Whistler Blackcomb Launches WB+
A new app for your smartphone from BC’s Whistler Blackcomb — WB+ — allows skiers and riders a chance to track their stats, collect badges, compare vertical, even win a 2016-2017 season pass.
Heli- and Cat-Skiing in BC
Today there are more than 40-plus heli- and cat-skiing operations on the deep powder slopes of British Columbia — a pursuit that started a half century ago in Canada’s Kootenay Rockies. Here’s a thorough list:
Resorts Reach Milestones
Unlike skiers, ski resorts get better with age. Take Whistler Blackcomb and Jackson Hole, for instance. Both mountains are celebrating the big Five-O this winter. (Hmm, the author still has his Whistler Mountain 25th anniversary pass around somewhere – seems like just yesterday, in fact). And Mt. Norquay? 90!
Welcome To Whistler
Tag along with Edith Rosza as she traces the origins of Whistler Village, from its humble beginnings in the 1970s to its expansion as a world-class ski resort. Highlights include skiing, outdoor skating, shopping, fabulous dining, and, of course, the Olympic Plaza, a legacy of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Front Side Beauties: Blizzard Quattro Is Back!
When I first clicked into Blizzard’s soon-to-be frontside line of skis, I was a bit nervous. I’d been inundated with the details and nuances of the art and science of constructing a high-quality ski the previous day at a media launch in Nurnberg, Germany, where the Blizzard team hinted that these skis could be a game-changer – not just for the company, but for all front-side rippers. The marketing line that stuck with me was “Make your Mark” with the obvious suggestion that this ski will help you carve out some beautiful trenches to admire on your next chairlift upload.
Performance Vision
Low light. Moving at high speeds. Keeping your eye on a target when thrown off balance. In this segment, Canada's high-performance mogul skiers visit high-performance eye specialists to perfect their performance vision.
Gagnon Lands on Slalom World Cup Podium
In foggy and snow covered Crans Montana this week, Marie-Michèle Gagnon put down a pair of great runs to land herself on the podium for the first time in a Word Cup slalom race since 2012. Gagnon of Lac-Etchemin, Que., has had four top 10 finishes in slalom this season, including this third place finish.
It May be Cold, But Freeskier Maxence Parrot is Hot
Spectators and athletes came in droves last weekend to the Urban Jamboree in Quebec City. Fresh from winning gold at the World Cup in Fenway, Boston, Quebec's Maxence Parrot continued his momentum the following night in front of a home crowd, riding to the top of the podium after performing the most impressive jump in the history of Big Air in Québec: a Backside Triple Cork 1440° Mute Grab. READ MORE
After-Dark Winter Adventures in Grey County
Ontario’s Grey County — home of Blue Mountain — has come together to create a selection of after-dark winter adventure experiences, including guided night snowshoe hikes through the scenic caves, skating under the stars, Nordic skiing by moonlight, and of course, night skiing at Blue Mountain. READ MORE
Remember Blackcomb When…
This week we look back at the beginnings of Blackcomb Mountain, a BC resort known for its wide open glaciers and long falline groomers. Whistler/Blackcomb is one gigantic snow resort now, but through the 1980s and ‘90s Blackcomb was on its own, a young upstart in fierce competition with its rival, Whistler Mountain.