Snow tubing continues to grow in popularity at area resorts, but the latest tubing facility to open shows that you don’t need to be a ski resort to have a tubing hill. On December 26, the new AvalancheXpress tubing hill will open at the Heritage Hills Golf Resort and Conference Center, located in York, PA. This snow tubing facility will offer 10 lanes on a 1,000 foot hill with a 14% slope -; allowing tubers to clock 35 mph on their way down. A Kiddie Hill will also be available for children 5 years of age and under, when accompanied by an adult.
One of the facility’s four lifts will be dedicated to family tubes, which can hold up to 6 people at once.
The facility will be open 9 a.m. to midnight on weekends and holidays, and 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weeknights.
For more information, directions, and rates, please visit www.avalancheexpress.com.
On Saturday, Dec. 7, Maryland’s Savage River Lodge opened its Nordic Center and cross country ski trails. Savage River Lodge is the only XC Ski Resort in Maryland, located just west of Frostburg.
The 12,000 square foot Lodge is located in the middle of 750 acres of the Savage River State Forest, surrounded by 15 miles of cross country ski trails. The upscale Lodge features a gourmet restaurant and bar, library, meeting room and sitting area around a great stone fireplace. Accommodations are available in 18 log cabins a short walk from the Lodge.
The Nordic Center at the Savage River Lodge offers ski and snowshoe rentals, private and group ski lessons, and guided ski and snowshoe tours.
For more information and current ski conditions, contact Savage River Lodge at (301) 689-3200 or visit www.savageriverlodge.com.
The seventh annual Winter Trails 2003, held nationwide on January 18, 2003 and in Colorado on February 15, 2003, will provide a fun day of snowshoeing for the entire family as well as the largest snowshoe festival in the U.S. Presented by the American Hiking Society and Snowlink.com, Winter Trails 2003 will be celebrated locally at The Homestead in Hot Springs, VA on Jan 18.
Volunteer hiking clubs and event leaders from partnering community parks and nature centers will team with snowshoe equipment and outdoor gear suppliers to introduce the sport of snowshoeing to the public. Attendees will be able to try out a wide variety of snowshoes and gather information on topics such as snowshoe fit, cold weather dressing, orienteering, and winter safety. Educational seminars, guided walks, children’s obstacle courses and more will be offered.
For more information, visit www.wintertrails.org.
Intrawest Corporation and the City and County of Denver cemented a deal on Monday allowing Intrawest to assume control of Winter Park Resort’s operations and to undertake development at the Colorado resort. Locally, Intrawest owns and operates West Virginia’s Snowshoe Mountain Resort.
“This is a winning arrangement for all involved,” said Gary Raymond, Intrawest’s Chief Executive Officer, Development and Acquisitions. “Winter Park Resort will benefit as the newest member of Intrawest’s network of destination resorts.”
Intrawest will make regular payments to the City of Denver, and will invest $50 million in mountain operations over the next 10 years, including $8 million during the first two years for upgrades to lifts, on-mountain facilities and equipment, and skier services. Winter Park is one of the largest ski resorts in Colorado and the closest major resort to Denver. Winter Park has been owned by the City of Denver, which has fed profits back into the resort over the years.
Intrawest and the City of Denver began negotiations 18 months ago. For more information, visit www.skiwinterpark.com.
M. Scott Smith is the founder and Editor of DCSki. Scott loves outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, kayaking, skiing, and mountain biking. He is an avid photographer and writer.
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