Now that the turkey coma from Christmas has lifted, we’re back at tracking world ski news, including the launch of a 3D ski map at Lake Louise, new restaurant openings at Silver Star, and a world record smashed at Jackson Hole for more skiers wearing jeans on a single day than any sunny day in the 1970s. Here we go:
‘SKIERS IN JEANS’ WORLD RECORD SMASHED AT JACKSON HOLE
Jackson Hole, Wyoming’s annual Ski in Jeans Day smashed the world record for the most people skiing in jeans: 3,114 denim-clad guests in a single day, December 9, 2023. The previous record was set by 102 skiers in the Denim Dash on closing day at New Zealand’s The Remarkables, and before that in 2020 by 80 skiers at Colorado’s Arapahoe Basin.
LAKE LOUISE LAUNCHES 3D INTERACTIVE TRAIL MAP
Banff’s Lake Louise Ski Resort has launched a fully interactive trail map. Switch between 2D and 3D views, study the mountain from different angles, and apply filters to sort runs by ability levels, lift and trails status and grooming reports.
Developed by SteepDeep, interactive maps allow skiers to view the slopes in real-time with live run statuses. “Stay updated with the latest information on grooming, trail availability and difficulty ratings,” the developer’s website says. “Know which runs have been freshly groomed… check the open/closed status of trails to plan your routes accordingly. Discover runs suited to your skill level by exploring the dynamic difficulty ratings.” The software also promises to help skiers stay in contact with friends and family by sharing locations.
Lake Louise Ski Resort announced the new maps via its Instagram feed December 17, 2023: “We have launched another exciting new thing for our guests: interactive digital trail maps! Great tool for finding out all the blue runs that are open today and groomed (plus so much more).”
Early reviews and comments included:
snowseekers: “This is very cool! And really fun to play around with. So much potential here as this continues to evolve.”
judsong56: “As someone who has skied Louise since the mid-70’s l gotta say this is really cool, thank you”
SKI CROSS STAR KELSY SERWA COMES OUT OF RETIREMENT TO COACH SUN PEAKS CHARITY EVENT
Retired Olympic Ski Cross Champion Kelsey Serwa is back as a special guest coach at the TELUS Nancy Greene Alpine Classic, the annual fundraising event at B.C.’s Sun Peaks January 27th.
Serwa won a silver medal in the 2014 Sochi Olympics then followed it up with a gold medal in the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. Kelsey also won two X Games championships as well as the 2011 World Ski Cross Championships. Now retired, Kelsey is now working as a physiotherapist in Whistler commentating World Cup Ski Cross events for CBC Sports.
Serwa will join two other Olympic Champions at the event: host Nancy Greene Raine and 1976 Giant Slalom Champion Kathy Kreiner. Local Olympic celebrity, Elli Terwiel, who raced for Canada at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, will also be coaching at the event this year.
“Kelsey grew up racing for the Big White Ski Area, which was co-founded by her grandfather Cliff Serwa.” says Greene. “Her bubbly personality and extensive experience in both ski cross and alpine racing will be a great addition to the coaching staff.”
The annual event raises money for community charities, with the proceeds this year going to the Sun Peaks Education Society as well as a donation to the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation.
FIVE PLACES TO EAT IN SILVER STAR VILLAGE
If you find yourself hungry after skiing in B.C.’s Silver Star Village this season you have lots of options, including one new restaurant, one re-opened and one with cat-access only.
1. SPICE HOUSE
New on the food scene at Silver Star Village is the Spice House, a fusion restaurant mixing flavours from Mexico, Italy and India. The varied menu features Indian dishes like Butter Chicken and Channa Masala. For aprés, the Tex-Mex Papdi Chat can be shared alongside Samosas or Naan Pizza.
2. BLACK PINE SOCIAL
Looking for more fusion? The Black Pine Social‘s eclectic menu takes diners from the Alps to Tokyo, featuring ramen, tasting plates and salads.
3. THE BULLDOG
The Bulldog Silver Star is a lively gathering place and also highlights global flavours with a menu inspired by Dutch history in Indonesia.
4. DIVINE CELLAR
After a two-year hiatus, the DiVine Cellar is re-opening this winter. A long-time local favourite, the Cellar is now open Friday to Tuesday from 4 p.m. until late, serving a variety of wines, beers and cocktails. Known as “Silver Star’s living room,” this hidden gem offers a cozy lounge-style atmosphere in the lower level of the Bulldog Hotel.
5. PARADISE CAMP DINNER TOUR
For an elevated dining experience with a side of adventure, travel by snow cat to the backside of the mountain for the Paradise Camp Dinner Tour. Diners climb aboard the Paradise Express snow cat and trek along the mountain’s slopes under moonlit skies to Paradise Camp at Putnam Creek, where they take in views of the Monashee Mountains and indulge in a three-course, lantern-lit dinner.
