Hitting the Slopes
By AJA CARMICHAEL
October 24, 2006; Page D4
Amid several strong ski seasons, a number of airlines are pairing with hotel resorts to offer discounted deals in unlikely areas to nudge travelers to swish down slopes.
Last year's huge snowfall and 3.5% increase in ski visitors for the 2005-to-2006 ski season are leading to predictions of jam-packed resorts. A rush of deals offered by airlines and some resorts, however, demonstrates there's still room left for travelers.
According to the National Ski Areas Association in Lakewood, Colo., the low-cost deals are an effort to fill vacancies at the start of the season and between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. "Reservations are through the roof," says Michael Berry, president of the National Ski Areas Association. "Travelers will have to work very hard to find deals during the [Christmas] holiday weekend."
Some ski analysts say deals in the Northeast region are more likely as the area plans to rebound from a bad snow season, while the Pacific region begins to taper out deals as it recovered from bad weather in the 2004-to-2005 season.
Delta Air Lines is pairing with ski resorts in Canada and four major U.S. ski-tourism states. Among the promotions, SkyMiles members can earn 20% off lodging for a minimum five-night stay at the Big Sky Resort in Big Sky, Mont., plus one full day of skiing at the half-day rate. Stay Aspen Snowmass in Aspen is offering an extra day of skiing, riding or a third night free for travelers reserving two-day lodging and lift trips before Dec 1.
UAL Corp.'s United Airlines is promoting round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations and ski-lift tickets. Savings on vacation packages range from $50 on a trip totaling from $850 to $1,600 to $350 off reservations amounting to $5,000 or more.
AMR Corp.'s American Airlines cut ski-trip prices for the Lodge at Vail in Vail, Colo., Inn at Keystone in Keystone, Colo., and other resorts. For $1,620, two adults flying round-trip from Chicago can reserve a lodge for a five-night stay at the Lodge at Vail. At Keystone, two adults flying round-trip from Dallas can book a five-night stay in a suite for $1,408.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Friday, October 13, 2006
No charges in skier death at Telluride
No charges in skier death at Telluride
BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
October 12, 2006
MONTROSE — A grand jury has decided not to issue an indictment or report in the death of a 16-year-old boy who fell from a SnoCat snow groomer at Telluride Ski Resort.District Attorney Tom Raynes announced the grand jury’s decision Wednesday in the death of Brooks “Hoot” Brown in March.Mountain Village police have said Brown was among people riding on the back of a SnoCat operated by resort employee Aaron Apanel when Brown fell off and became tangled in its tracks. The machine wasn’t designed to carry passengers in the back.Police arrested Apanel on suspicion of criminally negligent homicide.Resort representatives did not immediately return calls seeking comment Wednesday on the grand jury’s decision not to indict anyone.Raynes said laws keeping grand-jury investigations secret prevented him from elaborating on the investigation.Mountain Village police investigator Robert Walraven said he respected the grand jury’s decision.“As the officer involved in the case, I’m obviously disappointed, based on the facts of the case, but I do respect their opinion. We’ve done everything we can for Hoot Brown in pursuing justice in his death,” he said.
BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
October 12, 2006
MONTROSE — A grand jury has decided not to issue an indictment or report in the death of a 16-year-old boy who fell from a SnoCat snow groomer at Telluride Ski Resort.District Attorney Tom Raynes announced the grand jury’s decision Wednesday in the death of Brooks “Hoot” Brown in March.Mountain Village police have said Brown was among people riding on the back of a SnoCat operated by resort employee Aaron Apanel when Brown fell off and became tangled in its tracks. The machine wasn’t designed to carry passengers in the back.Police arrested Apanel on suspicion of criminally negligent homicide.Resort representatives did not immediately return calls seeking comment Wednesday on the grand jury’s decision not to indict anyone.Raynes said laws keeping grand-jury investigations secret prevented him from elaborating on the investigation.Mountain Village police investigator Robert Walraven said he respected the grand jury’s decision.“As the officer involved in the case, I’m obviously disappointed, based on the facts of the case, but I do respect their opinion. We’ve done everything we can for Hoot Brown in pursuing justice in his death,” he said.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Tremblant - Condo booked
Now that we've all got flights booked, I went ahead and booked the condo since there were only a few of them left. We have a 2 bedroom suite at the Sommet des Neiges from Jan 11 to Jan 15. The unit has a King and two Queen beds, plus a sofa bed if Yuji (or someone) wants to join us as well. I also pre-purchased 3 day liftpasses for Andy, Sean and myself since we got 20% off for that. Check in time is 4:30 pm.
Great picture of the village
Our total is a little confusing but is approximately $490 USD for lodging/skiing. It will be less if another person comes along and inhabits SofaCity, but we're fine either way. Once I figure out how to interpret the bill (8 different taxes, and it's not clear what applies to what) I will provide a precise billing number. I'd like to get that sum (what it may be) by November 5.
I'm assuming Andy can convoy to Tremblant with Sean, and back with me and Jenn. Presumably we'll have two rental cars.
Great picture of the village
Our total is a little confusing but is approximately $490 USD for lodging/skiing. It will be less if another person comes along and inhabits SofaCity, but we're fine either way. Once I figure out how to interpret the bill (8 different taxes, and it's not clear what applies to what) I will provide a precise billing number. I'd like to get that sum (what it may be) by November 5.
I'm assuming Andy can convoy to Tremblant with Sean, and back with me and Jenn. Presumably we'll have two rental cars.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Tremblant Summary
Here's the current plan, which is now booked. This is updated as of Tuesday Jan 9
Dates:
Jan 11 Thursday evening -- flight / drive to Tremblant
Jan 12 Friday -- ski and have fun
Jan 13 Saturday -- ski and have even more fun
Jan 14 Sunday -- lather , rinse , repeat
Jan 15 Monday afternoon -- drive / flight back home after brunch
Most of us will need to schedule Jan 12 as a holiday; but most employers offer Jan 15 off.
Travel:
Jenn and I have booked airline tickets (using FF miles on AA). If you want to convoy with us, drop me a line and we may be able to coordinate on that. For those considering using miles, I suggest you check your carriers web site and put a hold on reward seats. Reward seats are scarce around holiday weekends. SPAM has discovered a company that does bus transfers from Montreal to Tremblant; it takes about 2 hours and costs about 90 USD roundtrip with 3-4 scheduled trips per day. The airport is too far away, and the holiday too short, for casually ferrying people back/forth from the mountain/airport like we have done on some Western trips.
Directions:
Link to the blog post about this Blog link to Directions
Flights:
I am leaving JFK on 1/11 at 7:50 pm arriving at Trudeau at 9:20 pm. I am leaving Trudeau on 1/15 at 2:10 pm arriving at JFK at 3:48 pm. SPAM has also booked his flights; he is arriving at Montreal on 1/11 at 3:45 pm and departing from Montreal on 1/15 at 11:25 am. We three are all on American Airlines. Andy arrives on 1/11 at 3:15 pm and leaves on 1/15 at 6:15 pm via AirCanada. It would look like Sean and Guano can convoy together at least from Montreal to Tremblant, and Andy return with Jennifer and I.
Car Rental: I've booked a rental car at the airport from Jan 11 to Jan 15. We are assuming we are dropping off Andy on the way back.
Lodging:
We have booked a ski in / ski out , fireplace & hot tub equipped condo in the pedestrian village. You can take a look at their virtual tour here : Tremblant Condo
A two bedroom suite will fit our small group well, and that link should have all the amenities the property offers. As of October 10, we have now booked this.
Costs:
Update -- I spoke with Tremblant central reservations last week. They have only 4 of the K+2Q's Condo's left. In awe of Guano's ability to drink/rant, they are offering a "DingDong" promotion for January bookings paid for before November 15. Basically if you book more than 3 nights, you get 20% off the lodging plus 20% off lift tickets if you prebuy 2 of those for 3 days. They quoted me:
Lodging only regular rate (all in but in CAD): 1890 CAD
Lodging plus 3 adult 3 day lift passes: 1516 CAD lodging + 480 for 3 passes = 1996CAD (!) because of discount. Each extra pass is 161 CAD, an ok deal too.
Basically the second deal is a lay up unless you can't book by November 15. The lady stated that Sommnet des Nieges was a little more spacious / modern compared to the Modern la Montaigne we were also considering, but that both were good. If we all got 3 days passes, probably not needed, it would be about $485 USD per person for lodging / passes, assuming we have 4 attendees. That's ok for 4 nights lodging / 3 days skiing.
Important Information for US Travelers
For US guests who will be traveling by air after January 23, 2007, we remind you of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) implemented by the United States Department of Homeland Security and Department of State. The WHTI requires all travelers, including U.S. citizens, to present a valid passport or other document, or a combination of documents that denote identity and citizenship when entering the United States.
TRAVELING BY AIR: Starting January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document.
TRAVELING BY LAND OR SEA: Good news! If you plan to cross the US border by land or sea, including ferries, you do not require documentation until January 1, 2008.
APPLYING FOR A US PASSPORT: U.S. citizens can visit the State Department's travel website at http://www.travel.state.gov/ or call the National Passport Information Center at 1.877.487.2778; TDD/TTY: 1.888.874.7793 for information about applying for a passport.
Next Steps:
Drop us a line and/or put a hold on some flights. Everyone has paid and I will be issuing partial refunds to Andy and Sean.
Status:
Lodging, Flights, and Lifts are booked. If you are interested let us know feel free to join us by booking a room in an adjoining property. We can advise on that; Tremblant is good value in general.
Links to whet your appetite:
First Tracks on Tremblant
Ski mag on Tremblant
Revisiting Tremblant
Whistler of the East
If you look in your newest SKI magazine, you'll see that Tremblant was voted #1 in the East, which it seems to regular hover around.
I look forward to seeing you, and getting up in the north country.
Arv
Dates:
Jan 11 Thursday evening -- flight / drive to Tremblant
Jan 12 Friday -- ski and have fun
Jan 13 Saturday -- ski and have even more fun
Jan 14 Sunday -- lather , rinse , repeat
Jan 15 Monday afternoon -- drive / flight back home after brunch
Most of us will need to schedule Jan 12 as a holiday; but most employers offer Jan 15 off.
Travel:
Jenn and I have booked airline tickets (using FF miles on AA). If you want to convoy with us, drop me a line and we may be able to coordinate on that. For those considering using miles, I suggest you check your carriers web site and put a hold on reward seats. Reward seats are scarce around holiday weekends. SPAM has discovered a company that does bus transfers from Montreal to Tremblant; it takes about 2 hours and costs about 90 USD roundtrip with 3-4 scheduled trips per day. The airport is too far away, and the holiday too short, for casually ferrying people back/forth from the mountain/airport like we have done on some Western trips.
Directions:
Link to the blog post about this Blog link to Directions
Flights:
I am leaving JFK on 1/11 at 7:50 pm arriving at Trudeau at 9:20 pm. I am leaving Trudeau on 1/15 at 2:10 pm arriving at JFK at 3:48 pm. SPAM has also booked his flights; he is arriving at Montreal on 1/11 at 3:45 pm and departing from Montreal on 1/15 at 11:25 am. We three are all on American Airlines. Andy arrives on 1/11 at 3:15 pm and leaves on 1/15 at 6:15 pm via AirCanada. It would look like Sean and Guano can convoy together at least from Montreal to Tremblant, and Andy return with Jennifer and I.
Car Rental: I've booked a rental car at the airport from Jan 11 to Jan 15. We are assuming we are dropping off Andy on the way back.
Lodging:
We have booked a ski in / ski out , fireplace & hot tub equipped condo in the pedestrian village. You can take a look at their virtual tour here : Tremblant Condo
A two bedroom suite will fit our small group well, and that link should have all the amenities the property offers. As of October 10, we have now booked this.
Costs:
Update -- I spoke with Tremblant central reservations last week. They have only 4 of the K+2Q's Condo's left. In awe of Guano's ability to drink/rant, they are offering a "DingDong" promotion for January bookings paid for before November 15. Basically if you book more than 3 nights, you get 20% off the lodging plus 20% off lift tickets if you prebuy 2 of those for 3 days. They quoted me:
Lodging only regular rate (all in but in CAD): 1890 CAD
Lodging plus 3 adult 3 day lift passes: 1516 CAD lodging + 480 for 3 passes = 1996CAD (!) because of discount. Each extra pass is 161 CAD, an ok deal too.
Basically the second deal is a lay up unless you can't book by November 15. The lady stated that Sommnet des Nieges was a little more spacious / modern compared to the Modern la Montaigne we were also considering, but that both were good. If we all got 3 days passes, probably not needed, it would be about $485 USD per person for lodging / passes, assuming we have 4 attendees. That's ok for 4 nights lodging / 3 days skiing.
Important Information for US Travelers
For US guests who will be traveling by air after January 23, 2007, we remind you of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) implemented by the United States Department of Homeland Security and Department of State. The WHTI requires all travelers, including U.S. citizens, to present a valid passport or other document, or a combination of documents that denote identity and citizenship when entering the United States.
TRAVELING BY AIR: Starting January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document.
TRAVELING BY LAND OR SEA: Good news! If you plan to cross the US border by land or sea, including ferries, you do not require documentation until January 1, 2008.
APPLYING FOR A US PASSPORT: U.S. citizens can visit the State Department's travel website at http://www.travel.state.gov/ or call the National Passport Information Center at 1.877.487.2778; TDD/TTY: 1.888.874.7793 for information about applying for a passport.
Next Steps:
Drop us a line and/or put a hold on some flights. Everyone has paid and I will be issuing partial refunds to Andy and Sean.
Status:
Lodging, Flights, and Lifts are booked. If you are interested let us know feel free to join us by booking a room in an adjoining property. We can advise on that; Tremblant is good value in general.
Links to whet your appetite:
First Tracks on Tremblant
Ski mag on Tremblant
Revisiting Tremblant
Whistler of the East
If you look in your newest SKI magazine, you'll see that Tremblant was voted #1 in the East, which it seems to regular hover around.
I look forward to seeing you, and getting up in the north country.
Arv
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