“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 Tuesdays and updated throughout the week.
Will Squaw Valley Ski Resort change its name?
The California resort has come under scrutiny because of the name “Squaw,” which is considered a derogatory term toward Native American women. The resort will consider new names as a reaction to the nationwide movement to eliminate racial injustice and inequality in America.
Forest Service approves Loveland Ski Area guided snowcat tours
Three over-snow routes for snowcats will be created within the Dry Gulch area north of Interstate 70, adding 580 acres of skiable terrain to Loveland’s tenure. There will be avalanche mitigation and guides will provide access to a backcountry experience close to the Denver area. The snowcat routes will function as drop off/pick up points for the guided tours. “There is growing demand across Colorado for guided backcountry terrain access,” Clear Creek District Ranger Scott Haas told Denver’s CBS News. “This project will help meet that demand within an hour’s drive of Denver while helping Loveland Ski Area remain competitive within the ski industry.”
Selkirk Tangiers Helicopter Skiing is building a new home at the base of Revelstoke Mountain Resort
Revelstoke Mountain Resort is beginning construction on a new, 154 room luxury hotel at the base of Mount Mackenzie. The hotel will also become the new home for Selkirk Tangiers Helicopter Skiing with three helipads adjacent to the property.
Dakine’s “Ohana Means Family” program is giving away 3,000 backpacks to students & teachers
Dakine recently announced the launch of “Ohana Means Family,” a nationwide campaign designed to recognize students, educators and families who have helped to foster community, and inspire learning amidst the heavy emotional and financial impacts caused by the coronavirus pandemic. To participate in the contest, individuals are encouraged to nominate elementary, middle school, high school, college or trade school classrooms in their community that have shown communal resilience over the past few months. Dakine will select 100 classrooms and giveaway 3,000 backpacks across the U.S. in time for the upcoming school year.
Small ski areas secure jobs with Federal funding
As reported in The Colorado Sun, some of Colorado’s smaller ski areas—the likes of Silverton, Granby Ranch, Monarch, Loveland and others—have recieved at least $5 million, and as much as $12.7 million, in federal loans from the Paycheck Protection Program. The funding has helped these smaller ski areas retain employees, while bigger players in the industry (think: Vail Resorts) had to unfortunately make larger layoffs in the midst of the pandemic.
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