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ALASKA f.'" ~ALYESKA W North Face of Mount Alyeska consists of more than 300 acres of double black diamond terrain, offering hard-core powder A areas consisting of steep open slopes, chutes and gullies. The hounds a naturally segregated playground. Alyeska has extend- ed its snowmaking up to the half pipe this season, and the half pipe will be open by late December. Telephone, 907-754-1111 Website, www.alyeskaresort.com Snow Report 907-SKI-SNOW Season, Mid Nov- Late May Ticket Price, $45 ($39 AK residents, $35 hotel guests) Summit Elevation (feet), 3,939 Vertica l Drop (feet) , 2,500 Terrain (acres), 1,000 Green/Blue/Black (percent), 11152/37 Annual Snowfall (inches), 742 Directions, Fly into Anchorage Internationa l Airport and drive 40 minutes south to the resort. CALIFORNIA e O ALPINE MEADOWS ,.~ TAHOE CITY, CA Alpine Meadows sits on a ridge of mountains that merge into A friendly terrain and boundaries around the lake. With Ward Peak ~ and Scott Peak circling the base area, it's impossible to see the Squaw Valley, giving it some terrain similarities but a whole dif- ferent personality. The area has some of the most boarder wide expanses of the Back Bowls. These contain cornice drops and wooded areas sprinkled over a large open face of consistent steepness. Alpine Meadows' relaxed boundary policy allows rid- ers access to some of the most beautiful back-country riding in the area. Long traverses can make Alpine a bit friendlier for skiers but the backcountry access is well worth the hike out. Telephone, 800-441-4423 Website, www.skialp ine.com Snow Report 530-581-8374 Season, Early Nov- Early June Ticket Price, $54 Summit Elevation (feet), 8,637 Vertical Drop (feet), 1,802 Terrain (acres), 2,000 Green/Blue/Black (percent), 25/40/35 Annual Snowfall (inches), 400 Directions, Fly into Reno-Tahoe Internationa l Airport and drive 45 minutes southwest or fly into Sacramento International Airport and drivel hour 45 minutes east to the resort. ~ BEAR MOUNTAIN Q BIG BEAR LAKE, CA e 52 Bear Mountain is as good as a day area gets. The mountain gets over 300 sunshine days a year so the pictures and footage always look fantastic. The resort boasts four terrain parks, the largest beginner area in the region and the highest lift-serviced peak in Southern California. The management, the marketing, the funpark and the climate are the main reasons why you've probably heard of Bear Mountain before, but the rest of the area has goods too. Telephone, 909-585-2517 Website: www.bearmtn .com Snow Report 909-585-2519 Season, Late Nov- Early Apri I Ticket Price, $40 Summit Elevation (feet), 8,805 GIRDWOOD, AK The mountain is a series of ridges and bowls with the outer a 8 _ Vertical Drop (feet), 1,665 Terrain (acres): 698 Green/Blue/Black (percent): 25/50/25 Annual Snowfall (inches): 100 Directions: Fly into Los Angeles International Airport and drive one hour 30 minutes to the resort. HEAVENLY V SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA Heavenly Mountain is situated on the south shore of lake Tahoe, towering above the casino towers that hug the slim swathe of flat land between the water and the peaks. Heavenly IS an Impres- sive mountain bisected by the California/Nevada state line. The Californian side has a healthy covering of trees right to the top of the Sky Express high-speed quad. The Nevada side has a more easterly aspect and more open terrain, above the band of canyons which characterize the east boundary. The character of each state is reflected in the terrain, with smooth groomed free- ways amongst a maze of trees on the California side, and brash narrow chutes with freeways and trees on the Nevada side. On powder days Heavenly lives up to its name and looking out over the lake, you'll think as Mark Twain did, that this is where you "obtain the air the angels breathe." The resort also plans to add cross-country skiing and snowshoeing this year, and you can always expect incredible views of Lake Tahoe and legendary tree and glade skiing. Telephone, 775-586-7000 Website, www.skiheaven ly.com Snow Report 775-586-7000 Season, Late Oct- Late May Ticket Price, $57 Summit Elevation (feet), 10,067 Vertical Drop (feet), 3,500 Terrain (acres) , 4,800 Green/Blue/Black (percent), 20/45/35 Annual Snowfal l (inches), 360 Directions, 1 hour 30 minutes southwest of Reno-Tahoe International Airport, 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours east of Sacramento International Airport. _ JUNE MOUNTAIN ~ JUNE LAKE, CA June Mountain is considered to be Mammoth's little sister. Although it may be smaller in area, it has an altitude of 10,174 feet and is no dwarf. It's definitely larger in terms of snowboard facilities. June has, without doubt, one of the ruling fun parks on the West Coast. For 2001-2002, June is adding an additional terrain park and making improvements on the world-class half- pipe. Beginner and intermediate riders are well cared for with lots of genlle, wide open swathes cut into the trees serviced by an efficient, easy chair system. There are plenty of steeper runs through the trees on the front face and access to backcountry is possible for experienced riders if the ski patrol deem it safe. Te lephone, 888-JUNE MTN; 760-648-7733 Website: www.JuneMountain.com Snow Report 760-934-2224 Season, Dec- April Ticket Price, $45 Summit Elevation (feet): 10,174 Vertical Drop (feet), 2,590 Terra in (acres), 500 Green/Blue/Black (percent), 35/45/20 Annual Snowfall (inches): 250 Directions, Drive 6 hours from LA or fly into Reno-Tahoe a o A KIRKWOOD, CA W Speak to any snowboarder in the Tahoe region and many will International Airport and drive 3 hours to the resort. KIRKWOOD invariably say "Kirkwood" when asked for their favorite resort. ,.~ The mountain is a special place that could easily be considered e the largest natural terrain park in the US. The long arcing ridge line, which sits at high altitude (10,000 feet), contains steep chutes, wide open bowls, long gullies, crisp corduroy trails, hair-raising cliff drops and huge wind lips. The mountain has a friendly atmosphere and everyone seems to be smiling all the time. This is mainly due to the superb skiing and general lack of huslle and bustle iii one of America's best naturally snow-blessed resorts. Telephone, 209-258-6000 Website: www.kirkwood.com Snow Report, 877-KIRKWOOD Season, Mid Nov- May Ticket Price, $52 Summit Elevation (feet), 9,800 Vertical Drop (feet), 2,000 Terrain (acres), 2,300 Green/B lue/Black (percent), 15/50/35 Annual Snowfall (inchesL 500 Directions, Drive 3 hours from SF or fly into Reno-Tahoe International Airport and drive 1 hour 30 minutes to the resort. MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN MAMMOTH LAKES, CA There is speculation that this active volcano was responsible for the last ice age when it blew its top, and contemplating the enormity of the mountain, it seems plausible. This leviathan rises out of the Inyo National forest and has something for everyone ranging from steeps, chutes and bowls to long stretches of perfectly groomed corduroy. Riding at Mammoth on a good powder day is something everyone should a~pire to. Skiers tend to bump out a lot of areas and there are trees, cliffs and plenty of secluded routes left for searches. Telephone, 800-MAMMOTH Website: www.mammothmountain .com Snow Report 888-SNOW-RPT Season, Nov- June Ticket Pr.ice, $56 Summit Elevation (feetL 11 ,053 Vertical Drop (feet) , 3,100 Terrain (acres), 3,500 Green/Blue/Black (percent), 30/40/30 Annual Snowfall (inches), 384 Directions: Drive 5 hours from LA or f ly into Reno-Tahoe International Airport and drive 3 hours to the resort. ~ NORTHSTAR-AT-TAHOE Q TRUCKEE, CA The resort plans to put 2.5 million into snowmaking this year, mak- ing for twice the amount of snow as before. look for great early-sea- son conditions. Telephone, 800-GO NORTH Website, www.skinorthstar.com KEY. Steep, technical terrain @ Consistent quality snow Serious park and pipe action Large, accessible backcountry/varied terrain Nightlife Low-priced tickets Within five hours of NYC, San Francisco or LA Terrain for beginners and intermediates