A long time Indy Ski Cub Favorite! Snowmass, Colorado!

Snowmass is a world-class, year-round mountain resort located in Snowmass Village, just 9 miles from Aspen, Colorado. As the largest of the four Aspen Snowmass mountains, it boasts 3,342 acres of terrain, a massive 4,406-foot vertical drop, and 300+ inches of annual snowfall. Mountain Stats

• Skiable Acres: 3,342 acres

• Vertical Drop: 4,406 feet

• Terrain Breakdown: 6% Beginner, 47% Intermediate, 17% Advanced, 30% Expert

• Longest Run: 5.3 miles

• Base Elevation: 8,104 ft | Peak Elevation: 12,510 ft

Winter Highlights

• Vast Terrain: Snowmass is larger than Aspen's other three mountains (Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk) combined. It features wide-open cruisers, steep chutes, and Colorado's largest children's ski school complex (the Treehouse Kids' Adventure Center).

About the other Mountains:

Aspen Mountain (Ajax)

• Location: Rises directly out of the historic streets of downtown Aspen.

• Terrain: Strictly zero beginner runs; limited to intermediate and expert tracks.

• Vibe: Glamorous, classic, and heavily integrated into the town's upscale dining scene.

• Expansion: Features newly expanded glades and high-altitude lines via the ⁠Hero's terrain expansion.

Aspen Highlands

• Identity: Celebrated as the ultimate "locals' mountain" with a renegade spirit.

• Terrain: Dominated by extreme, steep, and deep double-black diamond terrain.

• Highlight: Home to the legendary ⁠Highland Bowl, requiring a grueling but rewarding 45-minute bootpack hike.

• Après Scene: Famous for wild, tabletop-dancing afternoon parties at Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro.

Buttermilk

• Purpose: Built as a beginner's paradise with miles of wide-open, gentle groomers.

• Freestyle Mecca: Hosts ESPN's Winter X Games on its world-famous slopestyle courses.

• Features: Houses the iconic X Games Superpipe alongside beginner-friendly progressive parks.

• Ease: Offers straightforward, stress-free free parking and drive-up mountain base access.

Dining: Over 30 restaurants are spread across the mountain, the Snowmass Mall, and Base Village. Highlights include mid-mountain European-style lunches at the Alpine Room and elevated Italian at Sam's.

Besides the reasonable priced Lift Tickets you can purchase the Ikon Base or Full Pass here and receive a $60 or $70 savings that will be adjusted off your package when the registration is received.

Trip Leader: Joni Lawler, 317.258.0875; jonilawler72@yahoo.com

Jacksonville Ski Club will be skiing beautiful Whitefish, Montana! Whitefish, Montana, is a vibrant, year-round resort town nestled in the Northern Rockies. Famous as the gateway to Glacier National Park, it offers world-class skiing at Whitefish Mountain Resort, pristine waters on Whitefish Lake, and a bustling, historic downtown filled with exceptional dining and boutiques.

Location & Geography

• Where: Located in Flathead County in northwest Montana, about 60 miles south of the Canadian border.

• Elevation: Roughly 3,000 feet, surrounded by the Flathead Valley's mountains and forests.

• Gateway: It is just 45 minutes from Glacier National Park and a quick 15-minute drive from Glacier Park International Airport.

Mountain Stats

• Base Elevation: 4,464 feet

• Summit Elevation: 6,817 feet

• Vertical Drop: 2,353 feet

• Skiable Terrain: 3,000 acres (110+ named trails)

• Lifts: 16 total (including 1 high-speed six-pack, 3 high-speed quads) [ 1, 2, 3, 4]

Winter Highlights

• Snowfall: Receives an average of nearly 300 inches of snow per year.

• Tree Skiing & Bowls: World-renowned for its vast tree-skiing, wide-open bowls, and distinct "Snow Ghost" frosted trees near the summit.

• Terrain: Features a healthy mix of runs for all abilities, night skiing, and four terrain parks.

• Free Mountain Tours: The resort offers daily guided

Things to Do

• Winter: Skiing and snowboarding at Whitefish Mountain Resort (located on Big Mountain), skijoring, and ice skating.

• Summer: Boating on Whitefish Lake, hiking the Whitefish Trail, and scenic drives or e-bike tours on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

• Culture: A lively downtown scene along Central Avenue featuring local breweries, distilleries, the Whitefish Theatre Company, and the Huckleberry Days Arts Festival.
  

Trip Leader: Vince Brophy; 203.770.5514; jsc.vdb@gmail.com

NEW Destination for Indy Ski Club - Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort!

MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE INDY SKI CLUB TO REGISTER.

Mt. Bachelor is Oregon’s largest ski resort, set on a 9,065-foot dormant volcanic cone with 4,323 acres of skiable terrain. Located just 22 miles from Bend, Oregon, it is renowned for light, dry powder, 360-degree summit access, and a long ski season.

The Mountain

• Size: 7th largest ski resort in North America with 122 trails and 15+ chairlifts (most are high-speed quads).

• Terrain: 15% beginner, 25% intermediate, 35% advanced, and 25% expert.

• Summit elevation: 9,065 ft (2,763 m)

• Vertical drop: 3,365 ft (1,026 m)

• Skiable terrain: About 4,300 acres

• Annual snowfall: Roughly 370–460 inches depending on the season

• Longest run: Approximately 4 miles long

• Summit Access: The highest lift takes you to the volcanic cone, offering unobstructed views of the Cascade Range.

The mountain's volcanic shape creates 360-degree skiing, allowing runs in nearly every direction from the summit. This is uncommon in North America and helps skiers find better snow depending on weather and wind conditions. On clear days, you can see several Cascade volcanoes from the top.

Logistics & Passes

• Base Town: Bend offers endless lodging, dining, and craft brewery options since Bachelor has no slope-side village.

• Pass Access: The mountain is on the Ikon Pass.

• Season: The season typically runs from mid-November well into the spring.

Mt. Bachelor is an Ikon Pass resort. Buy your Ikon Full Pass with this registration and receive a $70 trip savings off your package; Base Pass = $60.00 trip savings.

Contact Trip Leader to verify your membership: Alan Kurasz < akurasz@icloud.com>

Indy Ski Club is going to Winter Park !

Winter Park Resort is one of Colorado’s most popular mountain destinations, known for its mix of serious terrain, accessibility, and laid-back vibe.

LOCATION:

• In Winter Park, Colorado

• About 65–70 miles northwest of Denver, making it the closest major ski resort to Denver

KEY FACTS:

• 3,000+ acres of skiable terrain

• 170+ trails across multiple peaks

• 300+ inches of snow annually

• 7 distinct mountain “territories”(including Mary Jane, Parsenn Bowl, and terrain parks)

• Season typically runs November → April

TERRAIN & EXPERIENCE:

Winter Park stands out because it caters to all levels :

• 🟢 Beginner: gentle learning areas (smaller percentage overall)

• 🔵 Intermediate: cruisers on Parsenn

• ⚫ Advanced/Expert:

  • Mary Jane is famous for moguls and tree skiing

  • Steep chutes and backcountry-style terrain in Vasquez Cirque

👉 Over half the terrain is advanced/expert, which is why experienced skiers love it

WINTER ACTIVITIES:

• Skiing & snowboarding

• Snowshoeing, tubing, lessons

WHY CHOOSE WINTER PARK?

• 🚗 Easy access from Denver (no long mountain drives compared to some resorts)

• 🏔️ Less “luxury resort” vibe —more relaxed and local

• 🎿 Excellent expert terrain without the crowds of places like Vail

• 🚞 Unique option: Amtrak ski train (Winter Park Express) goes directly to the base area

Winter Park Resort is ideal if you want:

• Serious skiing (especially moguls and trees)

• A more authentic, less flashy mountain feel

• Easy access from Denver

Winter Park is an Ikon Pass Resort:

Trip Leader: Dena Aleksa; 317.847.6233; redaleksa@yahoo.com

Jacksonville Ski Club returns to Beaver Creek, Colorado, January 30-Febuary 6, 2027! This resort is one of Colorado’s premier ski destinations, located near Avon in the Vail Valley. Owned by Vail Resorts, it is known for luxury service, exceptional grooming, family-friendly skiing, and an upscale village atmosphere.

Mountain Stats

• Skiable terrain: about 2,082 acres

• Vertical drop: 3,340 feet (1,018 m)

• Summit elevation: 11,440 feet

• Base elevation: 8,100 feet

• Trails: roughly 167–173 runs

• Terrain mix: approximately 28% beginner, 38% intermediate, 34% advanced/expert

• Lift system: about 24–25 lifts, including gondolas and high-speed chairs

What Makes Beaver Creek Special?

1. Immaculate grooming
Beaver Creek is famous for some of the best-groomed runs in North America. Intermediate skiers especially love the long, smooth blue cruisers.

2. Luxury experience
The resort emphasizes service and convenience, with heated walkways, escalators in the village, ski valets at some lodgings, and a reputation for high-end dining and accommodations.

3. The famous Cookie Time
Every afternoon around 3 p.m., staff hand out complimentary warm chocolate-chip cookies in the village—a tradition that has become part of the resort's identity.

Terrain by Ability

Beginners

• Excellent learning areas such as Haymeadow Park and Red Buffalo Park.

• Wide, forgiving green runs and strong ski-school programs.

Intermediate Skiers

• Often considered one of the best resorts in Colorado for intermediates.

• Extensive network of blue groomers in areas like Larkspur Bowl and Bachelor Gulch.

Advanced & Expert Skiers

• Home to the legendary Birds of Prey downhill course.

• Challenging terrain on Grouse Mountain, Stone Creek Chutes, glades, bumps, and steep black-diamond runs.

Villages - The resort is spread across three interconnected villages:

• Beaver Creek Village – the main pedestrian village with shops, restaurants. Sitting at an elevation of 8,100 feet, it is famous for its luxurious amenities—including heated sidewalks, covered escalators, and ski-in/ski-out access. Village Attractions: Features an outdoor ice rink that turns into a turf-covered game and performance area in the summer. Upscale Dining: Choose from highly rated options in the village like Citrea and The Dusty Boot, or grab quick treats like gelato and pizza. Vilar Performing Arts Center: A world-class, 500-seat theater in the heart of the village hosting concerts, Broadway shows, and comedy acts.

• Bachelor Gulch- Endless Terrain: Bachelor Gulch connects directly to the broader Beaver Creek and Arrowhead ski areas, providing access to thousands of acres of world-class winter terrain. Après-Ski: The resort area is famous for lively après scenes, featuring DJ sets, outdoor firepits, and unique slope-side attractions like the Cookie Cabin and Candy Cabin

• Arrowhead Village – Sits just two miles west of Beaver Creek and about 15 miles west of Vail, making it a convenient base camp to explore the greater Vail Valley. Broken Arrow: Located right at the base of the Arrow Bahn lift, this is a popular spot for casual après-ski food and drinks. Vista Restaurant: Offers fine dining with gourmet meals and great views.

Village-to-Village: You can easily ski or take a shuttle between Arrowhead, Bachelor Gulch, and Beaver Creek.

Trip Leader: Michelle Crawford; email: jscmichellecrawford@gmail.com

Indy Ski Club is going to Big Sky Resort which is one of the largest and most technologically advanced ski destinations in North America. Located in southwestern Montana, just 45 miles south of Bozeman and north of Yellowstone National Park, the resort is famous for its massive scale, luxury infrastructure, and the iconic, towering Lone Peak. It features 5,850 acres of skiable terrain and a massive 4,350-foot continuous vertical drop, offering a premium alpine experience with minimal crowds.

• Skiable Acres: 5,850 acres across four interconnected mountains.

• Total Named Trails: More than 300 runs, with the longest stretching 6 miles.

• Summit Elevation: 11,166 feet at the top of Lone Peak.

• Annual Snowfall: Averages 400 inches of consistent, high-quality northern Rockies powder.

• Lift Network: Roughly 38 to 40 lifts, including ultra-modern, high-speed options.

  World-Class Lift Infrastructure.

Big Sky boasts what is widely considered North America's most advanced lift network, following major multi-million-dollar modernization upgrades.

• Heated Bubble Chairs: The resort operates multiple state-of-the-art lifts, including the Swift Current 6 and Ramcharger 8 (an 8-person chairlift featuring heated seats and protective weather bubbles).

• The Lone Peak Tram: A high-capacity, 75-passenger tram that whisks expert skiers and sightseers directly to the 11,166-foot summit.

• Kircliff Observatory: A stunning glass alpine observatory located at the summit of Lone Peak, accessible via the tram and open for scenic views.
  

Terrain for All Levels. While famed for its extreme, high-consequence terrain, the mountain provides an even split for all skill levels.

• Beginner & Intermediate (50%): The lower mountain areas, such as the Explorer and Madison zones, offer wide, gently groomed cruisers perfect for families and beginners.

• Advanced & Expert (50%): The upper mountain features open alpine bowls, couloirs, and chutes. Big Sky is one of the few U.S. resorts to utilize a triple-black-diamond rating for its most hazardous, technical routes, such as the famous Big Couloir.

Big Sky is an Ikon Pass Resort:

Trip Leader: Dan Pack; 812.459.7175; danpack777@gmail.com