Alta Pass Deals End Tomorrow!

Only two more days to cash in on the hottest pass deal in Utah. Altas Silver and Powder cards sale ends September 30. With the revolutionary changes to Altas renown holdout on modernization, youll want to ski there this season. Theyve yanked out the old Collins and Germania lifts and installed a 6,300 foot detachable quad lift that goes from Wildcat base to the current Germania bottom, then banks 30 degrees to the left and continues on to the current Germania top.
Now you can go from bottom to top in nine minutes. Thats the same amount it time it took to ride just the old Germania lift. Plus, the Lower Wildcat base area parking lot has been raised. No more hill to climb to get started! When you think about it, the cards would make an excellent gift for a Utah friend. Log onto www.alta.com for more information.

Alta Powder Card- 10 days for $370. Can be reloaded during the operatingseason at the same rate. Unused Powder Card values can be applied towardspurchase of season pass or preseason discount ticket products next seasononly. Open to all Utah residents, purchase before Sept. 30, 2004.
*NEW*Alta Silver Card- $99 gets you $20 off an adult all area day pass each time you present your card throughout the season. Plus, the card is TRANSFERABLE. Open to all Utah residents, purchase before Sept. 30, 2004. (801) 359-1078. http://alta.com

Winter wear

The temps are dropping and it's time to bundle up. Here are a few recommendations for chilly October:

Mountain Hardwear Alchemy pant replaces both fleece and softshell outer layer, windproof, water resistant, breathable and abrasion resistant, won’t pill like fleece, made of Gore Windstopper. Articulated knee and seat for a flattering butt look. $225. 800.330.6800.http://www.mountainhardwear.com/


Sierra Designs Down Booties are perfect for lounging around the condo. Down-filled, taffeta shell, non-skid nylon tread soles, elasticized instep straps, drawcords at ankles with cordlocks, pull tabs for easy on and off. $32. 800.736.8592. http://www.sierra-designs.com/

Badger Healing Balm: best stuff for chapped cracked weathered skin. 2oz tin=$5.95. 800.603.6100.http://www.badgerbalm.com/

Molehill Fleece bunting suit: one-piece three-season fleece with hood, full front and back zippers for easy entry and exit, supplex knees, sleeves and pants fold over to protect feet and hands.$60. 800.804.0820. http://www.molehillmtn.com/

Welcome!

It's been a long summer of procrastination. I traveled to Mammoth, Whistler, San Diego, Spokane, the San Juan Islands, Jackson Hole and Las Lenas, Argentina. But I've finally got my Web site going - in time for ski season; in time for pre-season conditioning; in time for new roommates to move in; in time for ski movies and ski swaps.

We saw a foot of snow in the mountains last week but it quickly disappeared under warm temps and sunny skies. Clouds covered the luminous orb of a full moon tonight, hinting at additional storms but we'll see. I'm hoping that if something does roll in it will roll out by Saturday.

Instead of the annual pilgrimage for sand dune skiing at the Bruneau Sand Dunes in Idaho, Ryan and I are staying home this weekend to attend the Annual Harvest Fest at Sundance Resort, get in a final weekend of resort mtn biking (Deer Valley closed up last week) and take an outdoor photography class from their Art Shack professional.