Podcasts about Snowbirds

Get a behind-the-scenes look at how the SWO staff prepares for the summer! JB chats with new and returning staff members—about why they're giving their summer to serve. They share real stories about challenges, growth, and what it's like to be part of a gospel-centered community. In this episode, you'll hear from former campers stepping into leadership, first-time staff facing fears, and seasoned staff taking on new responsibilities. This is a deep dive into what makes Snowbird tick—intentional training, authentic relationships, and a shared desire to see lives changed by the Gospel. Whether you're a parent, past camper, or simply curious, this episode gives you a front-row seat to the heart behind the mission.Please continue to pray for our staff as they're getting adjusted, learning how to lead recreation, and enjoying fellowship with one another.Staff Interviews And The Core Values of Snowbird | SWO24 KickoffInsights from Students on Staying Faithful in CollegeSend us a textPlease leave a review on Apple or Spotify to help improve No Sanity Required and help others grow in their faith. Click here to get our Colossians Bible study.

Join JB and a panel of women from the Snowbird and Red Oak communities for a real and honest conversation about what it takes to build Christ-centered community. They'll share personal stories, practical wisdom, and talk about showing up, being vulnerable, avoiding unspoken expectations, and staying rooted in God's Word.This conversation will challenge and encourage you to take community seriously, to give more than you take, and to pursue relationships that spur you on toward Christ. Because true Biblical community isn't built on comfort—it's built on Christ.Respond Women's RetreatPlease leave a review on Apple or Spotify to help others grow in their faith. Click here to get our Colossians Bible study.

How do rising tariffs between the U.S. and Canada really impact your wallet—and your winter lifestyle?In this episode, host Gerry Scott welcomes international trade and tax professional, Dan Kiselbach of Miller Thomson to break down what snowbirds and Canadian retirees need to know about the shifting trade landscape. From the price of beer to cross-border legal protections, this conversation unpacks the real-life implications of tariffs, currency instability, and political shifts.Whether you winter in Florida or invest across borders, this episode offers valuable insight on protecting your financial future.Key Takeaways:Tariffs are driving up consumer prices—especially in everyday goods.Canadian retirees could feel the pinch on both sides of the border.Canada's retaliatory moves are precise and strategic.Legal protections for Canadians exist under trade agreements.Currency fluctuations may weaken spending power in the U.S.Investment opportunities may shift with trade uncertainty.Political predictions lean toward continued liberal leadership.Historical tariffs continue to shape today's economy.Delaware remains a popular business base thanks to its legal structure.

The Canadian Snowbirds Act Guest: Anthony Quinn, COO of CARP (Canadian Association of Retired Persons) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We get a brand new villain in the book- Pestilence! And he's gross! These four issues are the first half of a big arc that focuses on Snowbird, Shaman, Talisman, and Marrina (primarily).

And then, it was back to normal. On Wednesday, developer Pat Neal told the Sarasota County Commission why a road should be built in the south county that happens to benefit mostly residents of one of his developments. The commissioners obliged, unanimously.Next: The United States and Canada are in a tiff like not seen since the 18th century. WSLR's Peace & Justice Report interviewed a Canadian diplomat who also happens to be a snowbird with a condo on Longboat Key.Then: A veterans' group on the Suncoast is planting microforests. What gives? The Our Changing Environment hosts on WSLR bring us the details.Next: Four hundred people crowded into a town hall organized by opponents of a takeover of the Ringling Museum of Art by New College. Farah Vallecillo was there.

Send us a textStep onto the trails with Oakley Olson, the collegiate steeplechase specialist turned mountain running phenom who's rapidly ascending to the top of the trail running world. Fresh from her selection to the 2025 Trail Team Elite, Oakley shares the remarkable journey that took her from soccer fields to mountain summits.Oakley reveals how a two-mile time trial during soccer practice unexpectedly launched her running career, leading eventually to success at Utah Valley University as a steeplechaser. The conversation explores her breathtaking transition to trail running, where she stunned the community with an 8th place finish at the US Mountain Running Championships at Snowbird and set the FKT on Utah's imposing Mount Timpanogos with almost casual determination: "I just looked at Tim and thought, I want to go do that right now."What makes steeplechase athletes like Oakley so dominant on technical trails? She offers fascinating insights into the mental fortitude required for both disciplines: "When you're trail running, you have to look at the mountain and believe you're going to get to the top. In steeplechase, you need to know you're going to clear every single hurdle." This fearless mindset translated perfectly to her mountain racing success alongside professional athletes.Looking ahead to an exciting 2024 season, Oakley discusses balancing her collegiate track commitments with appearances at Soonapy Scramble, Cirque Series races, and potentially Broken Arrow. Her perspective on competition reveals a refreshing blend of fierce determination during races and genuine camaraderie afterward. "The sport is amazing because of the positive culture we create," she reflects, embodying the spirit that makes trail running special.Whether you're fascinated by the crossover between track and trails, curious about breaking into mountain running, or simply inspired by athletic courage, Oakley's story demonstrates how belief in yourself can move mountains—or at least help you run up and down them very, very fast.This episode is brought to you by Ultimate Direction ! Use code steepstuffpod for 25% off your next order on UltimateDirection.com ! Make sure to check out the newly released Ultra 12L and Race 6L vests ! Follow Oakley on IG - @oakley_olsonFollow James on IG - @jameslaurielloFollow the Steep Stuff on IG - @steepstuff_pod

A Venice City Council member made ripples last week when she resigned in protest against peers seemingly favoring developer Pat Neal. WSLR's Ramon Lopez interviewed Joan Farrell and Ron Smith, who was elected by landslide after he said Neal had asked him to drop out. Next: The culture wars flared up again on Monday when Dr. Anthony Fauci spoke to more than 3,000 people in Sarasota.Then: Real estate prices in Southwest Florida are tumbling. We have a report from the Suncoast Searchlight.Next: Trump's executive measures will translate to hard times for our local economy and the finances of cities and counties on the Suncoast. That's according to one of the leading bond experts in the country who happens to live in Sarasota.Finally: Canadian snowbirds are upset - to the point where they stay away and sell their Florida homes. WSLR's Jennifer Johnston talked to two of them.

In this episode, Brody shares some exciting news and updates about the No Sanity Required book, orientation, and responding to listener emails.Brody gives a behind-the-scenes look at the recent SWO25 staff orientation, why it matters, and how it helps prepare the team for a strong summer. He unpacks key moments from the weekend, including a session on Colossians 1:28–29 and the mission statement that drives Snowbird.He also answers a listener's question about women preaching, diving into what the Bible says and how those convictions are lived out at SWO.Along the way, Brody shares some encouraging feedback, gives shoutouts, and reminds listeners about the upcoming Respond Conference—with limited spots left.Colossians 1:28-291 Timothy 2:12 1 Corinthians 14:34Building the Team and Living the Mission | SWO25 OrientationLast week's episode of No Sanity RequiredWomen's Respond RetreatSnowbird Teaching PodcastSend us a textPlease leave a review on Apple or Spotify to help improve No Sanity Required and help others grow in their faith. Click here to get our Colossians Bible study.

SWO25 Staff Orientation | Brody HollowayIn this kickoff session for SWO25 staff orientation, Brody lays out what it means to live out Snowbird's mission. He challenges staff to memorize the mission statement because it explains why we do what we do—and helps unite us as one team.Brody unpacks three big truths that shapes Snowbirds mission:God is Sovereign – He has all power and freedom. He doesn't need us, but He chooses to use us to share the Gospel.God's Word is Central – The Bible is clear, true, and powerful. We teach it straight and trust it to change lives.We Have a Job to Do – God calls us to be faithful, to serve, and to love well. We put our hand to the plow and don't look back.Everything we do flows from these truths—and it should lead us to worship. As you finish the semester and get ready for summer, let this message shape your heart and mindset. Let's live the mission together.New Book, New Staff, Same Mission | No Sanity RequiredColossians 1:28-29Psalm 115:3Please leave a review on Apple or Spotify to help others grow in their faith. Click here to get our Colossians Bible study.

Jean Charest, former Quebec Premier and member of the prime minister’s council on Canada-U.S. relations Dr. Chris Labos, cardiologist with a degree in epidemiology and a regular contributor on CJAD 800 Dr. Joe Schwarz, Host of the Dr. Joe Show, Sundays at 3 PM on CJAD 800 & director of the McGill Office for Science & Society Alexandra DuPont, broker at DuPont International Realty in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Carmi Levy, CTV’s Tech analyst

The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and to support independent ski journalism, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.WhoJeff Colburn, General Manager of Silver Mountain, IdahoRecorded onFebruary 12, 2025About Silver MountainClick here for a mountain stats overviewOwned by: CMR Lands, which also owns 49 Degrees North, WashingtonLocated in: Kellogg, IdahoYear founded: 1968 as Jackass ski area, later known as Silverhorn, operated intermittently in the 1980s before its transformation into Silver in 1990Pass affiliations:* Indy Pass – 2 days, select blackouts* Indy+ Pass – 2 days, no blackouts* Powder Alliance – 3 days, select blackoutsClosest neighboring ski areas: Lookout Pass (:26)Base elevation: 4,100 feet (lowest chairlift); 2,300 feet (gondola)Summit elevation: 6,297 feetVertical drop: 2,200 feetSkiable acres: 1,600+Average annual snowfall: 340 inchesTrail count: 80Lift count: 7 (1 eight-passenger gondola, 1 fixed-grip quad, 2 triples, 2 doubles – view Lift Blog's inventory of Silver Mountain's lift fleet)Why I interviewed himAfter moving to Manhattan in 2002, I would often pine for an extinct version of New York City: docks thrust into the Hudson, masted ships, ornate brickwork factories, carriages, open windows, kids loose in the streets, summer evening crowds on stoops and patios. Modern New York, riotous as it is for an American city, felt staid and sterile beside the island's explosively peopled black-and-white past.Over time, I've developed a different view: New York City is a triumph of post-industrial reinvention, able to shed and quickly replace obsolete industries with those that would lead the future. And my idealized New York, I came to realize, was itself a snapshot of one lost New York, but not the only lost New York, just my romanticized etching of a city that has been in a constant state of reinvention for 400 years.It's through this same lens that we can view Silver Mountain. For more than a century, Kellogg was home to silver mines that employed thousands. When the Bunker Hill Mine closed in 1981, it took the town's soul with it. The city became a symbol of industrial decline, of an America losing its rough-and-ragged hammer-bang grit.And for a while, Kellogg was a denuded and dusty crater pockmarking the glory-green of Idaho's panhandle. The population collapsed. Suicide rates, Colburn tells us on the podcast, were high.But within a decade, town officials peered toward the skeleton of Jackass ski area, with its intact centerpole Riblet double, and said, “maybe that's the thing.” With help from Von Roll, they erected three chairlifts on the mountain and taxed themselves $2 million to string a three-mile-long gondola from town to mountain, opening the ski area to the masses by bypassing the serpentine seven-mile-long access road. (Gosh, can you think of anyplace else where such a contraption would work?)Silver rose above while the Environmental Protection Agency got to work below, cleaning up what had been designated a massive Superfund site. Today, Kellogg, led by Silver, is a functional, modern place, a post-industrial success story demonstrating how recreation can anchor an economy and a community. The service sector lacks the fiery valor of industry. Bouncing through snow, gifted from above, for fun, does not resonate with America's self-image like the gutsy miner pulling metal from the earth to feed his family. Town founder/mining legend Noah Kellogg and his jackass companion remain heroic local figures. But across rural America, ski areas have stepped quietly into the vacuum left by vacated factories and mines, where they become a source of community identity and a stabilizing agent where no other industry makes sense.What we talked aboutSki Idaho; what it will take to transform Idaho into a ski destination; the importance of Grand Targhee to Idaho; old-time PNW skiing; Schweitzer as bellwether for Idaho ski area development; Kellogg, Idaho's mining history, Superfund cleanup, and renaissance as a resort town; Jackass ski area and its rebirth as Silver Mountain; the easiest big mountain access in America; taking a gondola to the ski area; the Jackass Snack Shack; an affordable mountain town?; Silver's destination potential; 49 Degrees North; these obscenely, stupidly low lift ticket prices:Potential lift upgrades, including Chair 4; snowmaking potential; baselodge expansion; Indy Pass; and the Powder Alliance.What I got wrongI mentioned that Telluride's Mountain Village Gondola replacement would cost $50 million. The actual estimates appear to be $60 million. The two stages of that gondola total 10,145 feet, more than a mile shorter than Silver's astonishing 16,350 feet (3.1 miles).Why now was a good time for this interviewIn the ‘90s, before the advent of the commercial internet, I learned about skiing from magazines. They mostly wrote about the American West and their fabulous, over-hill-and-dale ski complexes: Vail and Sun Valley and Telluride and the like. But these publications also exposed the backwaters where you could mainline pow and avoid liftlines, and do it all for less than the price of a bologna sandwich. It was in Skiing's October 1994 Favorite Resorts issue that I learned about this little slice of magnificence:Snow, snow, snow, steep, steep, steep, cheap, cheap, cheap, and a feeling you've gone back to a special time and place when life, and skiing, was uncomplicated – those are the things that make [NAME REDACTED] one of our favorite resorts. It's the ultimate pure skiing experience. This was another surprise choice, even to those who named [REDACTED] to their lists. We knew people liked [REDACTED], but we weren't prepared for how many, or how create their affections were. This is the one area that broke the “Great Skiing + Great Base Area + Amenities = Favorite Resort” equation. [REDACTED] has minimal base development, no shopping, no nightlife, no fancy hotels or eateries, and yet here it is on our list, a tribute to the fact that in the end, really great skiing matters more than any other single resort feature.OK, well this sounds amazing. Tell me more……[REDACTED] has one of the cheapest lift tickets around.…One of those rare places that hasn't been packaged, streamlined, suburbanized. There's also that delicious atmosphere of absolute remoteness from the everyday world.…The ski area for traditionalists, ascetics, and cheapskates. The lifts are slow and creaky, the accommodations are spartan, but the lift tickets are the best deal in skiing.This super-secret, cheaper-than-Tic-Tacs, Humble Bro ski center tucked hidden from any sign of civilization, the Great Skiing Bomb Shelter of 1994, is…Alta.Yes, that Alta.The Alta with four high-speed lifts.The Alta with $199 peak-day walk-up lift tickets.The Alta that headlines the Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective.The Alta with an address at the top of America's most over-burdened access road.Alta is my favorite ski area. There is nothing else like it anywhere (well, except directly next door). And a lot remains unchanged since 1994: there still isn't much to do other than ski, the lodges are still “spartan,” it is still “steep” and “deep.” But Alta blew past “cheap” a long time ago, and it feels about as embedded in the wilderness as an exit ramp Chuck E. Cheese. Sure, the viewshed is mostly intact, but accessing the ski area requires a slow-motion up-canyon tiptoe that better resembles a civilization-level evacuation than anything we would label “remote.” Alta is still Narnia, but the Alta described above no longer exists.Well, no s**t? Aren't we talking about Idaho here? Yes, but no one else is. And that's what I'm getting at: the Alta of 2025, the place where everything is cheap and fluffy and empty, is Idaho. Hide behind your dumb potato jokes all you want, but you can't argue with this lineup:“Ummm, Grand Targhee is in Wyoming, D*****s.”Thank you, Geography Bro, but the only way to access GT is through Idaho, and the mountain has been a member of Ski Idaho for centuries because of it.Also: Lost Trail and Lookout Pass both straddle the Montana-Idaho border.Anyway, check that roster, those annual snowfall totals. Then look at how difficult these ski areas are to access. The answer, mostly, is “Not Very.” You couldn't make Silver Mountain easier to get to unless you moved it to JFK airport: exit the interstate, drive seven feet, park, board the gondola.Finally, let's compare that group of 15 Idaho ski areas to the 15 public, aerial-lift-served ski areas in Utah. Even when you include Targhee and all of Lost Trail and Lookout, Utah offers 32 percent more skiable terrain than Idaho:But Utah tallies three times more annual skier visits than Idaho:No, Silver Mountain is not Alta, and Brundage is not Snowbird. But Silver and Brundage don't get skied out in under 45 seconds on a powder day. And other than faster lifts and more skiers, there's not much separating the average Utah ski resort from the average Idaho ski resort.That won't be true forever. People are dumb in the moment, but smart in slow-motion. We are already seeing meaningful numbers of East Coast ski families reorient their ski trips east, across the Atlantic (one New York-based reader explained to me today how they flew their family to Norway for skiing over President's weekend because it was cheaper than Vermont). Soon enough, Planet California and everyone else is going to tire of the expense and chaos of Colorado and Utah, and they'll Insta-sleuth their way to this powdery Extra-Rockies that everyone forgot about. No reason to wait for all that.Why you should ski Silver MountainI have little to add outside of what I wrote above: go to Silver because it's big and cheap and awesome. So I'll add this pinpoint description from Skibum.net:It's hard to find something negative about Silver Mountain; the only real drawback is that you probably live nowhere near it. On the other hand, if you live within striking distance, you already know that this is easily the best kept ski secret in Idaho and possibly the entire western hemisphere. If not, you just have to convince the family somehow that Kellogg Idaho — not Vail, not Tahoe, not Cottonwood Canyon — is the place you ought to head for your next ski trip. Try it, and you'll see why it's such a well-kept secret. All-around fantastic skiing, terrific powder, virtually no liftlines, reasonable pricing. Layout is kind of quirky; almost like an upside-down mountain due to gondola ride to lodge…interesting place. Emphasis on expert skiing but all abilities have plenty of terrain. Experts will find a ton of glades … One of the country's great underrated ski areas.Some of you will just never bother traveling for a mountain that lacks high-speed lifts. I understand, but I think that's a mistake. Slow lifts don't matter when there are no liftlines. And as Skiing wrote about Alta in 1994, “Really great skiing matters more than any other single resort feature.”Podcast NotesOn Schweitzer's transformationIf we were to fast-forward 30 years, I think we would find that most large Idaho ski areas will have undergone a renaissance of the sort that Schweitzer, Idaho did over the previous 30 years. Check the place out in 1988, a big but backwoods ski area covered in double chairs:Compare that to Schweitzer today: four high-speed quads, a sixer, and two triples that are only fixed-grip because the GM doesn't like exposed high-elevation detaches.On Silver's legacy ski areasSilver was originally known as Jackass, then Silverhorn. That original chairlift, installed in 1967, stands today as Chair 4:On the Jackass Snack ShackThis mid-mountain building, just off Chair 4, is actually a portable structure moved north from Tamarack:On 49 Degrees NorthCMR Lands also owns 49 Degrees North, an outstanding ski area two-and-a-half hours west and roughly equidistant from Spokane as Silver is (though in opposite directions). In 2021, the mountain demolished a top-to-bottom, 1972 SLI double for a brand-new, 1,851-vertical-foot high-speed quad, from which you can access most of the resort's 2,325 acres.The Storm explores the world of lift-served skiing year-round. Join us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stormskiing.com/subscribe

✉️ Ein großer Briefumschlag im Briefkasten meines heutigen Gastes, hat nach Jahren seine Auswanderung ins Rollen gebracht. Was da drin stand und wie er sich danach ein neues Leben, zusammen mit seiner Frau, in Florida aufgebaut hat – hörst du in dieser Episode. ⚠️ In dieser Woche gibt es bei uns eine absolute Premiere: Es erscheint nicht nur eine Podcastfolge, sondern gleich zwei!

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.Welcome back to the What to Read Next Podcast! In today's episode, I'm joined once again by our resident literary fiction expert and middle grade author, Laura Bird. Laura is bringing us six stunning literary fiction reads that will break your heart—but leave you with hope. These are perfect picks for readers who want emotional depth, compelling characters, and a reminder of the beauty in human connection.Whether you're in a book club or simply want a novel to get lost in, this episode has a recommendation for you.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS & BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS00:00 – Welcome back Laura Bird! 01:00 – Why we love literary fiction with hopeful endings 02:45 – Books perfect for book clubs 04:05 –

When most people think of retirement, they imagine freedom—no more alarm clocks, no more meetings, and finally time to do whatever you want. But what often takes retirees by surprise are the emotional and psychological losses that can quietly creep in after the celebrations fade. These losses aren't always talked about, but they're real, and they can have a powerful impact on your sense of self and well-being. 0:00 - Introduction 1:57 - Loss of identity 3:35 - Loss of structure & routine 4:10 - Loss of purpose 6:00 - Loss of relationships 7:10 - Loss of security Whether you're already retired or just planning ahead, understanding these hidden challenges can help you navigate this new chapter with confidence and clarity. Please join our Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/lifestartsatretirement

Russ & Tina DeMarisAccess Road Shutdownhttps://www.rvtravel.com/major-access-road-yosemite-np-closed-rockslideStaff Shortages shuts campgroundshttps://www.rvtravel.com/army-corps-campground-shuts-due-staff-shortagesYosemite Campground Reservations Resumedhttps://www.rvtravel.com/yosemite-resumes-campground-reservations-heres-book-spotSnowbirds must Register with Homeland Securityhttps://www.rvtravel.com/rule-mandates-canadian-snowbirds-register-homeland-securityGail Marsh, Yosemite Hotel to Close https://www.rvtravel.com/iconic-yosemite-national-park-hotel-close-indefinitely/For site refunds, contact the Help Centerhttps://help.recreation.gov/helpcenterFederal Registerhttps://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/03/12/2025-03944/alien-registration-form-and-evidence-of-registrationForm G-325Rhttps://www.uscis.gov/g-325r#:~:text=G%2D325R%2C%20Biographic%20Information%20(,1302)Margo's Book: For Women Only: RV Lifestyle Collectionhttps://amzn.to/2LQoE3g

For a limited time, upgrade to ‘The Storm's' paid tier for $5 per month or $55 per year. You'll also receive a free year of Slopes Premium, a $29.99 value - valid for annual subscriptions only. Monthly subscriptions do not qualify for free Slopes promotion. Valid for new subscriptions only.WhoIain Martin, Host of The Ski PodcastRecorded onJanuary 30, 2025About The Ski PodcastFrom the show's website:Want to [know] more about the world of skiing? The Ski Podcast is a UK-based podcast hosted by Iain Martin.With different guests every episode, we cover all aspects of skiing and snowboarding from resorts to racing, Ski Sunday to slush.In 2021, we were voted ‘Best Wintersports Podcast‘ in the Sports Podcast Awards. In 2023, we were shortlisted as ‘Best Broadcast Programme' in the Travel Media Awards.Why I interviewed himWe did a swap. Iain hosted me on his show in January (I also hosted Iain in January, but since The Storm sometimes moves at the pace of mammal gestation, here we are at the end of March; Martin published our episode the day after we recorded it).But that's OK (according to me), because our conversation is evergreen. Martin is embedded in EuroSki the same way that I cycle around U.S. AmeriSki. That we wander from similarly improbable non-ski outposts – Brighton, England and NYC – is a funny coincidence. But what interested me most about a potential podcast conversation is the Encyclopedia EuroSkiTannica stored in Martin's brain.I don't understand skiing in Europe. It is too big, too rambling, too interconnected, too above-treeline, too transit-oriented, too affordable, too absent the Brobot ‘tude that poisons so much of the American ski experience. The fact that some French idiot is facing potential jail time for launching a snowball into a random grandfather's skull (filming the act and posting it on TikTok, of course) only underscores my point: in America, we would cancel the grandfather for not respecting the struggle so obvious in the boy's act of disobedience. In a weird twist for a ski writer, I am much more familiar with summer Europe than winter Europe. I've skied the continent a couple of times, but warm-weather cross-continental EuroTreks by train and by car have occupied months of my life. When I try to understand EuroSki, my brain short-circuits. I tease the Euros because each European ski area seems to contain between two and 27 distinct ski areas, because the trail markings are the wrong color, because they speak in the strange code of the “km” and “cm” - but I'm really making fun of myself for Not Getting It. Martin gets it. And he good-naturedly walks me through a series of questions that follow this same basic pattern: “In America, we charge $109 for a hamburger that tastes like it's been pulled out of a shipping container that went overboard in 1944. But I hear you have good and cheap food in Europe – true?” I don't mind sounding like a d*****s if the result is good information for all of us, and thankfully I achieved both of those things on this podcast.What we talked aboutThe European winter so far; how a UK-based skier moves back and forth to the Alps; easy car-free travel from the U.S. directly to Alps ski areas; is ski traffic a thing in Europe?; EuroSki 101; what does “ski area” mean in Europe; Euro snow pockets; climate change realities versus media narratives in Europe; what to make of ski areas closing around the Alps; snowmaking in Europe; comparing the Euro stereotype of the leisurely skier to reality; an aging skier population; Euro liftline queuing etiquette and how it mirrors a nation's driving culture; “the idea that you wouldn't bring the bar down is completely alien to me; I mean everybody brings the bar down on the chairlift”; why an Epic or Ikon Pass may not be your best option to ski in Europe; why lift ticket prices are so much cheaper in Europe than in the U.S.; Most consumers “are not even aware” that Vail has started purchasing Swiss resorts; ownership structure at Euro resorts; Vail to buy Verbier?; multimountain pass options in Europe; are Euros buying Epic and Ikon to ski locally or to travel to North America?; must-ski European ski areas; Euro ski-guide culture; and quirky ski areas.What I got wrongWe discussed Epic Pass' lodging requirement for Verbier, which is in effect for this winter, but which Vail removed for the 2025-26 ski season.Why now was a good time for this interviewI present to you, again, the EuroSki Chart – a list of all 26 European ski areas that have aligned themselves with a U.S.-based multi-mountain pass:The large majority of these have joined Ski NATO (a joke, not a political take Brah), in the past five years. And while purchasing a U.S. megapass is not necessary to access EuroHills in the same way it is to ski the Rockies – doing so may, in fact, be counterproductive – just the notion of having access to these Connecticut-sized ski areas via a pass that you're buying anyway is enough to get people considering a flight east for their turns.And you know what? They should. At this point, a mass abandonment of the Mountain West by the tourists that sustain it is the only thing that may drive the region to seriously reconsider the robbery-by-you-showed-up-here-all-stupid lift ticket prices, car-centric transit infrastructure, and sclerotic building policies that are making American mountain towns impossibly expensive and inconvenient to live in or to visit. In many cases, a EuroSkiTrip costs far less than an AmeriSki trip - especially if you're not the sort to buy a ski pass in March 2025 so that you can ski in February 2026. And though the flights will generally cost more, the logistics of airport-to-ski-resort-and-back generally make more sense. In Europe they have trains. In Europe those trains stop in villages where you can walk to your hotel and then walk to the lifts the next morning. In Europe you can walk up to the ticket window and trade a block of cheese for a lift ticket. In Europe they put the bar down. In Europe a sandwich, brownie, and a Coke doesn't cost $152. And while you can spend $152 on a EuroLunch, it probably means that you drank seven liters of wine and will need a sled evac to the village.“Oh so why don't you just go live there then if it's so perfect?”Shut up, Reductive Argument Bro. Everyplace is great and also sucks in its own special way. I'm just throwing around contrasts.There are plenty of things I don't like about EuroSki: the emphasis on pistes, the emphasis on trams, the often curt and indifferent employees, the “injury insurance” that would require a special session of the European Union to pay out a claim. And the lack of trees. Especially the lack of trees. But more families are opting for a week in Europe over the $25,000 Experience of a Lifetime in the American West, and I totally understand why.A quote often attributed to Winston Churchill reads, “You can always trust the Americans to do the right thing, after they have exhausted all the alternatives.” Unfortunately, it appears to be apocryphal. But I wish it wasn't. Because it's true. And I do think we'll eventually figure out that there is a continent-wide case study in how to retrofit our mountain towns for a more cost- and transit-accessible version of lift-served skiing. But it's gonna take a while.Podcast NotesOn U.S. ski areas opening this winter that haven't done so “in a long time”A strong snow year has allowed at least 11 U.S. ski areas to open after missing one or several winters, including:* Cloudmont, Alabama (yes I'm serious)* Pinnacle, Maine* Covington and Sault Seal, ropetows outfit in Michigan's Upper Peninsula* Norway Mountain, Michigan – resurrected by new owner after multi-year closure* Tower Mountain, a ropetow bump in Michigan's Lower Peninsula* Bear Paw, Montana* Hatley Pointe, North Carolina opened under new ownership, who took last year off to gut-renovate the hill* Warner Canyon, Oregon, an all-natural-snow, volunteer-run outfit, opened in December after a poor 2023-24 snow year.* Bellows Falls ski tow, a molehill run by the Rockingham Recreation in Vermont, opened for the first time in five years after a series of snowy weeks across New England* Lyndon Outing Club, another volunteer-run ropetow operation in Vermont, sat out last winter with low snow but opened this yearOn the “subway map” of transit-accessible Euro skiingI mean this is just incredible:The map lives on Martin's Ski Flight Free site, which encourages skiers to reduce their carbon footprints. I am not good at doing this, largely because such a notion is a fantasy in America as presently constructed.But just imagine a similar system in America. The nation is huge, of course, and we're not building a functional transcontinental passenger railroad overnight (or maybe ever). But there are several areas of regional density where such networks could, at a minimum, connect airports or city centers with destination ski areas, including:* Reno Airport (from the east), and the San Francisco Bay area (to the west) to the ring of more than a dozen Tahoe resorts (or at least stops at lake- or interstate-adjacent Sugar Bowl, Palisades, Homewood, Northstar, Mt. Rose, Diamond Peak, and Heavenly)* Denver Union Station and Denver airport to Loveland, Keystone, Breck, Copper, Vail, Beaver Creek, and - a stretch - Aspen and Steamboat, with bus connections to A-Basin, Ski Cooper, and Sunlight* SLC airport east to Snowbird, Alta, Solitude, Brighton, Park City, and Deer Valley, and north to Snowbasin and Powder Mountain* Penn Station in Manhattan up along Vermont's Green Mountain Spine: Mount Snow, Stratton, Bromley, Killington, Pico, Sugarbush, Mad River Glen, Bolton Valley, Stowe, Smugglers' Notch, Jay Peak, with bus connections to Magic and Middlebury Snowbowl* Boston up the I-93 corridor: Tenney, Waterville Valley, Loon, Cannon, and Bretton Woods, with a spur to Conway and Cranmore, Attitash, Wildcat, and Sunday River; bus connections to Black New Hampshire, Sunapee, Gunstock, Ragged, and Mount AbramYes, there's the train from Denver to Winter Park (and ambitions to extend the line to Steamboat), which is terrific, but placing that itsy-bitsy spur next to the EuroSystem and saying “look at our neato train” is like a toddler flexing his toy jet to the pilots as he boards a 757. And they smile and say, “Whoa there, Shooter! Now have a seat while we burn off 4,000 gallons of jet fuel accelerating this f****r to 500 miles per hour.”On the number of ski areas in EuropeI've detailed how difficult it is to itemize the 500-ish active ski areas in America, but the task is nearly incomprehensible in Europe, which has as many as eight times the number of ski areas. Here are a few estimates:* Skiresort.info counts 3,949 ski areas (as of today; the number changes daily) in Europe: list | map* Wikipedia doesn't provide a number, but it does have a very long list* Statista counts a bit more than 2,200, but their list excludes most of Eastern EuropeOn Euro non-ski media and climate change catastropheOf these countless European ski areas, a few shutter or threaten to each year. The resulting media cycle is predictable and dumb. In The Snow concisely summarizes how this pattern unfolds by analyzing coverage of the recent near loss of L'Alpe du Grand Serre, France (emphasis mine):A ski resort that few people outside its local vicinity had ever heard of was the latest to make headlines around the world a month ago as it announced it was going to cease ski operations.‘French ski resort in Alps shuts due to shortage of snow' reported The Independent, ‘Another European ski resort is closing due to lack of snow' said Time Out, The Mirror went for ”Devastation” as another European ski resort closes due to vanishing snow‘ whilst The Guardian did a deeper dive with, ‘Fears for future of ski tourism as resorts adapt to thawing snow season.' The story also appeared in dozens more publications around the world.The only problem is that the ski area in question, L'Alpe du Grand Serre, has decided it isn't closing its ski area after all, at least not this winter.Instead, after the news of the closure threat was publicised, the French government announced financial support, as did the local municipality of La Morte, and a number of major players in the ski industry. In addition, a public crowdfunding campaign raised almost €200,000, prompting the officials who made the original closure decision to reconsider. Things will now be reassessed in a year's time.There has not been the same global media coverage of the news that L'Alpe du Grand Serre isn't closing after all.It's not the first resort where money has been found to keep slopes open after widespread publicity of a closure threat. La Chapelle d'Abondance was apparently on the rocks in 2020 but will be fully open this winter and similarly Austria's Heiligenblut which was said to be at risk of permanently closure in the summer will be open as normal.Of course, ski areas do permanently close, just like any business, and climate change is making the multiple challenges that smaller, lower ski areas face, even more difficult. But in the near-term bigger problems are often things like justifying spends on essential equipment upgrades, rapidly increasing power costs and changing consumer habits that are the bigger problems right now. The latter apparently exacerbated by media stories implying that ski holidays are under severe threat by climate change.These increasingly frequent stories always have the same structure of focusing on one small ski area that's in trouble, taken from the many thousands in the Alps that few regular skiers have heard of. The stories imply (by ensuring that no context is provided), that this is a major resort and typical of many others. Last year some reports implied, again by avoiding giving any context, that a ski area in trouble that is actually close to Rome, was in the Alps.This is, of course, not to pretend that climate change does not pose an existential threat to ski holidays, but just to say that ski resorts have been closing for many decades for multiple reasons and that most of these reports do not give all the facts or paint the full picture.On no cars in ZermattIf the Little Cottonwood activists really cared about the environment in their precious canyon, they wouldn't be advocating for alternate rubber-wheeled transit up to Alta and Snowbird – they'd be demanding that the road be closed and replaced by a train or gondola or both, and that the ski resorts become a pedestrian-only enclave dotted with only as many electric vehicles as it took to manage the essential business of the towns and the ski resorts.If this sounds improbable, just look to Zermatt, which has banned gas cars for decades. Skiers arrive by train. Nearly 6,000 people live there year-round. It is amazing what humans can build when the car is considered as an accessory to life, rather than its central organizing principle.On driving in EuropeDriving in Europe is… something else. I've driven in, let's see: Iceland, Portugal, Spain, France, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, and Montenegro. That last one is the scariest but they're all a little scary. Drivers' speeds seem to be limited by nothing other than physics, passing on blind curves is common even on mountain switchbacks, roads outside of major arterials often collapse into one lane, and Euros for some reason don't believe in placing signs at intersections to indicate street names. Thank God for GPS. I'll admit that it's all a little thrilling once the disorientation wears off, and there are things to love about driving in Europe: roundabouts are used in place of traffic lights wherever possible, the density of cars tends to be less (likely due to the high cost of gas and plentiful mass transit options), sprawl tends to be more contained, the limited-access highways are extremely well-kept, and the drivers on those limited-access highways actually understand what the lanes are for (slow, right; fast, left).It may seem contradictory that I am at once a transit advocate and an enthusiastic road-tripper. But I've lived in New York City, home of the United States' best mass-transit system, for 23 years, and have owned a car for 19 of them. There is a logic here: in general, I use the subway or my bicycle to move around the city, and the car to get out of it (this is the only way to get to most ski areas in the region, at least midweek). I appreciate the options, and I wish more parts of America offered a better mix.On chairs without barsIt's a strange anachronism that the United States is still home to hundreds of chairlifts that lack safety bars. ANSI standards now require them on new lift builds (as far as I can tell), but many chairlifts built without bars from the 1990s and earlier appear to have been grandfathered into our contemporary system. This is not the case in the Eastern U.S. where, as far as I'm aware, every chairlift with the exception of a handful in Pennsylvania have safety bars – New York and many New England states require them by law (and require riders to use them). Things get dicey in the Midwest, which has, as a region, been far slower to upgrade its lift fleets than bigger mountains in the East and West. Many ski areas, however, have retrofit their old lifts with bars – I was surprised to find them on the lifts at Sundown, Iowa; Chestnut, Illinois; and Mont du Lac, Wisconsin, for example. Vail and Alterra appear to retrofit all chairlifts with safety bars once they purchase a ski area. But many ski areas across the Mountain West still spin old chairs, including, surprisingly, dozens of mountains in California, Oregon, and Washington, states that tends to have more East Coast-ish outlooks on safety and regulation.On Compagnie des AlpesAccording to Martin, the closest thing Europe has to a Vail- or Alterra-style conglomerate is Compagnie des Alpes, which operates (but does not appear to own) 10 ski areas in the French Alps, and holds ownership stakes in five more. It's kind of an amazing list:Here's the company's acquisition timeline, which includes the ski areas, along with a bunch of amusement parks and hotels:Clearly the path of least resistance to a EuroVail conflagration would be to shovel this pile of coal into the furnace. Martin referenced Tignes' forthcoming exit from the group, to join forces with ski resort Sainte-Foy on June 1, 2026 – teasing a smaller potential EuroVail acquisition. Tignes, however, would not be the first resort to exit CdA's umbrella – Les 2 Alpes left in 2020.On EuroSkiPassesThe EuroMegaPass market is, like EuroSkiing itself, unintelligible to Americans (at least to this American). There are, however, options. Martin offers the Swiss-centric Magic Pass as perhaps the most prominent. It offers access to 92 ski areas (map). You are probably expecting me to make a chart. I will not be making a chart.S**t I need to publish this article before I cave to my irrepressible urge to make a chart.OK this podcast is already 51 days old do not make a chart you moron.I think we're good here.I hope.I will also not be making a chart to track the 12 ski resorts accessible on Austria's Ski Plus City Pass Stubai Innsbruck Unlimited Freedom Pass.The Storm explores the world of lift-served skiing year-round. Join us. Get full access to The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast at www.stormskiing.com/subscribe

Are you ready to build a solid foundation for your retirement?In this video, we're diving into the concept of the 3-Legged Stool of Retirement—a simple but powerful framework to help you understand and balance your retirement.The three three legs of the retirement stool represent Time, Health and Money.   But in today's ever-changing world, those legs may look a little different for each person.Today,  I'll break down each component, explain how they work together, and how important they are to make your retirement remarkable. Whether you're just starting to plan or you're already retired and looking to reassess, this video will give you practical tips, real-world examples, and a fresh perspective on creating a retirement strategy that works for YOU.Please consider joining our Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/lifestartsatretirement

What is it like to survive a mid-air collision with the Snowbirds? What does it feel like to join an Aurora crew on operations in the Mediterranean Sea for Op Sharp Guard? What does it take to make the jump from publisher to having an aviation podcast network?  Today, we sit down with renowned air-to-air photographer and publisher Mike Reyno to discuss his many adventures and experiences in air-to-air photography and beyond.

Tony Yaniro is a climbing legend and the first-ever person to redpoint a 5.13b with his ascent of The Grand Illusion in 1979. We talked about his early years, handmaking cams in his garage, developing The Needles, inventing the first campus board, training for 5.14 using tin foil, the controversy of chipping routes at Leslie Gulch, his legendary homewall on wheels, building a climbing gym, the importance of respecting your body, and much more.PhysiVantage:physivantage.com (link includes 15% off coupon)Use code "NUGGET15" at checkout for 15% off your next order.Arc'teryx:Women's climbing clothingMen's climbing clothingCheck out the NEW Kragg Collection.Mad Rock:madrock.comUse code “NUGGET10” at checkout for 10% off your next order.Rúngne:rungne.info/nugget-club

Canadian snowbirds are bailing out of Arizona's housing market in record numbers. A local realtor tells us how Trump's threats are making it worse. Plus, what role should protests play for the left in the new Trump era?

We're learning more about a new rule that requires non-citizens to register their stay of more than 30 days in the US. Immigration attorney Rosanna Berardi has the latest.

Mark Carney, ex-central banker, to become Canada's next prime minister Former central banker Mark Carney will become Canada's next prime minister after the governing Liberal Party elected him its leader Sunday as the country deals with U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war and annexation threat, and a federal election looms. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/mark-carney-ex-central-banker-become-canadas-prime-minister-rcna195560 Carney ‘lied' about his support for relocating company from Canada to U.S., Conservatives say Carney said the ‘formal decision' was made after he cut ties with Brookfield, but the company announced the decision prior to his leaving https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/tories-say-carney-supported-brookfield-move-new-york Mark Carney identified as ‘European' at the World Economic Forum Presumptive... View Article

Stephonik's Production Design work includes: Prince of Broadway, Snowbird, The Florida Project, Red Rocket, Bleeding Love, and Gonzo Girl. Stephonik has made musical contributions for the films: Prince of Broadway, Tangerine, Snowbird, and Bleeding Love.

Arizona is a unique state in that parts of the state have harsh winters while other areas deal with extreme heat in the summers. Either way, it definitely drives retirees to consider taking up residence somewhere else in those months when the weather isn't enjoyable. Is ‘snowbird' life for you? Let's talk about what motivates people to take up temporary residence elsewhere, where they go, and if it's worthwhile. Here's what we discuss in today's show: What our clients usually do when they choose to become ‘snowbirds.' Where do people usually go to live when they leave? What do you need to consider before deciding to take up two residences? The ways that technology has given more flexibility with work and travel.   Want to get in touch with Mark?  Web: https://silverman-associates.com/home Email: mark@silverman-associates.com Phone: 520.512.8832

The Children of the Blindfather walk straight into the wolf's den and come face to face with the feral warlord of the Northlands - the leader of the Moon Clan known only as Romulus and his witch companion Snowbird. Surrounded by Moon Wolves, fighting side by side with Conan and The Iron Fist, the fate of Hyborea stands in the balance. Dreamslayer Merch is now available! Check us out at https://www.teepublic.com/user/dreamslayer-studios or https://dreamslayerstudios.creator-spring.com/As mentioned in the video, our Everyday Heroes Horror Compendium, REQUIEM is now available for download! Click here to buy your copy!https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/512154/Requiem--A-Horror-Compendium-for-Everyday-Heroes?affiliate_id=1762912Inspired by the old comic book tales of What If? and 2015's Secret Wars saga, we embark on a journey with a tightly knit family unit thrust into a Galaxy far, far away as the secrets of the past they never knew begin to unravel. If you're a fan of the Fantastic Four's family dynamic, the lore of the X-Men or the adventures of The Guardians of the Galaxy, the Children of the Blindfather are sure to carve a special place in your heart as we explore Marvel Galaxies!A Marvel Superheroes RPG Live Play utilizing Foundry VTTLike what you see? Support us on Patreon at https://patreon.com/DreamslayerStudiosVisit Dreamslayer Studios online at https://dreamslayerstudios.renderforestsites.com/Additional music by Monument Studios https://www.monumentstudios.net/For more Marvel Superheroes action, check out our other campaigns:IROSHANhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZrWbwUCH4XA3EeGmthj67Y_fUMOpU2h-Orphans of the Bliphttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZrWbwUCH4XDVF-aD_XrRzyZC4lDK75iXIn the Shadow of Evil/In the Mouth of Madnesshttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZrWbwUCH4XA6cNHVkounbBaJZAwE1UfJ Thanks to our monthly supporters Adam Collins Shawn Pearce (FluffyAlpacaGM) Staci Teter Artalis Jonathan Morton Oraxsis Laura Shepherd Clint Byrd Michael Brightbill

Manitoban snowbird Laurie Fischer is selling his condo in Florida, in part because of U.S. President Donald Trump's threats of tariffs and annexation against Canada. Matt Galloway talks to Fischer, as well as Florida motel owner Richard Clavet, who thinks that the pushback from Canadians is an overreaction.

Immigration attorney Rosanna Berardi on a new executive order that affects Canadian snowbirds full 204 Thu, 27 Feb 2025 09:00:48 +0000 lN3MCRJOYrffZyLyhE9O6KK64tYvMSLE news & politics,news WBEN Extras news & politics,news Immigration attorney Rosanna Berardi on a new executive order that affects Canadian snowbirds Archive of various reports and news events 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. News & Politics News False

WBEN's Tom Puckett on a new requirement for Canadian snowbirds full 63 Thu, 27 Feb 2025 09:39:55 +0000 EC21aTQU4SwN9S3kd3PuyIHfGMLY6Mcp news & politics,news WBEN Extras news & politics,news WBEN's Tom Puckett on a new requirement for Canadian snowbirds Archive of various reports and news events 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. News & Politics News False https://player.amperwavepodcas

Brrr, it's cold out there! Winter has a lot of people thinking about warmer weather. For some, that just means an annual vacation down south. But for certain retirees, they choose to live elsewhere through the brunt of winter, becoming “snowbirds.” Is snowbird life for you? Let's talk about what motivates people to take up temporary residence elsewhere, where they go, and if it's worthwhile.   Show Notes & Info: Schedule A Call With Scott: talkwithscott.net Tax-Free Toolkit: https://5p7b1gdm.pages.infusionsoft.net/

As winter approaches, many retirees are looking for ways to escape the cold, and snowbirding has become a popular solution. But what does it really entail? In this episode, Sean shares insights on the top destinations for snowbirds, including the sunny shores of Florida and the warm deserts of Arizona. Here's what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 1:49 – Top destinations 3:05 – Having two homes 4:37 – The RV/remote lifestyle 6:54 – Planning for this 10:46 – Sean's thoughts on snowbirding   Schedule a 15-minute consultation:  https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall Get your free copy of "Rounding Third:"  http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/  

Last year many seasonal residents of Manatee County watched helplessly from their summer homes as Tropical Storm Debby, and Hurricanes Helene and Milton did a number on their properties. Many snowbirds aren't sure how much hurricane prep they're allowed to do before heading north. Manatee County is holding a Q-and-A sessionFriday (2-14) aimed at those folks. We speak with Manatee County Public Safety Director Jodie Fiske. 

This week on From the Front Porch, it's another New Release Rundown! Annie, Erin, and Olivia are sharing the November releases they're excited about to help you build your TBR. When you purchase or preorder any of the books they talk about, enter the code NEWRELEASEPLEASE at checkout for 10% off your order! To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search “Episode 515”), or download and shop on The Bookshelf's official app: Annie's books: The Snowbirds by Christina Clancy (2/4) We Would Never by Tova Mirvis (2/11) Back After This by Linda Holmes (2/25) Olivia's books: The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune (2/4) You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego (2/11) The Enemy's Daughter by Anne Blankman (2/18) Erin's books: The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict (2/11) The Strange Case of Jane O. by Karen Thompson Walker (2/25) Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister (2/25) From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf's daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today's episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com.  A full transcript of today's episode can be found here. Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations.  This week, Annie is reading Isola by Allegra Goodman.  Olivia is reading The Enemy's Daughter by Anne Blankman.  Erin is reading Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson. If you liked what you heard in today's episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch. We're so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week. Our Executive Producers are...Beth, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, and Amanda Whigham.

Winter has a lot of people thinking about warmer weather. For some, that just means an annual vacation down south. But for certain retirees, they choose to live elsewhere through the brunt of winter, becoming “snowbirds.” Is snowbird life for you? Let's talk about what motivates people to take up temporary residence elsewhere, where they go, and if it's worthwhile. Here's what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 - Intro 1:50 – How common is this? 3:10 – Trying it before retirement 4:30 – What you need to know 6:24 – How a financial advisor helps   Text RETIRE to 21000 to Begin Building Your Retirement Reality Roadmap Learn more about Principal Preservation Services: https://principalpreservationservices.com Schedule an Initial Meeting with Mike: https://calendly.com/ppservices/60-minute-initial-meeting Watch Retirement Reality on Demand: https://bit.ly/40VIByr

The Bachelorette Party gone private

This week on From the Front Porch, Annie recaps the books she read and loved in January. You get 10% off your books when you order your January Reading Recap Duo. Each month, we offer a Reading Recap bundle, which features Annie's favorite books she read that month. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search “Episode 514”), or download and shop on The Bookshelf's official app: The Snowbirds by Christina Clancy (releases 2/4) We Would Never by Tova Mirvis (releases 2/11) Lucky Night by Eliza Kennedy (releases 3/25) Playworld by Adam Ross Back After This by Linda Holmes (releases 2/25) Show Don't Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld (releases 2/25) Annie's January Reading Recap Duo - $52 The Snowbirds by Christina Clancy (releases 2/4) Playworld by Adam Ross **Please note your January Reading Recap Duo will ship after Tuesday, February 4, when The Snowbirds releases. From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf's daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today's episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com.  A full transcript of today's episode can be found here. Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations.  This week, Annie is reading Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy. If you liked what you heard in today's episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch. We're so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week. Our Executive Producers are...Beth, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, and Amanda Whigham.

Stephanie's Mom and Dad want to move to Florida for part of the year, and Stephanie is trying to prevent it from happening.

Host Alex Pierson is joined by Chris Ecklund, a philanthropist, founder of "Canadian Heroes" and a proud member of the Canadian Snowbird Association, and how he and his fellow members feel about President Donald Trump bashing Canada and promising tariffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on From the Front Porch, it's a new episode of Into the Backlist! Today, Annie changes her focus from new releases to dive into the backlist: the books that came out years ago, the books that didn't get enough attention, the books you may stumble upon while browsing in an indie bookstore like The Bookshelf. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search “Episode 513”) or download and shop on The Bookshelf's official app: Previous Into the Backlist Titles: Frances & Bernard by Carlene Bauer The Ensemble by Aja Gabel (unable to order) The Mothers by Brit Bennett Defending Jacob by William Landay History of Wolves by Emily Fridlund The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry Miracle Creek by Angie Kim These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward Miracle Creek by Angie Kim Swamplandia! by Karen Russell (unavailable to order) Lay Your Body Down by Amy Suiter Clarke Stealing by Margaret Verble The Net Beneath Us by Carol Dunbar Bewilderment by Richard Powers Burial Rites by Hannah Kent Penitence by Kristin Koval (releases January 28th) From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf's daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today's episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com.  A full transcript of today's episode can be found here. Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations.  This week, Annie is reading The Snowbirds by Christina Clancy. If you liked what you heard in today's episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch. We're so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week. Our Executive Producers are...Jennifer Bannerton, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Susan Hulings, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, and Amanda Whigham.

The first caller needs pointers on hiring the right construction worker. He also mentions that his daughter has a unique skill. The next caller is a baker living in Arizona who is tired of Midwestern habits. The last caller is a woman who recently moved to California and is worried she's losing her Midwest roots.

The Wes Buck Show | Ep.370 | Snowbirds Winner Kye Kelley!!! This week on The Wes Buck Show, we're keeping the momentum rolling from one of the hottest years in drag racing! We've got none other than Kye Kelley joining us, winner of the Snowbirds Outlaw Nationals at Bradenton Motorsports Park. Kye's been on a tear, and we'll sit down with him to talk about that big win, his plans for the upcoming U.S. Street Nationals, and how he's gearing up for the World Series of Pro Mod. From the track to the garage, Kye's got stories, insights, and some bold takes you don't want to miss. We're also diving deep into the DI Winter Series. With just one race left before the World Series of Pro Mod, we'll break down the biggest storylines, top performers, and the must-watch battles as we wrap up this incredible series. Plus, we'll hit on the latest news, team announcements, and more from the drag racing world as the offseason continues to heat up. Strap in folks, this one's gonna be a banger! Each week on The Wes Buck Show, Wes Buck, JT “Murder T” Hudson, and Mike Carpenter bring their unique insights and analysis to the most electrifying moments and storylines from a packed weekend of drag racing. Don't miss out on the action and conversation—hit SUBSCRIBE for the latest in drag racing: @dragillustrated Grab your MERCH here: https://dragillustrated.store Stay connected with The Wes Buck Show: @thewesbuckshow @dragillustrated RACERSCLUB MERCH: http://www.racers.club Want to sponsor the show? Contact us: wes@dragillustrated.com #dragracing #wesbuck #dragillustrated #NHRA #DIWinterSeries #Snowbirds #USStreetNationals #WorldSeriesofProMod #Promod #KyeKelley #BradentonMotorsportsPark #NoPrep #Streetoutlaws #DI #WBS #WesBuckShow

It's cold out there! And winter always has a lot of people thinking about warmer weather. For some, that just means an annual vacation to a tropical location, but for certain retirees, they choose to live elsewhere through the brunt of winter, becoming “snowbirds.” Let's talk about what motivates people to take up temporary residence elsewhere, where they go, and if it's worthwhile. Contact Information: Website: http://www.ruggierifinancial.com/ Phone: 888-823-7526

"born of the whirling snow"

Captain Caitie Clapp was born in Ottawa but moved all over Canada growing up with her military parents. She attended the Royal Military College of Canada, graduating in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in Chemistry & Psychology and while awaiting pilot training, she also completed a master's degree in Microbiology.After receiving her pilot wings in 2012, Caitie was posted to 413 Search and Rescue Squadron in Greenwood, Nova Scotia, to fly the CC-130 Hercules. While she was there, she flew over 40 search and rescue missions, as well as numerous strategic airlift support missions around the world. In 2017, she was posted to 2 Canadian Forces Flight Training School in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, as an instructor, training both new RCAF pilots and instructors alike. Caitie joined the Snowbirds in 2022 and brings over 3,300 hours of military flying experience to the team.She flies in the Number 2 jet in the Inner Right Wing position.-------------------About The SnowbirdsInstagram @cfsnowbirdsInstagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@shootlikeagirlpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact: shootlikeagirlpodcast@gmail.com

This week on The Wes Buck Show—we're coming at you fresh off one of the wildest two weeks in drag racing! Episode 369 is stacked, and we've got plenty to break down from the Snowbirds Outlaw Nationals, DI Winter Series Race No. 1, and the absolute madness that was the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show in Indianapolis. From epic announcements to jaw-dropping moments, the Snowbirds delivered, and we've got two of the baddest dudes from the weekend joining us: Mark Micke and Ken Quartuccio. These guys brought the heat, and we're gonna hear all about their killer performances and what it took to throw down on one of the toughest stages in drag racing. Oh, and PRI? Forget about it. Between the DI After Hours Party (which was absolute chaos, in the best way possible), the 30 Under 30 press conference, Podcasts live in the PRI Paddock, and team announcements flying around left and right, it was a non-stop celebration of this sport we all love. We'll get into all of it—big takeaways, insider scoops, and why this year's PRI felt like a major moment for the racing world. Buckle up, folks. This episode's gonna be a heater—don't miss it! Each week on The Wes Buck Show, Wes Buck, JT “Murder T” Hudson, and Mike Carpenter bring their unique insights and analysis to the most electrifying moments and storylines from a packed weekend of drag racing. Don't miss out on the action and conversation—hit SUBSCRIBE for the latest in drag racing: @dragillustrated Grab your MERCH here: https://dragillustrated.store Stay connected with The Wes Buck Show: @thewesbuckshow @dragillustrated RACERSCLUB MERCH: http://www.racers.club Want to sponsor the show? Contact us: wes@dragillustrated.com #dragracing #wesbuck #dragillustrated #NHRA #PDRA #NoPrep #Streetoutlaws #NoPrepKings #Promod #MWDRS #topfuel #funnycar #prostock #radialracing #NPK #WDRA #dragrace #DI #WBS #WesBuckShow #WSOPM #WorldSeriesOfProMod #DIWinterSeries #SnowbirdNationals #MarkMicke #KenQuartuccio #PRIShow #DI30Under30 #AfterHoursParty --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thewesbuckshow/support

Further Seems Forever is a kick ass fucking band from Florida. They've put out 4 albums, The Moon is Down and Penny Black with Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional fame, How to start a fire with Jason Gleason, and Hide Nothing with Jon Bunch who was the singer of Sensefield. Thank you to Casey from Iodine Records for connecting me to Steve whom I got on the Skype and this is what we chat about Hide Nothing coming out on Iodine for it's 20 yr anniversary Furnace Fest's sound issues Shai Hulud Starting Further Seems Forever Playing the first Furnace Fest The album artwork for Moon is Down Jason entering the band The music video for Snowbirds and Townies The 2005 Skate and Surf debacle Being the Guiness book of World Record holder in the classic arcade game "Mario Bros." – scoring over 5 million points And a ton more Visit kleisath.com for a list of all of Steve's music endeavors. You can pre-order Hide Nothing on Iodine Recordings website. Check out his Fanduel roster construction show on youtube on the one week season channel Lastly I started doing whiteboard animations so if your marketing department has said recently “Hey, we need a whiteboard animation” then email me at mike@drive80.com

Send us a textBrody kicks off this episode by celebrating the 250th episode of No Sanity Required and reflecting on the growth of the podcast. He expresses gratitude for the support and listeners who've been part of the journey.In this episode, Brody answers questions from Blake, a former SWO staffer and avid NSR listener, about church leadership. Sparked by a recent episode, Blake asks about some pastoral models within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and how they compare to biblical principles of church structure. Brody discusses the importance of pastors staying long-term at a church and why leadership should focus on a team of elders, not just one "CEO" pastor. He also shares wisdom from 1 Timothy 5 on how churches should support, protect, and care for their leaders.Brody wraps up with exciting updates on new cabins and projects at Snowbird. Tune in for an insightful conversation about church leadership, pastoral integrity, and how we can build healthier churches.1 Timothy 5:17-25Faithful Leadership in the Midst of Failure NSR EpisodeSWO1 FundPlease leave a review on Apple or Spotify to help improve No Sanity Required and help others grow in their faith. Click here to get our Colossians Bible study.

This podcast hit paid subscribers' inboxes on Nov. 24. It dropped for free subscribers on Dec. 1. To receive future episodes as soon as they're live, and to support independent ski journalism, please consider an upgrade to a paid subscription. You can also subscribe to the free tier below:What There's a good reason that the Ikon Pass, despite considerable roster overlap and a more generous bucket of days, failed to kill Mountain Collective. It's not because Mountain Collective has established itself as a sort of bargain Ikon Junior, or because it's scored a few exclusive partners in Canada and the Western U.S. Rather, the Mountain Collective continues to exist because the member mountains like their little country club, and they're not about to let Alterra force a mass exodus. Not that Alterra has tried, necessarily (I frankly have no idea), but the company did pull its remaining mountains (Mammoth, Palisades, Sugarbush), out of the coalition in 2022. Mountain Collective survived that, just as it weathered the losses of Stowe and Whistler and Telluride (all to the Epic Pass) before it. As of 2024, six years after the introduction of the Ikon Pass that was supposed to kill it, the Mountain Collective, improbably, floats its largest roster ever.And dang, that roster. Monsters, all. Best case, you can go ski them. But the next best thing, for The Storm at least, is when these mountain leaders assemble for their annual meeting in New York City, which includes a night out with the media. Despite a bit of ambient noise, I set up in a corner of the bar and recorded a series of conversations with the leaders of some of the biggest, baddest mountains on the continent.Who* Stephen Kircher, President & CEO, Boyne Resorts* Dave Fields, President & General Manager, Snowbird, Utah* Brandon Ott, Marketing Director, Alta, Utah* Steve Paccagnan, President & CEO, Panorama, British Columbia* Geoff Buchheister, CEO, Aspen Skiing Company, Colorado* Pete Sonntag, VP & General Manager, Sun Valley, Idaho* Davy Ratchford, General Manager, Snowbasin, Utah* Aaron MacDonald, Chief Marketing Officer, Sun Peaks, British Columbia* Geordie Gillett, GM, Grand Targhee, Wyoming* Bridget Legnavsky, President & CEO, Sugar Bowl, California* Marc-André Meunier, Executive Marketing Director, Bromont, Quebec* Pete Woods, President, Ski Big 3, Alberta* Kendra Scurfield, VP of Brand & Communications, Sunshine, Alberta* Norio Kambayashi, director and GM, Niseko Hanazono, Japan* James Coleman, Managing Partner, Mountain Capital Partners* Mary Kate Buckley, CEO, Jackson Hole, WyomingRecorded onOctober 29, 2024About Mountain CollectiveMountain Collective gives you two days each at some badass mountains. There is a ton of overlap with the Ikon Pass, which I note below, but Mountain Collective is cheaper has no blackout dates.What we talked aboutBOYNE RESORTSThe PortfolioBig SkySunday RiverSugarloafTopicsYes a second eight-pack comes to Big Sky and it's a monster; why Sunday River joined the Mountain Collective; Sugarloaf's massive West Mountain expansion; and could more Boyne Resorts join Mountain Collective?More Boyne ResortsSNOWBIRDStats: 3,240 vertical feet | 2,500 skiable acres | 500 inches average annual snowfallTopicsThe new Wilbere lift; why fixed-grip; why 600 inches of snow is better than 900 inches; and how Snowbird and Alta access differ on the Ikon versus the Mountain Collective passes.Wilbere's new alignmentMore SnowbirdALTAStats: 2,538 vertical feet | 2,614 skiable acres | 540 inches average annual snowfallTopicsNot 903 inches but still a hell of a lot; why Alta's aiming for 612 inches this season; and plotting Mountain Collective trips in LCC.PANORAMAStats: 4,265 vertical feet | 2,975 skiable acres | 204 inches average annual snowfallTopicsPanorama opens earlier than most skiers think, but not for the reasons they think; opening wall-to-wall last winter; Tantum Bowl Cats; and the impact of Mountain Collective and Ikon on Panorama.More PanoramaASPEN SKIING COMPANYStatsAspen MountainAspen HighlandsButtermilkSnowmassTopicsLast year's Heroes expansion; ongoing improvements to the new terrain for 2024-25; why Aspen finally removed The Couch; who Aspen donated that lift to, and why; why the new Coney lift at Snowmass loads farther down the mountain; “we intend to replace a lift a year probably for the next 10 years”; where the next lift could be; and using your two Mountain Collective days to ski four Aspen resorts.   On Maverick Mountain, MontanaDespite megapass high-tides swarming mountains throughout the West, there are still dozens of ski areas like Maverick Mountain, tucked into the backwoods, 2,020 vertical feet of nothing but you and a pair of sticks. Aspen's old Gent's Ridge quad will soon replace the top-to-bottom 1969 Riblet double chair that serves Maverick now:On the Snowmass masterplanAspen's plan is, according to Buchheister, install a lift per year for the next decade. Here are some of the improvements the company has in mind at Snowmass:On the Mountain Collective Pass starting at AspenChristian Knapp, who is now with Pacific Group Resorts, played a big part in developing the Mountain Collective via Aspen-Snowmass in 2012. He recounted that story on The Storm last year:More AspenSUN VALLEYStats* Bald Mountain: 3,400 vertical feet | 2,054 skiable acres | 200 inches average annual snowfall* Dollar Mountain: 628 vertical feetTopicsLast season's massive Challenger/Flying Squirrel lift updates; a Seattle Ridge lift update; World Cup Finals inbound; and Mountain Collective logistics between Bald and Dollar mountains.More Sun ValleySNOWBASINStats: 3,015 vertical feet | 3,000 skiable acres | 300 inches average annual snowfallTopicsThe Olympics return to Utah and Snowbasin; how Snowbasin's 2034 Olympic slate could differ from 2002; ski the downhill; how the DeMoisy six-pack changed the mountain; a lift upgrade for Becker; Porcupine on deck; and explaining the holdup on RFID.More SnowbasinSUN PEAKSStats: 2,894 vertical feet | 4,270 skiable acres | 237 inches average annual snowfallTopicsThe second-largest ski area in Canada; the new West Bowl quad; snow quality at the summit; and Ikon and Mountain Collective impact on the resort.The old versus new West Bowl liftsMore Sun PeaksGRAND TARGHEEStats: 2,270 vertical feet | 2,602 skiable acres | 500 inches average annual snowfallTopicsMaintaining that Targhee vibe in spite of change; the meaning of Mountain Collective; and combining your MC trip with other badass powder dumps.More Grand TargheeSUGAR BOWLStats: 1,500 vertical feet | 1,650 skiable acres | 500 inches average annual snowfallTopicsBig-time parks incoming; how those parks will differ from the ones at Boreal and Northstar; and reaction to Homewood closing.More Sugar BowlBROMONTStats: 1,175 vertical feet | 450 skiable acres | 210 inches average annual snowfallTopicsWhy this low-rise eastern bump was good enough for the Mountain Collective; grooming three times per day; the richness of Eastern Townships skiing; and where to stay for a Bromont trip.SKI BIG 3Stats* Banff Sunshine: 3,514 vertical feet | 3,358 skiable acres | 360 inches average annual snowfall* Lake Louise: 3,250 vertical feet | 4,200 skiable acres | 179 inches average annual snowfallSunshineLake LouiseTopicsThe new Super Angel Express sixer at Sunshine; the all-new Pipestone Express infill six-pack at Lake Louise; how Mountain Collective access is different from Ikon access at Lake Louise and Sunshine; why Norquay isn't part of Mountain Collective; and the long season at all three ski areas.SUNSHINEStats & map: see aboveTopicsSunshine's novel access route; why the mountain replaced Angel; the calculus behind installing a six-person chair; and growing up at Sunshine.NISEKO UNITEDStats: 3,438 vertical feet | 2,889 skiable acres | 590 inches average annual snowfallTopicsHow the various Niseko ski areas combine for one experience; so.much.snow; the best way to reach Niseko; car or no car?; getting your lift ticket; and where to stay.VALLE NEVADOStats: 2,658 vertical feet | 2,400 skiable acres | 240 inches average annual snowfallTopicsAn excellent winter in Chile; heli-skiing; buying the giant La Parva ski area, right next door; “our plan is to make it one of the biggest ski resorts in the world”; and why Mountain Capital Partners maintains its Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective partnerships even though the company has its own pass.More Valle/La Parva JACKSON HOLEStats: 4,139 vertical feet | 2,500 skiable acres | 459 inches average annual snowfallTopicsThe Sublette lift upgrade; why the new lift has fewer chairs; comparisons to the recent Thunder lift upgrade; venturing beyond the tram; and managing the skier experience in the Ikon/Mountain Collective era.More Jackson HoleWhat I got wrong* I said that Wilbere would be Snowbird's sixth quad. Wilbere will be Snowbird's seventh quad, and first fixed-grip quad.* I said Snowbird got “900-some inches” during the 2022-23 ski season. The final tally was 838 inches, according to Snowbird's website.The Storm explores the world of lift-served skiing year-round. Join us.The Storm publishes year-round, and guarantees 100 articles per year. This is article 79/100 in 2024, and number 579 since launching on Oct. 13, 2019. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stormskiing.com/subscribe

This podcast hit paid subscribers' inboxes on Nov. 23. It dropped for free subscribers on Nov. 30. To receive future episodes as soon as they're live, and to support independent ski journalism, please consider an upgrade to a paid subscription. You can also subscribe to the free tier below:What is this?Every autumn, ski associations and most of the large pass coalitions host media events in New York City. They do this because a) NYC is the media capital of the world; b) the city is a lot of fun; and, c) sometimes mountain folks like something different too, just like us city folks (meaning me), like to get to the mountains as much as possible. But I spend all winter traveling the country in search of ski areas of all sizes and varieties. This is the one time of year skiing comes to me. And it's pretty cool.One of the associations that consistently hosts an NYC event is Ski Utah. This year, they set up at the Arlo Soho, a chic Manhattan hotel. Longtime President Nathan Rafferty asked if I would be interested in setting up an interview station, talking to resort reps, and stringing them together into a podcast. It was a terrific idea, so here you go.Who* Nathan Rafferty, President of Ski Utah* Sara Huey, Senior Manager of Communications at Park City Mountain Resort* Sarah Sherman, Communications Manager at Snowbird* Nick Como, VP of Marketing at Sundance* Rosie O'Grady, President and Innkeeper of Alta Lodge* Jessica Turner, PR Manager for Go Heber Valley* Taylor Hartman, Director of Marketing and Communications at Visit Ogden* Brooks Rowe, Brand Manager at Snowbasin* Riley Elliott, Communications Specialist at Deer Valley* Andria Huskinson, Communications and PR Manager at Solitude* Anna Loughridge, PR Manager for Visit Utah* Courtney Ryan, Communications Manager for Visit Park City* Ryan Mack, VP of Communications for Visit Salt LakeRecorded onOctober 3, 2024About Ski UtahMost large ski states have a statewide trade group that represents its ski areas' interests. One of the best of these is Ski Utah, which is armed with a large staff, a generous budget, and some pretty good freaking skiing to promote (Buckskin, Utah Olympic Park, and Wasatch Peaks Ranch are not members of Ski Utah):What we talked aboutSKI UTAHTopicsWhy NYC; the Olympics return to Utah; why the state is such a great place to host the games (besides, you know, the awesome skiing); where we could potentially see future ski area development in Utah; Pow Mow's shift toward public-private hybrid; Deer Valley's expansion and ongoing snowboard ban; and the proposed LCC Gondola – “Little Cottonwood Canyon is not a great place for rubber-wheeled vehicles.”On Utah skier visits and population growth over timeOn chairlifts planned in Utah over the next three yearsUtah is on a chairlift-building binge, with the majority slated for Deer Valley's massive expansion (11) and Powder Mountain (4 this year; 1 in 2025). But Snowbird (Wilbere quad), Park City (Sunrise Gondola), and Snowbasin (Becker high-speed quad) are also scheduled to install new machines this year or next. The private Wasatch Peaks Ranch will also add two lifts (a gondola and a high-speed quad) this year. And Sundance is likely to install what resort officials refer to as the “Flathead lift” some time within the next two years. The best place to track scheduled lift installations is Lift Blog's new lifts databases for 2024, 2025, and 2026.On expansion potential at Brian Head and Nordic ValleyUtah's two largest expansion opportunities are at Brian Head and Nordic Valley, both operated by Mountain Capital Partners. Here's Brian Head today:The masterplan could blow out the borders - the existing ski area is in the lower-right-hand corner:And here's Nordic Valley:And the masterplan, which could supersize the ski area to 3,000-ish acres. The small green blob represents part of the existing ski area, though this plan predates the six-pack installation in 2020:PARK CITY MOUNTAIN RESORTStats: 3,226 vertical feet | 7,300 skiable acres | 355 inches average annual snowfallTopicsSnowmaking upgrades; the forthcoming Sunrise Gondola on the Canyons side; why this gondola didn't face the opposition that Park City's last lift upgrades did; Olympic buzz in Park City; and which events PCMR could host in the 2034 Olympics.On the Great Lift Shutdown of 2022Long story short: Vail tried to upgrade two lifts in Park City a couple of years ago. Locals got mad. The lifts went to Whistler. Here's the longer version:More Park City Mountain ResortSNOWBIRDStats: 3,240 vertical feet | 2,500 skiable acres | 500 inches average annual snowfallTopicsThe new Wilbere lift; why Snowbird shifted the chairlift line; the upside of abandoning the old liftline; riding on top of the new tram; and more LCC gondola talk.On the new Wilbere lift alignmentHere's where the new Wilbere lift sits (right) in comparison to the old lift (left):On inter-lodgeIf you happen to be at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon when avalanche danger spikes, you may be subject to something called “inter-lodge.” Which means you stay in whatever building you're in, with no option to leave. It's scary and thrilling all at once.Inter-lodge can last anywhere from under an hour to several days.On the LCC gondola and phase-in planAnother long story short: UDOT wants to build a gondola up Little Cottonwood Canyon. A lot of people would prefer to spend four hours driving seven miles to the ski areas. Here's a summary of UDOT's chosen configuration:As multiple lawsuits seeking to shut the project down work through the courts, UDOT has outlined a phased traffic-mitigation approach:More SnowbirdSUNDANCE Stats: 2,150 vertical feet | 450 skiable acres | 300 inches average annual snowfallTopicsThe importance of NYC to the wider skiing world; how the Wildwood terrain helped evolve Sundance; Epkon refugees headed south; parking improvements; options for the coming Flathead terrain expansion; and potential lift switcheroos. More SundanceSundance's new owners have been rapidly modernizing this once-dusty ski area, replacing most of the lifts, expanding terrain, and adding parking. I talked through the grand arc of these changes with the mountain's GM, Chad Linebaugh, a couple of years ago:ALTA LODGEAlta stats: 3,240 vertical feet | 2,500 skiable acres | 500 inches average annual snowfallTopics65 years of Levitt family ownership; Alta's five lodges; inter-lodge; how Alta has kept its old-school spirit even as it's modernized; and an upcoming women's ski event. On Alta's lift evolutionIt wasn't so long ago that Alta was known for its pokey lift fleet. As recently as the late ‘90s, the mountain was a chutes-and-ladders powder playground:Bit by bit, Alta consolidated and updated its antique lift fleet, beginning with the Sugarloaf high-speed quad in 2001. The two-stage Collins high-speed quad arrived three years later, replacing the legacy Collins double and Germania triple lines. The Supreme high-speed quad similarly displaced the old Supreme triple and Cecret double in 2017, and the Sunnyside sixer replaced the Albion double and Sunnyside high-speed triple in 2022. As of 2024, the only clunker left, aside from the short hotel lifts and the long transfer tow, is the Wildcat double.GO HEBER VALLEYTopicsWhy Heber Valley makes sense as a place to crash on a ski trip; walkable sections of Heber; ease of access to Deer Valley; and elevation.VISIT OGDENConsidering “untamed and untouched” Ogden as ski town; “it's like skiing in 2005”; Pow Mow, Snowbasin; accessing the mountains from Ogden; Pow Mow's partial privatization; art on the mountain; and Nordic Valley as locals' bump.  On Powder Mountain size claimsPow Mow has long claimed 8,000-ish acres of terrain, which would make it the largest ski area in the United States. I typically only count lift-served skiable acreage, however, bringing the mountain down to a more average-for-the-Wasatch 3,000-ish acres. A new lift in Wolf Canyon next year will add another 900 lift-served acres (shaded with stripes on the right-hand side below).On Nordic Valley's fire and the broken Apollo liftLast December, Nordic Valley's Apollo chairlift, a 1970 Hall double, fell over dead, isolating the mountain's glorious expansion from the base area. The next month, a fire chewed up the baselodge, a historic haybarn left over from the property's ranching days. Owner MCP renovated the chairlift over the summer, but Nordic will operate out of “temporary structures,” GM Pascal Begin told KSL.com in June, until they can build a new baselodge, which could be 2026 or '27.SNOWBASINStats: 3,015 vertical feet | 3,000 skiable acres | 300 inches average annual snowfallTopicsBreaking down the coming Becker lift upgrade; why Becker before Porcupine; last year's DeMoisy six-pack installation; where is everyone?; where to ski at Snowbasin; the 2034 Olympics plan; when will on-mountain lodging arrive?; and RFID.More SnowbasinDEER VALLEYStats: 3,040 vertical feet | 2,342 skiable acres | 300 inches average annual snowfallTopicsMassive expansion; avoiding Park City; and snowmaking in the Wasatch Back.On Expanded ExcellenceDeer Valley's expansion plans are insane. Here's a summary:More Deer ValleySOLITUDEStats: 2,030 vertical feet | 1,200 skiable acres | 500 inches average annual snowfallTopicsAlterra; Big versus Little Cottonwood Canyons; and Alta.More SolitudeVISIT UTAHTopicsWatching the state's population explode; the Olympics; comparing 2002 to 2034; RIP three percent beer; potential infrastructure upgrades to prepare for the Olympics; and SLC airport upgrades.VISIT PARK CITYTopicsPark City 101; Main Street; the National Ability Center; mining history everywhere; Deer Valley's trail names; Silver to Slopes at Park City; Deer Valley's East Village; public transit evolution; Park City Mountain Resort lift drama; paid parking; and why “you don't need a car” in Park City.On Silver to SlopesThe twice-daily guided ski tour of on-mountain mining relics that we discuss on the podcast is free. Details here.On Park City and Deer Valley's shared borderPark City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley share a border, but you are forbidden to cross it, on penalty of death.* Alta and Snowbird share a crossable border, as do Solitude and Brighton. All four have different operators. I'm not sure why PCMR and Deer Valley can't figure this one out.*This is not true.^^Though actually it might be true.VISIT SALT LAKETopicsThe easiest ski access in the world; why stay in SLC during a ski trip; walkable downtown; free transit; accessing the ski areas without a car; Olympic buzz; and Olympic events outside of the ski areas.What I got wrong* I said that former mayor Michael Bloomberg tried to bring the Olympics to NYC “around 2005 or 2006.” The city's bid was for the 2012 Summer Olympics (ultimately held in London). I also said that local opposition shut down the bid, but I confused that with the proposed stadium on what is now Manhattan's Hudson Yards development.* I said you had to drive through Park City to access Deer Valley, but the ski area has long maintained a small parking lot at the base of the Jordanelle Gondola off of US 40.The robots aren't readyEveryone keeps telling me that the robots will eat our souls, but every time I try to use them, they botch something that no human would ever miss. In this case, I tried using my editing program's AI to chop out the dead space and “ums,” and proceeded to lose bits of the conversation that in some cases confuse the narrative. So it sounds a little choppy in places. You can blame the robots. Or me for not re-doing the edit once I figured out what was happening.The Storm explores the world of lift-served skiing year-round. Join us.The Storm publishes year-round, and guarantees 100 articles per year. This is article 78/100 in 2024, and number 578 since launching on Oct. 13, 2019. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stormskiing.com/subscribe

Send us a textTune in as Brody sits down with Snowbird staff members Isa and JB! Get a behind-the-scenes look at their stories—how they got involved with SWO and what they're doing now. They share powerful stories of campers coming to faith, fun moments from camp, and talk about the importance of staying faithful and obedient, even when we don't see immediate results.Isa and JB also answer some of your questions on how to live out faithfulness in school, sports, and camp ministry. Don't miss this inspiring and fun conversation!Snowbird College RetreatSWO25 Summer CampPlease leave a review on Apple or Spotify to help improve No Sanity Required and help others grow in their faith. Click here to get our Colossians Bible study.