All the equipemnt you could ever need for an enjoyable hike is provided, including Salomon packs and boots, Leki hiking poles, rain gear, bottled water and granola bars. The Hiking Center is located in the Summer Adventure Center on the Starbucks level of Beaver Creek Plaza (in the adult ski school building). Lift tickets for the Chairlift can also be purchased here. The Chairlift runs daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

6 more days to GO- 6 MORE DAYS OF EXCITING GAMES!!!

As of today, Monday February 22, 2010 the United States are in the lead of the Olympic Medal count with 7 Gold Medals, 7 Silver Medals and 10 Bronze Medals followed by Germany who moved closer by winning 3 medals today – 2 in cross country skiing team sprint and in ski jumping team competition.

Lindsey Vonn from Vail won one of the gold medals in the women’s downhill as well as a Bronze Medal in the women’s super ski. Evan Lysacek one another gold medal for the US in one of the most exciting and tight men’s figure skating events in history. Evan Lysacek was fighting against Evgeni Plushenko who won the Olympic Gold Medal four years ago in Turin/ Italy. One of the best performances in the 2010 Olympic Games so far was from the legendary men’s Half Pipe snowboard competitor Shaun White. Shaun White already won Olympic Gold four years ago and everybody was excited what he will present in this Olympics- and he outperformed all expectations. He already had the gold Medal after his first run, but instead of showing some simple jumps in his second run- he did jumps nobody had seen before cleaner anyone can show them. Even if the ice hockey team has still a long way to go- the final will be Sunday at noon, one of the most important games for the US was yesterday- US against Canada. The US won with 5 to 3 goals and moved a big step closer to the final.

For tonight everybody is excited to see the battle between the Canadian and US team in the final round of the Figure Skating Ice Dance performance. Tomorrow Bode Miller will race again in the Men’s Giant Slalom and try to add one more medal to his Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal he already won in this Olympics. We will also see the first round of the women’s figure skating program, the short program which will start Tuesday 23,2010 at 5.30 PM mountain time.

So even if we already saw amazing events- there will be more…!!!

Even though it’s nice to have warmer, sunnier days here in the mountains, fingers were crossed and hopes were high for the next big snow to hit. And our prayers were answered, as I’m looking outside the snow is flying in the valley, dumping another 3-4 inches with more expected for the weekend. An insider tip for anyone planning to come in the month of February, it should be our best month for snow (according to the Farmers Almanac), so we have plenty to look forward to! Tomorrow morning will be another great day of riding so come out or miss out!

- Nick

The Snow is Falling!

Keep Your Fingers Crossed!

Vail Valley skiers and snowboarders are chomping at the bit for the pummeling we are about to receive from good ol’ mother nature. Two major systems are bee-lining towards the Colorado Rockies containing boatloads of Pacific Ocean moisture. If you live here in town or have a Colorado ski trip planned in the next few weeks, please, please keep your fingers crossed. The last few systems have either gone north or south of us leaving us cold and dry…and icy.

The National Weather Center is calling for up to 24 inches in some areas of Colorado by Sunday, January 24, 2010. Vail Valley weather specifically has 50% chance of snow daily through Sunday with temperatures remaining in the mid to upper 20’s…perfect conditions for one of those classic Colorado snowfalls that keep us skiing and boarding year after year.

Once you live in one of the many majestic ski towns in Colorado for a few years you start becoming spoiled. Skiing only takes place with at least 4 inches of fresh snow or sunny blue bird days with temperatures of 40 degrees or more. Example: Our last snowfall was New Year’s Eve when Beaver Creek reported 13 inches and Vail reported 7 inches. I hit the mountain New Year’s Day. I easily knock out 60+ days a season. Needless to say I am behind schedule.

Early this morning I went up with a few friends from out of town because they were super amped on riding their last day before flying back to Florida. After a few bullet-proof ice runs, the snow began to trickle from the sky. Then it started snowing a little harder, a little harder until it was full on snowing like I remember from seasons past. A few inches had accumulated by lunch time and it is still dumping as I put the pen to paper. I don’t want to get you too excited but if you’re reading this right now…keep your fingers crossed!