Cooped Up? Get Uncooped.

C/O Sunshine Village

Well, this is our last in our 08/09 ski resort improvement series. So if you were wondering the method behind the madness for this odd geographical layout, there is none. These regions just didn’t have enough going on to make their own full article. So, instead, we sweep from south to north and level off in the west. Without further ado…here’s what’s up.

One of the last 4 holdouts to continue the prohibition of snowboarding, Taos dropped its ban last March. 09 welcomes in the first full season of riding. Since last year didn’t start until late season and the announcement came in late January, you probably missed your chance. This year you’ll have time to plan out snowboard trips here, assuming you can forgive the years of being coldly turned away (powder and steeps have a way of ending bitterness). Mad River, Alta and Deer Valley take note.

Additionally, Taos will open the first of two expert runs scheduled over the next 2 years. North American will be a double black glade run dropping 1400 feet. The Burrough will also open, a 400-foot beginner run featuring the flattest terrain at Taos. It will be located east of Lift 1’s base.

No new lifts or terrain, but Sunshine does have a cool new program—SlopeTracker. This device allows skiers and riders to strap on an electronic arm band with upgraded GPS capabilities. The device calculates top speed, number of runs, hours riding and calories burned. So if you’re a stat freak minus the budget to buy one of those sweet wrist tops, this may speak your language.

Sunshine will also begin Lady Freerider Courses, providing training in anything from basic skills to steeps riding specifically for the fairer sex.

Some upgrades will also be added to Rogers Terrain Park.

A new pair of terrain parks will open their gates, providing a progressive freestyle experience. A small beginner’s park on Jammer will be geared toward children and freestylers just getting into the game. Rodeo will be an intermediate park with medium-sized rails and hits designed for intermediate to advanced skiers/riders.

170 new acres of new off-piste expert terrain opens to the skier’s left of Hood Express Lift and skier’s right at the bottom of Hood Express. The new terrain will feature glades, chutes and cliffs with control-gate entry.

Advanced skiers and riders can enjoy increased options off the Summit and Northwest chairs with new backside terrain; 360° of riding can now be accessed. 980 acres of expert, open-bowl riding will be available off the Summit and 358 acres of trees off of Northwest’s shoulder will also open.