Allegiant Airlines Introduces Direct Flights from San Francisco and Phoenix to Telluride/Montrose

Low Cost Fares for the Region
Telluride, CO - Allegiant Airlines has announced new service from Phoenix and the Bay Area into the Telluride Montrose Regional Airport this winter. Skiers and riders will be able to take advantage of low fares and non-stop flights straight to the slopes of Telluride starting in December.

The Telluride Montrose Regional Air Organization (TMRAO) put the deal together with Allegiant Air for direct bi-weekly flights from Oakland International Airport (OAK) and Phoenix-Mesa airport (IWA) to Telluride Montrose (MTJ) and at a greatly reduced rate. Prior to Allegiant service, average round-trip fares from the San Francisco Bay area and Phoenix to the region ranged between $400 and $600. This winter, Allegiant will offer an introductory one-way fare from Oakland as low as $113 ($226 round-trip) and from Phoenix starting as low as $83 one-way ($166 round-trip)*. The flights start December 15 and conclude April 3. For a complete flight schedule, visit www.allegiantair.com.

“The Telluride Montrose Regional Air Organization (TMRAO) has been researching and pursuing a low-cost carrier for more than a year. Allegiant offers competitive pricing and increased accessibility for both visitors and locals,” said Scott Stewart, TMRAO Executive Director.

“We are thrilled with the addition of Allegiant Air and direct flights from Phoenix and the Bay Area,” said Matt Skinner, vice president of marketing for Telluride Ski Resort. “Both Phoenix and the Bay Area are core markets for us, and we’re glad to be able to provide skiers and riders such easy access to the unmatched experience in Telluride.”

Securing Allegiant as a new airline partner was a collaborative effort that would not have been possible without the strong partnership of the TMRAO, Montrose Regional Airport and additional supplemental funding from the City of Montrose, the Town of Telluride, the Town of Mountain Village and the Telluride Ski Resort.

“Allegiant is a great fit for the region and we are thrilled to have them as our new airline partner,” said Lloyd Arnold, Director of Aviation for Montrose Regional Airport. “The community of Montrose has been very supportive of recent terminal improvements that will ensure Allegiant’s customers have a warm welcome and comfortable experience as an introduction to the hospitality of our region.”

Two Days to Celebrate the Fall Foliage in Grand Junction, CO

Mesa, CO - Fall is in full swing, complete with captivating colors, crisp, cool, brisk winds and colorful leaves falling from the trees. It’s the perfect time to celebrate the season, and Powderhorn is pleased to announce the return of its annual Color Weekend, featuring the Grand Mesa Byway’s annual Color Sunday, September 29 and 30. Don’t miss this opportunity to take in the views from above the trees at the most pristine perch on the western slope.

Powderhorn’s Color Weekend includes a fun and friendly venue with food, live music, lift rides, and activities for all ages. The weekend event features a disc golf tournament on the 29th, family photo locations in the leaves and trees, discounted tent sales, free yoga, free camping in the lower lot and, of course, the Powderhorn Challenge, which includes three races at 8,200 ft.: the annual 10K Thigunawat; the Team Challenge; and the Kids Fun Race will be main attractions during Color Weekend. Guests are reminded they must be able to load and unload the lift unassisted.

September 29-30, 2012: Color Weekend featuring the Grand Mesa Byway’s Color Sunday:
11a.m. – 2 p.m. Lift rides
1p.m. – 4 p.m. Live music on the sunset deck with Honey Don’t (Sept. 29) and Pineapple Crackers (Sept. 30)

RED Mountain Resort Expands by 1,000 acres!

Rossland, BC - Located on BC’s famous “Powder Highway,” RED Mountain Resort just hit overdrive: On August 1, 2012, RED began developing our most significant expansion to date: Grey Mountain. This two-year expansion adds almost 1,000 acres -- and a whole new mountain – to our already epic 1,685 acres.

“The scale of this expansion is a true game-changer for RED Mountain Resort and for the community of Rossland,” said Howard Katkov, President and CEO of Red Mountain Resort. “The management team has spent the last eight years carefully reinforcing the company’s infrastructure, investing 50 million dollars in the facilities and completing world class slope-side accommodations. Now we’re truly ready for prime-time. We’ve consciously kept a low profile while we diligently readied ourselves for this massive expansion.”

RED has always been revered for: light, dry snow; world-class tree skiing; incredible steeps; 2,919 feet of vertical; our incredible, laid back vibe and our friendly locals. The Grey Mountain expansion will open up a vast store of intermediate runs, making most “family friendly” resorts pale by comparison. And, like the other mountains, Grey will offer what we call “3-D skiing”:

“Grey, like Granite (RED’s other peak), is volcano-shaped, which allows for 360-degree skiing around the peak from a single lift, a topographical feature few resorts in the world are lucky to have,” explains Katkov.

Chris Cushing, Principal at Snow Engineering (SE) Group, one of the ski resort industry’s premier design and engineering firms, said: “RED Mountain’s expansion to Grey Mountain is the biggest, most exciting project in North America this year, and SE Group is proud to have worked with RED to make it happen. Not only does the expansion increase RED’s skiable terrain by about 1,000 acres, it also adds wide terrain variety -– from groomed cruising runs to tree glades and alpine chutes -– that will create a whole new world for RED skiers. This project is one of the most dramatic transformations of an existing major ski area that we’ve seen and it is one of the largest -- if not THE largest -- single-season ski area expansion projects in North America in several decades.”

The 997-acre expansion on Grey alone is about the same size as the revered Mt. Baker Ski Area in Washington. To put this in perspective, total acreage with our new terrain on Grey makes RED larger than Jackson Hole, Wyoming. With the new zone, RED is elevated to the top three-percent (3%) of all resorts in North America for skiable acres (2,682!), while keeping its independent soul and escaping the stuffy (and expensive) trappings of many of the Mega Resorts.

For 2012-13, RED will be shuttling skiers, in groups of nine, to the top of Grey using a new Alpina Sherpa -- an oversized snowmobile-bus that has to be seen to be believed. RED has purchased a Poma Quad Chair for installation next summer. At the completion of run development, Grey Mountain will have 22 perfect ski runs, leaving plenty of trees and terrain variations for riders to express themselves on.

“We see the Grey expansion as an expression of our commitment to the next generation of skiers and snowboarders, as well as to our current fans,” explains Fran Richards, Vice President, Marketing. “We share their values when it comes to mountain recreation and feel a deep responsibility to protect the wonderful ski experience at RED. We truly see RED as an endangered species, one of the last resorts that celebrates the true skiing experience: offering wide open terrain and all the amenities one expects, without the rampant commercialism that has significantly changed the face of the ski experience throughout North America. Many recreational skiers and snowboarders have never experienced a pure world like RED and we’d like to show them that the other side is, in fact, better.”

33rd Annual Fall Festival at Belleayre Mountain

Highmount, NY - The 33rd annual Belleayre Fall Festival will take place Columbus Day Weekend, October 6th and 7th at the Overlook Lodge, Belleayre Mountain. The 33rd year of this classic fall event promises to be as exciting and entertaining as past festivals. As always, the Fall Festival will feature the prestigious Craft Fair showcasing local artisans, the Sky Ride to whisk people to the summit for spectacular views of the Catskill foliage, music & entertainment, traditional German Oktoberfest Food, a Fair Food Court, a kids tent, a zipline, a slackline, a fishing pond and much more. In addition, Smokey Bear will be making an appearance for the first time in years! The festival will take place from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Admission and parking are free!

Vendor spaces are still available but are going fast so sign up now! The Belleayre Fall Festival draws thousands of people over 2 days, so get your application in soon to make sure you get a good spot!

$99 3-packs are back at the Fall Festival! These $99 3-packs are available for purchase in person only at the Belleayre Fall Festival on Saturday, October 6 and Sunday, October 7. (3 packs are not available over the phone or on the website.) There is a limit of one 3-pack per household and ID is required to purchase. 3-packs can only be purchased in person.

Lumberjack Shows, Marvelous Mutts, Chairlift Rides, Fall Foliage & More

Shawnee-on-Delaware, PA - With the picturesque mountain as a backdrop during prime fall foliage time, the Autumn Timber Festival offers a weekend full of family friendly entertainment, music, food and festivities. Featured entertainment is the 2012 Timber Team Ironjack Shows. Each 40 minute show thrills spectators with both demonstration and competition as World Class Lumberjacks pole climb, log roll, chop, saw and chainsaw. A colorful announcer combines folk lore, comedy and history into each show to encourage a rowdy frontier spirit. Three shows will be performed daily.

New for 2012, come see the Marvelous Mutts, one of the premier canine shows in the country. This athletic team of strays, all adopted from shelters, will astound all ages with their tricks, stunts and demonstrations.

On stage live musical entertainment will be provided Saturday and Sunday by The Cramer Brothers, a country show band with six multi-talented musicians performing contemporary country, classic country and Blue Grass. The Lost Ramblers, will stroll the festival grounds both Saturday and Sunday playing high energy Appalachian music that runs the gamut from bluegrass to gospel, swing and old time music in three part harmonies.

Festival Americana and novelty entertainers include David Feimster’s “Sue Wee” Pig Racing, Magician Stephen Christopher’s Traveling Medicine Show, Paul Bunyon Stilt Walker, “Pie Man” the Living Statue, and balloon art by Aardvark Entertainment. A Chainsaw Carver and Wood Turner will demonstrate and display throughout the weekend.

Along with dozens of specialty food vendors, beverages will be available outdoors as well as indoors in the EZ Bumpps Saloon. The indoor Hope Lodge Café will also be open during the festival.

Autumn Timber Festival hours are 11AM to 6PM on both Saturday and Sunday. Advance discount tickets are available online - $12 Adult, $10 Child for either Saturday or Sunday. Toddlers 4 and under are admitted FREE.

For a spectacular view of the Pocono fall foliage, Scenic Chairlift Rides on Shawnee Mountain’s new Tomahawk Express Quad Lift will be available from noon to 4pm each day at an additional cost of $8 Adult and $6 for children (minimum height 48 inches).

There’s Fun for the Whole Family at the 15th Annual Mount Snow Oktoberfest Columbus Weekend

West Dover, VT - Most German-themed Oktoberfest events are associated with beer, schnitzel and Oom-pah music; but throw in kids games, pumpkin painting, an apple sling shot, yodeling contest and the famous “schnitzel toss” and you’ve got the 15th Annual Mount Snow Oktoberfest. A Columbus Day Weekend tradition since 1997; Oktoberfest is one of the southern Vermont resort’s signature events and features two days of eating, drinking and games for the whole family.

The Kid’s Zone is where families will find festival games like bean bag toss, a huge bouncy house, pumpkin painting, and other kid-friendly activities. While the young ones are playing, the big kids can enjoy a large selection of beers from German and domestic breweries, authentic German fare and games like the keg toss, yodeling contest and stein holding as well as a horseshoe tournament.

New this year is the addition of the Gulp and Gallop 5k Beer Run for the 21+ crowd which will be a fun run making four laps around the base area of the mountain and each time participants complete a lap they have their choice of water or a cup of beer to drink before heading back out onto the course. There will also be the Kool Aid 1k for kids later in the afternoon. Plus, Burton will be setting up a dry-land Riglet Park for young snowboarders to enjoy at the festival and Snow Barn will host a screening of Burton’s new film “13” Saturday night, doors at 5:30p with no cover and live music to follow.

Admission to the Mount Snow Oktoberfest for the 21+ crowd is $20 for one day, $30 for two days - includes one commemorative stein and a beer token for each day of admission. For the under 21 crowd and designated drivers, admission is $12 for one day and $20 for two days which includes a coupon for a complimentary soft drink each day. Hours are 11:00am to 5:00pm both Saturday, October 6 and Sunday, October 7 with live music from the Oberlaendler Hofbrau Band all weekend long.

Scenic chairlift rides on the Bluebird Express to the summit of Mount Snow are available for $10 per person. The Main Base Lodge will be home to The 39th Annual Harvest Arts and Crafts Fair featuring local artisans and food vendors selling their creations beginning at 9:00am on Saturday and Sunday; admission to the arts and crafts fair is free.

Snow is Falling Again at Arapahoe Basin!

Arapahoe Basin, CO - A-Basin received another light snowfall this morning at Arapahoe Basin.

NASTC Announces Free-skiing Camp at Grand Targhee, WY

Truckee, CA - The North American Ski Training Center (NASTC) will bring its well known coaching staff and methodology to Grand Targhee, WY, for a Powder & Cat-skiing camp. The ski training camp consist of four days of skiing and coaching at Grand Targhee Resort. Two days will be spent building off-piste skiing skills and tactics and two days will be dedicated to skill application in the 602 acres that the resort has reserved for cat-skiing.

The goal of the camp is to build confidence in powder and off-piste terrain, obtain greater enjoyment out of the mountain experience and form new friendship with skiers that share the same passion for skiing and learning. The Powder & Cat-skiing camp will be an opportunity to work with some of the best instructors and coaches in the country in an un-crowded resort recognized for an abundance of powder. The NASTC Powder & Cat-skiing camp is January 12th -16th is July, 20th. Price is $2384 and includes 4 nights lodging in a double occupancy room, breakfast daily, lift tickets, instruction and 2 days of cat-skiing.

Exciting News from Burke Mountain!

East Burk, VT - You can feel it in the morning air-winter is on its way! Our major snowmaking upgrades are in progress-Little Dipper is complete with new snow guns and work begins today on Bear Den. 90 new snow guns arrived at the mountain a few weeks ago and there are still 50 more on the way. We are starting our snow dances early and if temperatures and weather permits, snow guns are scheduled to fire up as early as November 6 in hopes of a late November opening. If this doesn't get you excited about the upcoming winter, maybe some big news will. We are thrilled to share with our season pass holders and guests that we will have some big announcements coming your way on Thursday, September 27. Please join us at the Tamarack Grill between 4 and 6pm with the new owners and partners of Burke Mountain, QBurke Resorts, and the Burke management team. We will be gathering with State and Federal officials to announce plans for the future of Burke Mountain and the surrounding area.

If you can't make it next Thursday, join us on Sunday, September 30 from 12-2pm for a meet and greet with the new resort owners at the Tamarack Grill. We hope you'll find a moment to stop by, say hello and ask any questions that you may have about the new ownership of Burke Mountain. Light refreshments and snacks will be served.

The mountain and village are bustling with activity and we're ending the summer with a bang. Think snow and we'll see you very soon!

Fall Fest: A Day to Enjoy and Appreciate the Foliage and Fall Colors

Mesa, CO - Leaf peeping has become a favorite pastime in the Grand Valley, and fall on the Western Slope is fast-approaching. http://sktn.co/q5BUHPowderhorn Mountain Resort offers one of Colorado’s most pristine locations right on top of the Grand Mesa, showcasing the spectacular colors of fall and providing everlasting views of the Grand Valley. This year, Powderhorn Mountain Resort introduces a new autumn-themed event to celebrate the season: Fall Fest, September 22-23.

Powderhorn’s Fall Fest includes a fun and friendly venue with food, live music, lift rides, and activities for all ages. The Fall Fest weekend event features family photo locations in the leaves and trees, free disc golf at Powderhorn’s new 18-hole course, free camping in the lower lot and, of course, the chance to purchase and take home your 2012/13 Powderhorn Season Pass. Guests are reminded they must be able to load and unload the lift unassisted.

Event Schedule (subject to change, as weather permits): September 22-23, 2012: Fall Fest 11 a.m. – 2 pm. Lift rides 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Live music on the sunset deck Desert Moon (Sept. 22) and Pineapple Crackers (Sept. 23)

First Snowfalls of the Season at Revelstoke

Revelstoke, BC - After Labour Day Weekend, the air changed and the temperatures gauged down with snowfall hitting the peaks around Revelstoke and on-mountain at Revelstoke Mountain Resort over the past two days. Winter is around the corner in Revelstoke and another epic winter lies ahead at Revelstoke Mountain Resort! Tentative opening for the winter 2012-13 season is scheduled for December 1, 2012

Gold Card is on sale, US residents ski or ride for less than $67/day

Americans can ski and save with a five-day or ten-day Gold Card
Whistler, BC - Whistler Blackcomb’s Gold Card is now on sale, allowing guests to ski or ride for less than $67 per day. Available to U.S. residents, Americans can choose from either a five-day card or a ten-day card that can be used at any time during the winter season. Washington State residents have the option of purchasing an EDGE Card and are not eligible for the Gold Card. “Whistler Blackcomb’s Gold Card offers great value for U.S. guests looking to ski or ride at Whistler Blackcomb this season,” said Stuart Rempel, Whistler Blackcomb Senior Vice President, Marketing & Sales. “Whistler Blackcomb enjoys some of the most consistent and reliable snow falls compared to any major resort in the world. The Gold Card allows guest to get on the slopes and enjoy our incredible snow with the peace of mind they are really maximizing their savings.” Gold Card Details

Dates Available for Purchase: Now until December 10, 2012

Price: Five-day Adult Gold Card $369; ten-day Adult Gold Card $669 (CAD, both prices do not include tax & $3.95 delivery charge) Includes:

Children six and under ski/ride for free

Valid anytime during the season; days do not have to be consecutive

After pre-purchased days are used, guests can take advantage of discounted daily lift ticket pricing

Rodeo and Chili Cook-Off

Shawnee-on-Delaware, PA - Shawnee Mountain Ski Area, in association with the Barnes PRCA Rodeo, will host its 16th Annual Professional Rodeo on September 22 & 23, 2012 at Shawnee Mountain Ski Area.

Come and experience the thrill of the Pro Cowboys competing in six events, including Saddle Bronc Riding, Bull Riding, Bareback Bronc Riding, Calf Roping, Team Roping and Bull Dogging. These events are fully approved and sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and will feature Pros from the First Frontier Circuit competing for thousands of dollars in prize money. Sanctioned by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association, women competitors will show their skills in the WPRA Barrel Race.

“Shawnee Mountain is a great location for a Professional Rodeo and we look forward to providing a quality family oriented event” commented Bob Barnes, Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer and owner of Barnes PRCA Rodeo.

The Shawnee Mountain Rodeo will begin at 2:00PM both Saturday and Sunday, September 22 & 23. Gates will open at 11:30AM with the 5th Annual Chili Cook-Off returning to kick off events each day. Included with admission from 11:30AM to 1:30PM, Rodeo goers will have the opportunity to sample and then vote on a variety of specially prepared chilis. It’s people’s choice, one vote per admission, with a winner being announced during the Rodeo intermission on each day. The Cook-Off Winners will receive a cash prize of $150 and bragging rights!

The Sidekicks Band will return to perform all your country favorites prior to and after the Rodeo each day. There will also be a country and western vendors bazaar, and a variety of food vendors both Saturday and Sunday.

Advance discounted tickets for the Rodeo are on sale at www.shawneemt.com. Slopeside seating will be available to all spectators, so bring your own blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the events.

You're Invited

East Burke, VT - The 25th Annual Fall Foliage Festival is just around the corner. An annual event that many of our Burke loyalists attend each year, it's a perfect time to invite you to a meet and greet with the new Burke Mountain owners at the Tamarack Grill on Sunday, September 30 from 12-2pm. We encourage you to stop by, say hello and ask any questions that you may have about the new ownership of Burke Mountain. Light refreshments and snacks will be served. See you there!

68 Days until Opening

Crested Butte, CO - Sixty Eight Days until November 21st, Opening Day and the start of a record-shattering season with abundant snowfall. It says so on the internet, so it must be true. But winter’s not here quite yet and we are fully enjoying the last days of summer in Crested Butte. Two weeks ago, the USA Pro Challenge raced through town and the hunt for the yellow jersey kicked into full swing on the flanks of Mt. Crested Butte with Tejay van Garderen edging out the future overall winner, Christian Vande Velde, in the last seconds of the race. A beautiful Labor Day weekend saw visitors and locals alike enjoying their passions from biking to boating, all soaking up the summer sun. Now, the hints of yellow are getting more pronounced making the mountainsides a photographer's paradise.

Red Bull Final Descent at Trestle Bike Park

Winter Park, CO - Trestle Bike Park is preparing for those brave enough to embark on the 12-hour downhill mountain biking endurance competition known as the Red Bull Final Descent this Saturday, September 8 in Trestle Bike Park at Winter Park Resort. Last Year, Winter Park Resort and Red Bull welcomed 100 athletes that competed for the 12 hours of racing; the winning number of total laps in Trestle Bike Park was a grueling 36.

Geared to sport, expert and pro-class mountain bikers, the rider, duo or team to complete the most laps down the mountain in 12 hours wins their class and a grip load of prizes. This is an amazing weekend for spectators and riders alike. The Red Bull Final Descent features a $5,000 cash purse to top finishers at each event in all categories, plus prizes from our industry sponsors. A $500 cash purse goes to the series top pro male and female rider who completes the most laps. All other class series top finishers will receive a $120 cash prize.

The Division Classifications are as follows: -Solo: Pro Women, Pro Men, Expert Women, Expert Men -Duo: Expert and Pro (teams consist of 2 people any mix – guy/guy, girl/girl, guy/girl) -Team: Open class consisting of 3-4 person teams of any mix -Sport and/or beginner class riders may also register in the ‘Expert’ class, with the understanding that the Red Bull Final Descent is not for the timid! There will be many people on course at the same time, and all riders must use caution and discretion when they encounter another rider.

Registration is available in advance, online at trestlebikepark.com or onsite during rider cheek-in the day before the event (add $15 to the fees for onsite registration). Participation fee includes event registration, lift ticket, event T-shirt and all the Red Bull you can drink!

Powderhorn Fall Pre-Season Pass Sale & Powderhorn Partners 2012/13

Mesa, CO - Coinciding with the annual launch of fall pre-season pass sales, Powderhorn Mountain Resort announces three new partnerships with other major Colorado resorts and resort operators: Aspen Skiing Company (ASC); Steamboat Ski Resort and Telluride Ski Resort. Each partnership offers unique features, showcasing skiing and riding opportunities across the state. All partnership products are available exclusively with the purchase of a non-transferable Powderhorn Mountain Resort season pass. Fall pre-season pass sales for Powderhorn began on Saturday, Sept. 1 and run through Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012, which will be the best absolute price point for the 2012/13 season.

“Our passholders are dedicated, passionate skiers and riders,” said Daren Cole, Powderhorn Resort general manager. “We are thrilled to offer three unique partnerships that allow our loyal guests to experience six major Colorado resorts, in addition to Powderhorn, featuring thousands of acres of winter fun.”

The partnership with ASC provides Powderhorn passholders with an exclusive opportunity to purchase a “Classic Pass” product, valid for skiing and riding at all four ASC resorts: Aspen, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk. The Classic Pass features a four-day (Adult $204, Kid/College $169) option that allow guests to ski and ride for less than $50 per day, in addition to discounts on extension days and summer lift access.

“Aspen/Snowmass is excited to partner with Powderhorn to provide Western Slope skiers and snowboarders with an amazing combination of mountains and value under one season pass purchase,” said Christian Knapp, vice president of marketing for Aspen Skiing Company.

The Steamboat Ski Resort partnership provides Powderhorn season passholders with the exclusive opportunity to purchase the “Steamboat 5 Pack” pass product for $149. The nontransferable Steamboat add-on pass provides five unrestricted days of skiing and riding valid any day of the 2012/2013 season at Steamboat.

“Our partnership with Powderhorn provides added value and the ideal opportunity for western slope powderhounds to enjoy Steamboat’s signature Champagne Powder® snow and all that is Ski Town, U.S.A.® during our upcoming 50th Anniversary season,” said Rob Perlman, senior vice president of sales & marketing for Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation.

The partnership with Telluride Ski Resort allows Powderhorn passholders to purchase a three-day Telluride pass for $169 (days do not have to be consecutive) with a 20% discount off window rates on additional days. Skiers and riders who complete the Powderhorn Learn to Ski and Ride beginner program are also eligible for heavy discounts on their next set of lessons at Telluride.

“We’re thrilled to be working together with Powderhorn to provide skiers and riders unmatched options from beginner to expert, all within a day’s drive,” said Telluride vice president of Marketing Matt Skinner.

“Powderhorn’s new passholder partnership program is a great example of our commitment to enhance the guest experience,” added Cole. “We’ll continue to uncover unique opportunities that add value for our loyal guests.”

Season passes can be purchased on-line through Powderhorn’s website or at remote pass sales locations across the western slope and eastern Utah. Prices for a Powderhorn Mountain Resort Adult Full Season Pass start at just $439.

Winter Season Schedule

Wilmington, NY - Below is a rundown of many of the event’s on ORDA’s fall/winter 2012-’13 events’ calendar for your planning purposes. Dates and schedules are subject to change.

Nov. 5-10 – FIBT World Cup Bobsled and Skeleton. The 2012-’13 World Cup season opens for bobsled and skeleton where last season ended, on the combined bobsled/luge and skeleton track at the Mt. van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex. Last February, the United States bobsled and skeleton team captured a record five medals, including four gold, when the one-mile long track played host to the 2012 FIBT world championships.

Dec. 8 – ECAC Hockey. North Country rivals St. Lawrence University and Clarkson University will face off in the famed 1980 Rink Herb Brooks Arena. This marks the third time, in as many years, that these two schools have squared off in Lake Placid. Also, don’t forget that the ECAC Hockey championship tournament will return to Lake Placid, for a three-year run, beginning March 2014.

Jan. 14-21 – FIS Freestyle Skiing World Cup. The world’s best freestyle skiers return to Lake Placid to compete in the FIS freestyle World Cup. Action will take place at the Olympic Jumping Complex and Whiteface Mountain. The jumping complex will host the men and women’s aerials competitions, where athletes twist and soar as high as 60 feet in the air before landing, while Whiteface, in Wilmington, N.Y., will be the site of the moguls’ competitions.

Feb. 2 – Lake Placid Loppet and Kort Loppet. Nordic skiers will converge on the cross-country ski trails at Mt. van Hoevenberg to compete in the 30th Lake Placid Loppet. Inclement weather claimed last winter’s event. Open to classical and freestyle skiers, the Loppet is a 50k race (31-miles) through the 1980 Olympic ski trails. The vertical climb is just under 3,700 feet.

The 25k Kort Loppet, also open for classical and freestyle skiers, features a vertical climb of 1,850 feet. The Lake Placid Loppet is part of the American Ski Marathon Series.

Feb. 3-9 – World Cup Luge. This is the first international luge competition on the 20-curve track since the 2009 FIL world luge championships. During the 2009 event American athlete Erin Hamlin slid to the women’s singles world championship crown. That victory halted Germany’s 99-race winning streak. Until that time a German women’s singles luge athlete had stood atop every World Cup, world championship or Olympic podium dating back to 1993.

March 15-16 – The NCAA Div. III men’s ice hockey national championships. For the fifth time, and the second consecutive year, the nation’s top DIII men’s ice hockey team will be crowned in Lake Placid. The nation’s top four teams will square off in the semi-finals, March 16, and the 2013 national champion will be crowned the following evening. The three games will be played in the famed 1980 Rink Herb Brooks Arena.

Perisher Announces Extended Snow Season

Perisher, AU - After being the first Australian ski resort to open in 2012 on 2 June, donating all lift ticket proceeds to charities, Perisher, Australia’s favourite alpine destination announces today that it will be extending its season until 5 October.

The 2012 snow season is being hailed as one of the best ever for consistency and snow quality! With the start of spring now with us, snow lovers are celebrating the best conditions in 12 years. Not since the extraordinary 2000 season has Perisher seen a snow base of more than 2 metres recorded on 1 September.

The official snow depth, measured by Snowy Hydro, has now reached 2.04 metres at Spencer’s Creek just outside of Perisher. By all accounts, reaching over 2 metres at Spencers Creek at any time during a season is regarded as being excellent; to have 2 metres for the start of spring is outstanding.

“Thanks to consistent snowfalls that we have received since the start of winter, particularly in August, Perisher is experiencing some of the best skiing and snowboarding conditions that we’ve ever seen; you’d have to go back a long way to find so many epic powder days in one season.” Said Peter Brulisauer, Perisher’s CEO today. “With these fantastic conditions we are pleased to announce that we will be extending our snow season to the end of the NSW School Holidays on 5 October.”

Accumulated natural snowfalls have exceeded 4 metres since the start of winter, so the foundation is well and truly laid for a magic spring. Weather forecasters are predicting even more snow to fall during September, so Perisher’s visitors will be in for a fabulous end to the 2012 season.