Fri, 09 May 2008 08:28:01 -0500 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/ First Tracks!! Online Ski Magazine en-us http://www.firsttracksonline.com/images/logo3.jpg http://www.firsttracksonline.com/ webmaster@FirstTracksOnline.com http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4462 Whistler (BC), Canada - The U.S. Disabled Cross Country Ski Team is training on the 2010 Paralympic cross country skiing venue at the Whistler Olympic Park in the Callaghan Valley this week. It is the Team's first time on the trails where they hope to win Paralympic medals two years from now. Fri, 09 May 2008 08:28:01 -0500 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4461 McLean, VA - The ski and snowboard retail equipment market grew by $280 million to reach $2.97 billion for the 2007-08 winter season, up from approximately $2.69 billion in all channels last season. Equipment sales were relatively flat in specialty shops and chain stores but increased by more than $40 million in online sales, according to figures released this week by SnowSports Industries America (SIA). Fri, 09 May 2008 08:23:31 -0500 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4460 Aspen, CO - The Winter X Games will be held January 22-25, 2009 at Colorado's Aspen/Snowmass ski and snowboard resort, organizers announced today. The annual event features athletes from across the globe competing for medals and prize money in the following sports: Skiing, Snowboard and Snowmobile. Wed, 07 May 2008 13:47:34 -0500 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4459 Windham, NY - Joan Oldknow has been hired as Windham Mountain’s new communications manager. In many ways, it’s been a homecoming for her. Wed, 07 May 2008 13:41:10 -0500 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4458 Snowbird, UT - With more than 11 feet of snow on the ground at mid-mountain, Utah's Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort announced today that it will extend its ski season into June and possibly beyond. Wed, 07 May 2008 13:27:24 -0500 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4457 Whistler (BC), Canada - After a snowy six month hiatus, construction on Whistler Blackcomb’s new $51 million CAN Peak 2 Peak Gondola has resumed, with completion of the record breaking ski lift slated for this December, just before the busy winter season swings into high gear. Wed, 07 May 2008 13:20:35 -0500 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4456 Park City, UT - Olympian and U.S. champion Libby Ludlow (Seattle, WA) has retired after 10 years of competition with the U.S. Ski Team, according to Alpine Director Jesse Hunt. Ludlow, who accomplished her many successes during one of the strongest decades in U.S. skiing history, said she was proud of her accomplishments on the Team and looked forward to her future. Tue, 06 May 2008 14:04:17 -0500 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4454 Telluride, CO - Telluride Ski Resort will for the first time next winter provide lift access to Revelation Bowl, increasing the Colorado ski area's vertical drop to nearly 4,000 vertical feet, one of the tallest in the U.S. This above-treeline terrain, located directly off the back side of Telluride's Gold Hill and Chair 14, will be served by a new Leitner-Poma quad chairlift. Tue, 06 May 2008 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4455 North Creek, NY - Just two short weeks after the end of a banner 2007-08 ski and snowboard season, components of a new quad chairlift have already arrived and Gore Mountain ski area is in full swing preparing for this fall's opening of the Burnt Ridge Mountain Expansion. Tue, 06 May 2008 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4453 Peru, VT - John Cueman, President of Vermont's Bromley Mountain ski area announced that he would be changing roles at Bromley and turning over the reins of President to Richard Wiseman, formally General Manager of Camelback Ski Area in Pennsylvania. Cueman will assume a new position as Vice President of Real Estate Planning for Bromley. Mon, 05 May 2008 08:18:52 -0500 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4452 Squaw Valley, CA - To celebrate the 2007-08 ski and snowboard season, Lake Tahoe's Squaw Valley ski resort is hosting a Reggae Pool Party at the mountaintop Swimming Lagoon & Spa from on Saturday, May 10. Mon, 05 May 2008 08:12:34 -0500 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4451 Mammoth Lakes, CA - Chaz Guldemond continued his winning streak Saturday by taking first place and $10,000 in the rider-judged West Coast Invitational (WCI) Rail Jam at the Village at Mammoth Mountain. Guldemond performed a variety of tricks on his way to defeating a field of 18 of the world’s best snowboarders that included Lucas Magoon, Scotty Vine, Cameron Pierce, Darrell Mathes and others. This win followed his rider-awarded $5,000 first place win at the Vans Fiesta de la Pipa at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area on Friday. Mon, 05 May 2008 08:09:34 -0500 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4449 Girdwood, AK - Alyeska Resort announced this week that Michael Flynn has been selected as Food and Beverage Director of the Alaska ski and snowboard resort in Girdwood, south of Anchorage. Flynn has been working as a consultant to improve the overall hospitality service levels and will begin his new position as Food and Beverage Director immediately. Sat, 03 May 2008 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4450 Squaw Valley, CA - There is a girl who needs your help. Her name is Maddison Page, she has cancer, and she has been given three months to live. She is 21 years old. Sat, 03 May 2008 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4446 Alta, UT - It happened at the very end of Alta’s snowfall measuring for this ski season on Thursday. Fri, 02 May 2008 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4447 Warren, VT - Sugarbush officials have confirmed that the Vermont ski resort will reopen for skiing and snowboarding this Saturday...and possibly Sunday as well. Fri, 02 May 2008 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4448 Red Deer (AB), Canada - The Canadian Freestyle Ski Association and the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame & Museum have announced that World Cup mogulist Jennifer Heil will be inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame. Fri, 02 May 2008 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4445 Queenstown, New Zealand - All major earthworks are now completed on The Stash terrain park at New Zealand's The Remarkables, and work has begun on creating the features, including a trapezoid feature, unique to the kilometer-long ski run. Fri, 02 May 2008 03:00:00 -0500 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4444 Queenstown, New Zealand - Snowfall overnight and off and on Friday has blanketed New Zealand's Southern Alps, leaving skiers, snowboarders and mountain crews buzzing with anticipation for the ski season ahead. Fri, 02 May 2008 01:30:00 -0500 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4443 Phoenix, AZ - Nate Roberts (Park City, UT) might have put his skis up for the summer, but he's dusted off the golf clubs and is ready for competition May 7-10 when he competes in the Phoenix Celebrity Classic golf tournament. Thu, 01 May 2008 08:13:29 -0500 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4442 Park City, UT - Six former and current athletes have been elected by their peers to serve on the board of directors of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association. The six athletes, including one returning board member, will be seated at the upcoming USSA Congress May 15-18. Thu, 01 May 2008 08:09:05 -0500 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4441 McCall, ID - The spirit of winter is carrying well into May this year at Brundage Mountain Resort. The Idaho ski area has received another six inches of fresh snow this week, allowing a final extension of lift operations for Saturday, May 10th. Thu, 01 May 2008 08:07:15 -0500 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4440 Kellogg, ID - Perhaps it won't be long before we start spotting cars sporting "Surf Idaho" bumper stickers. Thu, 01 May 2008 08:02:35 -0500 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4439 Beijing, China - According to the China Ski Association, the total number of ski visits in China increased by 109% to over 4 million between 1999 and 2004. The number is expected to increase to 10 million by 2010. Capturing this opportunity, Melco China Resorts (MCR), a division of Hong Kong's Melco International Development Limited and the largest ski operator in China, is transforming five existing ski areas in the northeastern provinces of Heilongjiang and Jilin into year-round luxury mountain resorts. The company has plans to secure additional ski areas and develop further resorts in the coming years. Thu, 01 May 2008 07:55:16 -0500 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4437 Jay, VT - Vermont's Jay Peak Resort on Tuesday made it official: there will be lift serviced skiing and snowboarding in Vermont into May. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:00:00 -0500