Gondola Gossip

Bamboo, Water Bars & Bear Spots… Oh My!

They seem to be here, there and everywhere when there is not enough early snow falling on mother natures most majestic mountains. No matter the size or scope of their state-of-the-art snow making systems resorts struggle with snow quality beyond blasting layers of ice on the white ribbons of death as everyone waits for the real snow and temperatures to fall. The longer the wait the more snow it will take to get slopes open with the snow quality visitors are expecting at today's prices.

Why don't we see the pictures that tell the real story? Why is it we only seem to see photos and videos of snow and weather forecasts, but we don't see that translate to actual snow on the slopes? Some call it content marketing… resorts post photos and hire photographers to take photos to drive sales and marketing efforts. A late start to the season means everything is late… from terrain and lift openings to hiring and training seasonal staff.

Weather forecasts with pictures of snowflakes don't mean anything, especially when in many instances it will say "accumulation less than an inch". That’s referred to by locals as "dust on crust" not a powder day... so read the forecast don't just look at the pictures. That's why people don't and shouldn't trust resort ads and the media. Social media enables people to get REAL information about weather, conditions and more from their peers... REAL LOCALS & VISITORS regardless advertising.

So don't make an expensive mistake go from bad to worse by spending too much for a snow holiday with knowing before you go! You and the resorts can't always count on mother nature to cooperate, and that could not only mean disappointing conditions on the mountain, but unbearable noise from snowmaking all night long in the most expensive resorts and hotels closest to the mountain.