New Aava Hotel in Whistler

A new hotel is opening in Whistler just in time for the Olympics. The Aava Hotel will open its doors in November.

The newly refurbished hotel is located in the former Coast Hotel building. Stylishly decorated rooms and suites will come with flatscreen HD TVs, iPod docking stations and free Wi-Fi.

There will also be a White Spot restaurant on site. (RIP The Crab Shack.)

Natives job fair

The Natives Seasonal Job Shop takes place on 30 May 2009 and 24 October 2009 in London.

According to natives.co.uk, a wide range of employers will be attending the show. You'll also be able to check out workshops on topics such as finding jobs and accommodation, off-piste awareness and qualifying as an instructor.

Is it time to swap the credit crunch for the satisfying crunch of snow under your boots?

Where? Bordeaux Suite, Novotel West London, Hammersmith, London
When? 30 May 2009 and 24 October 2009 from 11am to 5pm
How much? Free (yay!)

Find out more information about the job fair.

Image credit: natives.co.uk

I do still snowboard

Yikes - the snow may have been abundant in the Alps this season, but the Girlieboarder blog entries have not. Baby boarder has been a bit of a distraction. This photo of me in Whistler a few weeks ago proves I've not forgotten how to snowboard. (That really is me - honest!)

Cute baby snowboarder T-shirts

If your little 'un is still a few years from strapping on his or her first board, they can look the part in the creche with one of WeeTeeShirts.com's funky range of baby Ts.

Photo credit: WeeTeeShirts.com

Whistler opens high terrain

Whistler's Peak Chair, Symphony Express and Blackcomb Glacier opened on the weekend of the 24/25 January for the first time this season.

The unusually late opening of these high alpine areas is due to an extremely unstable snow pack this winter.

Conditions have now improved, lessening the avalanche risk, and the mountain crew has ensured the terrain is safe to ski on.

This follows the deaths of a 37-year-old and a 26-year-old in two separate incidents over New Year. Both died in avalanches which occurred in roped-off areas: one in Ruby Bowl on Blackcomb, the other in Secret Chutes, by Symphony Bowl on Whistler.

Keep on eye on what's open in Whistler.

Snow, snow, snow in North America

It's looking powdertastic in North America, where bucketloads of snow continue to fall.

Whistler has received 89cm in the past week alone, while the Vail group of resorts (Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone, Beaver Creek and Heavenly) reported the best December snowfall in eight years. Vail itself has seen 43cm in the last two days.

Check out the latest pics of Whistler's white stuff.

rudechalets launches rudeshop

rudechalets has launched a new online snowboard equipment and clothing shop this winter.

The Morzine-based chalet operator is selling Burton gear via its website after forming a partnership with the US snowboard manufacturer.

To kick off rudeshop, owners Chris and Helen are offering 10 per cent off with the following voucher code - happydays.

Check out the shop and details of their new Chamonix chalet at the rudechalets website.

Photo credit: rudechalets

New baby snowboarder

If you're wondering what's happened to this blog recently, there's been a new addition to the Henderson family over the summer.

Being pregnant meant last season was a bit of a right off (hence enthusiasm for snowboarding news waned somewhat) and a new baby (and future snowboarder of course) has been taking up most of my time since July.

But Girlieboarder is back this season, so keep logging on for the latest snow news.

Vail launches Epic Season Pass

Vail Resorts has announced what looks to be one of next season's bargains - its new Epic Season Pass, costing just US$579.

There's no catch and there are no blackout dates. For that price, you can ski or ride as many days as your legs can handle at Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone, Beaver Creek and Heavenly. The pass is valid throughout the 2008/9 season.

Children's tickets come in at US$279. You must buy your pass by 15 November 2008.

Find out more and snap up your pass at www.epicpass.com.

Image credit: Vail Resorts

Dress as Santa and ski free at Whistler

The first 100 people to arrive at Whistler mountain's base dressed as Santa or Mrs Claus will receive a free lift ticket on Saturday 22 December.

The outfit must include black or red trousers or a skirt for Mrs Claus, a red jacket with white trim, a black belt, a beard for Santa and a hat for Santa or Mrs Claus.

If you're in Whistler and can get your hands on this kit by tomorrow, meet at the GLC at 8.30am. There will also be a draw for Oakley goggles and a C$500 Whistler gift certificate.

Find out more at www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

Vancouver 2010 mascots revealed

The mascots for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics will be Quatchi, Miga and Sumi.

Find out more about these cute little critters on the official Vancouver 2010 website.

Image credit: Vancouver 2010

Manchester Chill Factore snowdome opens

Manchester's new indoor snowdome, Chill Factore, opens today. It boasts the UK's longest and the world's widest real snow indoor slope.

The main slope is 180m long and 100m wide. There are also two beginner areas, plus a luge run and kiddies' snowplay area.

Alternatively you can try your hand at tubing or test your skills on the climbing wall. And there's a handful of restaurants and outdoor shops should you feel the need to burn some more cash.

Check out the Chill Factore website for full details.

Whistler Mountain to open early

Thanks to a powdertastic start to November (see entry below), Whistler Blackcomb has decided to open Whistler Mountain a few days early.

Whistler is now set to open on 17 November, while Blackcomb's season will kick off on 22 November.

All the usual early-season lifts will be open: Whistler Village Gondola, Creekside Gondola, Red Chair, Emerald Chair and Franz's (weekend only). A small park with five rails will be open at the top of Emerald.

The snow report should be returning at some point today.

Photo credit: Paul Morrison/Whistler Blackcomb

80cm dump in Whistler

It looks like it's going to be a great start to Whistler's season. The resort received 80cm of fresh pow over the weekend, with another 108cm forecast during the week.

Whistler Blackcomb opens for skiing and riding on 22 November.

Photo credit: Dave Lakey/Tourism Whistler

Canadian resort openings

If, like me, you're a sucker for Canadian pow, here's the latest on opening dates and current snow bases (where available) for some of the major Canadian resorts:

Alberta
Lake Louise - open, 34cm mid-mountain, 46cm top
Marmot Basin (Jasper) - 16 November, 30cm
Norquay - open (earliest ever opening on 1 November), 30cm (top of mountain)
Sunshine - 15 November, 44cm base

British Columbia
Big White - 22 November, 3cm (let's hope there's a big dump soon)
Fernie - 8 December, 15cm
Revelstoke - 22 December, base unavailable
Silver Star - 22 November, 20cm
Sun Peaks - 17 November, 49cm
Whistler Blackcomb - 22 November, base unavailable

I've not been able to get hold of dates for Kicking Horse or Red yet.

Quebec
Tremblant - 21 November, base unavailable
Mont-Sainte-Anne - 17 November, base unavailable

Kitzbuhel opens six weeks early

Kitzbuhel opened on 2 November, six weeks earlier than planned. It was the earliest opening in the resort's history.

The Austrian resort is already boasting a 130cm base, with 25cm in the valley.

Compared to last year's dismal early season snow, it seems even the low-level Austrian ski areas are seeing a stonking start to winter 2007/8.

Photo credit and further information: www.bergbahn-kitzbuehel.at

Copper Mountain opening day

The season kicks off at Colorado's Copper Mountain today, with top-to-bottom skiing and riding. The resort plans to open five lifts.

To celebrate the beginning of winter, Copper is running a three-day festival, Lift Off at Copper, from 2-4 November. Events will include showings of the latest ski and snowboard films, live music, equipment demos and apres parties.

Check out the latest snow report before you go.

Image credit and further information: Copper Mountain.

Keystone opens 2 November

Keystone is opening a week early, thanks to good dumps of early-season snow. The resort opens for skiing and riding tomorrow, 2 November.

The mountain has received 66cm of snow so far this season and currently has a 30cm mid-mountain base.

Check out all the details on Keystone's website.

Free skiing at Crested Butte

If you're a bit short of cash and looking for some early-season pow, head to Crested Butte, Colorado, where the skiing is free for the first three weeks of the season.

Yes, there's no catch. Ski or ride free from 25 November until 15 December.

They're also offering some enticing accommodation deals. Check out Crested Butte's website for all the details.

Crested Butte has 1,167 skiable acres, 121 runs and 846m of lift-served vertical.

Photo credit: Crested Butte

Tignes opens for winter

The 2007/8 ski season kicks off today in Tignes as the Grande Motte glacier opens for winter.

You can ski or ride 20km (13 miles) of runs on the glacier, which has an impressive 750m (2,400ft) vertical drop.

The Espace Killy, which is the entired combined Tignes and Val d'Isere ski area, opens on 1 December.

Visit the official Tignes website.