Big, Big News from Tahoe

Lake Tahoe, CA - Squaw and Alpine Meadows are thrilled to share with you the most exciting announcement of the 2011-2012 ski and snowboard season: Alpine Meadows Ski Resort and Squaw Valley USA will join forces! The mountains announced today that they will combine operations to a single ownership - which means that you will be able to ski and ride both mountains with one season pass or lift ticket. With access to more than 6,000 acres, eight mountain peaks, 44 lifts, and more than 270 trails on some of the country’s most renowned terrain, you will be our celebrated guests at the largest amount of terrain accessible on one ticket in the United States. As passionate, tenured guests at Alpine Meadows, your interests and mountain experiences are and will always be our top priorities. Although the accessible terrain and fantastic amenities will increase as a result of the new partnership, the individual character of each mountain will remain the same. It is the unmistakable ambiance, atmosphere, and guests’ unwavering connection to a mountain that help make every ski resort special and unique – and truly something to be cherished. Moving forward in this fantastic new partnership, both mountains are committed to preserving each mountain’s individual atmosphere while offering you the absolute best of the country’s mountains, amenities, guest service, and value. We hope you are as excited as we are about the new consolidation between Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley. Alpine Meadows’ sister resort, Homewood Mountain Resort, will continue to be owned and operated by JMA, and will not be affected by the new partnership between Alpine and Squaw. Guests of Homewood, as well as Homewood’s West Shore Café & Inn, can look forward to another fantastic winter skiing, snowboarding, and lakefront dining and lodging.

SHARP & M-ARK receive $40,000 From Benefit Concert and Disaster Relief Efforts

Highmount, NY - Belleayre Mountain began preparing its emergency evacuation center in response to a severe hurricane warning for the Catskill Region in anticipation of major flooding in the Phoenicia and Margaretville areas. Belleayre Mountain began preparing its emergency evacuation center in response to a severe hurricane warning for the Catskill Region in anticipation of major flooding in the Phoenicia and Margaretville areas. In the wake of Hurricane Irene, the emergency evacuation center was in full operation servicing 120 adults, 40 children and 20 dogs. During the first night, Belleayre was used as an emergency ambulance dispatch center because Margaretville Hospital and Kingston Hospitals were cut off by flooding and road closures. The emergency evacuation center included an expanded 16 bed, fully equipped medical response facility able to service ambulance calls.

Road closures made it necessary to establish helicopter landing zones in both the upper and lower areas to accommodate emergency evacuations and incoming food deliveries. Food deliveries and donations made it possible for the Belleayre Kitchen, operated by Centerplate, to provide an average of 1,200 meals a day as well as distributing 4,000 MRE’s provided by the American Red Cross. The evacuation center then expanded to include the NYS Office of Emergency Management headquarters with representatives from FEMA, OEM, Red Cross, and other Delaware and Ulster County relief offices, along with an area open to the public to apply for hurricane relief. All of Belleayre’s employees dedicated their time to the relief efforts and went above and beyond. A variety of duties were preformed including preparing, serving and delivering meals. The staff took turns in the food pantry unloading, signing in food donations, clothing donations, organizing the goods and assisting the public with their needs. Staff established helicopter landing zones and unloaded and then reloaded supplies to be sent out to communities in need. The new maintenance center was used to fix emergency equipment from Ulster County. The county provided mechanics to work alongside Belleayre employees to fix equipment and emergency vehicles including fire trucks, ambulances and heavy machinery.

Telluride Sets Standard for Resort Culinary Excellence

Jake Linzinmeir Hired to Bring Fresh Flare to Mountain Dining Telluride, CO - The name Telluride is synonymous with world class skiing, and with world class dining. Continuing to raise the bar as the industry benchmark, Telluride Ski Resort has recently hired renowned restaurateur Jake Linzinmeir as Executive Director of Culinary Services. Telluride’s restaurants and cuisine are more often compared with New York and L.A than mountain resorts. With options ranging from the rustic and historic Gorrono Ranch to the European elegance of Alpino Vino located at almost 12,000 feet, Telluride Ski Resort offers an unmatched quality and variety of dining for all tastes. Linzinmeir has been a Telluride restaurateur since 1992, owning and operating several restaurants, including The Excelsior Café, Blue Point Grill, X Café and Telluride Conference Center through his Alchemy Hospitality Group. The company also consults on restaurant concept development and design. “With his dedication to the industry and innovative ideas, Jake is a great addition to the team,” said CEO Dave Riley. “We look forward to seeing the dining experience and quality of cuisine at Telluride Ski & Golf taken to a level not found in the mountain resort industry.” Originally from the Midwest, Linzinmeir had the opportunity to travel the world and experience an array of cuisines and cultures with his family. His father a pilot, they traveled together around Asia, Europe and America experiencing a world of sights, aromas and flavors. With this influence, he chose to attend Cornell University's acclaimed School of Hotel Administration. Linzinmeir later went on to attend the Culinary Institute of America and the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners, where he received his Masters Degree in Italian Culinary & Wine and was selected to stage with the Michelin Three Star Le Calandre with Chef Massimiliano Aljamo, in Padova, Italy. Linzinmeir has been featured on NBC’s The Today Show, in Bon Appétit, Food Arts and Newsweek, and was recently selected as one of the industry’s Rising Stars by Restaurant Hospitality magazine.

New Trails, New Snow Guns and a New Grooming Machine at Mont SUTTON - update

Mont SUTTON, PQ - For the 2011-2012 season, skiers and snowboarders will be able to take advantage of several improvements at Mont SUTTON, starting with the addition of four new trails! An even larger playground! Mont SUTTON expands its skiable area by offering four new “tree skiing” trails to all winter sport enthusiasts: Crocodile, Entonnoir, Extase and Seduction. Skiers and snowboarders can expect to practice their favourite winter sports in a wooded zone, where there will be lots of trees. Due to this fact, the Crocodile and Entonnoir trails will offer a high level of difficulty, they will therefore have a “triple diamond” status. The Extase and Seduction trails will be listed in the "double diamond" category. New 3D interactive trail map This winter, Mont SUTTON will offer a new 3D interactive trail map. Among other functions, this new trail map will give visitors the possibility to share photos and videos directly on it. The new 3D interactive trail map will be available on montsutton.com as of the beginning of the season. More improvements for this coming season at Mont SUTTON

• New Tucker Sno-Cat, in order to continue to offer exceptional snow conditions.
• Addition of 33 energy saving fixed snow guns on the Dynamique trail. These snow guns were added to those purchased in recent years.
• Installation of new backpads at chairlift VII, in order to offer the same comfort as chairlifts II and IV.
• Phase II of the Petits Wapitis Learning Park.
• Addition of one week to the Snow School’s weekend programs. Skiers and snowboarders in learning will now have 9 weekends of lessons to improve their skills on the trails.
• New calendar of activities during the holiday season and during the spring break.
• New Happy Hour package at the Alt.680m chalet for private or corporate events.

Concerning season passes… Mont SUTTON has added to its variety of season passes a new family pass. In addition to being offered at a preferential rate, the family pass allows its holders to ski for free at Mont St-Bruno, not to mention the range of other privileges offered. Please note that by purchasing any Mont SUTTON season pass before September 30th, all winter sport enthusiasts will have a chance to win a ski trip for two to Banff – Lake Louise, a $2,500 value. Chances will be doubled for all those who sign up online. Details on montsutton.com.

Loon Mountain Celebrates with NH Highland Games, Oktoberfest, and a New Mountain Obstacle Run

Lincoln, NH - New Hampshire’s Loon Mountain kicks off fall events with this weekend’s 36th Annual New Hampshire Highland Games, September 16-18. The 36th Annual New Hampshire Highland Games, the largest Scottish festival in the Northeast, is back at Loon Mountain for three days of Scottish food, dancing, music, athletics, and culture. The Games include the Gathering of the Scottish Clans, with over 60 clans and societies that will compete in various competitions throughout the weekend. For more information and a calendar of events, visit http://www.nhscot.org. Following the Scottish festival, Loon celebrates German culture with music, food, and beer at the popular Annual Oktoberfest scheduled for Columbus Day Weekend, Oct. 8-9. New Hampshire’s fall foliage is typically at peak and the New England Pass office will be open for pass purchases prior to the preseason sale deadline of October 10. New this year, the Mad Bavarian Brass Band will be playing in the Octagon Lodge from 7 p.m. until close. This show is 21+ and there is no cover charge. New this fall, are two events unique to Loon Mountain; the Monster Mud Run and the Halloween Monster Bash in the Bunyan Room. Both events will take place on October 29th. The Loon Mountain Monster Mud Run is the first annual mountain obstacle challenge of its kind to take place at Loon. Consisting of 14 obstacles, this 5k monster of a course takes participants through the woods, over varied terrain, and up and down a variety of obstacles. Unique prizes will be awarded for the top three men, top 3 women, duo, and costume. Heats will run in 30 minute intervals, beginning at 11am and ending at 2pm. There will be live entertainment, food, and beer for sale throughout the day. The official après party will run from 2pm to 5pm. For additional information and a map of the course, visit the Monster Mud Run page on our Website. The First Annual Halloween Monster Bash in the Bunyan Room will follow the Monster Mud Run, starting at 8pm and featuring live music with the Running Gags out of Portland, Maine. Cash prizes will be given out for best costumes. This is a 21+ event with no cover charge.

New Trails, New Snow Guns and a New Grooming Machine at Mont SUTTON

Sutton, PQ - For the 2011-2012 season, skiers and snowboarders will be able to take advantage of several improvements at Mont SUTTON, starting with the addition of four new trails! An even larger playground! Mont SUTTON expands its skiable area by offering four new “tree skiing” trails to all winter sport enthusiasts: Crocodile, Entonnoir, Extase and Seduction. Skiers and snowboarders can expect to practice their favourite winter sports in a wooded zone, where there will be lots of trees. Due to this fact, these trails will offer a high level of difficulty, they will therefore have a “triple diamond” status. New 3D interactive trail map This winter, Mont SUTTON will offer a new 3D interactive trail map. Among other functions, this new trail map will give visitors the possibility to share photos and videos directly on it. The new 3D interactive trail map will be available on montsutton.com as of the beginning of the season.