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Ski hills will soon be opening in the West, but it’s still uncertain which will open first. Over the last several years, the first two ski hills to open in the West have often been Arapahoe Basin and Keystone, both in northern Colorado. But last year, southern Colorado’s Wolf Creek Ski Area pulled ahead to open first on October 16 thanks to a big snow storm.
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PFAS chemicals are in some ski waxes, which then get into the environment, groundwater and even our bodies, possibly causing health issues. Now, a partnership between a Colorado wax company and college students has resulted in a take-back program.
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Products like non-stick pans and waterproof jackets have something in common – they’re often made with chemicals known as PFAS. But the man-made chemicals don’t break down in the environment – or our bodies. And they’re suspected of causing cancer and other health problems. The Mountain West News Bureau’s Madelyn Beck reports on efforts to ban PFAS in a popular winter product – ski wax.
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If you’re watching the Olympics, you’ve likely seen big brown mountains covered in veins of artificial snow trails. That more compact manufactured snow has pros and cons: racers like it’s consistency and how fast they go. But if you crash, you might get hurt worse. It will likely continue to be used, as researchers look for a way to scale up making fluffier, more natural snow for the future.
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Most industries faced a slump at the beginning of the pandemic, and that included the companies that make chairlifts. But they’ve made a big comeback as people return to ski resorts.
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Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Usually, that means the start of downhill ski season. But in many places, there isn't enough snow on the ground. Wyoming Public Radio's Kamila Kudelska looks at how climate change may be impacting ski areas.
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Wildlife biologists are proposing select winter closures in the Tetons in an effort to protect locally-endangered bighorn sheep. Some backcountry skiers aren't happy about it.
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Eight out of the top ten snowiest winters at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort occurred in the last 15 years. Jim Woodmencey, Mountain Weather meteorologist, said this aligns with a trend of cooler weather in the valley in the last decade.
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U.S. Sen. John Barrasso along with Sen. Michael Bennet have introduced a bipartisan bill that would allow National Forests to keep a percentage of fees generated by ski areas. Those funds will then be used to support local recreation needs.
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This winter season has been a deadly one for avalanches. Many of those avalanches were caused by a single type of snow condition known as a deep…