While many ski resorts rely on machines to create artificial snow to pad popular trails and keep areas open for business longer, Sunshine Village Ski Resort in Alberta, Canada (also known as Banff Sunshine) utilizes a clever, sustainable technique called snow farming. The resort sets up miles of fencing above the tree line to capture the vast amounts of snow that the wind blows in. …
Prolific artist James Niehues captures the spirit of individual mountains and the intricacies of various landscapes in the 200+ ski resort trail maps he’s hand-painted over the course of his 30-year career. In the 292-page book The Man Behind the Maps, Niehues collates this painstaking work, which has guided adventure-goers on their journeys while also showcasing the art of hand-painted map-making.
The term “piste” comes from Europe and refers to the groomed and/or packed snow trails that resorts offer riders and sliders. With avalanche concerns handled by the ski patrol and lifts/gondolas efficiently taking you to the top of the mountain, resort skiing should be a relaxed and enjoyable experience. Yet having savvy resort gear can enhance a trip and make the difference between just a …
