Particularly hard hit are the Northeast and European ski resorts. The New York Times did a survey of some of the New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Vermont ski resorts and found that some have delayed the start of their skiing season, or just have a few of their runs in operation because of the warmer than usual December weather. Global warming and a weak El Nino system in the Pacific may be the cause for these warmer temperatures, according to some meteorologists.
The European Alps in the glamorous Gstat and St. Moritz in Switzerland, Val d¹Isere in France and Austria¹s Kitzbuhel and Innsbruck are experiencing record warmth this year. Historians reported that the Alps are the warmest they have been in 1,250 years and predict that a few more degrees could bring about the demise of the historic Alpine resorts because of too little snow and real cold weather for snowmaking. This may be the year to head for the western slopes where there has been record-breaking snow falls.
The best three ski resorts out of the 50 named by Forbes Magazine are Big Sky in Montana; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; and Squaw Valley USA, California. Montana¹s Big Sky Resort is in southwest Montana and has 3,600 acres suitable for wonderful uncrowded skiing. The scenery can only be described as awesome with pristine snow covered Rocky Mountain peaks and the winter greenery of the Gallatin National Forest. The annual snowfall measures 400 inches or more than 33 feet of talcum-like dry snow. Black Diamond skiers look forward to the challenge of the 4,350-foot vertical drop from the 11,166-foot summit of the Matterhorn-like Lone Peak Mountain. I believe this is the second steepest to Snowmass, Colorado. But intermediate skiers do have half of Big Sky¹s more than 150 trails to enjoy without having to deal with long lift lines. There is little to equal the beauty of the miles of untracked cross-country ski trails. The late newscaster Chet Huntley is responsible for the development of this area as the #1 Ski Resort. He purchased much of what is now known as Big Sky Mountain and Meadow Village in 1960 and started development of the first Alpine ski area and residences, which opened for skiing in 1976.
Jackson Hole in Wyoming, rated #2, started as a fur-trading cow town at the bottom of the ³American Alps,² and got the name Œhole¹ because it is actually a 48-mile long high, enclosed mountain valley with the most magnificent scenery and wildlife of the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. It has become a tourist town and is reminiscent to me of the Alaskan towns of Juneau and Ketchikan with their planked boardwalks and old storefronts. Skiing and snow-shoeing are extremely popular during the winter months in the three major ski resorts. The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is also known for its 4,139 feet vertical drop. However, there are over 2,500 acres of skiable terrain and 38 challenging runs for the intermediate and novice skiers. For a respite from the slopes, the Fish and Wildlife Service in Jackson Hole offer up-close glimpses of the largest herd of migrating elk in North America via a horse-drawn sleigh ride from mid-December through March since Jackson Hole was designated the National Elk Refuge.
Coming in third of the 50 choice ski destinations is Squaw Valley USA in California¹s Lake Tahoe region. Last winter was one of the snowiest in Squaw Valley history with a season total of 628 inches. The plummeting temperatures and sporadic autumn snowfalls serve as constant reminders that Mother Nature will continue to grace Squaw Valley with ideal skiing conditions. Another innovation for Squaw Valley, this winter will be the placement of plasma TVs in the base camp and on-mountain locations where skiers and snowboarders will be able to view real time lift updates, conditions, weather, upcoming event info, and other useful tips. Also new this season is Squaw Sessions, a ski and snowboard program that will teach teens the tricks of the trade in terrain park skiing and riding. Squaw Valley has 4,000 acres of legendary terrain, 6 peaks, 16 open bowls, 170 plus trails and 3 terrain parks, a great pedestrian village and 300 days of warm California sunshine. Who could ask for anything more inviting?
Copyright 2006 by Marcia Abramson
E-mail: mascribe@verizon.net
