January 2009 Archives

Utility Board Shop SouperBowl 09

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Registration:  7:30 am 

Big Pines Lodge

(Breakfast Included)

Entry Fee:  $25

Lift Ticket:  $25

USASA Membership Required

Membership Fee (Non Points Gathering) :  $25

::HELMETS REQUIRED::

Kickoff:  10:00 am 

Mountain High Playground

Awards:  Immediately Following the Event

Lunch: Compliments of Chronic Tacos

Winter has returned with a vengeance to Crested Butte, Colorado.  A major winter storm moved into the area last Friday and proceeded to pummel the legendary slopes of Crested Butte throughout the weekend.   Skiers and riders have been treated to four straight powder days and in total a whopping 39 inches of snow has fallen during this storm cycle. 

This epic weekend storm has all of Crested Butte grinning from ear to ear, and  has also managed to bring Crested Butte's season snowfall accumulation to 202 inches - over 16 feet.

 Crested Butte Vacations is offering several mid-winter specials to make that dream a reality.  Below is a sample of some of the amazing Crested Butte Vacation Specials.

Fly Delta and Ski Free
Delta is now offering some of the lowest airfares of the season. In addition to low rates on flights, all skiers and riders traveling to Crested Butte on Delta Air Lines via Salt Lake City will receive free lift tickets.

Kids Ski Free
Stay at any CBMR Properties condominium and kids ages 7 to 12 ski free. This winter treat the kids to an unforgettable Crested Butte adventure.

Total Adventure. Half the Price.
Inspire your passion in early February and save.  Receive half priced lift tickets, lessons, and rentals when booking lodging through Crested Butte Vacations.

For more information or to book any of these specials call Crested Butte Vacations at 800.600.2803 or visit www.skicb.com/specials

Symphony Bowl and the Peak Chair on Whistler Mountain in Vancouver opened last Saturday, while Blackcomb Glacier last Thursday. These three areas combined add over 1,700 acres of skiing and riding terrain, bringing the total skiable acres at Whistler Blackcomb to 7,000.

"I was in the Blackcomb Glacier area skiing today and it was great," says Doug MacFarlane, Whistler Blackcomb Mountain Manager. "Conditions are soft packed and really nice. With the Peak Chair and the Symphony Amphitheatre opening on Saturday, guests will have access to truly spectacular areas of the mountains and with the sun in the forecast, the views will be breathtaking."

All operations crews at Whistler Blackcomb from groomers, to snowmakers, to patrol and forecasters have been working hard every day to safely open more terrain for guests. A deep seated instability in the snow pack has been a challenge this season.

Extensive avalanche control work by the patrol team, coupled with a warmer then cooler weather pattern this past few weeks has resulted in a more stable snow pack allowing the terrain to open.

Despite the terrain openings the underlying weakness has not gone away so it is important for guests to obey on-mountain signage and initiate backcountry access with appropriate equipment, knowledge and partners.

With the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola open guests of Whistler Blackcomb can check out Symphony Bowl, then ski Spanky's in an afternoon for the first time this season. Accommodation and lift ticket packages such as a three night, two day package starting from $106 a person, per night is available at whistlerblackcomb.com.

Lift status, grooming and weather and snow information can also be found at whistlerblackcomb.com or by calling the Snow Report at 604-932-4211.

With more than 5 feet of fresh snow and bluebird skies in the forecast all week long, it's a great time to enjoy some powder runs at Mammoth Mountain ski resort. And now you can stay any four nights for the price of three. This offer is valid for selected room types through April 15. Black-out dates run Feb. 13 to Feb. 19. You have to book by Feb. 6.

Angel Fire Resort in New Mexico is offering winter vacation packages for the 2008-2009 winter season.  With the majority of Americans reported to be "stressed out" by the current state of the economy, Angel Fire Resort strives to deliver the best value in outdoor recreation in the Southern Rockies.

"We understand that many families will be forced to take a hard look at their vacation travel plans for this season," says Dave Dekema, director of marketing for Angel Fire Resort. "With these new offers we hope to deliver unbeatable value to families, combined with the opportunity to get out from under it all -- to disconnect from the bad news on cable news programs, and re-connect with family and friends in a relaxing setting. There's nothing like bluebird skies and first tracks in fresh powder to help someone regain perspective."

A sample of the many new packaged Angel Fire Resort lodging and lift ticket offers include:

Fuel for the Mountains

$199 per person includes three nights lodging, 2 days of lift tickets, 2 breakfasts per person and a $50 gas card!

Stay & Ski for as Low as $79

Starting at $79 per person based on double occupancy for arrival Sunday through Thursday.

Kids Stay, Ski & Eat Free

Rack rates for lodging and lift tickets for adults. Based on double occupancy. Two kids per room get free lodging and lift tickets. Free breakfast and lunch - one free kid per paying adult. 

Military Appreciation

An all-inclusive package for all active-duty personnel. Two nights lodging, two days of lift tickets, two breakfasts and two dinners, and a $25 gas card, starting as low as $99 per person per day based on double occupancy.

For complete information on lodging and lift ticket deals, snow conditions, activities and more at Angel Fire Resort this winter visit www.angelfireresort.com.

Winter conditions returned to Mountain High overnight as temperatures dipped into the teens and two inches of natural snowfall complimented heavy snowmaking on the mountain. Weather forecasts are calling for continued snowmaking temperatures in the evenings throughout the week, which will allow Mountain High to add to the 12-24 inch base of fresh packed powder. Up to eight chairlifts are currently in operation accessing 19 trails and the mountain plans to have 100% of trails open at the West Resort by this weekend.

 

In less than two weeks Mountain High will hold its biggest event of the season, bringing a triple shot of big air flavor to Wrightwood with the 11^th Annual Cholula Triple Air Show. The big air contest boasts a hot $25,000 cash purse and is the richest "one day triple air contest" in the nation, complete with live DJ and vendor village for the public.

 

For more information on the $25,000 Cholula Triple Air Show or the most updated lift and snow report please visit mthigh.com.

Sugar Bowl's renowned terrain park crew has recently tripled the number of features in the Switching Yard Terrain Park, including new boxes, hips, spines and rail sets. Local skiers and riders can enjoy laps through the park with numerous trail and feature options off the Mt. Judah Express chairlift on Sugar Bowl's east side.

The recent expansion of the terrain park ushers in a busy calendar of special events, including the new "Working Man Wednesday" series, a progressive and innovative contest in which skiers and riders take to the park for a high-flying adaptation of the classic basketball game P.I.G.

Participants line up at the top of the park with one designated leader to throw the first trick, with all subsequent skiers and riders needing to throw - and land - that same trick. If they are unable to do so they receive a letter, and once a skier or riders spells P.I.G. they are out of the contest and part of the gallery.

Contest formats will vary from week to week, with Working Man Wednesdays taking place in Sugar Bowl's Switching Yard Terrain Park on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month through the end of the season.

Registration is only $15 per contest, and prizes abound for the winners. To register please call (530) 426.9000 x7720 or simply show up to Sugar Bowl's Mt. Judah day lodge between noon and 1:00pm on the day of the events.

Contests will run from 1:30 to approximately 4 p.m., with after-party and awards to follow. Helmets are mandatory for all contestants.

Sugar Bowl Resort, atop Tahoe's majestic Donner Summit, offers some of the region's best skiing and riding on 1,500 acres, 1,500 vertical feet and 500 annual inches of snowfall. The closest major resort on the western front of the Sierra's, Sugar Bowl is just three hours from San Francisco and 45 minutes from Reno.

For more information on Sugar Bowl please visit www.sugarbowl.com or call (530) 426-9000.

The USASA Boardercross scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24, at Mountain High in Wrightwood has been postponed. Keep an eye on mthigh.com/events for the reschedule date.

The Burton Demo Tour will still take place. And the Jager Girls will visit the Bullwheel saloon from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Goodnight Snow Summit. The Big Bear resort has scheduled Friday Night Sessions through March 6th and Saturday Night Sessions through March 14th. Night session hours are 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. All Night Sessions are weather permitting and subject to change.

Heavenly Mountain Resort (www.skiheavenly.com) celebrates Learn a Snow Sport Month with a new array of deals on children's and adult ski and snowboard school lessons through Feb. 8.

Enroll now to receive 20 percent off all kids' ski and snowboard lessons, 20 percent off all private lessons and a new Buy Two Consecutive Days, Get the Third Day Free on adult group lessons taken through Sunday, Feb. 8.

 

"With Heavenly's high elevation and expertise in snowmaking and grooming, Heavenly is offering the best snow surface conditions at Lake Tahoe. It's the perfect time to learn to ski or snowboard or to improve your skills at the highly-acclaimed Ski and Snowboard Schools of Heavenly," said Blaise Carrig, Heavenly's CEO.

The best way to make your first turn on skis or a snowboard is to take a lesson, but, lessons aren't just for beginners. Even intermediate or advanced skiers and snowboarders can learn a new technique to polish and refine their skills on the steeps, bumps or powder.

With the technological advancements in shaped skis, development of women's equipment and terrain park twin tips skis and park/pipe snowboards, skiing and snowboarding has come a long way. So has the instruction.

More families and friends want to spend quality time together on the slopes. A good way is to take a private group lesson for up to six people, providing expert coaching plus a customized, guided tour of the mountain.

Heavenly prides itself on hiring the top coaches in the region who create a learning environment rich in positive reinforcement and encouragement. Six of the top ten spots on the Professional Ski Instructors of America's Western Region Demonstration Team are held by Heavenly ski instructors (Michael Rogan, Robin Barnes, Heidi Ettlinger, Steve Evenson, Tim Rankins, Greg Lyons and Marty Moore). Two of PSIA's six snowboard demo team members are from Heavenly (Josh Spoelstra and Ryan Goralski). And Rogan, Barnes and Spoelstra were selected to PSIA's National Demo Team.

 

To carve a ski or snowboard school lesson, visit www.skiheavenly.com. These offers are not valid with any other ski and snowboard school promotion. Other restrictions may apply.

The first of three College Nights at Mountain High kicked off last night in Wrightwood, when college students from more than a dozen campuses packed the Bullwheel for a full-on party. DJ SlipMatt spun the beats, while Monster drink specials flowed from the bar.

ForUs Magazine rolled deep with two party buses sponsored by Ex Drink. The Antics street team from Toyota keep the good times rolling with a tricked out Matrix complete with Guitar Hero and dolled out custom screen printed t-shirts.

Elm Company showered the crowd in cash, throwing out $300 in ones.

Celsius, Bataleon, and Flow were on the snow with snowboard, binding, and boot demos and FUEL TV handed out goodie bags with lanyards, stickers, and shred flicks from Ally Distribution. Transworld Snowboarding, Omatic Snowboards, Active Ride Shop, BNQT, Southern California Collegiate Snowsports Conference (SCCSC), and Skinnie Magazine hooked it up as well.

The next two College Nights will be held on February 12 and March 12, with half-off appetizers, half-off beer (21+), $1 hot dogs, live DJs, $20 night lift tickets (with college ID), and hookups from our partners. Visit mthigh.com/college for details.

Check out the photos here! http://forum.mthigh.com/index.php?action=gallery;cat=20

Mountain High is bringing a rocking college party to the mountains this winter. College Night at Mountain High is a series of three Thursday night parties created to bring Southern California college students together on the snow.

College Night will take place from 5-10 p.m. at the Bullwheel Bar & Grill at Mountain High West on Jan. 15, Feb. 12, and March 12.

 

Toyota Matrix is presenting sponsor of College Night, jumpstarting the party with the Antics street team. The Antics crew will be dolling out custom Tshirts with an on-demand screen printing machine.

Toyota is also providing the beats, spun by DJ Slip Matt, and a pair of tricked out Toyota Matrix display vehicles complete with Guitar Hero. I

In addition, newly added product sponsors Ally Distribution, The Hundreds, Elm Company, Omatic Snowboards, Celsius, Nikita, Bataleon, Flow, and Sessions will be hooking it up with product galore.

College Night will feature half-off appetizers, half-off beer (21+), $1 hot dogs, live DJs, $20 night lift tickets (with college ID), and hookups from a collection of industry partners. Transworld Snowboarding, FUEL TV, Active Ride Shop, BNQT, Southern California Collegiate Snowsports Conference (SCCSC), ForUs Magazine, and Skinnie Magazine will also be in attendance ensuring College Night rocks to its fullest potential. Hookups include:

 Custom printed t-shirts from Toyota Matrix.

• Cash and product toss-ups courtesy of Elm Company and Omatic Snowboards.
• Awesome giveaways like passes to live tapings of The Daily Habit on FUEL TV and more from companies like Ally Distribution, The Hundreds, Celsius, Nikita, Bataleon, Flow, and Sessions.
• Discounted subscriptions from Transworld Snowboarding.
• Special college discounts and giveaways from Active.
• A chance to preview FUEL TV's new snowboard shows like "Snowboard Diaries" and "Flipside".
• Hookups and party photos from ForUs and Skinnie.
• Event coverage from BNQT, FUEL TV, and Transworld.
  

Join crews of kids from dozens of college campuses and bring your friends for a rocking college party on College Night at Mountain High. Check out mthigh.com/college for details.

Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort is celebrating the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States with a $44 lift ticket.

"We wanted to give our guests a chance to enjoy the presidential inauguration without making the trip to Washington D.C. and getting dressed up in formal gowns and tuxedos," says John Rice, General Manager of Sierra Resort. "No matter your personal politics, the inauguration of a President of the United States is a great time to remember what a glorious country we live in."   The $44 lift ticket must be reserved online at www.SierraAtTahoe.com by midnight on Jan. 19. Valid on January 20, Inauguration Day, only.

Snowbird Ski Resort crossed over the 200-inch season-to-date snowfall total mark last week thanks to 29 inches of new snow. 

 

"Nine feet of snow fell in December, and January is already proving to be another significant and productive snowfall month," said Snowbird President Bob Bonar. "The mountain is in mid-winter form and skiers are raving about the conditions." 

The storm brought Snowbird's season-to-date snowfall total to 207 inches and the mid-mountain base to 86 inches.

The Little Cottonwood Canyon resort averages an annual snowfall of 500 inches, providing the longest ski and snowboard season in Utah. Last season Snowbird received 611 inches and remained open until June 22. Lodging packages, including Ski Free in January for $135 per person/double occupancy can be found at www.snowbird.com.

For more information or to see photos of the current conditions, visit www.snowbird.com. Live shots of the current storm's snow accumulation can be seen using Snowbird's SnowCam at www.snowbird.com/snowcam.

The United States Amateur Snowboard Association will hold a series of events including  Slopestyle, Halfpipe, Slalom, Giant Slalom, and BoarderCross this weekend at Mountain High in Wrightwood. Competitors compete to build points toward qualification to the USASA Nationals held at Copper Mountain Colorado. 

There are age groups and divisions for all riders including multiple skier divisions.  These events have prize pools, raffles, and awards ceremonies.

Registration will be held from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in the Big Pines Lodge

USASA Membership for 08/09: $75

USASA Non-Points Gathering Day Membership: $25

Entry Fee: $25

Lift Ticket: $25

Slopestyle:  This event is a judged freestyle competition with a course composed of table tops, hips, rails, and boxes.

Halfpipe: A judged Freestyle event located in the halfpipe.

Slalom & Giant Slalom:  This event is a timed race.

BoarderCross: This event is a race with multiple riders.  The course consists of Banks, Jumps, and Rollers.

Age Groups:

Ruggie     (7-under)

Grommet   (8-9)

Menehune   (10-11)

Breakers   (12-13)

Youth      (14-15)

Juniors    (16-17)

Jams      (18-22)

Senior     (23-29)

Master     (30-39)

Legend     (40-49)

Kahuna    (50-59)

Methuselah (60+)

Open Class

Adaptive

Skiers (10-under)

Skiers (11-15)

Skiers (16-19)

Skiers (20 +)

For more information regarding the United States of America Snowboard Association please check out www.usasa.org

Learn to ski and ride for only $29! To encourage everyone to get better at skiing or snowboarding, Diamond Peak at Incline Village will offerLearn to Ski and Ride Week from Jan. 12-16.

First timers can get a ticket, a lesson, and rentals for only $29.

Diamond Peak is a great place to learn with its wide, easy slopes and top ski and snowboard instructors. It offers beautiful lake views from almost every run.

It's perfect for families and beginners because it doesn't draw huge crowds. There's a variety of ski and snowboard packages for all ages and abilities.

The first-time beginner package usually costs $81 for a 1 hr 45 min lesson, rental equipment and a lift ticket but during Learn to Ski and Ride Week get all of this for only $29. Save over $50!

Reservations are not required. Just come to Diamond Peak during the week of Jan. 12-16 and ask for the first-time beginner package at any ticket window. 

Bear Mountain Resort is proud to present pro snowboarder Simon Chamberlain's signature event "Simon Says" this Saturday, January 10, 2009 in "The Scene." This unique competition will kick off at 5 p.m. under the lights at Bear Mountain. Registration for the event will take place between 3 and 4 p.m. in the Boardroom. Only 80 entries will be taken so if you want to compete get there early and be prepared to kick down the 15 dollar registration fee.

The course will be set Friday night by Bear Mountain's pro terrain park staff. "Simon will be hand picking the features for this competition Friday night so it's anyones guess what will be included," says Bear Mountain's park development and marketing coordinator, Clayton Shoemaker. "I can guarantee that it will be sick and likely include his signature jib that we constructed last year."

Simon Says is similar to the childhood game played on playgrounds around the country for decades. Simon will stand at the top of the course and call out tricks, then competitors will have the opportunity to match his requested trick. If the riders fail to pull the trick they will be eliminated from the competition. Prizes for winners will consist of cash and swag from thirtytwo, Nomis and Step Child.

DJ Slip Matt will be spinning tunes in the base area and the Beach Bar will be serving booze for those 21 and over. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase at the Rail View BBQ. So, come out and make a night of it.

Over the summer the resort installed two new lights that give off 6000 watts of power each making for an excellent night event venue. Snowboarders can look forward to many more nighttime events coming to Bear Mountain this year.

Mountain High Resort in Wrightwood reports a record breaking holiday season with skier visits up more than 40% over last year for the two-week Christmas period.
 
This marks a 36% increase over the resort's 12-year average and a welcome relief for weary resort managers. Factors leading to the increase include strong early-season advertising, trade-down vacation scenarios due to the weakened economy, and four and a half feet of natural snow the week prior to Christmas.
 

"Mountain High experienced the perfect storm," said Karl Kapuscinski, President and CEO. "The four feet of snow prior to the holidays, in combination with pent-up demand due to a later than normal opening, and tendencies to ski closer to home all fell in line to deliver a record breaking holiday season."

Mountain High's North Pole Tubing Park also saw an increase of 50% over the same period last year operating near full capacity seven days per week. The North Pole Tubing Park is the region's largest tubing area with up to 12 lanes serviced by two surface lifts.

The North Pole's pricing of $20 for two hours makes it a popular option for families who don't ski or snowboard, but still want to experience the excitement of a winter resort.

Robbie Burelson barrels down Mountain High East on Dec.18. Photo courtesy of 

Dennis Nadalin and Mountain High East.