“News Flash” is FREESKIER’s online column designed to keep you up-to-date with snippets of outdoor news you need to know about. This article is published weekly on Fridays, recapping the entire week.
OpenSnow predicts a more active pattern for the Mountain West
From now until Christmas, OpenSnow is projecting most areas in the West to pick up at least some snow and cooler temps. Areas north of the border, namely Western BC and Alaska, will be the most favored. For more information and weather updates, visit OpenSnow.com.
OpenSnow’s All Access membership goes up on January 1
Be the first to know when the next big storm is landing in your area with OpenSnow’s All Access membership. Gotta hurry though, the price of the subscription goes up on January 1!
Warm temps in Austria lead to avalanche phenomena
Have you ever seen an entire snowpack glide from the ground? Well, thanks to warm temperatures in Austria and the power of the internet, now you have. This groomer glide crack broke to the ground in St. Anton/Kapall, Austria this week. Pray for snow!
Sun Valley unveils brand-new Challenger Lift
With the largest vertical rise of any lift in North America, the new six-person Challenger Lift at Sun Valley opens up a whole new level of access for the mountain, including Upper Flying Squirrel, Maiden Lane, Lower Picabo Street, and Lower Warm Springs. A ribbon-cutting ceremony on December 20 officially opened the new lift, and it’s now running full-time for skiers and riders.
Solitude opens its first-ever six-person Eagle Express Lift
Sun Valley isn’t the only ski resort celebrating new lifts, Solitude also opened its very first six-person lift this week. The updated Eagle Express Lift enhances access to the ski area’s signature runs, including Sunshine Bowl, Inspiration and Challenger.
Phil Casabon releases motion comic “Once Upon a Style”
Whether you prefer to enjoy comics in motion or the old-fashioned way, Phil Casabon’s newest project “Once Upon a Style” will tickle every crevice of your brain. Looking to get your hands on a hard copy, check out the 44-page comic book here.
Arianna Tricomi questions the future of skiing in “What if”
Italian maven Arianna Tricomi set out to make a ski film during the 2023 ski season, one of the worst seasons in history for all of Europe in terms of snowpack. In the film, Tricomi questions what if this is our future? What if we no longer have skiing?
Mike King releases two-year project “Lake Effect”
Michigan-based professional skier Mike King has spent the better part of a decade chasing far-off peaks in the Mountain West but is now finding solace at home. When the 2020 pandemic hit the United States, King decided to send it back to Michigan and has since rediscovered his love for midwest skiing, on full display in “Lake Effect.”
Micah Evangelista drops “Actual Air”
In the depths of the Pacific Northwest, professional skier Micah Evangelista reflects on his life growing up in the shadow of Mt. Baker. Filmed by brother Mattias, this ski film is one not to be missed.
