Headline News
Here comes the latest news...Alaska style.
We wade through the news to find the gems that will help you plan your adventure travel vacations.
Mad River Glen Dedicates Restored Single Chair, Gets Poached by Snowboarders
Loyal Mad River Glen skiers gathered Dec. 15, 2007, to dedicate its newly restored Single Chair. At the last minute, they were joined by a large group of snowboarders who hiked up the mountain to poach this iconic ski area that bans snowboarding.
All in all, it turned out to be a respectful event as skiers and snowboarders greeted each other, snowboarders passed out donuts and drinks to the crowd, and MRG marketing guru Eric Friedman passed out trail maps to the snowboarders and encouraged them to become shareholders so they could help shape the ski area's future.
The poach, organized by Burton Snowboards founder Jake Burton, came on the heels of an announcement the day before from Taos, which has decided to end a longtime ban and open its resort to snowboarders beginning March 19, 2008. The snowboarders, dressed in white tyvek suits with "Mad River Glen: Poach It If You Can" stickers on them, held up signs saying such things as "Listen to Taos," "Ride It If You Can," "We Love Snow" and "MRG Is For Lovers."
Taos Changes 'No Snowboarding' Policy, Opens to Riders Beginning Mid-March 2008
For years, snowboarders have tried to convince Taos Ski Valley, N.M., to allow them to ride its famous terrain. Last Friday the resort announced that beginning March 19, 2008, it will lift its longtime ban on snowboarding...for good.
The announcement comes at a time when Taos is seeing the best opening-day snow conditions in three decades. Taos officials said they decided to wait until the end of the season to lift the ban as a consideration for those skiers who already bought season passes based on the expectation that there would be no snowboards on the mountain.
Taos has launched a new snowboarding website, www.ridetaos.org, to address the change in policy. The front page of this website announces: "For a long time the discussion has been more focused on when we would open, and we feel like now is the right time. Taos has a longstanding tradition of being family oriented, and now with so many young people snowboarding, we are turning away more and more families, particularly families that traditionally come to Taos."
Magic Mountain Debuts 'Touring Tuesdays' and 'Earn Your Turns' Uphill Access
If you pass a skier or snowboarder going the wrong way (uphill) at Magic Mountain, Vt., don’t be alarmed! Magic Mountain will be embracing uphill traffic via telemark, alpine touring (also called AT or randonee), and split board snowboards for the 2007/08 season and well into the future. Magic will be offering guided introductory tours, limited rentals and free access to the mountain for anyone willing to “earn their turns." In addition, those who wish to tour on their own are welcome to do so at any time, no lift ticket necessary as long as you don't use the lift.
Magic’s classic trails and glades, as well as the backcountry possibilities on the backside of the mountain, make Magic the perfect location to take up this growing segment of skiing and snowboarding.
Starting Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008, Magic Mountain will begin its "Touring Tuesdays" series. The program will continue through the season as long as the snow conditions permit it.
Editorial
Officials Restrict Winter Access to Big Jay: Backcountry Enthusiasts Should Respect Restrictions, Get Involved to Change Policy
For those of us who planned to ski Big Jay by accessing it off the back of Jay Peak Ski Resort, Vt., this could be our winter of discontent.
The popular "backcountry gate" has been closed for the 2007/08 winter season to prevent skiers and riders from taking the ridge trail that leads from the resort to Big Jay. While it's the resort that has closed the gate, it's being done in cooperation with The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, the Green Mountain Club (GMC), and the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board.
The closure is in response to an illegal ski trail that was cut during the summer on Big Jay, which is part of a conservation easement. While skiers and riders will not be allowed to access the peak directly from the resort, backcountry enthusiasts can still skin or snowshoe up Big Jay from Route 242 and ski or ride down. However, the state warns that skiers and riders will not be permitted on the illegally cut trail and the cutting of any vegetation in this area will not be permitted and will be strictly enforced.
The closing off of access from the resort has riled a lot of backcountry enthusiasts who feel that they are being punished as a whole because of the actions of two people, who were subsequently arrested and are now facing criminal charges. That may be true, but let's try to look at the big picture for a moment.
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