Will the Drought in the Northeast Curtail Snowmaking This Fall/Winter? Current drought conditions may affect the early season (November/early December). In a “normal” year, resorts might push snow guns aggressively or respond to brief cold snaps. In a drought year, they may have to ration water usage, being more selective about when and where to make snow. The timing of reservoir refill (from late summer and fall rains) is going to be critical. More. Seniors Skiing
Colorado Ski Industry Worried About Slowdown in J-1 Visas That Are ‘Essential’ for Resort Areas’ Workforce. The National Ski Areas Association, which represents over 300 alpine resorts throughout the U.S., said it has heard from ski areas, including in Colorado, that are worried about a potential shortage of seasonal foreign workers on J-1 visas this winter. More. Post Independent (Glenwood Springs and Garfield County, CO) via Google Alerts
Going Skiing in Europe This Winter? New Rules You Need to Know. Going skiing in Europe this winter? Italy now requires helmets for everyone, insurance is mandatory, and France is extending smoking bans to the slopes. Here’s what travelers need to know before hitting the mountains. More. Ski Racing Media
Timberline Prices to Rise Due to Oregon’s ‘Broken’ Liability System. As insurers exit Oregon and available insurance premiums skyrocket in response to the state’s legal climate, in which recreational liability waivers are unenforceable, outdoor recreation providers, including ski areas, are in a precarious position. Timberline, which operates on Mt. Hood, addressed this in a message to Oregonians, warning them that prices will be rising due to “unsustainable financial pressure.” More. SAM
Ikon Pass Expands Access in Asia with Nine New Destinations. The Ikon Pass will significantly expand its footprint in Asia for winter 2025-26, adding nine new ski destinations across Japan, China, and South Korea. More. SAM
Indy Pass Reports Jump in Sales, Redemptions. The number of Indy Pass products sold for 2025-26 grew 60 percent year-over-year, and pass holder redemptions at partner ski areas were up 40 percent for the 2024-25 season compared to 2023-24. With the addition of 50 new ski area partners on the pass, pass holders will have two days of access to each of more than 270 ski areas around the world. More. SAM
Killington Plans $22M in Improvements for 2026. Killington Resort plans to invest $22 million in on-mountain infrastructure next year, including a new fixed-grip quad and an expanded on-hill restaurant facility. The Snowdon triple will be replaced by a fixed-grip quad chair, a $6.5 million project. An additional $6 million of funding will be used to construct a reimagined Jerk Jamaican Mountain Grill. More. SAM
FIS Bans Russian Athletes from Milan-Cortina Olympic Qualifiers. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has voted to keep Russian and Belarusian athletes out of all qualification events for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, reaffirming its firm stance against participation by both nations amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. More. Ski Racing Media
Saddleback, Big Sky Tops in SKI Reader Survey. The results from the 2026 SKI Reader Resort Survey put Saddleback, Maine, ranked top in the East and Big Sky Resort, Mont., as the highest ranked resort in the West. Saddleback improved one place from its No. 2 ranking last year, while Big Sky jumped 23 spots. Rankings are based on responses from SKI’s annual reader survey, which is conducted every spring and asks respondents to rank each ski area in 18 different categories, such as grooming, family-friendliness, value, dining, and access. More. SAM
The 9 Most Outdoor-Obsessed States. To see which states in the nation are the most adventure-hungry, travel brand KÜHL dug into Google search data from August 2024 to August 2025, analyzing interest in 14 outdoor activities across all 50 states and adjusting the results per 100,000 residents. More. Snowbrains
Upcycling— How Fishing Nets Become Ski Jackets. What if we told you that the new ski jacket you just bought for this winter is actually made from a net that was once used for commercial fishing? Brands across the ski industry are utilizing new technology that takes old fishing nets and turns them into high-performance nylon suitable for technical outdoor apparel. More. Powder
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