Ski the East

Pats Peak Donates Over $1,000 To Support Melanoma Research

As part of Pats Peak's March Online Only Specials, SPF Days Go Sun Smart, Pats Peak donated $1,000 to support melanoma research.

Skiers and riders were able to purchase a lift ticket online in advance to ski/ride March 21-23 for only $25. For every online ticket sold, $10 of their $25 lift ticket went toward a donation to "Peter's Fund Racer" to support melanoma research. Guests also received a sample of sunscreen to protect them from the sun's rays.

Kris Blomback, General Manager of Pats Peak said, "Our Snowsports Director, Bertie Holland, has a personal connection to this organization. We are happy to provide a discounted rate to our skiers/riders and contribute to this cause during our March Online Only Specials."

Stowe Mountain Resort To Install New Lift On Mount Mansfield

This summer, Stowe Mountain Resort will replace the FourRunner chairlift on Mount Mansfield with a new high-speed quad. Originally installed in the '80s, the FourRunner has been Stowe's most popular lift, uploading more skiers and riders than any other lift in the resort's history.

Now, amidst a winter experience that's second to none in the Northeast, access to the greatest variety of terrain east of the Rockies will become even more seamless with a new state-of-the-art quad on Vermont's highest peak. The new lift will debut for the 2011-2012 ski and ride season.

"Our goal is to provide the very best experience possible for all of our guests," states Robert McEleney CEO and President of Stowe Mountain Resort. "The terrain on Mount Mansfield is the heart and soul of the resort. This brand new detachable quad lift will provide superlative lift service to the very best alpine terrain in the East."

Stowe Mountain Resort is rich in ski resort history and one of the original four-season destinations in the United States. As far back as 1857, when H.H Bingham constructed a hotel atop Mount Mansfield, visitors have been traveling to Stowe for a world-class, high-quality experience that is both authentic and one-of-a-kind. Setting new standards for guest service and amenities in New England for well over a century, Stowe Mountain Resort has, since 2005, been reinforcing its brand with vast improvements and additions to mountain operations and slopeside amenities.

Planning started in 1992 for what is currently the East's premier luxury mountain resort, completed improvements include:

• Spruce Peak at Stowe- A new slope-side community that is well underway at the base of Spruce Peak and Mt. Mansfield. The intimate alpine neighborhood boasts enviable properties for purchase, an 18-hole golf course, dining, retail, esplanade and more.
• Spruce Camp Base Lodge- Stowe Mountain Resort's central source for skier and snowboarder services.
• Stowe Mountain Lodge- The 312 room luxury lodge has established a new alpine aesthetic that celebrates rustic Vermont-Alpine architecture and the artisan traditions of New England.
• Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center- The 420-seat multipurpose theatre presents live and multimedia performances including theater, music, dance, variety, film, and much more.
• The Spa at Stowe Mountain Lodge- A luxurious 21,000 square foot world-class spa featuring distinctive services themed around the changing seasons of Vermont.
• York Fully-Automated Snowmaking- Creates a perfect snowstorm with the click of a button. From one computer, a snowmaker can control all the snowmaking hydrants on the system. Snowmaking is also enhanced with a new 100 million gallon pond.
• Intermountain Transfer Gondola- New transportation gondola provides access between Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak in less than two minutes and eliminates the need to drive around the resort.
• Sensation Quad- New high-speed detachable lift delivers skiers & snowboarders to the summit of Spruce Peak in six minutes.
• Sunny Spruce Quad- New high-speed detachable lift provides access to most of the resort's beginner trails and learning areas. Ride time is less than five minutes.
• Adventure Triple- New beginner lift for adults and children. This lift provides access to an entirely new beginner trail named 'Inspiration.' The low-riding lift and consistent twelve degrees of pitch provide the ideal learning terrain and environment.
• Main Street- The premeire alpine racing trail in New England and the host of the 2011 NCAA National Skiing Championships.

Everybody Wins at Bolton Valley’s 50/50 Weekend

Everyone's a winner at Bolton Valley's "50/50 Weekend," with mid-winter conditions and deep spring discounts. Skiers and riders will enjoy at least 50 percent off all full day lift tickets, cafeteria and BBQ food, PBRs, and other items around the resort for the last weekend of the season, April 2-3.

"With 313 inches of snow, it's been a remarkable and snowy season, and it deserves a remarkable ending," said Josh Arneson, director of marketing at Bolton. "The end of a season like this is always bittersweet, but with our '50/50 Weekend' we'll make sure it's more sweet than bitter."

On Saturday and Sunday, April 2 - 3, full-day lift tickets will be $29 for adults and $19 for youth, college students, or seniors. In addition, all Nordic tickets and rental equipment will be 50 percent off, as well as alpine rentals, select items in the retail shop, and ski/board waxings. And during this final weekend of the season, special $69 room rates are available for the slopeside Inn at Bolton Valley.

Leading up to "50/50 Weekend," full-day lift tickets will be $39 for adults and $29 for youth, college students, or seniors from Monday through Friday, March 28 - April 1. Beginning March 28, running through the end of the season, skiers and riders can take to the slopes of Bolton Valley from 3-5 p.m. for just $19.

Bolton Valley also is offering free skiing and riding for the remainder of the season to anyone who purchases a 2011-2012 All-Access Season Pass by the April 5 early bird deadline. Pass prices start at $449 for adults and $159 for youth ages 7-17 (when purchased with a parent's adult season pass), if purchased by April 5.

Bolton Valley Resort is Vermont's most convenient and affordable big mountain skiing. Less than 10 minutes from I-89 and less than 30 minutes from Burlington, the family-friendly mountain offers skiers and riders of all abilities three mountain peaks with 71 trails and 6 lifts, plus 3 terrain parks including the Burton Progression Park.

Bolton Valley is one of only two ski resorts in the U.S. to implement wind power as an energy source and is the recipient of the National Ski Areas Association's 2010 Silver Eagle Award for environmental initiatives. A complete Sports Center and Indoor Amusement Center plus Vermont's most extensive top-to-bottom night skiing and riding are just a few of the extras available to guests. All-inclusive, true ski-to-your-door lodging packages from $79/person/night. For more information visit www.boltonvalley.com or call 877-9BOLTON.

Whiteface Wins About.Com's 2011 Readers' Choice Award for Best Ski Resort in the East

Whiteface Mountain, in Wilmington, N.Y., has been selected as the About.com 2011 Readers' Choice Award winner for best ski resort in the eastern United States.  Now in its fourth year, the About.com Readers' Choice Awards honor the best products, features and services across more than a dozen categories, ranging from technology to hobbies to parenting and more, as selected by its readers.

"This year's Readers' Choice Awards program had a record number of nominations submitted across more than a dozen categories and featured hundreds of finalists," said Margot Weiss, managing editor, About.com. "We are thankful to all our readers for their participation and congratulate ORDA and Whiteface on their success."

Whiteface which boasts the greatest vertical in the east, as well as 283 skiable acres and 86 trails, was the only State of New York ski resort in the finals.  The other finalists included Vermont's Killington, Mount Snow, Stratton and Stowe.

In December, About.com also recognized Whiteface as one of the nation's top family ski destinations, one of only three eastern resorts to make the list.  The on-line article touted the mountain as "an ideal venue for a family ski vacation," and also describes many of the off-hill activities found in Wilmington and in Lake Placid including a tour of the Olympic sites, ice skating and partaking in the full schedule of winter events for the family.

It's those off-hill activities, as well as the wide array of Olympic-style sports including bobsledding, ice skating, cross country skiing, ski jumping, and events such as World Cup racing, shows and concerts, that have made Whiteface/Lake Placid #1, for 18 consecutive years, for its Off-Hill Activities by readers of SKI Magazine.  And this season, readers of both SKI Magazine and SnowEast Magazine also tabbed the Olympic mountain as the #1 Ski Resort in the eastern United States. 

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_{Whiteface photo © Mike Doyle}

Sunset Skiing and Riding at Bolton Valley

Along with changing its clocks on Saturday night, Bolton Valley Resort officials have changed the hours of operation for skiing and riding for the remainder of the season. Beginning Monday, the resort will be open from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, and from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays. On Saturdays, lifts will turn from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. and on Sundays from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

"One of the best benefits of spring skiing and riding at Bolton Valley is the longer days and we take advantage of that," said Josh Arneson, director of marketing at the resort. "We have sensational sunsets from our west facing slopes, a unique experience for anyone who has been skiing or riding all season long. It doesn't get dark at 4 p.m. like it did in December and January. Most other resorts end their day in the shadows, while we ski and ride into the sunset with direct sunlight. The sky glows red and orange as the sun sets behind the Adirondacks, a view we enjoy from the top of Bolton."

In addition to extended spring hours, Bolton Valley has special lift ticket pricing for those who want to enjoy those sunsets. From 3 - 5 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday, tickets are $19. Night skiing Wednesday through Friday is $29. As always Saturday's are Bolton After Dark with $19 night skiing and riding from 4 - 8 p.m. In addition, beginning tomorrow, all items in the ski shop are 40% off the retail price.

Bolton Valley also is offering free skiing and riding for the remainder of to the season to those people who purchase a 2011-2012 All-Access season pass by the April 5 early bird deadline. Pass prices start at $449 for adults and $159 (when purchased with a parent's adult season pass) for youth ages 7-17, if purchased by April 5. The resort will close for the 2010-2011 season on Sunday, April 3.

St. Patrick's Day at Okemo

Okemo Mountain Resort will celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a Shamrock Scavenger Hunt, Luck o' the Irish Tweet-up, and an après ski party complete with Guinness and live Celtic music.

On Thursday, March 17, skiers and snowboarders who find one of 10 oversized shamrocks hidden along Okemo's trails will win a prize bag full of goodies. Shamrocks can be redeemed for prizes at the Main Base Lodge Resort Services desk.

Okemo skiers and riders who are plugged in and connected to social media sites Facebook and Twitter, will have the luck o' the Irish on Saint Patrick's Day. Okemo's lucky leprechaun will be on the move and tweeting his location throughout the day. Skiers and riders who find him will win a variety of prizes.
 
After a day on the slopes, the St. Patrick's Day festivities move indoors to Okemo's Sitting Bull. The party, sponsored by Guinness, will feature musical guests Gypsy Reel from 3 to 6 p.m.

Pat's Peak Pond Skim

Pats Peak, NH, announces its annual Pond Skim Contest on Saturday, March 19, 2011 starting at 1pm. There will also be a Live Band and a Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer Garden.

 This is a great event for participants and spectators. Participants ski or snowboard across a man-made pond or take the icy plunge on their skis or snowboard! Registration is from 8:30am to 11:30am in the Valley Lodge. Entry Fee is free but the purchase of at least a Bluster Area Lift Ticket (or Pats Peak Season Pass) and a costume is required to enter the contest. Prizes will be awarded for Best Costume, Best Splash and Best Skim.

“The Pond Skim is a fun springtime event. Our skiers and riders get dressed up in some crazy costumes and try to make it across the pond. The spectators love to see them make a big splash but it’s also fun to cheer for them if they make it across the pond,” says Jim Wall, Events Director.

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Smugglers' Notch

Smugglers' Notch Resort in Vermont has been winning accolades for the best family ski resort for at least a dozen years. Even before the formal awards, Smuggs had already won the hearts of plenty of skiers.

I'm heading North this week to spend a few days skiing at Smugglers' Notch, which, in addition to plenty of family friendly trails has the only Triple Black Diamond run in the East.

Here's more on Smuggler's Notch.

Related: About.com Skiing

Will Hibbs Crowned at Stratton Red Bull Super Hit Event

Will Hibbs took top billing during Saturday's Red Bull Super Hit at Stratton Mountain Resort. Competitors got one shot to hit the feature specially designed for this event. Hibbs' win has secured him an invitation and paid trip to the Dumont Cup in late March. Check out the video as local skier Christian Franchino came in third.

The Red Bull Super Hit is just the first of freestyle events happening here at Stratton. February and March will see the likes of Shaun White and Jeret Peterson strolling through the Stratton Village on their way to the most important competitions on the global and national snowboarding and freestyle skiing circuits.

This year, amateurs and aspiring Winter X athletes will get a chance to ride the 22 foot competition pipe in between the US Open and the U.S. Freestyle Championships.

Upcoming Freestyle Events at Stratton:

Cold Wars Rail Jam - Saturday, February 26. The second in this season's Cold Wars series, this late February rail jam is open to amateur skiers and riders who want to show the world what they've got under the lights in the Tyrolienne terrain park. Winners receive respect, prizes and cash. Registration is 4pm to 5pm with an event start time of 5pm.

Volcom Peanut Butter Rail Jam - Saturday, March 05. Volcom will be hosting this free event on East Byrneside. Geared towards kids of all ages, Volcom will have lots of swag, Wonder Bread and peanut butter on hand to fuel everyone through the rail jam. Registration at 7:30am in the Overflow Room.

US Snowboarding Open - Monday, March 07 to Sunday, March 13. The 29th Annual US Open is the final stop of the Burton Global Open Series. Voted one of the Top Ten Vermont events, the USO is the longest standing snowboard event on the planet. Whether coming as a competitor or a spectator, this weeklong contest offers something for everyone. Amateurs will compete on the same platform as the world's best riders including Stratton Mountain School alum Louie Vito. Athlete or not, everyone will get a chance to play in our enormous sponsor village brimming with free swag, music and food.

U.S. Freestyle Championships - Tuesday, March 22 to Sunday, March 27. Stratton is excited to announce the arrival of the U.S. Freestyle Championships! The contest will bring the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team as well as the best of divisional skiers from across the country to Stratton to compete for the top title in moguls, aerials, halfpipe and dual moguls. Six days of events on and off the hill, including concerts, free swag and a chance to meet the superstars like Vermont native and Olympic medalist Hannah Kearney.

Mountain Mayhem - Saturday, May 28. Skiers and boarders won't want to miss the Second Annual Stratton Mountain Mayhem jam, a freestyle mash up, 'park builder's pick' event featuring cash prizes and swag. Come get a summertime snow fix at the rail jam and jump jam.

Burgers and Bonks Saturday, April 02. Most likely on Tyrolienne, this event starts early! Registration gets you access to one of the most fun spring jams on the calendar. Cash and swag to be won, free lunch for all participants.

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Simon Dumont Hosts 3rd Annual Dumont Cup At Sunday River

Simon Dumont and Sunday River are working together on the 3rd  Annual Dumont Cup scheduled for March 25-26, 2011, where a new freeskier champ will be crowned.

"The Dumont Cup was created to showcase skiers from the East Coast. There's so much talent there, and sometimes they get overlooked." said Dumont. "The positive response we've gotten from the ski community has far exceeded my expectations.  Not only are we continuing to showcase the best the East has to offer, but we're drawing skiers from all over Canada and as far away as Europe."

Dumont, along with professional freeskiers: Tom Wallisch, Gus Kenworthy, Peter Olenick and Jossi Wells, will mentor, compete and judge skiers on a slopestyle course located in Rocking Chair Terrain Park designed by Dumont himself.

$20,000 in cash and prizes are up for grabs for first, second and third place finishers. Amateur skiers will also have the opportunity to ski with the pros and score some great prizes from Dumont Cup Sponsors.

Qualifiers are held in two sessions on Friday, March 25th from 10a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and determine the top 40 amateurs sent to semi-finals on Saturday, March 26th. During the semi-finals and finals, professional and amateurs skiers compete side-by-side. Judges determine the top three overall winners as well as a stand-out amateur from the two-day competition.

The Dumont Cup is open to 200 competitors - twice the size of last year's field. Registration is $100 and includes a lift ticket. Official sponsors of the 3rd Annual Dumont Cup are: Red Bull, Target, Oakley, Nike 6.0, Sunday River, Salomon, Toyota, Giro, PowerBar, Empire and Kicker.

More Information: 3rd Annual Dumont Cup  | Sunday River