Drones are now buzzing over heads of skiers at Squaw Valley Ski Resort. The new professional video service offered by Cape Productions gives people a chance to relive their time on the slopes.
Federal Aviation Administration regulation typically requires drones to fly 500 feet away, but this service is the first in the country to legally fly within 500 feet of people.
"The unique exemption we have explicitly allows us to film members of the public who are participating in the operation. In this case at places like Squaw, that operation is actually being filmed on the ski hill," said Louis Gresham, Chief Operations Officer of Cape Productions.
The FAA strictly regulates the commercial use of drones and require precautions such as visual observer present and done only in the day light. Safety is a high priority even drone operators are required to be FAA certified pilots.
"Being a pilot really helps with the drone operation because we have been trained really well by our FAA certified flight instructors how to handle emergency situations, great deal of knowledge when it comes to the aerodynamics," said Kabe Termes, Deputy of Operations for Cape Productions.
The service starts at $99 for a professionally edited video of both drone and on-land footage of two runs.
Cape Productions is also starting up at Homewood Ski Resort.
From Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows:
Out of the 20 resorts nominated by a panel of pro skiers and snowboarders, USA Today and 10Best announced today that their readers have selected Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows as the winner of the 2016 Readers’ Choice Poll for ‘Best Ski Resort’.
“Our team is thrilled to be recognized as the USA Today and 10Best Readers’ Choice winner for ‘Best Ski Resort’ and we are overjoyed to share this award with the entire Reno-Tahoe community, which works together to provide an award-worthy experience for our guests,” said Andy Wirth, president and chief executive officer of Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. “Truly, this designation belongs to the community: the people in the businesses of Truckee, Tahoe city, all of North Lake Tahoe and the entire region. We send sincere thanks to our loyal guests for their proud support. With more than 24 feet of snow so far this season and more to come, we’ve been able to offer outstanding mountain conditions across the resort’s terrain, plus a variety of activities, special events, and an unparalleled village vibe that combine to offer the best winter resort experience in North America.”
Recognized around the world as the host of the 1960 Winter Olympics, USA Today noted in their description of the resort that it “has only gotten better since then.” In fact, skiers and riders visiting Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows today have access to more than 6,000 skiable acres, 42 lifts and 270 trails that feature over 65 percent of beginner and intermediate terrain, steeps that attract extreme skiers and riders, and 14 easy-to-navigate mountain zones – all on one lift ticket.
For more information about Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, visit www.squawalpine.com.
