POWDER Magazine

As the ski season approaches, Washington’s White Pass Ski Area is showing off a new lodge aimed at beginners and families making their first turns on the slopes. Called Base Camp, the lodge has been steadily taking shape over the summer, with regular updates showing crews at work and concrete deliveries. Located near Lot C below White Pass’ beginner slopes, chairlifts, and magic carpets, Base Camp came about, in part, to meet the need for more indoor space.

Big White Ski Resort is giving passholders a chance to win a piece of the resort’s history. In 2023, the Canadian ski area celebrated its 60th anniversary by creating a limited run of custom Elan Ripstick 96s. Now, those who purchase their 2026-27 season passes by midnight on August 18 will be entered to win a pair of the skis. Those who have already purchased their passes have been automatically entered into the giveaway as well.

The International Freesports Film Festival, better known amongst action sports film enthusiasts as iF3, has released its film picks for the 2026 awards season. In the pro category, more than 40 films made by some of the best production companies and featuring top-level skiers and snowboarders have been selected. A panel of esteemed judges, including skiers Will Wesson, Jess Hotter, and podcast host Xavier Mayrand, will choose winners across categories.

Fernie Alpine Resort, British Columbia, is on the hunt for a local artist to feature during the upcoming winter season. The callout, which is only open to Elk Valley residents, asks for submissions that depict Fernie and offers $750 in artist fees.

Well, folks, it’s that time of year again. The weather’s still hot, but that isn’t stopping ski resorts and resort companies from teasing their planned opening dates in a bid to build hype before the snow starts flying. And you know what? As funny as it is to be talking about the first day on hill in August, I like knowing where to throw a figurative X on my figurative calendar (I don’t actually own a calendar, but you know what I mean). Maybe you do, too.

While the Northern Hemisphere had one of its worst winters ever, the Southern Hemisphere’s winter season has been quite the opposite. Storm after storm has pummeled Chile, leading to road closures, early terrain openings, and many, many powder days. In particular, Portillo has gotten more than 23 feet of snow throughout the season, which has led them to extend their season.

Passo Stelvio, a summer-only ski area perched high on an Italian pass, paused operations but hopes to reopen. Views of Passo Stelvio earlier this summer.Photo: Passo Stelvio As the Alps and Western Europe continue to bake amid a record-hot summer, another summer ski area in the region, Passo Stelvio, has called it quits for now.

After a two-decade hiatus, Vancouver-area ski resort Cypress Mountain will reopen its bike park next summer. The park, which originally opened in 2005, is being rebuilt by Whistler-based trail-building company Gravity Logic, which has built and designed world-class mountain bike parks across North America. An Environmental Management Plan is in place as part of the rebuild to govern tree removal and other impacts throughout the process.

For the first time ever, Lake Tahoe’s Heavenly Mountain is opening its gondola to mountain bikers looking for a quicker way to hit the trail. The Tahoe Area Mountain Bike Association, Heavenly, the Tahoe Fund, and the Forest Service, which partnered on the project, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sunday for the new access and the opening of the Panorama Trail.

All seven of United’s central US hubs, including Boston Logan, will have nonstop routes to Jackson Hole this winter. Not bad for a tarmac view.Photo: Eric Seymour, Courtesy of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Starting this winter, East Coast skiers will have an easier way to ski the Tetons. Last week, United Airlines announced a new, nonstop flight between Boston Logan International Airport and Jackson Hole Airport for the winter season.