A first-day video from Wolf Creek in honor of Denver’s first day of snow

WATCH: http://vimeo.com/30335463

OK, it’s really ON in Colorado now that Denver has gotten its first snowfall of the season. Granted, it’s not a powder day by any stretch of the imagination in the Mile High City, but it has us even more charged up for skiing and riding.

To honor this unofficial first day of winter, we’re sharing this terrific video sent to us by Benton Iscoe of Breckenridge, who hit the slopes at Wolf Creek earlier this month when it became the first Colorado resort to open.

And even though we haven’t officially opened the gates to our third annual Outdoor Adventure Video Contest, we’re going to dub this the first entry. Check out last season’s winners.

Swany Gloves is dedicated to bringing you the best of outdoor adventure. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter for even more.

How much will it snow? We know! Hint: It’s going to be good

Does this map of weather patterns explain the snow forecast for the coming season?

We know the two questions foremost in the minds of those who ski and ride:

• How much snow can we expect this season?
• Will it be more or less than last year?

Of course, no one knows EXACTLY what that answer will be, but the experts at Skiing Magazine have a pretty good idea of the answer to both of those questions. Want to find out? Read on.

Speaking of skiing, did you see what Lindsey Vonn did in the World Cup season opener? Looking for new gear for the season, check out these guides. Trying to find a ski expo? Look here.

Swany Gloves is dedicated to bringing you the best of outdoor adventure. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter for even more.

Check out a ski and snowboard expo near you

A few resorts are open for limited action in Colorado, but for most people, their first turns on the slope are still weeks away.

But there is a way to get some skiing and riding excitement in your life:  Check out an upcoming ski show in your area. Below we’ve listed three shows in the coming weeks. But we know there are more, so tell us about shows in your area by commenting below and we’ll keep adding to this list.

• Minnesota Ski and Snowboard Expo (Oct. 21-23): The event at the Mall of America just outside Minneapolis offers a $10 Liftopia gift card to attendees as well as “learn to ski” lessons on an indoor slope, among many other things to do. Details.
• Colorado Ski and Snowboard Expo (Nov. 4-6): The 20th annual expo at the Colorado Convention Center will offer deals on skis, boards, clothing and accessories as well as a variety of special appearances and demonstrations. Details.
• Boston Ski and Snowboard Expo (Nov. 10-13):  Organizers of the event at the Seaport World Trade Center, in addition to the usual fun, are promising that “East Coast Alpine & Eastern Boarder will be rolling out the biggest ski & snowboard sale of all time.” Details.

Swany Gloves is dedicated to bringing you the best of outdoor adventure. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter for updates on more adventures.

Yee-haw! Ski resorts opening up in Colorado!

First it was Wolf Creek, which started the lifts last weekend after a big early storm and will run them again on Saturday and Sunday. But now two resorts close to Denver’s day skiers are starting the season.

Thursday was opening day at Arapahoe Basin. What’s even cooler than that? A-Basin has only been closed 100 days. Now THAT’S a long season! See photos and a story by Freeskierr from opening day

And then on Friday (Oct. 14), Loveland Ski Area drops the rope and lets in the skiers and riders on its opening day.

What are you waiting for?

Swany Gloves is dedicated to bringing you the best of outdoor adventure. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter for updates on more adventures.

Wolf Creek Ski Resort strikes first in race to open in North America, but were they really?

A powdery opening day at Wolf Creek (Courtesy of Wolf Creek Ski Resort)

So much for the mystery of which ski resort would open first in North America. After getting four feet of powder last last week, Colorado’s Wolf Creek Resort opened this past weekend. And even though it’s closed this week, it will reopen on Saturday and Sunday.

But now comes news that a Las Vegas area resort reports it started the lifts BEFORE Wolf Creek. Read more.

The conditions sound great and, looking at this live webcam of the resort, it looks like some people are actually skiing today (Monday, Oct. 10).

Which is not say the excitement’s over about ski resorts opening up. Check out these stories (and resorts) to find out when lifts might turning elsewhere in the country:

• A recent Skiing magazine story handicaps the early openers. story:
• Sunday River Ski Resort was the surprising winner last year. See if they can do it again here.
• The folks at Arapahoe Basin in Colorado are among the first to open and last to close. So watch its site.
• Last season was epic at Mammoth Resort in California, so they should be watched for an early opening.
• And you KNOW you need to keep track of snowmaking at Loveland Ski Resort in Colorado.

Swany Gloves is dedicated to bringing you the best of outdoor adventure. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter for updates on more adventures.

Founder of A-Basin and driving force behind Keystone Resort passes away

Max Dercum and his wife, Edna (Arapahoe Basin)

It hasn’t always been high-speed lifts and groomed slopes in the ski business.

Many people were involved in launching this great industry from coast to coast and it’s important to remember their contributions.

So we want to make sure you take note of the recent passing of a co-founder of two of the four ski resorts in Colorado’s Summit County. Chck out this wonderful story by Caddie Nath in the Vail Daily about Max Dercum, who died Sept. 30, just days shy of his 99th birthday.

The champion skier and forestry professor, along with his wife, was among a group who started Arapahoe Basin in 1946 and then Keystone Resort in the early 1970s.  Read more.

Swany Gloves is dedicated to bringing you the best of outdoor adventure. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter for updates on more adventures.

Colorado ski resorts spending big on improvements for new season

It’s an “arms race” out there for ski resorts, which must add new features and upgrade services often or risk being left behind by other resorts.

While that might be an expensive proposition for resort owners, it’s music to the ears of those who ski, ride or just come to hang out at the resorts during the upcoming winter season.

The Denver Post took a look at what Colorado resorts were working on from Vail to Winter Park, Solvista to Crested Butte, Aspen to Durango Mountain Resort. See what’s new.

Swany Gloves is dedicated to bringing you the best of outdoor adventure. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter for updates on more adventures.

Find a deal on a multi-resort season pass right here

Never mind that temperatures are still in the 90s.

It doesn’t matter that the leaves are still green on the tree.

Somewhere out there the snow is flying and it will be flying near you soon enough. So it’s time to start planning where you will ski or ride this winter.

Plan A should be to do it at the best possible price,  so the folks at On The Snow have assembled a great list of multi-mountain season ski passes  that will save you money AND deliver a variety of terrain. So check it out!

Swany Gloves is dedicated to bringing you the best of outdoor adventure. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter for updates on more adventures.

A ski film called “One gLove?” Count us in!

Talk about a marriage made in  heaven. The Ski Channel reports that Mitten Media in Grand Rapids, Mich., has released a trailer for its newest ski film, “One gLove”  the majority of which was shot in Michigan and features mainly Michigan-based riders. No matter that the film isn’t dedicated to gloves and mittens, it is a welcome break of great skiing and riding to break up the heat of summer.

Here’s where to go to see the trailer and find out when full screenings will be held.

Swany Gloves is dedicated to bringing you the best of outdoor adventure. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter.

Where to ski and snowboard during Fourth of July weekend

There is no shortage when it comes to places to hit the (snowy) slopes this holiday weekend. Some options:

• Nationwide: The Ski Channel offers a wide reach of resorts to try, from Colorado to California, and (of course) Oregon.
• Lake Tahoe: Here’s where to get details on skiing Squaw Valley and other nearby resorts.
• Jackson Hole: Some ideas from ESPN action sports.
• Snowtubing: Who needs to ski? Try tubing in Breckenridge through the Fourth.

Swany Gloves is dedicated to bringing you the best of outdoor adventure. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter.