I attended this years Toronto Ski and Snowboard Show www.torontoskishow.ca in its new location at the International Centre in Mississauga. It is an annual event and opportunity to reconnect with snow industry friends and learn about the latest technological and mountain updates. I was disappointed that the freestyle ski performances were not happening on the Sunday when I attended as I tried to bring two young skiers along.
As a ski instructor the show gave me a chance to learn about the updates on the mountains and the new wide platform skis. What used to be seen as wide powder skis are now used for all terrain skiing. Interesting innovation. On the mountain side, I realized that in order to stay competitive, resorts need to keep improving and expanding to attract the interest of the more aggressive and educated riders. The You Tube videos of off piste skiing has pushed the resorts to increase their skiable terrain and access some really cool new places. Top of my lists of mountains that are pushing the boundaries is Red Mounatin www.redresort.com in Rossland BC, and Whitewater www.skiwhitewater.com in Nelson BC voted as number 1 Ski Towns by Powder magazine in 2012. I was blown away with the new development at Red with the addition of Grey and Granite Mountain. Combine these additions that with the famed Big Red Cats www.bigredcatskiing.com snowcat skiing, with 20,000 acres of trees and glades skiing in the best Kootenay snow on the planet, and you have an awesome destination. I have been told the restaurants in Nelson rock, and the vibe in Rossland is very friendly.
Other impressive expansions can be found at Jackson Hole in Wyoming, and Sun Peaks in BC. One of my favourite area though is Ski Utah www.skiutah.com with the most outstanding collection of challenging mountains nestled next to a great city that allows the least expensive accommodation for the proximity to ski the greatest resorts. The Utah resorts include Snowbird, Alta, Solitude, Park City, Canyons, Brighton etc. and they are all a free shuttle bus ride from the inexpensive motels at the base of Little Cottonwood Canyon.
I appreciated the information sharing that people are so willing to enjoy. As one salesperson at the Rossignol Dynastar booth said, the snow show is like a party for skiers and boarders before the snow falls. The trick is to get that vibe across to the kids.Travelling the booths was fun as you met people home grown from each state.
The coolest technological invention of the year goes to is www.liftopia.com a site that allows skiers and riders the opportunity to buy lift tickets from the major resorts at a substantial discount if you purchase in advance. Check it out.
Looking forward to a great 2013 ski season.
Pray for Snow,
The Adventure Guy
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