It's Island Madness at Whiteface Jan. 6

Wilmington, NY - The 55th season of skiing and riding at Whiteface Mountain, in Wilmington, N.Y., is underway and the Olympic mountain is celebrating Island Madness, presented by Bud Light, Sunday, Jan. 6. Lifts tickets are just $40 for adults, $35 for teens and $30 for juniors.

Along with the Island Madness Super Sunday, skiers and riders can tour Whiteface with general manager Aaron Kellett and also cut First Tracks. Both programs are available to the first 14 skiers and riders who have signed up at the mountain’s guest services desk and are booted, ticketed and ready to go at 7:45 a.m.

After a super day of skiing and riding the east’s greatest vertical, the party moves upstairs to the newly renovated Cloudspin Lounge, with Jagermeister and Bud Light drink specials and live music performed by Frankie Lessard.

Learn To Ski or Snowboard Free January 12 - 18, 2013

Bartlett and Pinkam Notch, NH - Attitash Mountain Resort & Wildcat Mountain have been introducing winter enthusiasts to outdoor fun on the slopes since they began offering lift-serviced skiing and riding. This year, as a special offer to support the snow sport industries January Learn a Snow Sports Month promotion, both mountains invite “never-evers” to sign up for a free Learn2 first day three hour clinic, rental equipment and novice lift ticket package at either Attitash Mountain Resort or Wildcat Mountain during the week of January 12 – 18, 2013. With their staffs of extensively trained instructors and coaches who provide the best customer experience and introduction to skiing and riding, Attitash Mountain Resort and Wildcat Mountain in New Hampshire will join several other resorts in states across the nation taking part in the effort to introduce newcomers to outdoor winter activities.

In addition, and with no obligation to receiving the aforementioned free first lesson Learn2 package, participants will also be able to purchase two additional lessons as part of the Learn2 three clinic package at a discount price of just $65! The Learn2 package upgrade will include two additional 90-minute lessons, rental equipment and lift tickets. As an added bonus, upon completing the third lesson, participants will receive a FREE Vertical Value Card offering discount savings on lift tickets and valid every day for the remainder of the season at both Attitash and Wildcat. The cost for the Learn2 package upgrade during the special Learn a Snow Sports Month will be only $65: a savings of $65 off the normally already low price of $130. The free first day and discount Learn2 three clinic package programs are available for first-time skiers & snowboarders only ages 13 and up. Reservations are required and space may be limited. To register for the free Learn2 package, Participants must call Wildcat Mountain at (603) 466-3326 extension 217 or Attitash Mountain Resort at (603) 374-2677 (or 2699) to register and make a reservation for a limited number of available lesson times every day that week. Spots will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Whitetail Resort to Open Friday December 28th

Mercersburg, PA - After months of preparation and anticipation, Whitetail Resort is excited to announce that it will open its doors for skiing and snowboarding on Friday, December 28 at 8:30 am. The resort anticipates opening with the beginner trails Velvet, Northern Lights, Almost Home, and Sidewinder. More terrain is expected to open soon. Whitetail Adventure Snow Tubing will open during the weekend.

The 2012-2013 season promises to be another great season at the resort. Whitetail staff have been working diligently in planning a terrific season filled with events, competitions, and promotions for Whitetail Guests. Also in preparation for the winter season, Whitetail Resort has made significant snowmaking upgrades as well as other improvements across the resort.

Heading the list of improvements is the addition of new Techno-Alpin fan guns at the bottom of the Sidewinder trail. The snowmaking upgrades also include the addition of brand new nozzles on the Wizzard fan guns at the resort. This allows more increased efficiency and capacity of Whitetail Resort’s snowmaking operation. Also new at the resort are the addition of 35 new and larger seasonal lockers as well as the addition of 1,190 new junior Elan skis and bindings and Dalbello boots for the rental department.

The long range forecasts for January, February, and March look very favorable for a cold and wintry season. “The month of December has been milder than we would have liked to see, but now that cold weather has arrived, our state of the art snowmaking system will allow us to open our terrain quickly and to put down a lot of snow. There is a lot of winter remaining, and we plan to be open for skiing and snowboarding well into late March,” stated Don MacAskill, Whitetail Resort President.

Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month at A-Basin

Arapahoe Basin, CO - Arapahoe Basin joins ski areas nationwide to celebrate Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month (LSSM). Held during the month of January, LSSM encourages people who’ve never tried skiing or snowboarding to take a lesson, and challenges current snowsports enthusiasts to introduce a friend to the sport.

“January is a terrific time to learn to ski or ride,” said Burt Skall, A-Basin’s Snowsports Director. “There’s more terrain open, the holiday crowds have headed home, and it’s the perfect time to follow through on those New Year’s resolutions to get out on the mountain more often.”

Every Sunday in January 2013 (1/6, 1/13, 1/20, 1/27), Arapahoe Basin will offer its Super Sunday Special packages to first-time skiers and riders. These packages are discounted up to 37 percent and include an all-mountain lift ticket, a half-day, morning lesson, and rental equipment. Adult ski packages are $99; adult snowboard packages are $107; kids’ ski packages are $79; and kids’ snowboard packages are $84. The lesson can be purchased by itself for only $59.

On January 13, February 10 and March 10, 2013, A-Basin Snowsports will hold One Run Lessons free of charge. Guests can sign up at the mountain on any of those three days, and take one run from the Black Mountain Express lift with a snowsports instructor. The purpose of the lesson is to make minor changes to the guest’s form, and to introduce the guest to snowsports instruction.

Arapahoe Basin’s Assistant General Manager Peggy Hiller hopes to see participation in snowsports grow among guests of all ages as a result of LSSM.

“We hope that people who are just starting out with snowsports can have as much fun as we do,” said Hiller. “Learning to love skiing or boarding is truly a life-altering experience.”

66cm in 48hrs!

Whistler, BC - Just five days until Christmas and already Whistler Blackcomb has received its favorite present piled under the trees; fresh powder. The festive spirit is alive in the alpine with 48cm of new snow that blanketed the slopes in the last 24 hours and 116cm in the last seven days.

With a total accumulation of 499cm so far this season, and a 211cm base, Whistler Blackcomb will be 100% open as of Saturday December 22 with more skiable terrain, than any other ski resort in North America.

Santa’s elves have piled 282cm of snow onto Whistler Blackcomb’s slopes so far in December and there is more on the way, making for the whitest snow globe scene on the continent. Forecasters are calling for an additional 10cm to 15cm by Christmas Eve and potential for another 10cm on Christmas Day.

Greek Peak Mountain Resort Opens This Saturday

Cortland, NY - Greek Peak Mountain Resort will re-open on Saturday, December 22nd, from 8:30am to 5:00pm with limited skiing/boarding and tubing. Two trails will be open, Iliad and Alpha, as well as the Magic Carpet in the beginners area. The Tubing Center will be open from 10:00am to 7:00pm. Guests can take advantage of early season pricing.

Snowmaking operations will continue as long as temperatures permit and Greek Peak will open additional terrain as soon as possible throughout the holiday week. "Winter weather is in the forecast," states Wesley Kryger, VP and General Manager of Greek Peak Mountain Resort. Kyrger goes on to encourage customers to come out and enjoy skiing/boarding, tubing, Mountain Coaster rides, Zip Lines, and Cascades Indoor Waterpark, which is now open seven days a week to the public.

Squaw Hosts Last Chair Music Festival in January

Olympic Valley, CA - This January, some of the hottest names in music are coming to Squaw Valley as part of the resort’s new Last Chair Music Festival. The first two weekends of January will bring live music on Friday and Saturday nights to the Squaw Valley Conference Center including live DJ sets by Passion Pit, Foster the People and Bonobo, and a live concert by LETTUCE. Hit supporting acts will also be sharing the stage with the headliners for four nights of dance-inspiring music.

“Part of our Renaissance is bringing world-class music to the slopes of Squaw Valley,” said Andy Wirth, president and CEO of Squaw Valley. “As we work to improve every facet of the resort experience, music and entertainment are a huge part of our initiative. We hope people will join us for these four great shows.”

Tickets for each day of the festival will be available packaged with a daily lift ticket for $99. The lift ticket purchased as part of the concert package will be valid for the day of or the day after the concert - meaning, a lift ticket packaged with a Friday show can be used on either Friday or Saturday, and a lift ticket packaged with a Saturday show can be used on either Saturday or Sunday. Squaw Valley’s daily lift tickets are currently priced at $99, making the concerts a great added value at essentially no additional cost. Exclusive to Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows Tahoe Super Passholders, passholders may purchase concert tickets for only $30.

High Level of Fresh Air During the Holiday Season at Mont SUTTON

Sutton, PQ - Mont SUTTON offers to skiers and snowboarders to be transported into a beautiful white scenery during the holiday season… In this magical period of the year, Mont SUTTON features a wide range of holiday season’s theme activities for a memorable winter moment… a moment “Purely SUTTON”!

High level of varied activities:

From December 27 to 31 and from January 2 to 6 : Christmas Camp at the SUTTON Snow

School, for a memorable ski vacation

December 24: Christmas mass at the mountain

December 25: Christmas Rally on the slopes for the whole family

December 28: Ford Escape Ski Tour on the slopes with Jasey-Jay Anderson

December 29: Torchlight Descent of the Sutton Ski Club

January 1 : New Year’s Cocktail at the foot of the hill with Domaine Pinnacle

Too much of a good thing - WP CLOSED TODAY

White Pass, WA - TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING!
It's still snowing and blowing (read BLIZZARD)! Unfortunately the power is out and the storm is so ferocious that White Pass has elected to remain closed today to assure the safety of both our guests and our employees. So go ahead and sleep in then wax those boards because tomorrow should be one for the books!

Pats Peak Ski Area Invites Skiers And Snowboarders To Form Adult Race Teams‏

Henniker, NH - Pats Peak , New Hampshire’s premier family snowsports destination, invites skiers and snowboarders to form teams to compete in the Pats Peak Adult/Corporate Racing Series. This is the 24th season of Adult/Corporate Racing at Pats Peak!

Individuals or those who don't have a complete team can easily be placed on other teams. The cost is $650 per team and includes weekly races, a lift ticket from 3pm to 9pm on race nights, prizes and après-ski party each race night.

This racing series competes in the NASTAR dual GS format. Teams consist of five to seven skiers or snowboarders at least 21 years of age and older. The top five best times for each night are calculated. Individual and team rankings are based on a points system to determine finishes. Prizes are awarded to individual men, women, and teams, both weekly and cumulatively.

Races are scheduled Monday through Thursday starting January 2, 2013 and concludes at the end of NH School Vacation Week. Races are held weekly, weather permitting. The entry fee guarantees seven races, which count towards the finals. Any make-ups (to reach seven races) will be held on Thursday and Friday nights in March. Medal points will be awarded to individuals and medal points will go towards their team score.

The top 5 Teams from each night qualify to race in the finals and enjoy the complimentary banquet. Banquet tickets are available for purchase for non-qualifying racers and guests.

The racing series is sponsored by Coors Light, S&W Sports, Marker, Grappone Automotive Group and several other corporate sponsors.

A-Basin Celebrates the Pika Place Grand Opening!

Arapahoe Basin, CO - Well, it appears those snow dances are working – Arapahoe Basin Ski Area was graced with 2” of snow overnight and there’s more on the way! The new snow gave the kids who helped us celebrate today’s grand opening of the Pika Place Learning Area a nice, soft base on which to learn. We held a ceremonial ribbon cutting to open our new Pika Place conveyor lift, and we also held a reception at the base of the Pika Place trail. Ace’s Kids’ Park, a beginner-level terrain park built specifically for aspiring freestyle skiers and riders, opened with two small ride-on boxes, with more features on the way throughout the season.

We served hot chocolate and cookies to our guests, and we also had a visit from the crowd favorites – our avalanche dogs! It was simply awesome to get outside in the lightly falling snow and see so many smiling faces, including those of the little ones who were having their first experience on skis.

This mountain helped many of us transform our own skills, and elevated our Colorado ski and ride experiences. The addition of Pika Place has made it even easier for us to share our love for Arapahoe Basin and winter sports with the next generation of skiers and riders.

Winter Park Resort's Mary Jane Mountain Open Today for 2012/2013 Skiing/Riding

Winter Park, CO - Mary Jane Mountain is officially open for the 2012/2013 Ski and Ride Season. Winter Park Resort’s acreage more than doubled with the opening of The Jane side this morning where the Super Gauge Express, Pony Express, Galloping Goose, and High Lonesome Express lifts began turning and taking skiers and riders to newly opened trails including Mary Jane, Arrowhead Loop, Whistlestop, Top of Super Gauge to Bummer Flats, Green Acres, Olympia Spur, Shoo Fly and the Corridor Mary Jane trail to Winter Park.

Silverton Mountain Opens Dec 15th with Powder Snow

Silverton, CO - It has been snowing almost every day of the past week and there is no better time to get the legs in skiing shape and enjoy winter fun than right now. For the first time in the history of Silverton Mountain, the ski area will be open 7 days a week. From Dec 15th through Dec 30th (excluding Xmas day). Silverton Mountain will be open every day for the holidays. Runs currently slated for Opening day are Colorado, Riff, Raff, Ropedeedope, Grande, Grassy and Butter Bowls.

Skiers and boarders can also earn free skiing by stomping down the snow (bootpacking) in the avalanche starting zones Dec 17,18,19, and 20. One FREE unguided ski day will be given for each day of bootpacking. Those who like to pack it hard and deep all 4 days can earn up to 4 days of FREE skiing. No experience required, but everyone must have a beacon, shovel & probe. Limited rentals are available at the mountain. Free ski tickets must be used during 2012/13 unguided season only and are not valid as any type of credit towards guided skiing. Packers should show up at the base area at 8:15am with pants duct taped to boots (no joke) ready to stomp. No bootpacking reservations are needed. Bootpacking is a great way to learn the mountain while getting plenty of fresh air.

Incredible Snow Conditions and Over 500cm to Date at Revelstoke Resort

Revelstoke, BC - Revelstoke Mountain Resort has experienced incredible snow conditions since opening on Saturday December 1, 2012! Closing out this past weekend, the resort had received 90cm of snow over the previous 5 days, and has now received 523cm of snowfall to date. Starting today, more terrain opened with access all the way down to the Mid-Mountain Lodge. With cumulative snowfalls overnight throughout the past week, powder conditions can be found in the bowls and trees and on the sides of groomed trails while groomed trails are skiing like a dream with an excellent base of 166cm.

Fantastic Opening Weekend at Bridger

Bozeman, MT - Bridger Bowl Cloud
If you aren't familiar with our BBC (Bridger Bowl Cloud), it's mother nature's snow machine often parked over the Bridgers. Beginning Thursday night, snow started falling on the mountain with 19" on Saturday, alone. And Monday we received 7" more. With 3 feet plus of new snow and a settled base nearing 40", we are fattening up the mountain for the holidays.

Ski For $20 on Wednesday With A Donation To The Road Home Homeless Shelter

Brighton, UT - Night Skiing Opened for the winter at Brighton last night. This week night lift tickets will be discounted to $18. No coupons needed! Night services are Monday through Saturday nights from 4 to 9pm.

SKI FOR $20! Quad Wednesdays are back.
This Wednesday get a Day or Twilight lift ticket for $20 with a donation to the Road Home homeless shelter. Donations should be something warm like coats, blankets, gloves and warm hats.

Crested Butte is All Smiles with 7" of Fresh Snow This Morning!

Crested Butte, CO - Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) is reporting 7 inches of snow in the past 24 hours. Being the first powder day of the season, people’s spirits have lifted and finally winter has arrived!

But that is not stopping the snowmaking crews, who will be going into full force over the next few days, as this storm has brought some much needed colder temperatures. “With 7” on the PowCam at this time and a great snowmaking forecast through next weekend it looks like our luck is about to change,” says Chris Corliss, mountain manager at CBMR. The resort is gearing up for a busy holiday season and this natural snow brings some added holiday cheer.

Heavenly opens Olympic Express, Now Boasts 610 Open Acres

Stateline, CA - Heavenly opened Olympic Express and upper Olympic Downhill today, boosting the open terrain to 610 acres. Looking forward to this week, we are expecting between 6-8” of snow up top on Wednesday and will be opening additional terrain as the week progresses. The temperatures have cooled, allowing us to fire up the West Coast’s largest snowmaking system and help supplement the natural snow we've received over the last few weeks.

Snowy Weekend in the Forecast!

Loveland Basin, CO - After a warm and dry November it looks as though the weather patterns may be changing! Looking ahead in the forecast there is a chance for snow everyday in the foreseeable future. This change is welcome news to all our skiers and riders! Thanks to the hard work from our snowmakers, Chair 2 opened on Tuesday offering access to Fire Bowl and Turtle Creek. The midway unload is still available for beginners that are looking for an easier way down. All we need now is a little help from Mother Nature to get the rest of the mountain going! Do a little dance, pray to the snow gods, and bring it on!

Ski Hooky Days Return to Loveland! We are excited to announce that 95.7 FM’s The Party Ski Hooky Days are returning to Loveland this season. The first Hooky Day of the season is coming up quick, so practice that cough and mark your calendar for Thursday, December 13th. Listen for 95.7 FM The Party for you chance to win tickets, and sign up for Party VIP to get your coupon for a $25 lift ticket good on Thursday, December 13th only.

Sugarfest Rescheduled For December 14th Through The 16th

Banner Elk, NC - Though Sugar Mountain Ski Resort remains open with a 7-29 inch base, four slopes and one lift in operation, SugarFest has been rescheduled and will be held next weekend, December 14th through the 16th. The schedule of activities remains the same; only one weekend later.

Next week weather forecasters are predicting temperatures cold enough for snowmaking which will give the Resort the opportunity to continue building its base and expand open terrain.

Weekend festivities begin Friday, December 14th when the Nineteenth Annual Pre-Season Ski Clinic introduces Olympic Gold Medalist Diann Roffe to an eager group of enthusiasts taking part in three days of personalized instruction on the slopes. The all-inclusive clinic is open to everyone and includes three days on the slopes, video analysis, tuning seminar, and a banquet Saturday night.

Later that evening at 7 p.m., 1992 Olympic Silver Medalist Paul Wylie, will perform his signature skate routines for the public. The approachable Wylie is a great showman who interacts with all the skaters, from beginners to expert. If you've never seen or held a real Olympic gold or silver medal, stop by the ice rink. Paul and Diann will share their medals and Olympic experiences with you.

During the evening's skate show on Sugar's 10,000 sq. ft. outdoor ice rink, delight in the beginning of the three-day SugarFEAST. To keep you warm and well-hydrated a hot chocolate and whip cream bar will flow creamy, smooth chocolate pleasures.

The weekend, in what has become a 'can't miss' opportunity, ski and snowboard manufacturers roll out the newest equipment for an unmatched demo inventory that allows any valid lift ticket holder with a driver's license to sample the latest in ski and snowboard technology.

Participating brands include Salomon, Volkl, Nordica, Burton, Head, Never Summer, Atomic, Dynastar, Rossignol, Ride and Line. Bring your boots, register, and test drive the 'good stuff' from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The SugarFest demo is brought to you by Ski Country Sports.

SugarFEAST continues throughout the weekend. Browse through the cafeteria line each day to experience the "Soup Safari". Or later at 5 p.m. North Carolina BBQ and Sweet Tea should satisfy your appetite after a productive and rewarding day demoing the season's new equipment.