With a $35 million master plan in place, Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort has taken a giant first step with a new chairlift in its beginner area.

The Rutland Herald in Vermont is reporting that Thomas Durkin, an environmental judge, has issued an emergency order against the new owner of Haystack Ski Area to halt construction immediately on what is planned to be a “new luxury ski resort.”

Everbright Pacific, an affiliate of the Pacific Group, has been named to manage Wisp Resort in McHenry, Md., which recently emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection (see SnoCounty story). Wisp General Manager Tim Prather and his team will remain in their current positions.

As any parent knows, expectations run high this time of year for young and old alike. With so many tasks to juggle, I'm hoping this list of tips will help make your ski vacation be just that: a true vacation from the everyday, with time to truly cherish some family moments.

The starts and stops of this 2012-2013 winter have done nothing to dampen the spirits of Wachusett Mountain in Worcester County, Massachusetts.The resort is celebrating its 50th anniversary this season. 

America’s rising star Mikaela Shiffrin, 17, really took off in Are, Sweden under the lights with a historic win in the Audi FIS World Cup slalom. The teen came back from a .15 deficit to ski a flawless second run to beat Sweden’s Frida Hansdotter.

Driving west along I-70 in Colorado, you pass a lot of ski resorts. If you go far enough west and look to the south, just as you pass the tiny ranching community of DeBeque, you’ll spot Powderhorn Mountain Resort, carved out of the side of Western Colorado’s majestic Grand Mesa.

Federal Court Judge William Martinez overturned a controversial water policy that would have had resorts that operate on public land turn over water rights to the U.S. Forest Service without compensation.

Following a slow, dry start to the season, the Pacific moisture express has arrived in Colorado, dropping fresh inches of fluffy powder at locations across the state. 

Snowboarders in Lower Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, now’s your chance to ride with an Olympian. Louie Vito, Olympian and 2012 overall champion of the U. S. Grand Prix and Dew Cup, is coming to Ohio’s Mad River Mountain for his annual rail jam Saturday, Dec. 29. It’s one of the largest rail jams in the Heartland.

If you’re dreaming of a White Christmas, you’ll find it in Northern New England and Quebec, where up to three feet of snow has fallen over the past few days.

Families who make the trip up to north Lake Tahoe can save on lift ticket costs if they stay at the Village at Squaw Valley, Calif.

All too many people tried skiing or snowboarding after a challenge from a spouse or friend, “We'll go to the top. You can do it.” No need for that any more. January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month. 

On-the-books occupancy at 16 mountain resort destinations across California, Colorado, Oregon and Utah was down a sharp 12.3 percent as of Nov. 30, 2012 compared to the same time last year according to Mountain Travel Research Program (MTRiP).

Utah's winter has finally kicked in. Perhaps last season's weaksauce snow turnout was Mother Nature's way of putting us in our place. One can only hope that with this past week of storms, we're back to "normal". At least it sounds that way on Facebook.

Bert Fischer, of Bay Village, Ohio, led early efforts to develop possibilities for disabled persons to ski. Now, the well known Midwest teacher and writer will receive the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame Pioneer of Skiing award.

Pick up rewards and incentives just for skiing or riding around the Green Mountain State’s ski resorts and other locations. You can also win big by just playing at your favorite.

That fall semester was tough. Then you scrambled home for Christmas. Bought presents as stores were closing on Christmas Eve. You graduate in May and your parents are on your case about starting a career. You need an escape. Enter college ski week. 

Ski resorts nationwide are hosting a multitude of Christmas events for the whole family to enjoy.