The Big Liftoff : Ski Dazzle ’87 at L.A. Convention Center Is Guaranteed to Elevate Hopes for Snowy Slopes

On what continent was the first ski club founded in 1861?

If you know the surprising answer (Australia, the Kiandra Ski Club) to that bit of esoterica, you could do well in the trivia contest at Ski Dazzle ‘87, the Los Angeles Ski Show at the Convention Center this weekend.

Usually the show is a harbinger of the ski season, but this year Mammoth Mountain has already opened, on Nov. 6, for limited skiing. Skiers’ hopes that Southern California ski areas would quickly follow suit melted in this week’s heat wave, but areas with snow-making capability talk hopefully of opening by Thanksgiving if the thermometer cooperates.

In addition to testing your knowledge of trivia at the ski show, you can look for bargains in the ski swap section, discuss the latest equipment technology with manufacturers reps or have a computer tell you, for a price ($14.95), which ski boots would fit you best. Non-skiers who would like a preview of the sport without going to the mountains can take a lesson on a ski deck.

The show runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. today, noon to 6 Sunday; adult admission is $6.50. Several vacation packages will be on the block at a charity auction tonight hosted by Steve Kanaly of the “Dallas” TV program to benefit the March of Dimes.

Three-time freestyle champion Genia Fuller hosts the trivia contest with questions from Mogul Mike’s Ski Trivia card game, an offshoot of the Mogul Mike ski-safety program, at 2:30 p.m. today; 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

For bargain hunters, the show’s ski swap and sale, sponsored by the Los Angeles Council of Ski Clubs, offers equipment--both new and used--and clothing. According to swap organizers, about 90% of the items are from ski shops and the remainder from individuals.

Like Looking for a Car

If you want to try to sell your old equipment at the swap, there’s a 50-cent-an-item registration fee; if it sells, 20% of the price goes to the swap sponsor. The money is used to fund race clinics, handicapped skier events and other activities.

There are so many different skis, boots and bindings for every skill level from hotshot racer down to beginner that buying equipment has become rather like looking for a car. You can find models for every preference and pocketbook.

To further baffle, there are subtypes within types. For example, slalom skis are big this season, and some ski makers have up to half a dozen different models in their lines for varying abilities and tastes.

There are more skis this season specifically for female skiers, although some women may by turned off at the prospect of coming down the slope on something named Emotion or Fantasy.

One of the most intriguing concepts, in theory at least, is the Dynastar Fusion series of skis. One side of the ski is made of a more elastic material that promises greater control, stability and smoother turns in soft snow. The other is of a stiff material that provides quicker, more precise response on hardpack. Snow conditions determine which feet you wear the skis on: One way, you’re ready for powder; switch skis to the opposite feet and you’re set for the hard stuff.

If you’re not certain which ski is right for you, it’s a good idea to take a test drive. Ski shops at some areas rent demos that can be changed several times a day. Even within one ski type, various models may perform very differently from one another--and from what you expected.

Color and variety are the hallmarks of both clothes and equipment this season: skis in hot pink, teal green or splashed with lilac, turquoise or fuchsia; boots in bright blue, teal blue or lemon-yellow with orange buckles.

In clothes, neon colors and flashy prints are big. Even some gloves look like miniature abstract paintings.

Jeff Wilk, who produced the fashion show for Ski Dazzle, said a big hit among early shoppers at his store, Vail West Co. in Beverly Hills, has been a leopard print outfit that includes apres-ski boots in synthetic leopard skin. For those who yearn for warmth on the slopes, there are several models of heated boots and even a heated ski suit, a one-piece jump suit containing replaceable heat packs that are said to give off warmth for up to 20 hours before they must be replaced.

There are innovations on the slopes, too. Skiers at June Mountain in the eastern Sierra are in for a big lift--a high-speed aerial tram that will carry them from the parking lot to the chalet in four minutes. Unlike conventional trams that have one car ascending while a second is descending, this one will have 20 cars, each carrying 20 passengers.

Loading and Unloading

Pam Murphy, spokeswoman for the Mammoth and June Mountain ski areas, said the tram would operate on the same principal as the high-speed quad chairs that went into service last February at June Mountain to carry skiers to the top of Rainbow Ridge. While seven tram cars are traveling up and seven down the high-speed cable, the remainder are shuttled to a slower table for unloading and loading.

The bad news is that the tram will not be ready at the beginning of the season. “Because it’s a prototype, we are taking our time,” Murphy said. “We want it to be right.”

The snow-making system at June has been upgraded and enlarged this season to cover an additional 50 acres.

At Mammoth Mountain, June’s big sister to the south, skiers will find two new runs, including one off Chairlift 15, which connects existing trails into a two-mile-long sweep. Adult lift tickets, interchangeable at Mammoth and June, will be $27 this season. For snow conditions, phone (213) 935-8866.

Closer to home in the Southern California mountains, Snow Summit has enlarged its snow-making system to make more of the white stuff faster, and the Ego Trip run has been regraded to give it a more consistent pitch. Skiers are limited to 5,500 on weekends and 4,500 on weekdays, Greg Ralph, director of marketing, said. Reservations are available through Teletron-Ticketron or Summit’s reservation line, (714) 866-5841; skiing 3 to 10 p.m. daily, depending on the weather. Adult day-lift tickets are $27.50, night $19.

Skiers’ Services

Goldmine has added a new skiers’ services building to house ticket sales, lockers, ski school and sports and rental shop. Snow-making capacity has been increased by a third to produce more snow on the same runs. Ticket sales will be cut off at 4,900 on weekends and holidays; for reservations, Teletron-Ticketron or (714) 585-2518. Adult lift tickets are $25.

At Snow Valley, a new advanced run has been cut off Lake Run. Snow-making capacity has been increased 20% and now includes Lift 7. Ticket sales will be stopped at 5,800; reservations at Teletron-Ticketron or (714) 867-5111. Night skiing from 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday; 1 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Adult day-lift tickets are $27, night $20. Students with ID cards get $4 off lift tickets. Snow conditions: (213) 976-SNOW.

Snow Forest has regraded the Snowball run to eliminate the drop-off. Adult lift tickets are $22 weekends and holidays, $17 midweek. Conditions (714) 866-8891.

More Artificial Snow

Mountain High has tripled its snow-making capacity with the addition of a reservoir. Most of the runs at Mountain High East will have snow-making this season, and a new cocktail bar has been added at its base. Some runs, including Gold Rush and Tammy’s Run, have been widened. Night skiing every night, 3 to 10. Adult day-lift ticket is $27; night ticket $20 on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays, $17 Monday through Thursday. Snow conditions: (213) 626-6911 or (818) 888-6911.

At Ski Sunrise, a new pomalift has been installed to service a separate area for beginners, set aside so that they “don’t feel like they’re on the freeway getting run over by better skiers,” general manager Mark Ward said. Snow-making capacity was also increased. Adult lift tickets are $22. Students and military can ski for $10 on weekdays except holidays.

Mt. Baldy will open two new advanced runs on Thunder Mountain this season. Adult lift tickets are $25.

Adult lift tickets are $18 at Kratka Ridge and $22 at Mt. Waterman, both in the San Gabriel Mountains, and $18 at Ski Green Valley in the San Bernardino Mountains.