Maui Ski Bus

On top of the World...Snowbird style

Sugar cane once covered thousands of acres land all over Hawaiian Islands and with demise of the sugar cane industry, it has been a boom to the mountain bike industry. The World Championship Mountainbike Triathlon is held here and I have participated every year since 1996. I am fortunate to have great bike riding right behind my house and my red macaw parrot “Hi’ilani”, loves to ride with me on my shoulder. We have done four hour rides, been caught in massive tropical rain storms, and were even able to ride the same  race course that Lance Armstrong called “a death march”. He softly bites on my cheek when I go too fast on rough downhills and gets areo when we can go fast safely. Hi’ilani the Maui Mountain Bike Parrot would love to do the Bird.

The Bird, no need to use the first four letters of this resort. Concrete is the building material choice due to the massive avalanche problem. If you stay here, no need an alarm clock, you’ll wake up to boom-boom, the howlitzer of the AM. Good skiers watch the great skiers and only wish to be. Every run could be a race, that is race the tram, from top to bottom, 8 minutes of burn down faces known all over the world. Moguls are really not known here too well, as once they start, two feet of fresh will bury. Locals that have skied here twenty years are still new, as this mountains has its dedicated crowd of mature skiers. Wanna soar, do the Bird.

Then there is the Cliff Club, right at the base of the tram, right at the heart of of the snow, that snow, that snow of the Bird. Do the Bird then do the Spa, then bag the drive home and stay for the morning boom-boom. This will be the smartest move of your ski career, as Little Cottonwood Canyon will be closed, and you will have that pow to yourself. Try to be nice to the lifties on these days, as they want to be in your boots, not sitting you on the chair to get the first runs. The Bird has a first name, just realize that your skis will not utter it to you, will keep it to themselves, will be buried happily under it all day, the white flakes of the Bird.

MauiSkiBus making friends with the ski patrol at Snowbird

Jason Dyer of Snowbasin...the host with the most

In 1980, I was able to attend the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid and lived in the back of a van that I had built to be insulated and warm. My first day there, I met a man that was setting up lights for the light show he was to put on for the awards ceremony on Mirror Lake. Eric Heiden won five medals there in speed skating, Liechenstein was well represented, and of course, the Miracle on Ice, the Americans against the Russians in the semi-finals. These were just some of the highlights that I was able to see directly or have exposure to. The snow however was not the highlight, as snow had to be trucked in for many of the ski events.

Jason said this could be my ski locker on our next isit to Snowbasin

Powder Mountain 7000+ skiiable acres!!!

Haleakala, Big Bear, Kingsbury, Brianhead, Leadville, Vail Pass, Loveland Pass, Berthoud Pass, Red Mountain, Molas Pass, Little Cottonwood, and Big Cottonwood all have one thing in common. Steep up and steep down. Some are more scary, some were driven with a dedicated slow lane, some had no guardrails, and some were driven at night. None of them were close to ski resort #33, one resort with a name that most skiers dream about. So steep, some turn around Der Pow.

Utah has that snow, that snow that is dry, that is deep, that comes from a salt lake, but is as fresh as fresh snow comes. Powder, yes skiers want powder, and Powder Mountain delivers. Far up a steep canyon, past Eden, on the way to SkiHeaven, is Powder Mtn., with the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Ski Patrol taking control of the constant avalanche danger. 7,000 plus acres of no man’s land, 7,000 acres of get lost snow, 7,000 acres of where is anybody. Wanna Cat Ski, forego the beer/burger and bust it loose with the same cash on the Cat to Big Kash Bowl. Take a mirror, cuz looking into it will be the only person you will see.

Want fancy, no way, as this is skiing, not a look at  me ski hill. Need company in the chairlift line, sorry, the lift operators have time to BBQ. Backcountry is a common word here, “Where am I?” a common statement, and the staff is so dedicated, there is a grave set aside for them. Ange Illum, marketing manager for Powder Mtn., has the energy to light the fireplace hot, Alicia, the blond pig tailed mountain guide will greet you with a smile, and the head ski patroller, Keith, will share George Carlin level jokes. Who has heard of Powder Mountain? Not many, and that is the way the locals here want it.

“What is MauiSkiBus.com?”, was asked to me by, well it was Brandi. You know, Brandi the ski bumette, the Leadville mountain biker, the www.mountainluxury.com broker, the Mom to three, the lady to Les, the cookie baker to Steve. Such a great place Powder Mountain is, that MauiSkiBus.com got invited to dinner, some electric to share, and those cookies, by Brandi Hammon, just a regular Eve of a lady in  Eden. One should go ski Powder Mtn. knowing that something like this will happen, that you will have some magic in your day at the top of that steep hill past Eden, in Powder’s Mtn. Powder Country.

Powder Mountains cat drop deal only $18 bucks to Big Kash Bowl

Contact MauiSkiBus.com at mauistyl@maui.net

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www.powdermountain.com

Brandi Hammon www.mountainluxury.com

Good friend Steve Beck gave MauiSkiBus a tour of Canyons

This idea to attempt to ski 100 different resorts came about in December 2010, as I watched storm after storm after storm dump a tremendous amount of perfect fresh powder on numerous ski resorts in the western USA/Canada. I wanted to leave Maui, but had recently started a new position at the Westin Villas Maui and my boss dude, Randy, said no way as far as getting time off. My frustration to ski built as I observed the ski resorts reporting record amounts of early season snow. A frustrated ski bum living on a tropical island decided to can work and be a tropical ski bum the winter of 2011/2012. I can be the world’s best tropical ski bum!

A storm equal to any from the winter of 2010/2011 hit the Canyons of Park City and the snow conditions were excellant. Steve Beck from Maui was up in the Park City area for Sundance and joined Carolyn and I for a fun day at the Canyons. Luckily for us, he knew the mountain well and showed us around and we enjoyed having more Maui in the ski country. Off to work he went at two pm and at two thirty we got word that the ski patrol was going to open the top of the mountain. This was our chance to ski two plus feet of that fabled Utah powder. The fresh perfect snow was a hoot, the locals made a sight to watch from the chair, and the thighs were pushed to the burn.

Joe Johnson, the marketing manager was real excited to have MauiSkiBus visit the Canyons, the ski patrol loved the 100 resorts goal, and the dogs got to run around the parking lot and burn their own energy. Sun shined all day and happy faces were all over at the end of the day. This resort is huge, the largest in Utah, with many fantastic improvements. One of the things that we took advantage of was the waffles at the mid mountain area. Beautiful homes dot the slope area and it was fun to ski on bridges over and under the roads that wind through the lower slope area. The parking was free and getting to the resort center was quick and easy to use.

Contact MauiSkiBus.com at mauistyl@maui.net

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www.canyonsresort.com

Work, that four letter word. Some despise their work position, some just glide by, and some excel and love what they do. This adventure with MauiSkiBus.com demands hours of internet work, numerous phone calls, and a detailed list of who is who at different ski resorts. Working with so many resorts, I am getting a good feel of great marketing mangers, OK marketing managers, and ones that I question their position. Ski resorts really rely on Mother Nature for snow, as making snow can only be done at some resorts and not at all at others. The winter of 2011/2012 has so far been lean of snow for resorts, so the marketing managers should be stepping up to help out in their public exposure. Working with Brightness applys here.

The very top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, opposite Alta at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon, is a mountain that attracts many snowboarders. Brighton Ski Resort gets equal amounts of snow as Solitude, is wary of avalanches, and gets its share of “The Greatest Snow on Earth”. The natural terrain has half pipes throughout the slopes and snowboarders love this mountain. Steep is the word here, ripping lines is the scene, and snow upon snow upon snow is the pile.

I visited the weary ski patrol after they did their avalanche patrols and they, as all patrollers, loved MauiSkiBus.com. Dave Farmer, the lift sup is a character and loves his 50 plus Brighton kids. The coffee cart in the lobby is the place to mingle and the lift of to the right will lead to the secret side of the mountain. Keep on it Brighton, keep on Working with Brightness.

Contact MauiSkiBus.com at mauistyl@maui.net

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Solitude at Solitude

The Salt Lake City/Park City area offers over ten resorts, easy access from the airport, and “The Greatest Snow on Earth”. Some of the resorts have terrain known the world over, some have the Hollywood crowd,  some are dedicated to families, and then you have the resorts that are just for getting vertical with no lift lines. You could be skiing solo and meet a local with a happy attitude, to show you the secret run of their choice. Put the two together and you have, Solitude.

Solitude is in Big Cottonwood Canyon, an area that gets snow and snow and snow. Bring your 4×4 or chains, or you will have to ride the bus that will pick you up at the base of the canyon. Nick Como, the marketing manager was easy to get in contact with, invited MauiSkiBus up the same day as the Outdoor Gear Demo Show, and had a parking spot for MauiSkiBus front row and center. The venders loved what they saw and many shared their products with MauiSkiBus.com.

Beth of Chaos Hats, Jenny of Yaktrax, Rob of Acli-Mate, Mike of Snow Distributors, and Darrin of DYE all became part of MauiSkiBUs.com. Erik Anderson of Fischer Skis did some follow-up and is the official ski sponsor of MauiSkiBus.com. A unique ski expedition of this magnitude is not solo, and Pat Quigley of Club Lespri of Park City came on as the official lodging sponsor of MauiSkiBus.com. Over 100 individuals also are sponsors, numerous Maui companies, and the individual ski resorts that are helping MauiSkiBus attain a goal of 100 different ski resorts skied in one season, are all part of this non-Solo adventure. Thanks for your awesome attitude.

Club Lespri...trendy and fun. Stop in for sushi or a posh night sleep.

For that, Solitude, saw the most diverse exposure that MauiSkiBus has recieved so far. Their logo is an eagle with its wings open and that is the same greeting that this resort mountain will share with all. Solo, Dude at Solitude!

MauiSkiBus.com can be reached at mauistyl@maui.net

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www.skisolitude.com

Alpine or downhill skiing is what most people do or think of when the word skiing is said. Nordic or cross country skiing is actaully older has has its roots deep in the heart of Europe. Instead of walking in the snow, gliding along on a pair of skis was the norm. Americans are a bit unfamiliar wtih cross country, maybe due to the fact it takes more physical energy to move in Nordic skiing, where Alpine skiing uses gravity. So skiers have a choice, downhill skiing or alternate to cross country skiing. Many resorts are now offering both.

One resort steps away from the newer form of using gravity as propulsion to go down a ski slope. Alta, at the very top of Little Cottonwood Canyon embraces skiers of both types, but shys away from snowboarders. Many dedicated skiers embrace this “No Snowboarders Allowed” policy, and it shows on the way the snow on the slopes form. Skiers rythym going down a mountaian is different than a snowboaders rythym. This mix of rythym can create a different slope form, but at Alta, it is all about the skiers.

The baby powder snow that Utah is known for is the best here at Alta. Numerous extreme photos of radical skiers are shot here every year. So many dedicated Alta skiers live every season here, that Alta has a real family feel on its mountain. ” I an Alta”, lives here with its dedicated locals that desire to ski no other area. Since MauiSkiBus.com has “Ski” in its name, Connie Marsh, marketing manager for Alta, embraced MauiSkiBus. The parking attendents, years on the job, had a prime location for MauiSkiBus.com.

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www.alta.com

MauiSkiBus.com is on the edge of real winter camping. A one burner stove, a bathroom built inside to resemble an outdoor outhouse, water held in a two gallon cooler to keep from freezing, heat in the form of a small heater when electric is available, or a small propane heater to cut the sub-zero chill. There has been times that the water in the dog’s bowl freezes and we keep things in the food cooler from freezing. Double comfortables to keep warm at night and the engine needs to be run every three hours to keep it warm on the coldest nights. If I have electric, the block heater for the engine does the same.

On the other end of the skiing lifestyle is a resort as posh as they come. The demand is there and why not live to that level if one wants it out of a ski experiance. Deer Valley can deliver, can make a day skiing to be compared to a day at a spa. This a newer planned resort, compared to some of the resorts that have been around for 50-75 years. So Deer Valley was able to design a ski resort using all of the positives at other resorts and at the same time add anything that was lacking.  MauiSkiBus was there early and was in one of the prime parking locations at the base of the St. Regis. Location, location, location.

Again, the ski patrol was impressed with MauiSkiBus and many knew Emily Summers, marketing manager for Deer Valley. Having a resort the level of Deer Valley as a ski resort sponsor, or Beaver Creek, is like having Mercedes and Rolex on your team. MauiSkiBus.com is now at 28 resorts skied.

The transportation in Deer Valley and to Park City is free and easy to use. The parking was also free and easy to use. So the choice up to the guest, as both can have their own benefits. If you desire to stay at Deer Valley, the level of accomodation will be a bit elevated from the level that can be had in MauiSkiBus.com. Deer Valley should not be overlooked in the summer, as this level of posh can be had by all, so leave a Messge for your Dear with an invite to Deer Valley.

Contact MauiSkiBus.com at mauistyl@maui.net

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www.DeerValley.com

My mother Joyce fell in love here with a dress alike.

The lack of snow for virtually all ski resorts in the western USA is more than a lack of white frozen snowflakes. Millions of skiers are disppointed to not be able to ski in ideal conditions, employees are living off of reduced paychecks or laid off, the resorts are losing millions, money that can be invested back into their ski mountains for future smiles, and the snowmelt in the spring will haave farmers rationing water for their crops. When the snows do come, major avalanches will end up taking lives due to the poor snow pack.

Park City Main Street before the Sundance Film Festival

Some dancing in the park happened at Park City, as they did something out of the box to attract snow. Ute Indians did a snow dance in the Park City plaza and it ended up bringing smiles and tears to many in attendance. If it works, what a success, and if it doesn’t, how awesome for a resort to bring in members of the local Ute tribe to at least bring up the morals of those watching?

The Park City Ski Resort is very easy to get to and find parking. MauiSkiBus was able to park in a premier location for free, sharing the Aloha Spirit with many as they passed by. The resort was busy, with many taking advantage of the neaby terrain park, the zipline, and the snow roller coaster. The childrens ski school seemed to be a hit and this will be a bonus for Park City in later years, as these beginners will be returning as adult skiers. Gykaiya and Franklin were a hit, as they pulled some members of the Park City freestyle team on their skis, around the base of the mountain.

Pat Quigley, co-owner of Club Lespri, set MauiSkiBus up with an awesome room when we arrived in Park City.

Park City is the first ski resort to be added to the list in the Salt Lake City area. MauiSkiBus.com will be here for a good bulk of the Sundance Film Festival. The town is buzzing and many stores close down, move all of their inventory, and lease out their locations to bigger companies that have bigger wallets. Some stories are soon to evolve with the yellow bus from the island of Maui, maybe the debut of the MauiSkiBus Film Festival!

Contact MauiSkiBus.com at mauistyl@maui.net

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www.parkcitymountain.com

www.pcmr.com

www.clublespri.com

Everyone that starts to ski or snowboard will be catergorized as a beginner. Being a beginner should not be something to be ashamed of nor should a beginner be touted by an expert. All should remember that beginners are the reason that ski resorts exist. Taking a lesson at any resort can advance the learning curve and raise the confidence of a beginner to advance to the blue runs. From there it is those black runs, single diamond, then double black diamond. Why do ski runs not top out in difficulty in gold runs? The answer, the top run to master is, silver.

O% of this resort is dedicated to beginner. Silverton, CO., is a mountain where experts get touted by master experts. Lodge, hmm, a large tent with a woodburning stove. Bathrooms, a real outhouse with a real outhouse smell. Safe steps, not, just walk up those steps cut in the snow. The single chair to the top is more difficult to get off of then most blacks at other resorts. Never been here before, hire a guide. Must have a shovel, probe, and an avalanche beacon or no lift ticket. Not serious on safety, forget it. Silverton’s staff will not tolerate fools that think they ski/board great.

How to describe this experiance. We had a cool guide named Mark, alias 88. He was right when he mentioned a fall will mean a slide of a thousand feet or more. One of our group fell, lost a ski, lost the second, tried to stop, went over a small rock cropping, stood-up, slid again, knocked his partner down, and twisted his knee. Day over. No refund. This is Silverton. Wanna play here, be ready to pay here.

The San Juan Mountains are rugged and extreme.

Helicopter drop in at Silverton for $50? On it. A special deal and a no brainer to take advantage of. An experience of serious safety manners, procedures, no mistakes allowed. The pilot landed the five of us on a peak ten feet square. Hanging on the side of a two thousand foot drop, with the copter pads two feet away, snow/ice blowing in your face from the draft of the rotors, and the sound of the takeoff. One mistake by the pilot and he could have knocked over all five of us off the peak and we would have had a nice two thousand foot ride down the steep mountain face. Can I do it again?

Silverton Mountain's ski storage bus with Aloha

Silverton is a mountain for the best of the best. If your local black runs scares you, right, forget Silverton. Short of breath. Go to the beach, it is at sea level. Scared of heights? Call your mommy and have her hold your hand. Wanna tell your friends you skied Silverton for boasting rights? Stupid people like this are the ones the guides have to rescue. Sometimes in pieces. If you have the right ability and more the right mindset, Silverton has the Gold runs, the max ski resort, for the max skiers/snowboarders.

Contact MauiSkiBus.com at mauistyl@maui.net

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