The Harper and Obama administrations announced wide ranging plans that aim to make crossing the border quicker and easier. Ever since 9/11 concerns about security have made crossing the border more difficult. Now different government agencies are planning on harmonizing regulations and sharing information so that people and goods can cross the border more quickly and easily. Here is an analysis on the CBC website What the new border deal means for you.
The temperatures have finally dropped below freezing at Mount Snow.
“It’s been frustrating, that’s for certain,” said David Meeker, director of communications, of the weather conditions. “There were a lot of nights this past month that were forecasted for good snow-making conditions but they weren’t ever cold enough” he said in the Battleboro Reformer.
Typically, mountains near the Appalachian Trail open either just before or after the American Thanksgiving holiday. The recent warm spell in and around Dover, however, have made it difficult to make snow without it melting.
Large areas of the east coast were damaged by Tropical Storm Irene in August. The storm has put extra pressure on the region’s resorts to help maintain the local economy, Meeker told The Reformer, but his resort would not open with a poor product.
On Wednesday, a cold front covered the valley, dumping snow and keeping the temperatures cold enough for the crew at Mount Snow to start making snow, he said.
Thousands of skiers and snowboarders eager for their first run of the season showed up at the opening of Mount Snow’s Blue Bird Express on Saturday.
Even with the setback of not being able to open when they wanted, the staff at Mount Snow is positive this will be one of their best years ever.
If you’re heading south to hit the slopes, be sure to pick up some duty free goods at the border to warm you up in the chalet.
One lavish traveller is planning on ending this year in grandiose style.
A man purchased six bottles of rare wines for nearly $80,000 Canadian dollars at a Parisian duty free shop. His purchase consisted of a bottle of Romanee Conti 1995, a Chateau Margaux 2003, two bottles of Chateau Lafitte 1982 and two bottles of Petrus 1980.
Such purchases can be the result of impulse buying, or in some cases the result of a customer asking the shop to find a bottle of a particular year for a special occasion.
High-quality wines typically sell better at the end of the year as people move to compliment their holiday trips or gatherings with a little extra style.
Each Duty Free Canada shop’s page lists contact information should you wish to place a special order. Or you can call ahead of time just to see what special finds are already on hand. Duty Free Canada land border shops offer better prices than airport stores because they operate at lower prices, and these savings are passed on to you!
Source: BBC - Traveller blows 50,000 euros on wine at Paris duty free
Last winter, the accumulation of snow allowed some Colorado resorts to stay open as late as July 4. This accumulation over the season amounted to over 200 inches, burying equipment like snow gauges.
Colorado hosted roughly one in every five skier visits in the nation last winter, with over 12 million visits.
As the economy slowly recovers, resorts across the United States are still offering travelers discounts. Locations like Breckenridge Vacation Resort have deals with up to 50% off resort packages. Combining these offers with some Duty Free goods would make these trips even more affordable (and fun in the chalet).
Nationwide, resorts have also upgraded the quality of the ski experience, investing millions in faster lifts, new terrain park features and better trail grooming.
You can read more about “Colorado resorts opening ski season with momentum” on CBS News.
