Photos by Henry Georgi Fernie (BC), Canada –Combine exceptional powder, exceptional terrain, exceptional food and exceptional service, and you have Island Lake Lodge. Island Lake Lodge is perhaps the most famous snowcat skiing operation in Canada. A couple of outfits in the Selkirk Mountains are older, but Island Lake, founded by Scot Schmidt and the … Continue reading Powder Island (Lake)
Photos by Marc Guido Six warm, snowless months have passed. The leaves have fallen from the trees, and the first stretches of cold weather have come to the northeastern United States. On the Internet, ski-related chat rooms, message boards and listservs are busy with the buzz of the dawning winter season. Ski swaps, pre-season shop … Continue reading Early Season, O.K.
Truckee, CA – Every ski resort has a Dark Side. You know, that trail sends shivers up your spine, starts your knees knocking, and makes you wish you had hit the restroom more recently. Some resorts feature the Dark Side prominently: the Front Four at Stowe, Paradise at Mad River Glen, Alf’s High Rustler at … Continue reading Northstar at Tahoe: In Search Of the Dark Side
Cortland, NY – When the lake-effect snow cranks up off Lakes Ontario or Erie, work in New York’s Southern Tier ends early, and the rest of the day is spent choking on powder turns in a blinding blizzard into the night under the lights of Greek Peak. Dinner is a Power Bar, or waits until … Continue reading Greek Peak: Central N.Y. Skiing As Good As It Gets
Lake Placid, NY – What makes a perfect family ski vacation? Is it a mountain large and diverse enough to satisfy all abilities, preferences and choices? Or, is it a quaint village with historical values, a feeling of remote tranquility, invariably warm and hospitable locals, and a festive atmosphere? Perhaps it’s an ample choice of … Continue reading Lake Placid: Family-Friendly Olympic Heritage
Avoriaz, France – Perched atop of an enormous cliff only an hour and a half from Geneva airport, the custom built village of Avoriaz is a unique skiing and snowboarding destination with an atmosphere all of its own. The unique architecture of the wooden buildings make this a strangely compelling place to visit, and the … Continue reading Avoriaz: The World’s Largest International Linked Ski Resort
Courchevel, France – “Have an espresso. It’s quite good.” This sage advice came from Skip King, an old friend and the American press attaché for the Courchevel Tourist Office. He had just flown in from Boston, and he didn’t look much better than I felt. A nine-hour overnight flight from Miami had brought me here … Continue reading Coeur de Courchevel
