Skiing & Snowboarding

We hear from The Colorado Sun’s rural economic development reporter, Tracy Ross, in a discussion about ski resorts that provide housing for employees and a false correlation between increased snowpack and lower drought risk.

Several ski areas in the Mountain West have extended their seasons by a week or two as skiers and snowboarders relish in an epic powder year.

Patti Zhou is an 11-year-old snowboarder from Beijing who could be the next big thing in the halfpipe and slopestyle. She's making her Dew Tour debut in Copper Mountain, Colorado, this weekend.

Ski hills will soon be opening in the West, but it’s still uncertain which will open first. Over the last several years, the first two ski hills to open in the West have often been Arapahoe Basin and Keystone, both in northern Colorado. But last year, southern Colorado’s Wolf Creek Ski Area pulled ahead to open first on October 16 thanks to a big snow storm.

With decreasing snowpack due to drought and climate change, the ski industry has invested millions of dollars in more efficient snowmaking systems. Some question whether the practice is a wise use of energy and water. But a Colorado water official says snowmaking accounts for less than one-tenth of 1% of the water that is diverted in the state and is considered a beneficial use because it brings in tourism.

A case that drew the attention of backcountry recreators across the Mountain West has come to a close.

A bill before lawmakers this week would require Colorado ski resorts to publicly report injury and fatality statistics, a measure that’s being met with strong resistance from the ski industry and its backers. Proponents say such a law would force resorts to be more accountable for safety problems.

Not enough jurors showed up for a trial last week in a case that could have implications for avalanche safety in the Mountain West.

Aspen, Colorado, has agreed to host the 2021 FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships in March after the original host city in China canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Chloe Kim took some time off to heal her body and broaden her mind. Now that she’s back at her day job, it looks as though she never left.