Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort first ski area to open in U.S.

LAS VEGAS — Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort (LVSSR) became the first ski area in the United States to open its lift served terrain for the 2011/12 season on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at 7:30 a.m.

Wolf Creek Ski Area that’s located in Pagosa Springs, Colo. was second. LVSSR, which is located about an hour from downtown Las Vegas opened Chair 3 with 12-inch base; nine inches was a result of recent storms and the additional four inches was from LVSSR’s snowmaking effort.

LVSSR’s management reports that several hundred guests took advantage of the early opening, including out of state skiers and snowboarders. Chair 3, which served an all-terrain park for skiing and snowboarding, ran on Saturday until 4 p.m. and again on Sunday, Oct. 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Read More

Snow lovers look north: what's on offer this season

I love this time of year, when one season has entered it's twilight and another is filled with expectation. When it comes to following the winter north, Australian skiers and snowboarders are spoilt for choice with North America, Japan, Europe and even the Middle East, India, Korea and China on offer.

There is talk of another record-breaking season, like last northern winter in the USA and Canada, when snow dumps were limitless and winter fought with spring for rights to the months of April and May. But then there is always "talk" before a winter with long term forecasts bantered about and hopes of colder temperatures and more precipitation. La Nina was the phrase of last winter and it would appear it is heading their way again. Read More