Ear to the ground:
“You guys should all get Telegraph tattoos.”
– Well intentioned advice on the occasion of the Telegraph’s 10th year in business

More green for the white
We may be wishing for snow to fall, but don’t expect the same for lift tickets prices. The 2011-12 season was dismal throughout the West, and walk-up regular season prices reflect that resorts may have some catching up to do.

Durango Mountain Resort has upped its window price to $75, up from $69 last year. However, that rate will remain unchanged throughout the holidays. Taos has done the same, listing $75 as its off-the-street price.

In the high end, Crested Butte is inching ever closer to the century mark at $95, and Steamboat is teetering on the precipice at $99. Vail, known for its gentle terrain but steep pricing, tops out with a $105 price tag.

Telluride hadn’t published it’s walk-up rate as of press time, but Joe Skier can expect to pay a pretty penny there as well, with prices breaking $90 a few years back.

However, that’s not to say there aren’t a few bargains out there for those not lucky enough to lock in the early bird rates.
Wolf Creek is posting a still-respectable walk-up rate of $56 and Silverton Mountain will be charging $49 to ride its lone lift for unguided skiing through Jan. 17, 2013.

Also, for those willing to do a little driving, Telluride is offering a discount over last year on its popular T-Card ($69 vs. $80) as well as 10-day and 6-day passes. But like the perfect powder day, these deals won’t stick around. Locals have but one chance to scoop up the Telluride deals, this Sat., Oct. 13, at the Ski Barn.

Backcountry to board room
And speaking of skiing, there’s a new name in high-end technical gear this season.

Stio is the latest apparel brand out of Jackson Hole, although not completely new to the industry. It is the project of Steve Sullivan, “soft-shell pioneer” and founder of popular outdoor brand Cloudveil.

After selling Cloudveil a few years back, “Sulli” became disenchanted with the mass-produced direction in which his former brand went. So, he returned to the drawing board and came back with his new take on the fashion side of the “mountain lifestyle.”

“From the backcountry to the board room,” is Stio’s motto. Stio promises to easily transition from “the slopes or trail to a dinner party or cocktail hour.” But you won't find it hanging on the rack next to its predecessor. Stio is only available via catalog or website. Of course, people can always buy in person at the flagship store in Jackson, where afterward they can presumably window shop in their new “Browser” jeans or just kick back in the “Hometown” down jacket.