All articles tagged with #travel and recreation
Snow continues to fall in Tahoe, improving conditions on the slopes, with several ski resorts now open or announcing opening dates, offering hope for winter sports enthusiasts.
Ski conditions in Colorado for Thanksgiving weekend are not great, with the statewide snowpack at only 54% of average. Only a few areas, such as Beaver Creek and Crested Butte, have near-average snowpack. Most ski areas are offering 6% or less of their skiable terrain. A storm is expected to bring some snow this weekend, but it may only amount to three to eight inches in most areas. The next storm is not anticipated until next weekend, but cool temperatures will help maintain the existing snow and enable ongoing snowmaking operations.
Keystone Resort in Colorado has announced that it will open for the ski season on November 1st, just days after Arapahoe Basin became the first ski area to open. The resort plans to celebrate with a party featuring DJs, dancing, and donuts, and the River Run gondola will provide access to the slopes. Loveland Ski Area has yet to announce its opening date.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 618 into law, aiming to improve the campsite reservation system in California state parks. The bill, introduced by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, seeks to deter no-shows and cancellations by implementing penalties and incentives. Starting in 2024, campers who cancel at least seven days before their booking will receive a credit for another reservation, while those who do not show up will forfeit the remainder of their booking. The law also limits the number of days people can stay at the same campsite per year and implements a lottery system for popular campsites. Additionally, low-income park visitors will receive a 25% discount on annual passes.
A designer envisions a modernized camper based on the iconic 1939 GM Futurliner, a bus concept that wowed audiences with its beauty and innovative features during the Parade of Progress tour. The designer proposes adding lower windows, a rounded shape, a multi-piece skylight, and a more practical driving position while staying true to the original design. The camper would be built on a standard motorhome chassis with a Detroit V8 or an EV skateboard chassis. The aim is to create a more aesthetically pleasing and timeless motorhome that won't look out of place in the future.
Vail Resorts has announced projected opening dates for its Colorado ski resorts, with Keystone set for mid-October pending early season conditions, and Breckenridge and Vail scheduled to open on November 10. Beaver Creek and Crested Butte are set to open the day before Thanksgiving. Other resorts have also set projected dates, including Copper Mountain on November 13, Steamboat, Aspen, Snowmass, and Telluride on November 23, and Granby Ranch on December 8. Arapahoe Basin and Loveland expect to open in mid to late October. However, the actual opening dates depend on snowmaking conditions and natural snowfall.
Mammoth Mountain ski resort in California has announced that it will extend its season and remain open until August 6th, giving visitors the opportunity to escape the heat and enjoy summer skiing. This is a rare occurrence, as only twice in the resort's 69-year history have they had enough snow to stay open into August.
Montgomery Whitewater park, a $90 million project, has opened its doors to the public, offering thrilling rafting experiences on its Competition Channel with Class IV rapids, as well as more laid-back rafting and kayaking on the Adventure Channel with Class II rapids. The park also features a restaurant, outdoor bar, walkways, yoga, vendors, and live music. While admission is free, there is a $10 parking fee this weekend, and fees apply for rafting and kayaking. Future plans for the park include rock climbing, mountain biking, rope courses, access to the Alabama River for kayaking and paddleboarding, an on-site hotel, and retail stores.
Thousands of skiers and snowboarders gathered at Palisades Tahoe resort in Placer County to celebrate the end of the ski season and Fourth of July, despite the dwindling snow. This year's Tahoe ski season was marked by historic snowfall, with mountainsides inundated with snow. Skiers enjoyed incredible conditions between storms, and the resort saw a record-breaking 723 inches of snow compared to the usual 400 inches.
The annual watercraft ban on Lake Austin for the Fourth of July holiday will be in effect from Monday at sunset until Wednesday at sunrise. Personal motorized watercraft are prohibited, but nonmotorized devices such as kayaks and paddleboards are still allowed. Austin police will be patrolling the lake, enforcing the ban, and urging boaters to follow safety measures and report reckless behavior. The ban is implemented every Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Fourth of July to ensure the safety of lake users.
A watercraft ban will be in effect on Lake Austin from sunset on Monday until sunrise on Wednesday, prohibiting personal watercrafts, wet bikes, and motorized surfboards. Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards are exempt from the ban. The Austin Police Department's Lake Patrol Unit will enforce the ordinance, and boaters should call 911 for emergencies or to report reckless boat operations. The ban does not apply to Lake Travis, and this annual ordinance is also enforced during the Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays.
Starting July 1, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will enforce a new 200-foot law for wakeboarders and wake surfers on state waters, including Lake Lanier. This law requires boats creating a wake to stay at least 200 feet away from anything on the shoreline to ensure safety and prevent property damage. DNR game wardens will be patrolling the busy lake during the Fourth of July weekend to enforce this rule and crack down on boating under the influence. The aim is to prevent accidents and drownings, as last year 80 people died on Georgia waterways, and this year there have already been 28 deaths.