In this firsthand report, DCSki Columnist Robbie Allen recounts a three-day August ski trip to Chile’s Tres Valles resorts outside Santiago. Valle Nevado, El Colorado, and La Parva offer expansive Andes terrain, strong snow, reasonable lift prices, and an old-school lift experience, while Santiago, Valparaíso, and Chile’s wine country add plenty to the adventure between ski days.
DCSki Columnist Robbie Allen continues his Going Further Afield series with a look at Bear Valley Mountain Resort, one of the most under-the-radar members of the Cali Pass, arguing that its high-elevation snow and low crowds make it a compelling alternative to Tahoe’s busier hills. Drawing on the resort’s terrain pods, lift network, steeps (including Grizzly Bowl and the village-facing lines), and its boom-and-bust village history, Allen explains why Bear Valley “skis bigger” than expected and stands out as a quiet value play—especially with Powder Alliance access.
As part of his Going Further Afield series, Robbie Allen explores Eagle Point Resort in Utah’s Tushar Mountains — a once-abandoned ski area reborn under skier Shane Gadbaw’s ownership. With 650 acres of terrain, backcountry access, and $35 lift tickets, the resort offers a laid-back, uncrowded alternative to Utah’s high-profile ski destinations.
DCSki Columnist Robbie Allen explores how Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort is helping put Flagstaff on the map as an up-and-coming mountain town, with great skiing and a vibe reminiscent of early Boulder, Colorado. With this trip, Allen has now skied in 31 states, adding Arizona to his growing list of alpine adventures.
The Timberline Lodge ski area on Mt. Hood, Oregon, offers nearly year-round skiing, with summer camps and public skiing on the Palmer snowfield, providing hardcore skiers and aspiring athletes a unique opportunity to ski in July thanks to its high elevation and preserved snowpack. And DCSki Columnist Robbie Allen sampled the July goods firsthand.
Brian Head Resort, located at the southern end of Utah near stunning national parks like Zion and Bryce, offers a unique ski experience with its high base elevation of 9,600 feet, red rock vistas, and family-friendly atmosphere. While lacking the extensive infrastructure and nightlife of larger resorts, it makes up for it with affordable lift tickets, uncrowded slopes, and a relaxed vibe. Robbie Allen checks in with a Firsthand Report from Brian Head.
Robbie Allen’s search for off-the-beaten-track ski areas has taken him to California’s Mount Baldy Resort, located a short drive from Los Angeles. He describes his visit to the old-school resort.
DCSki Columnist Robbie Allen continues to trek across the country looking for off-the-beaten-track ski areas. His latest find is just outside the glittering lights of Las Vegas: Lee Canyon, the only ski resort in southern Nevada.
Graced by the majestic Alps, Switzerland is anything but flat. Steep mountains rise up to the sky across the landlocked European country, creating breathtaking vistas. And climbing all of those hills and mountains can also be breathtaking. To ease that burden, a variety of cable-based transport mechanisms have been installed across Switzerland: cable cars, gondolas, and chairlifts. Located in Lucerne, the Swiss Transport Museum has a detailed exhibit that provides a fascinating look at aerial, cable-based transportation.
Skiing six ski resorts in one day might seem like an overambitious fantasy. But it was always on DCSki Columnist Robbie Allen’s bucket list. In mid-March, 2023, he checked that off his bucket list as he took advantage of the Ski Utah Interconnect Tour to hit six ski areas in one day: Deer Valley, Park City, Solitude, Brighton, Alta, and Snowbird. He describes his experience in this feature story.
Robbie Allen is always on the search for smaller and lesser-known ski areas, and this search recently took him to Howelsen Ski Area, the oldest continuously-operating ski area in Colorado. Howelsen shares some of the same champagne powder as its more popular neighbor, Steam Springs, but at a fraction of the lift ticket price.
After endless canceled flights during the recent holiday period, Robbie Allen decided to do what any sensible person would do: he tossed family members in his car and headed west, driving to Colorado. While there, he sampled the off-the-beaten-path Powderhorn Resort, located in far west Colorado. Learn more in his Firsthand Report.
