Courtesy of Okemo Mountain Resort

HOLIDAY WEEK LAUDABLE FOR OKEMO MOUNTAIN RESORT

LUDLOW, Vt. – Despite economic uncertainties and fluctuating weather patterns, Okemo Mountain Resort welcomed more skiers and snowboarders to its slopes during the New Year holiday week this year than in 2007/2008.

Okemo’s skier visits were seven percent ahead of the same Monday-through-Sunday period last year and six percent ahead of the five-year average for the same timeframe. The week ranked second in the past five years and fourth in the last ten years.

“Skiing is a lifestyle sport,” says Okemo VP of Marketing Scott Clarkson, “and the business levels we are seeing confirm that people will continue to hold on to the lifestyle values that are important to them.”

Okemo’s Ski + Ride School Director Dan Bergeron reported a good, solid vacation period with particularly strong children’s programs. The greatest increases were recorded in Okemo’s Snow Stars and Penguin Daycare programs, with participation up about ten percent and seven percent respectively.

Okemo’s real estate department generated more than 100 new leads. “Most of these were first-time vacationers to Okemo and most of them were referred by friends already familiar with Okemo,” said Okemo Real Estate Marketing Manager Jessica Citera. Okemo Real Estate sold its final developer-owned studio in the Bixby House at Jackson Gore over the holidays. Current sales for fiscal year 2009 are at 19 units.

On the culinary side of things, Okemo saw near-record days at some of its venues. Okemo’s base lodge food courts served 13,114 cups of hot cocoa and 6,575 orders of French fries. Okemo's Coleman Brook Tavern at Jackson Gore put gooey marshmallow smiles on the faces of 700 families with their famous table-top S'mores. Coleman Brook Tavern is also well known for its extensive wine selection and served 852 bottles during the holidays.

Okemo’s retail operations saw booming sales figures that were initiated mostly by weather. During the holiday period between Christmas Eve and Jan. 4, The Okemo Snowsports Shops sold 5,921 hand and toe heaters, 915 goggles, 463 pairs of socks and 1,998 face masks. Skiers and riders also went home with nearly 3,000 Okemo logo items as souvenirs.

More information about Okemo Mountain Resort may be obtained by calling (802) 228-1600 or by visiting okemo.com.

Courtesy of Crested Butte

Crested Butte to Open the North Face Lift 

Crested Butte, CO – January 1, 2009:   Crested Butte rings in the New Year by opening the coveted North Face Lift, making some of the world-famous Extreme Terrain open for business! On January 2 at 9am, the North Face Lift will offer access to 250 acres of newly open terrain including The Glades, Tower 11 and North Face areas. With 126 inches of snow in December, conditions are almost identical to last year’s epic season. 

Frank Coffee, Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s Snow Safety Director, says, “We are opening this terrain as conditions allow. Our number one priority is safety for the team and for our guests.”

Additional openings in this area are to be determined, based on the Snow Safety Team’s assessments, weather conditions, and snowfall. Current openings and snow conditions can be found on www.skicb.com and by calling Crested Butte’s Snow Report Hotline at 970-349-2323.

Courtesy of Smuggler's Notch Resort

It’s a Sporting Life for Teens and Tweens at Smugglers’ Notch Resort

Smugglers’ Notch, VT – Sports and activities, both indoors and out, keep teens active, happy and socializing with their age mates at Smugglers’ Notch Resort. Smugglers’ treats teens like the young adults they are by presenting them choices for their vacation fun.  With an a la carte menu of events and programs they can select the types of activities that interest them most and also choose ones that are new and challenging.

The main event is usually skiing and riding on Smugglers’ three interconnected mountains and 78 trails.  If needed there is equipment to rent.  If desired, there are lessons in how to master the mountain in these disciplines for ability levels from novice through expert, instruction on how to jib in the parks, or conquer moguls. The highly desired Mountain Explorers sessions for ages 16-17 mix skiers and riders in ripping it up with new friends and finding the best snow stashes with the help of a Snow Sport University Guide. Tweens 11-15 years old may choose the day-long Notch Squad Ski or Snowboard Camp or the 1.5 hour group lessons.

If a teen skier wants to try snowboarding without giving up their two-stick passion, Night School for Boarding is the answer.  Twice weekly beginning at 4:30 pm they can take lessons and practice on the lighted Sir Henry’s Hill from 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm for just $49 per person including equipment rental. For snowboarders who want an introduction to the world of freestyle the same format provides them with lessons on entry-level terrain park features.

Since its introduction three years ago, Airboarding has proven very popular with teens.  Airboards are similar to an inflated sled or boogie board with a grooved underside.  They are lightweight and easy to maneuver. After learning the basics in a short instructional clinic teens can join the free-riding fun every weekday afternoon from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.  Airboarding is available on lift-accessed terrain at Morse Highlands, an area perfect for carving turns and cruising, for ages 10 and older.

Two teen centers are open every weekend:  Teen Alley Club for ages 13 and older and the Outer Limits at the Yurt for ages 16 and older.  Every day of the week special events take place at Teen Alley that range from an Airboard Slalom, Dodgeball Tourney or FunZone Mania to a Nightspiker Dance Party.

Many other opportunities for making friends and having fun together exist at Smuggs in the form of snoshoeing and guided snowshoe treks, cross-country ski lessons or tours, tube sliding, outdoor ice skating, pool table fun, dog sledding (off site), snowmobiling (18 and older), yoga and craft classes, pools, a chocolate tasting.

It just takes a little willingness on the part of the teens and tweens to get outdoors and participate to make a Smuggs vacation a fun and memorable one. Oh, and it’s easy for teens and tweens to get around on their own in Smugglers’ purpose-built Village and neighborhoods with the easy-to-use on-demand take-you-anywhere shuttle service, operating daily from 8:00 am – 12:00 midnight.

For more information, call Smuggs reservationists at 800-451-8752 or visit www.smuggs.com. 

courtesy of Crested Butte

Christmas Snow Blankets Crested Butte with 13 Inches - Season Total Hits 126 Inches


Crested Butte, CO, December 26 – Santa came to Crested Butte again last night with 13 inches of fresh powder for all the skiers and riders, bringing the season’s total to 126 inches of natural snowfall. In the past 7 days, over 50 inches have covered the ski area making Crested Butte one of the snowfall leaders in Colorado! All this snow has 97% of terrain open, 481 acres of groomers, and 14 / 16 lifts running. This December is truly shaping up to be on par with last year’s all-time record season.


“The forecast is calling for almost 10 more inches today and tonight,” says Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s Mountain Manager, Chris Corliss. “We have a total of 116 inches for December already! We are making sure all operations, terrain, and lifts are as safe as possible. The amount of snow we have is pretty awesome this year.”


In celebration of breaking the 100 inch mark, Crested Butte Vacations is offering Ski & Stay packages starting from only $100. To book this package call Crested Butte Vacations at 
(800) 600-2803  or visit www.skicb.com/100inches

*Package price is per person per night and includes lodging at the Grand Lodge Crested Butte and one lift ticket per person per night of lodging booked. 

Getting to Crested Butte has never been easier with direct flights from Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, Salt Lake City, and Denver. Special fares from $198 round trip and free skiing are available – click here for details and information.

Courtesy of Crested Butte

Crested Butte Season Snowfall Busts 100 Inches

Crested Butte, CO, December 23 – Crested Butte surpassed 100 inches of natural snow for this ski season with over 18 inches of fresh powder in the last 24 hours. In the last 10 days, over 6 feet of snow has blanketed the mountain, bringing the total to 103 inches for the season. Mountain operations have 96% of the terrain open for skiing and riding and 13 of 16 lifts running. Another epic December for Crested Butte this year!

“We are in the crosshairs of a great storm cycle,” says Ken Stone, Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s Chief Operating Officer. “Last year was a record snow year and Crested Butte’s conditions are tracking pretty closely. This system is really hanging in here and over a foot of new snow is forecasted for the next 24 hours. Our crews are working hard to get the rest of our terrain open safely.”

All this natural snow calls for a celebration, so Crested Butte Vacations is offering Ski & Stay packages starting from only $100. That’s one dollar for every inch of snow so far this season.*
                                                                                          
“With all of the great snow, there is no better time for people to experience Crested Butte,” says Crested Butte’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing Daren Cole. “96% of our terrain is now open, the conditions are fantastic, and this package makes the best value in skiing and riding out there.”

Courtesy of Ski Maine

First Day of Winter marked by major snowfall at Maine ski areas.

Portland, ME: Maine’s ski & snowboard industry kicked into overdrive, digging out from the season’s first blizzard. From Powderhouse Hill at the Southern Maine boarder to Lonesome Pine Trails at the Northern Tip, snowfall was measured in feet, not inches. The Camden Snow Bowl, which overlooks Penobscot Bay gained one and one half feet of snow and the amounts increased to nearly three feet of accumulation at Sugarloaf in Carrabassett Valley. Sunday River in Bethel, welcomed the storm with the opening of its new Chondola, the first Gondola / Chair lift to operate in the Eastern United States.

According to Greg Sweetser, Executive Director of the Ski Maine Association, “this storm will open nearly every acre of terrain across Maine’s alpine ski areas and Nordic Centers. Many schools have begun their Holiday Vacation and the new snow gives a boost in business before Christmas. Historically, Maine ski areas are pleased to have 50% of their terrain open in December, but this year we’ll see many at 100%. This is certainly the way to celebrate the arrival of winter.”

The ski centers across the state offer a wide variety of events and packages. Following the holiday week, Maine will participate in the month long, January National Learn a Snow Sports program. Details for this and all ski area programs are available through the Ski Maine web site at www.skimaine.com.

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Ski Maine Association is the non-profit trade association representing the Alpine and Nordic ski industry in Maine.