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Michael Fulton

Michael Fulton

Melbourne-based ski expert with 45+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian skiing and riding and international resort comparisons.

45+ resorts visited
14 years skiing
Author since 2020

Regional Expertise:

🇦🇺 Australia (6) • 🇺🇸 USA (15) • 🇯🇵 Japan (5) • 🇪🇺 Europe (10)

Articles by Michael Fulton

California Ski Resorts Set for Major Christmas Storm Cycle

Michael Fulton

California Ski Resorts Set for Major Christmas Storm Cycle

After the driest start to a California ski season in years, resorts are set to receive 40-100 inches of snow just in time for Christmas. The two-phase storm system arrives this weekend, with the best conditions developing Wednesday through Friday as snow levels drop and quality improves across the Sierra Nevada.

Doppelmayr 3S Gondola Opens at Campitello di Fassa, Connecting to Sellaronda Circuit

Michael Fulton

Doppelmayr 3S Gondola Opens at Campitello di Fassa, Connecting to Sellaronda Circuit

The Dolomites have added another tri-cable gondola to their lift infrastructure, with Campitello di Fassa's new 3S installation to Col Rodella opening December 19th. The 2,200 people-per-hour system replaces older infrastructure on this key Sellaronda access point, though whether the Italian resort needed Italy's 'most modern ropeway' for what's essentially a commuter lift is another question.

Loon Mountain Opens 60% of Terrain in Early December, Claims Historical Record

Michael Fulton

Loon Mountain Opens 60% of Terrain in Early December, Claims Historical Record

Loon Mountain has opened 44 trails across three peaks by mid-December, claiming the most extensive early-season terrain in New Hampshire. The resort attributes the opening to aggressive snowmaking operations supported by favourable temperatures and approximately 10 inches of natural snow.

Arctic Eco Sno In Article
Kitzsteinhorn Glacier Resort Review: Salzburg's High-Altitude Skiing Destination

Michael Fulton

Kitzsteinhorn Glacier Resort Review: Salzburg's High-Altitude Skiing Destination

Austria's Kitzsteinhorn glacier resort operates from early October through late April, offering 61 kilometres of pistes reaching 3,029 metres above sea level. With reliable snow conditions, unique high-elevation beginner terrain, and access to three resorts through the ALPIN CARD system, this glacier destination delivers consistent skiing for Australian visitors seeking extended European ski seasons.

Whistler Blackcomb to Replace Showcase T-Bar with Fixed-Grip Quad in 2026

Michael Fulton

Whistler Blackcomb to Replace Showcase T-Bar with Fixed-Grip Quad in 2026

Vail Resorts has announced plans to replace the Showcase T-Bar at Whistler Blackcomb with a fixed-grip quad chairlift by 2026, part of a $215-220 million capital investment programme. The upgrade aims to improve access to Blackcomb Glacier terrain, though questions remain about capacity and whether this addresses the resort's real infrastructure issues.

Arctic Eco Sno In Article
Monte Bondone Resort Airlifts Snow to Slopes After Wind Strips Summit Bare

Michael Fulton

Monte Bondone Resort Airlifts Snow to Slopes After Wind Strips Summit Bare

An Italian ski resort used 40 helicopter flights to transport manufactured snow to its highest runs after December winds left them bare and temperatures were too warm for snowmaking. The operation, costing potentially less than €400,000 in lost revenue, has drawn criticism from environmental groups and highlights the escalating costs of maintaining ski operations in warming winters.

Teacher Dies After Tree Collision at Nassfeld During School Ski Trip

Michael Fulton

Teacher Dies After Tree Collision at Nassfeld During School Ski Trip

A 64-year-old Czech teacher has died after veering off-piste and striking a tree at Austria's Nassfeld resort, marking the third European ski fatality in less than a week. The incident occurred in front of students during a school trip, raising questions about supervision protocols.

Zermatt Replaces Gifthittli Six-Seater with Eight-Seater Chairlift

Michael Fulton

Zermatt Replaces Gifthittli Six-Seater with Eight-Seater Chairlift

Zermatt has opened a new eight-seater chairlift to replace the 21-year-old Gifthittli six-seater. The CHF 25 million upgrade brings incremental capacity improvements and modern features to a critical mid-mountain connector, though the investment raises questions about priorities in an increasingly competitive Swiss market.

Arctic Eco Sno In Article
Major Avalanche at Stubai Glacier Triggers Massive Rescue Operation Involving 250 Personnel

Michael Fulton

Major Avalanche at Stubai Glacier Triggers Massive Rescue Operation Involving 250 Personnel

A significant avalanche at Austria's Stubai Glacier on Thursday morning caught eight skiers in off-piste terrain, triggering one of the season's largest rescue operations. While all skiers managed to free themselves before emergency services arrived, three required medical treatment for injuries. The incident involved nearly 250 rescue personnel and highlights the elevated avalanche risk during early season conditions across Austrian ski areas.

Brian Head Becomes Utah’s First Resort to Open for the 2025-26 Season

Michael Fulton

Brian Head Becomes Utah’s First Resort to Open for the 2025-26 Season

After receiving 10 inches of snowfall in the last week, Brian Head Resort became Utah’s first resort to open the 2025–26 ski season on Friday, November 21. The resort was originally scheduled to open on November 7 and subsequently postponed season opening twice, first to November 15 and then to November 21.

Arctic Eco Sno In Article
Lucas Braathen and the rest of the podium.

Michael Fulton

Lucas Braathen Takes Brazil's First Alpine World Cup Win in Levi Slalom

Lucas Braathen's switch from Norwegian to Brazilian colours has delivered immediate results, with the 24-year-old claiming victory in Levi's opening slalom. It's a historic first World Cup win for Brazil, though questions remain about what this nationality change actually means for alpine racing's traditional power structures.

Early Season North America: Which Ski Resorts Are Open Right Now?

Michael Fulton

Early Season North America: Which Ski Resorts Are Open Right Now?

The 2025-26 North American ski season is underway with resorts across Colorado, Alberta, and Vermont opening their lifts. From Keystone's surprise first-to-open move to Sunshine Village's impressive 38 runs already available, here's exactly what terrain you can access right now and which resorts are offering the best early season conditions.

Val Gardena Opens 4 December: What's Actually New for 2025/26

Michael Fulton

Val Gardena Opens 4 December: What's Actually New for 2025/26

Val Gardena opens 4 December 2025 with access to the Dolomiti Superski network. Beyond the standard Christmas markets and World Cup racing, the resort has widened a competition piste ahead of the 2031 World Championships and added hybrid buses to its transport fleet.

Arctic Eco Sno In Article
Obertauern Resort in the sunrise

Michael Fulton

Obertauern Bans Uphilling as Austrian Resorts Crack Down on Ski Touring

Obertauern has issued a blanket ban on uphilling within resort boundaries for 2025-26, citing safety concerns after years of conflict. The decision adds the Austrian resort to a growing list implementing outright bans rather than managed access, despite local guides questioning the safety rationale.

Boyne Resorts Winter 2025/26 Upgrades: New Lifts, Snowmaking, and Mountain Improvements

Michael Fulton

Boyne Resorts Winter 2025/26 Upgrades: New Lifts, Snowmaking, and Mountain Improvements

Boyne Resorts continues its five-year infrastructure investment with new lifts at Alpental and Big Sky, doubled snowmaking capacity at Sunday River, and various dining additions across its North American properties. Here's what's actually changing for the 2025/26 winter season across their 10 ski resorts from Michigan to Montana.

Kronplatz Will Be Italy's First Ski Resort for 2024/25 Season

Michael Fulton

Kronplatz Will Be Italy's First Ski Resort for 2024/25 Season

Kronplatz in South Tyrol opens 29 November, making it Italy's first operational ski resort this season. With the Milano-Cortina Olympics drawing attention to the country's major resorts, this 121km ski area offers an alternative for those looking to avoid the Olympic circus and accompanying crowds.

Arctic Eco Sno In Article
10 Best Ski Resorts in Colorado Ranked for the 2025-26 Season

Michael Fulton

10 Best Ski Resorts in Colorado Ranked for the 2025-26 Season

Colorado stands as the undisputed capital of American skiing, combining reliable snowfall, varied terrain, and the legendary Rocky Mountain powder. With over 300 days of sunshine annually and some of the most accessible high-elevation skiing in North America, it's no wonder why Colorado draws skiers and snowboarders from around the globe.