Please note that SnowOnline has now moved to it’s monthly schedule for the spring and summer months.Check out what’s new in this month’s SnowOnline.
Blue Mountain Is Open for Spring Skiing
Spring skiing and snowboarding is in action at Ontario’s Blue Mountain Resort.
April is here and the Southern Ontario ski area is still open. Blue continues to keep its main trails open from 9am-4:30pm with $29 adult and $19 youth/senior lift tickets Tuesday – Thursday this week. Lift ticket rates will increase to $39 adult and $29 youth/senior next weekend. Blue hopes to have approximately 20 trails open from Central through North (conditions permitting) Friday-Sunday.
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Blue’s average base remains 115cm. “With this much snow left on the mountain we don’t have a closing date determined at this time,” says a resort spokesperson. ” That means we’ll keep going as long conditions hold strong and riders keep showing up!”
Daily status updates can be found by clicking HERE
$10 lift tickets with purchase of a 2013/14 Season Pass
2013/14 Season Passes are on sale until April 14th at the lowest guaranteed price of the year! Purchase next year’s pass now, and you can buy a $10 lift ticket each day for the remainder of this season. That means access – including weekends for 2012/13 5×7 and Lite Passholders – throughout April for only $10 per day!
Passes can be purchased online at www.bluemountain.ca/passes
Photo courtesy of Blue Mountain.
SnowOnline Editor: Lori Knowles
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Ski Deals: 2014 Whistler Season Passes Discounted Til May 6
Whistler Blackcomb has brought back its lowest price guarantee on Unlimited Season Passes and EDGE Cards for the 2013-2014 winter season, if purchased by May 6, 2013.
The down payment option is available again, letting guests lock in the Adult Unlimited Pass rate of $1,330 by paying a non-refundable $199 (plus tax) deposit with the balance charged in September.
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“The introduction of the New Harmony 6 high-speed, six-pack chairlift and Crystal Ridge Express high-speed quad chairlift will bring shorter wait times, letting our season pass holders get in even more skiing and riding,” says Stuart Rempel, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Whistler Blackcomb. “We know guests really appreciate the $199 down payment option and new seasons pass holders can add on unlimited spring skiing/riding for this season for only $69; this is a phenomenal deal, especially when you factor in our amazing spring conditions with skiing and riding until Monday, May 20.”
EDGE Cards are also available for next season at the spring rate of $355 for five days and $639 for ten days, enabling guests to ski for as little as $64 per day. Five and ten day EDGE Card purchased before May 6, 2013 come with a bonus early-season day next winter (valid before December 20, 2013) and one free PEAK 2 PEAK Alpine Experience Pass to be used next summer. Unlimited spring 2013 skiing/riding, April 1 through May 20, 2013, can be added on to the purchase of next season’s five or ten day EDGE Card for only $79.
Additional perks with a season pass purchase include: a free unlimited summer PEAK 2 PEAK Alpine Experience Pass; 20 per cent off on-mountain dining at the Roundhouse Lodge, Raven’s Nest, and Chic Pea Hut on Whistler Mountain and Rendezvous and Glacier Creek Lodges on Blackcomb Mountain; and a 10 per cent family discount on additional season pass purchases.
New to the 2013 season pass perks program is 50 per cent off lift tickets at all Mountain Collective partner resorts. Resorts participating in the 2013 Mountain Collective include Alta/Snowbird, UT; Aspen/Snowmass, CO; Jackson Hole, WY; Mammoth, CA and Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows, CA.
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Nas, Arkells, K-OS On Stage at Whistler
Hip-hop legend Nas will be headlining this year’s Outdoor Concert Series at Whistler’s World Ski & Snowboard Festival, injecting some fresh beats into Whistler’s music scene.
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Coming off of his tenth album release Life Is Good, Nas will be behind the mic on Saturday April 13 at 8pm in Skier’s Plaza. The show is outside and it’s free.
The Outdoor Concert Series, which runs April 12-21, also features the Arkells, K-OS, Swollen Members, Beats Antique and Keller Williams.
For a full concert lineup: https://www.wssf.com/event/outdoor-concert-series
Photos courtesy of wssf.com and nasirjones.com
SnowOnline Editor: Lori Knowles
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Pancakes and Relays Wind Up Revelstoke Season April 13-14
Finishing the ski season at BC’s Revelstoke Mountain Resort on April 14, a series of spring events are planned for the final weekend, including Stoke to Spoke, Pancake Day and more…
Saturday April 13, 2013 – 6th Annual Stoke to Spoke Relay Race
Pull a team of three together and choose your leg of the race: ski, bike, or obstacle course. Participants can also choose to compete in the solo category – individual men’s and women’s categories this year! Fantastic prizes are up for grabs including a 2013/2014 Season Pass for the individual categories and a Waterway Houseboat vacation for the 1st place team! Register online.
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Sunday April 14, 2013 – Final Day of the Season: Pajama Day/Pancake Breakfast
Pancake breakfast in the Village at Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Breakfast will served on a donation basis with all proceeds going to the Revelstoke Rotary. Revelstoke will also be celebrating the end of the season with Pajama Day. Come dressed in your favourite PJ’s for some pancakes and bacon! Pancakes will be served from 7am until 10am while supplies last.
For more information: www.revelstokemountainresort.com
Photo courtesy of Revelstoke Mountain Resort
SnowOnline Editor: Lori Knowles
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Easter Breaks Records at Big White
Sporting a new 50th Anniversary Big White hoodie, 17-year-old Kylie Dashefsky from Hawaii celebrates Easter in the sunshine at Big White Ski Resort.
BC’s Big White saw a record number of skier visits during Easter Weekend, averaging more than 7,400 skier visits per day and an increase in water usage by on mountain guests of just over 16%.
Guests were treated to incredible spring skiing conditions and a few even donned bathing suits as they basked in the sunshine.
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“For the past 10 years, numbers of skiers coming from Hawaii have been steadily increasing as Big White’s reputation as a world class family resort continues to grow,” comment Jim Loyd, Sales Director of Big White. Big White attests the success of the holiday weekend to Hawaii, Manitoba, and BC Spring Breaks colliding over Easter and visitors from as far away as Melbourne, Sydney, the UK and the Okanagan Valley all celebrating the weekend on the slopes.
With the most snow of the any resort in the interior, Big White will remain open until April 14th. Check out end of season Events, Activities and Spring Specials on Big White’s website www.bigwhite.com
Photo courtesy of Big White.
SnowOnline Editor: Lori Knowles
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It Just Keeps Snowing at Mont Sutton… In Time for Annual Snow On The Beach
It may be spring, but the snow just keeps falling on Quebec’s Mont Sutton. This photo was taken April 1… no foolin!
Should you wish to celebrate the arrival of spring, Sutton’s annual Snow on the Beach is scheduled for April 6.
On the program :
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- The crossing of the lake, on skis snowboard, wearing a funny outfit
- BBQ at the foot of the hill
- Festive atmosphere with a live music band
- Splash Party aprés-ski at the Bar Le Tucker
- Prizes for the participants, spectators and winners
- A great show and a party for everyone!
Note for those who will be cold : a hot tub will be installed at the foot of the hill to warm you up a little after the crossing of the lake!
The cost is $10 per participant*. Registration will take place on site, on April 6th, between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., close to the main chalet. You must be aged 13 years and over.
If you want, you can fill in a registration form on Sutton’s website before the event. Please note that a parent’s or tutor’s signature is required for participants under 18 years old.
All the profits of the event will be donated to Fondation Boulanger-Bédard, that aids in the work of youth health organizations.
The show will start around 1 p.m., close to the main chalet Alt.400m. and it is free!
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Spring Madness at Mont Sainte Anne April 6-7
This weekend is Spring Madness at Quebec’s Mont-Saint-Anne:
SATURDAY, APRIL 6
The Banked Slalom is a new event open to snowboarders. This friendly event offers Team
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At 3pm, turn to Karim Ouellet, author / singer / songwriter pop, from Dakar, to show off on the outdoor scene. His most recent success: L’Amour.
SUNDAY, APRIL 7 – LE YETI’S BIRTHDAY!
It’s LE YETI’s Birthday, celebrate with a tasting of a gigantic cake at the base of MSA. For the occasion, children are invited to donate used toys to YETI, who will donate them back to needy children. A DJ will entertain the base of the mountain all afternoon.
ALL WEEKEND
A few SLACK LINE pros will be onsite all weekend offering demos and initiation classes. Spring Madness traditions also include outdoor spas, BBQ’s, inflatable games and MSA’s on-mountain Sugar Shack.
For more info: www.montsainteanne.com
Photo of Yeti courtesy of Mont-Sainte-Anne
SnowOnline Editor: Lori Knowles
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Kingsbury & Chloe Crowned New Mogul Champs
VAL SAINT-COME, QUEBEC (March 31, 2013) – The competitive mogul skiing season officially ended here today for the Canadian National Freestyle Team with the conclusion of the Canadian National Mogul Championships. Eighty skiers from across the country competed on soft bumps under clear skies for the titles of national champion in single and dual moguls.
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In yesterday’s singles competition Mikael Kingsbury from Deux-Montagnes, Que. won the men’s field, followed by Quebec City’s Philippe Marquis and Marc-Antoine Gagnon of Terrebonne, Que. All three are members of the National Team.
It was Kingsbury’s fourth consecutive national title (he won singles and duals in 2011, then singles last year when there was no duals event). And although the reigning single mogul World Champ has two Crystal Globes and 16 World Cup victories on his résumé, he recognizes the significance of competing, and winning, against the next generation.
“It’s cool to win the title to be the National Champion, you know we’re on the World Cup racing for Canada all year and now we have a chance to ski at home and see all the young kids. I remember when I was young I loved to ski at Nationals against all the World Cup guys so now I’m on the other side and I’m just having fun and it’s a great title,” said the 20-year-old.
On the women’s side, the singles title went to Chloé Dufour-Lapointe of Montreal, Que. who edged her big sister Maxime. This year’s FIS Rookie of the Year, Penticton, B.C.’s Andi Naude took the bronze.
National Champ in duals in 2010, the singles title was a first for Chloé who said, “It felt great. When I compete I always want to win and that’s what I did yesterday. It was very sweet to finish the season with the gold.”
The 2013 World Champion in dual moguls added that she was very happy to have the chance to compete at home in Quebec this year, “It was so fun. All my family was there and it was so great to see all the little fans after the competition. It was really nice to have the home crowd.”
In today’s dual mogul event, big sister Maxime Dufour-Lapointe wrapped up a successful National Champs for the three sisters by winning the dual moguls while Chloé and Justine took the day off. Naude won the silver medal and Alberta Team member Clare Lambert of Calgary was third in a close battle with Beatrice Bilodeau of Rosemére, Que.
“I’m really pumped now,” said Maxime upon winning her first national title. “I just am so happy about how I skied and to have put on a great show and to show that our team is strong and to make the Canadian Championships a bit of a party and a good time. I hope I motivated the young kids by how I skied today.”
She also said that she noticed some great talent from the up-and-coming skiers, “I think in a few years there are going to be a lot of good skiers coming up on the girls side, especially when they improve and mature physically. I saw them wanting to push their skills and push their limits. That’s why my sisters and I started mogul skiing and it’s nice to see that attitude is still strong.”
For her part, bronze medalist 18-year-old Lambert, who has been with the Alberta Mogul Team for four years, said, “I’m still in shock about today, can’t believe I got a medal. It was like the craziest thing I’ve ever done. I wasn’t expecting to even make it past the dual with Christel [Hamel of the National Team] and then when I won against Beatrice [Bilodeau] I almost started to cry.”
The University of Calgary student said her goal is to make the Canadian National Team and ski on the World Cup circuit. “Nationals means a lot,” said Lambert, “It’s [provincial team athletes] only opportunity to compete with those top World Cup guys, so it’s really cool to see how you stack up against them.”
On the men’s side, Olympic Champion and three-time dual mogul World Champion Alex Bilodeau was the big winner. Gagnon was second and Marquis won the bronze.
Kingsbury opted not to compete in the dual mogul event today, stating that he and his coach decided he could use the rest after a very busy season.
Today’s event also wrapped up the Canada Cup. This year’s winners; based on results from Canadian Selections, Canadian Series events, Junior Nationals and Senior Nationals, are Lambert in the women’s division and Laurent Dumais in the men’s. This prestigious award recognizes the best young talent in Canada’s mogul field for 2013.
For full mogul National Championships results, go to https://freestyleski.com/wp/results/results-2012-13/. For the full Canadian Freestyle Team results for the 2013 season, visit https://freestyleski.com/wp/results/results-by-athlete/
Photo Courtesy of Freestyle Canada.
SnowOnline Editor: Lori Knowles
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Sochi: Seven Winter Sport Groups Join Forces to Raise Cash
Seven winter sport federations, including Alpine Canada, are joining forces to help generate more funding to send teams to Sochi for the next winter Olympics.
Alpine Canada, Canada Snowboard, Ski Jumping Canada, Nordic Combined Canada, Cross Country Canada, the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association and Biathlon Canada have come together to form what they’re calling a “sponsorship platform” designed to “capitalize on their collective successes and provide partners with a deeper value proposition and broader storytelling opportunity.”
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The Snow Sports Consortium has selected the TwentyTen Group as its agency of record to develop strategy and go to market to build a family of corporate partners. The firm has a proven record in strategic marketing and sponsorship, having secured more than $200 million in less than three years for its sponsor property clients.
Referring to Canada’s record of tremendous success in winter sport, Andrea J. Shaw, founder and managing partner of the TwentyTen Group, said, “The seven sports and their athletes who make up the Snow Sports Consortium epitomize Canada’s love of winter sport through exemplary effort and performance; for that reason their collective story offers an unprecedented marketing and communications channel for brands seeking deep and authentic conversations with Canadians. We are excited to be charged with helping to harness this opportunity.”
“Alpine Canada is excited to be part of this innovative new approach, which will provide great value to corporate partners,” said Max Gartner, president of Alpine Canada. “The Snow Sports Consortium’s ability to combine its impressive roster of athletes and the unique events we host will offer our partners something that hasn’t been available before in winter sports. Most importantly, we hope it will help Canada’s snow sports to provide consistent funding for generations to come and enable our young athletes to chase their dreams.”
Sharing this view is Cross Country Canada executive director Davin MacIntosh, who added, “There is no question financial partners are critical to delivering international medals. We look forward to working with our snow sport partners to attract additional corporate relationships that will not only continue to help our elite athletes achieve excellence, but will also allow the next generation of athletes to access the resources they need to realize their full potential.”
World Champion and multiple X Games gold medalist freestyle slopestyle skier Kaya Turski was equally optimistic about the benefits of collaboration. “I’m really happy to see the Canadian snow sports all coming together to increase awareness and support for our athletes. We have so much talent on the snow in this country, I hope this initiative will give corporate Canada the goods it needs to get behind our athletes and help us make our way to the top of the podium,” said the Montreal native.
The partnership with the TwentyTen Group extends through to the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Photo: Sam Mulligan courtesy of Alpine Canada.
SnowOnline Editor: Lori Knowles
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Powder Pic: Sun Peaks’ Bikinis for Breast Cancer
Under a perfect blue sky and spring sunshine, 14 participants skied, snowboarded or otherwise slid their way to raising $11,500 for breast cancer research at BC’s Sun Peaks last Saturday. As participants in the official “Bikinis for Breast Cancer” fundraiser, the brave women embarked down Tod Mountain in their bikini tops and snow pants to raise money and awareness for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Another Bikinis for Breast Cancer fundraiser will take place at Lake Louise on May 4, 2013.
Photo courtesy of Sun Peaks
SnowOnline Editor: Lori Knowles
