Mountain Sports Club Blog

As we approach the last weekend before Thanksgiving the weather is giving us as much a mixed bag as ever for those of us wanting to get the winter ski and snowboard season's underway.

We will provide updates on resort openings as reports come in around the nation. I have just gone from near 80 degree weather in Boulder, Colorado to frigid temps in Boston. Nice to know winter is happening.

Reports are that snow making is going full speed and combined with natural snow in many places more and more resorts and areas will be opening for skiing and snowboarding this weekend and Thanksgiving holiday. Boy do I get more and more rumors on Twitter, emails and various social network sites we monitor and work.

Friday November 21
Big Boulder and Jack Frost in the Poconos and great state of Pennsylvania.
Camelback in PA opens a half pipe Nov 21 & 22

Resort openings Saturday Nov 22
Wachusett MA
Hunter NY
Windham NY
Stowe VT
Jay Peak VT

Colorado ski resort openings:
Winter Park opens today November 19
Vail Resort opens November 21
Eldora Opens November 21
Beaver Creek Opens November 26
Durango Mountain Resort opens November 26
Telluride opens Nov 26
Monarch opens Nov 26
Steamboat opens Nov 26
Crested Butte opens Nov 26 - be sure to check out early season ski free promotion.
Aspen opens Nov 27
Snowmass opens Nov 27

Remember to set up your free basic membership and set up a profile to be eligible to win free skis, snowboards, lift tickets, lodging at more at the Mountain Sports Club Monthly Mountain Schwag giveway. Post reviews, blogs, photos, videos and put us on your friends lists at Facebook, Linked In, My Space and follow us on Twitter to increase your chances to win. Each submission and link adds to your chances to win monthly. Our philosophy is the Mountain Sports Club is your club, now participate and get on the hill. Share what is happening in the mountains with fellow members.

New lift ticket discounts for King Pine Ski Area in New Hampshire. The popular family resort in Eastern New Hampshire extends coupons for Mountain Sports Club members enabling them to save $10 daily on an adult full day lift tickets. The discounted coupons for lift ticket are valid on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays with no restrictions and blackouts.

Another family oriented value is a half price junior lift ticket for Mountain Sports Club members when purchasing a full day adult lift ticket. Junior tickets are for children 6 - 12 years old.

The rest of the week King Pine Ski Area runs 2 for 1 lift tickets promotions. This is truly affordable family fun with skiing and snowboarding for the the family.

Join Mountain Sports Club now and save on lift tickets, lodging, gear, travel and more.

The snow has not been huge but is continuing to happen in the mountains of Colorado and the western Rockies on a regular basis combined with great snow making conditions. Look for more and more resort openings and expanded terrain.

This just in from our friends at Loveland Ski Area"

Chair 2 Set to Open this Friday!

Not only is there snow in the forecast, but Chair 2 will be opening this Friday, November 13th, just in time for the weekend! The snow has been falling slowly but steadily all week, and when combined with our world class snowmaking, we are getting more terrain open very quickly. The weather forecast is looking good with the chance for several inches in time for the weekend. It's no wonder Loveland is the choice for great early season skiing and riding. Come check out what everyone is talking about!

Loveland Valley and Ski & Ride School Open November 21st

The Loveland Valley, our separate beginners area, and the Loveland Ski & Ride School open next Friday, November 21st. The Ski & Ride School offers a wide variety of programs for all skill levels and disciplines. We are still offering our popular 3 Class Pass program; take three lessons packages and receive a season pass upon completion, restrictions apply. Check out the details for the 3 Class Pass and all of The Ski & Ride School's great programs online.

Mountain Sports Club members are skiing and riding for $30 a day right now at Loveland. That is a $14 daily discount on your lift tickets. Join now and save all season long on lift tickets, gear, lodging travel and more. Half off early season special only $14.95, use promotion code pre08 to redeem offer through November 15.

It was the annual trek to the mountains as the boys, my son's, have off from school for the holiday and we use it as the perfect excuse to get out and enjoy a weekday skiing early in November to kick off the season. While it was the boys first day, I had gotten out a few weeks ago to make sure October was a ski month. Check out the photo gallery at MyMountainSportsClub.com.

Part of the obligation of living in Colorado and working in this industry. October skiing has become a ritual much like Veterans day and the days up till Thanksgiving.

It was a great day to be on the hill skiing and riding. Keystone Resort is always a good early season choice as they tend to have longer vertical and great long cruising runs. These are ideal to help get the legs back into ski shape. I know I need some days of long cruisers to get ready for the full days of skiing with fresh soft snow. As we left Boulder it was overcast but no precipitation. The weather reports had been of snow the last several days continuing today in the mountains.

We encountered snow as we passed Silverplume, just past Georgetown on I 70. It was light snow but enough to slow down the traffic. The ride up was easy with moderate traffic. Roads were snow packed as we approached Loveland and went over Loveland Pass, past Arapahoe Basin and down valley to Keystone.

The Gondola was the only lift open and is now accessed right at the base of the River Run area. This is a slight move form where it was previously and makes much better sense and is easier to access. New this year is also midway, er 3/4 way, station so one did not have to go all the way back down. The Gondola, now enables downloading at a location that enables you to ski more of the mountain before downloading in spring.

Skiing was very good for this time of year. Yes, it is all relative, in January I would grimace at snow this hard, but with a couple inches of fresh snow there was soft carving snow. The terrain park at the top was full, especially for a Tuesday. Based upon my observation of the crowd, the local economy was thriving. We'll see what happens during the holidays and peak season.

Looking for Keystone lift ticket discounts, make sure to register now for a Mountain Sports Club membership and save on pre purchased multi day lift tickets at the MSC Travel desk.

Other resort related news and tidbits. Wild Mountain in Minnesota reopened and reported snow. Ski Brule opened yesterday.

A couple of nice sweepstakes to consider entering:

Just saw an announcement for a really cool sweepstakes from the folks at Cloudveil, "Win a Spot on the first Tram at Jackson" to celebrate the new tram at Jackson Hole.

Sign up to win a spot on the FIRST TRAM in Jackson Hole on the Opening Day of the NEW Aerial Tram. Winner and a guest will receive a 4-day trip to Jackson Hole or a full season pass for winter 2008-09.

Prize package:
- 2 spots (winner plus a guest) on a FIRST TRAM in Jackson Hole on the Opening Day of the NEW Aerial Tram.
-Two airline tickets to Jackson Hole, WY on airline of JHMR’s choice.
- Four nights lodging in Teton Village condominium through Jackson Hole Resort Lodging (blackout dates do apply).
- Two 4-day adult lift tickets at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
- Two VIP passes to Aerial Tram launch festivities.

Sn Valley Chamber also is now promoting "Everything under the sun". Sun Valley is one of the great and more famous resorts many have not been visited. Now your chance to win a free trip to Sun Valley.


Look pretty sweet to me.

This just in from our friends at Ski Salt Lake.

According to reports, Alta Ski Area received 46" of The Greatest Snow On Earth™ during the recent 2-day storm, with more expected for the coming weekend. Snowbird received so much it moved up its opening date to TOMORROW, Nov. 7, the resort's second-earliest opening ever. Both Brighton and Solitude are finalizing plans for the season with scheduled opening dates of Nov. 12 and Nov. 14, respectively, while Alta will open Nov. 21. Book discounted lodging for your Utah ski vacation.

You just gotta love all the reports of snow and resort openings. Get your skis and boards waxed and ready for the winter now. Need new gear shop at the Mountain Sports Club marketplace. Huge savings on ski and snowboard gear from top brands and top retailers.

Need to book your next ski and snowboard vacation use the Mountain Sports Club Travel Desk and save on lift tickets, lodging and airfare.

As Americans vote business goes on. In Idaho we see reports of snow at many of the resorts and areas. Make sure to check out the new "Soul of Skiing" campaign from the folks at the Idaho Ski Areas Association. Be sure to check out the sweet resort videos available on the site.

More and more resorts have various social network communities where you can build a profile, add friends, participate in forums, add video and photos and submit blogs reports. Get the inside look from fellow skiers and riders. Here are several groups and resort we have seen with easy to use and interesting communities:

Ski Pennsylvania, Monarch Ski and Ride Space, MyMountainSportsClub.com, Sugarbowl Ski and Ride Space.

Word just in Mammoth Mountain in California kicked off the ski and snowboard season for 2008.09 this week, Boreal in Tahoe opened today as the first Tahoe resort open.

Loveland expects to open more terrain this weekend after more snow this week. Ski and ride for only $30 with Mountain Sports Club member coupons. Keystone, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain and Wolf Creek all expect to be open this weekend as the season starts to kick in. The link for Keystone and Breckenridge enables you to purchase discount tickets in advance this ski season.

In Colorado, Christy Sports, with 10 stores located throughout the front range, is now offering members a save $20 coupon on any purchase of $100 or more in the stores.

Visit the Mountain Sports Club team Nov 7, 8 & 9,2008 at the BEWI Denver Ski and Snowboard Show. $2 coupons available now online. Coupons for upcoming Boston Ski Show also available online.

October comes to an end this evening and I believe there are more ski areas open in different areas for skiing and snowboarding than I can recall for Halloween. Given the economic issues and the mean spirited election dominating news it is truly a joy to see skiing and snowboarding starting.

I was able to enjoy some sweet turns yesterday at Loveland Ski Area, even though it is in the 70's in the front range. I have lived here in Colorado now for 30 years and this is the 25th October of the 30 that I have been able to get lift serviced skiing. They are doing a great job getting a good base and good conditions for skiing and riding. We'll be back up in another week.

Skiing at Loveland with a $30 Mountain Sports Club discount coupon for my lift ticket made it a bargain as well.

Resort openings: that we have gathered from around the country include the following.

Killington opens with up to 6 trails and top to bottom skiing tomorrow November1. If you are heading up to the Killington make sure to check out some of the lodging deals we have available.

Sunday River - Opened Halloween. Sweet lodging deal for MSC members at the Bethel Inn.

Arapahoe Basin - Discount available on a prepurchase ticket.

Loveland - That's right only $30 vs $44 for MSC members. Save $14 a day.

Fernie announces Girls Day Out for second year.

Newest Mountain Sports Club resort addition is Lost Valley in Maine. The resort is offering skiers and snowboarders a $5 daily savings on lift tickets for the 2008.09 winter season.

With the end of October rapidly approaching we were able to update the following lift ticket and lodging discounts today and the past few days:

• Mad River Glen - Ski it if you can and no boarders allowed in Northern Vermont. Mid week skiing for Mountains Sports Club members will be only $35 a day which is a $4 daily savings of the adult full day lift ticket at this venerable Vermont ski area.
• Diamond Peak in the Lake Tahoe area bordering Nevada and California will extend a $9 daily lift ticket discount to Mountain Sports Club members this 2009.09 season.
• The Marriot at Mechanicsburg near Ski Roundtop in Pennsylvania is offering weekend lodging at 40% off!!!

New gear deal from ski helmet sponsor LDM, Leedom helmets - Members save 20% off when purchasing ski and snowboard helmets direct. Everyone needs a helmet for skiing and riding.

Earlier today we announced Wild Mountain had opened. We have confirmed the lifts started running at Cataloochee Mountain in North Carolina with 2 runs open as well today. With cold and snow in the Northeast several more resorts are racing to try to open. Stay tuned for ski and snowboard treats for this Halloween.

This email just arrived. We knew Wild Mountain in Minnesota was looking at getting the ski and snowboard season going and they sure did.

Email release from Wild Mountain's Amy Frischmon

"Today,Tuesday, October 28th, we are officially starting the Ski/Snowboard Season in the Midwest! Keeping with our 33 year tradition Wild Mountain is the first Area to open in the Midwest.

We will be opening with one run Expressway an intermediate run and 1 chairlift

We are excited to start the season and to see you all soon!"

Stayed tuned as we update additional resort openings in the blog.

Hours of Operation
Tuesday, October 28th, TBD - We are going to continue to blow as long as we can, and then we need to groom. Please call for more details as the sun comes up.

Wednesday, October 29th, 4pm - 9pm
Thursday, October 30th, 4pm - 9pm
Friday, October 31st, 4pm - 9pm
Saturday, November 1st, 9:30 am - 9pm
Sunday, November 2nd 9:30am - 5pm

Lift tickets for today, October 28th will be $16

Rates will change daily as we add more runs.
Hours of Operation may also change. Please check web site daily for updates.

Hope to see you on the slopes soon!"

Monday October 27, 2008

Random thoughts and online deals as the season gets into motion a little more each week.

Looking for the best deals in a tight economy? The folks who own Skis.com just added a new site: http://www.thedailysteal.com/ It features a hot deal of the day.

This very similar to initial site launched by Backcountry.com called Steep and Cheap. Mountain Sports Club members save at Backcountry.com when using special members only code and coupon.

Possible resort openings in the East and Mid-atlantic states this week??

Snowmaking reports from Snowshoe resort in West Virginia and we have heard that a resort in the Poconos just might try and open if the weather cooperates. Stay tuned, we'll keep you updated.

New sweet Mountain Sports Club deal and discount offer at www.skierpeak.com - Members save 20% on most purchases with promotion code msc20. All the top skis, ski gear and clothing from Dynastar, Line, Armada, Spyder, Orage, Obermeyer, Marker and more.

Best lift ticket deals and discount for the early season is at Loveland. MSC members ski and ride for only $30 a day, save $14 daily. Register now and save all season on lift tickets, ski gear and more.

Make sure to visit a Head Snowboard dealer near you for the best riding gear and equipment for this winter's snowboard season. Visit their stores and visit them online.

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2 for 1 discount lift ticket coupons at Windham Mountain in the Catskill Mountains of New York are now available for the 2008.09 ski and snowboard season for premium Mountain Sports Club members. This is the third winter for the Mountain Sports Club online service and Windham has been a participant each year.

Look for new lodging specials to be added as well for the coming winter. Windham Mountain is conveniently located a short 2 hours from New York City and has recently remodeled the base lodge in a major renovation. There has been a $5 million investment in the base lodge and improvements in snow making to ensure the best in skiing and snowboarding at Windham Mountain.

Looking to get a jump on the ski and snowboard season and stay in the mountains? Mountain Sports Club has teamed up with Summit Cove to offer 50% off on lodging stays of 2 nights or more till November 20th. Summit Cove offers a wide selection of condos and homes in the Keystone and Summit County area, now at a great lodging discount.

Now that both Arapahoe Basin and Loveland opened there are a couple of early season options with Copper planning to open early next month followed by Keystone Ski Resort later in November.

Both Loveland Ski Area and Arapahoe Basin have early season offers on discounted lift tickets for Mountain Sports Club members. Use the membership and save on lift tickets, lodging and more. Not a member join now and take advantage of preseason specials. Now only $14.95, use promotion code pre08.

Mountain Sports Club announces $30 early season lift tickets for premium members now at Loveland ski area. With a mid October start to the ski and snowboard season premium members now can start the season off and save $14 daily on early season tickets.

Not a member, join now and take advantage of preseason membership pricing. Memberships are only $14.95. Use promotion code "pre08" to redeem offer.

Sunlight Mountain Resort in Glenwood Springs Colorado just updated their Mountain Sports Club lift tickets discounts for the 2008.09 season. They will extend 2 for 1 lift tickets Monday through Friday non holidays. On weekends non holiday buy one adult lift ticket and receive the second for half price. These new deals and discount coupons are a great value for skiers and snowboarders looking to stretch the ski budget.

The start of the 2008.09 ski and snowboard season is off and running tomorrow as both Loveland Ski Area and Arapahoe Basin open for skiing and riding. It is often a race and this year the end result will be a tie. For those of us looking for turns without hiking it is nice to have both open.

While this officially kicks off the season it is to be noted there is skiing and snowboarding elsewhere in North America and in Europe. Timberline, Ore., currently offers glacier skiing from Friday to Sunday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. as part of that ski area’s “autumn” season.

Arapahoe and Loveland will both rely on machine-made snow on one intermediate run, served by one chairlift each.

The Basin and Loveland are joining a few other resorts around the world, particularly in Europe, that are currently open for skiing and riding. These include Tignes, France, which features skiing on the Grande Motte glacier; Swiss ski areas Saas Fee and Zermatt; Italian resort Val Senales, Italy (two lifts, seven runs), and the Austrian resorts of Hintertux and Soelden, the latter of which hosts an Alpine World Cup opener on Oct. 25.

Get your boards and skis ready for another winter of skiing and riding. Looking for lift ticket discounts join the Mountain Sports Club now.