Sno-Kona Pond Skim Winners @ Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort

Mt. Hood, OR - Spectators packed the base area Saturday to cheer on the 100 brave competitors skimming across the 90 foot pond at the 6th Annual Sno-Kona Pond Skim at Mt. Hood Meadows Saturday. Hawaiian themed and outlandish costumes adorned the courageous competitors, as they rode down the in-run on skis or snowboard towards the icy pond. Nearly 70 competitors made the across the pond their qualifying run, leading to a spectacular final round.

At stake - was the coveted first prize – a trip for two to Hawaii from All About Hawaii. With fashionable and high tech costumes like Erik Brown (dressed as a robot, successfully skimmed the pond and did the robot dance) took third and won a $50 gift certificate to Portland’s Bamboo Grove Hawaiian Restaurant. Five-time veteran Bruce Kuper took 2nd (and won a Kona beach cruiser) dressed as a Hawaiian warrior. And first place was Tory Robinson – dressed as James Bond, who freed some women in distressed, killed a bad guy, and then dropped to his knee and proposed to Sabrina LoGood, who accepted and is now his fiancé.

Judges Matt Zaffino of KGW, Bozyk from 105.9 the Brew, Squid from 947 along with Pamela from Popina Swimwear and Brad from All About Hawaii agreed that the style, staging, and ultimately successful proposal won Tory and Sabrina a honeymoon in Hawaii.

Natalie Welsch made the best impression as a women contestant with her “Victoria’s Secret Angel Fish” costume and received a $250 Popina Swimwear gift certificate.

Clayton Ewen (a whoopee cushion) and Lowell Neal (a 6’2” Oompa Loompa) got best splash prizes and received $50 Mt. Hood Meadows giftcards.

Best costumer awards went to St. John Laughlin’s “Who’s your Daddy” with five baby (dolls) and luggage attached; and Kirk Zach dressed as a mug of Kona brew. Each received $50 Meadows gift cards.

The Retro Active Gamma Rays provided surf music for the event, and Jillian Rabe Productions put on the Popina Swimwear Fashion Show. The event was sponsored by Kona Brewing, All About Hawaii, KEEN, Popina Swimwear, Tim’s Cascade Snacks and Jillian Rabe Productions.

Sugarbush Resort Again Offers $299 Season Pass for Skiers and Riders in Their 20s; Rolls Back Cutoffs for Age Requirements

Warren, VT - After a successful first season selling skiers and riders in their twenties a season pass for only $299, Sugarbush is again offering a 2012-2013 For20s Pass at that $299 rate. What’s more, the resort has rolled back the cut-off date of the pass, so that anyone who is between the ages of 19 and 29 up through May 2nd, 2012 is eligible.

The For20s Pass, is available to anyone aged 19-29 and provides unlimited skiing at both Lincoln Peak and Mt. Ellen for only $299. The pass was conceived to help this younger generation of skiers and riders-- who are facing some of the toughest economic times in decades-- keep their interest in snow sports alive.

As the only pass of its kind in North America, the special rate on the For20s Pass will be available through May 2, 2012.

"We were delighted to welcome these younger skiers and riders to Sugarbush this season," said Win Smith, President of Sugarbush. "Even with an improving economy and better prospects in the job market, we are committed to investing in the next generation of skiers and riders. ”

Asessippi Announces a New Mascot

Inglis, MB - Ollie of Asessippi made his first public appearance last Saturday and had a wonderful time meeting people and dancing up a storm!

Originally scheduled to make is inaugural appearance during spring break at the resort, the early closure kept this friendly little porcupine from shredding this season but Ollie was not about to disappoint the kids at the Movement Centre. Ollie joined other Manitoba Mascot icons like Mick E Moose, Goldie, and Buzz & Boomer in a fund raising event for the Movement Centre of Manitoba. The 2012 Move N Groove-a-thon held on April 14, raised over $135,000 for the centre which is one of the just 2 centres in North America to provide Conducive Education beyond school age and into adulthood. Conductive Education is effective for those individuals with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, head injury and Parkinson' disease.

"Asessippi has met a number of the Movement Centre clients through the adaptive ski program we offer," explained Roz Pulo, director of marketing for the resort.

The adaptive ski program at Asessippi offers the freedom and thrill of skiing to persons of all abilities. The program has become so popular a second sit ski was purchased this year to keep up with the demand.

"Enabling students with mobility challenges to participate in school ski trips with their classmates has been only one of the very many rewards of this program," Pulo continues.

The sit ski has been used by all ages. Jacinthe, a mother of two, had enjoyed skiing with her family for many years until a car accident restricted her movement. The adaptive program allowed her to get back on the slopes and enjoy the sport once again.

Ollie will be home at Asessippi for the opening weekend of the summer events and will join the Super Pass Holders BBQ, Sunday, June 24, 2012.

Wolf Creek Goes Out with a Bang!

Pagosa Springs, CO - After receiving 16 inches from this last storm, Wolf Creek decides to end the season with thoughts only of quality powder conditions!

It's a really good way to end a great season. New attendance record for Wolf Creek is 227,306 skiers; previous record was set in 2006 - 2007 with 222,979. Midway: 76 Inches Summit: 88 Inches New snow in 24 hours: 11 Storm Total: 16 Snowfall Year-to-Date: 390

Belleayre Beach Opens Saturday, May 26th

Highmount, NY - The summer season will begin at the Belleayre Beach at Pine Hill Lake on Saturday, May 26 when we open for the weekends. The Belleayre Beach day use area offers facility amenities such as a white-sand swimming beach, kayak and paddle boat rentals, BBQ facilities and rentable pavilion space with electricity and grills for private parties, reunions and other gatherings. The facility will be open to the public full-time from June 16 through Labor Day. 2012 is the fifth year that the Aqua School at Belleayre Beach will be selling aquatics programming for children and adults.

Be sure to visit Belleayre's website for class and specialty workshop listings; call now to make reservations because registration is limited. Eco-Adventures are scheduled on weekends throughout the summer, offering local nature activities free of charge to all guests such as making walking sticks, informative talks about nature, the Junio r Naturalist Program for Kids and more.

Spring Storm Brewing and vitaminwater Snow Day!

Loveland Basin, CO - Who would have guessed?! As soon as the season starts winding down a spring storm is poised to unleash winter on Loveland again. The clouds and snow have already started moving into the area with forecasts calling for the brunt of the storm to hit this Saturday and Sunday. Spring storms like these can be unpredictable, but have been known to carry a lot of snow along with them. Here’s to a late season powder day!

Late season pricing is now in effect with full day adult tickets only $46 and full day child tickets only $22. The Loveland Valley has closed for the season, although the Loveland Ski & Ride School is still offering lessons for all levels through this weekend. After April 15th, only private lessons will be offered.

vitaminwater snow day at loveland
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a “snow day” and escape the daily grind? vitaminwater® thought so too. Anyone can join us on Friday, April 13th for the vitaminwater snow day by clicking on vitaminwatersnowdayloveland.com and securing your free lift tickets (while supplies last). Plus, enter for your chance to hit the slopes with winter sports superstar Kyle Mack during the vitaminwater® snow day at Loveland. Also, be sure to check our vitaminwater® facebook event page. Be there or be square. Your friends in the mile high city, vitaminwater®. You’re up.