous.  Here’s what I found.

Photo Credit: Killington

Killington in Vermont is not only open, but has tickets available for 37% off. Killington is one of the largest ski resorts in the Northeast, and features about 88 miles of diverse terrain & 191 trails for skiers and riders of all ability levels.  While not all of their terrain is open at the moment, they still have some great options available.  Keep an eye on their website for the latest conditions and a list of open trails.

While Killington sounded great, I decided to look a bit closer to home and began browsing open ski areas in Utah, which ultimately led me to Snowbird.

Snowbird is located right next to Salt Lake City, in the heart of Little Cottonwood Canyon.  With 85 runs, more than 2,500 acres of terrain, and a summit elevation of 11,000 feet (important when considering snow could melt the minute temperatures start to warm up), Snowbird is known for some solid Spring skiing.  Like Killington, check out their website for the latest conditions & trail reports.

Utah has it going on, no doubt about it.  But I had also heard Colorado was getting dumped on, and decided to check in with our friends at Aspen/Snowmass.

Photo Credit: Aspen/Snowmass

Aspen Highlands is one of the locals’ favorite mountains, and one of mine, too.  While the resort technically closed on April 21st, they’ll be opening back up for a bonus weekend this weekend (April 27-28) to take advantage of the awesome conditions.  Plus, if you book now, you’ll save 36% on your lift tickets!

There’s also Arapahoe Basin, which boasts the longest ski and ride season in Colorado (yes, you read that relevant little blog nugget correctly – the longest ski and ride season in Colorado).  A-Basin, known as “The Legend,” has an awesome, laid-back atmosphere that locals and vacationers of all ages can enjoy – an ideal trait for Spring skiing.   Again, watch their site for the most up-to-date conditions.  On top of knowing I’d have a great time at A-Basin, I also noticed the 42% savings on lift tickets, meaning I was having an even harder time figuring out where to go.  Decisions, decisions…

Okay, so, Colorado and Utah both seemed doable – financially and travel-wise.  But what if I wanted to go even bigger?  Maybe get in on the action at Whistler/Blackcomb?  You’ve probably read the magazine articles, seen the ski movies, and heard the stories from friends about how incredible Whistler/Blackcomb is.  Plus, they still have some great late-season snow!

After checking out these options, I started to wonder if this was going to be a much tougher decision than simply unpacking my Summer gear.

I bet you’re wondering which resort I picked.  I decided on Aspen Highlands, mostly because they got a few feet of fresh snow last week and the price was right.  My next quandary?  Deciding whether or not to bomb down this tasty little untracked tree line or take my time to enjoy the fresh powder. I charged it.

Where do you enjoy some late season skiing and riding? Share with us in the comments below!

The post Best Ski Areas to Hit Up at the End of the Season appeared first on Liftopia Blog.