Become an official ski bum!

by Kraig Becker on

A few days back we mentioned that Colorado was looking to claim your snow virginity, and was tempting said virgins with a free three month stay in the state, complete with accommodations, ski passes, spending cash and more. But what about us poor schlubs that popped that cherry a long time ago? Are we to be left out in the cold, both literally and figuratively? Fear not fellow snow lovers, because our friends to the north are coming to the rescue. Sun Peaks Resort, located in British Columbia, Canada, is running a contest of their own, as they search for their official Ski Bum for the 2009-2010 season.

As the Sun Peaks Ski Bum, you’ll receive all kinds of special privileges and treatment for three months, starting on January 4th, and running through March 31st of next year. The lucky winner will receive flights to and from Kamloops, British Columbia from the the closest major airport to their city of residence. They’ll also get accommodations at a variety of resorts during that period, as well as a season pass for some of the best ski slopes in North America. And if that wasn’t enough, the lucky bum will also get outfitted with ski gear, including clothes and their choice of skis or a snowboard, amongst other stuff.

The resort does expect you to earn your keep a bit however, as you are asked to blog, tweet, and Facebook your experience, posting new content on a daily basis. The use of social media is to be a mix of video, audio, and written content, but the winner will be provided with a computer, camera, and mobile phone to make the process as painless as possible

And what do you have to do to win the opportunity to become the first ever Snow Bum of Sun Peaks? You simply have to click here to fill out the Official Entry Form and submit a 60 second video clip explaining why you should be chosen for this three month stint of nothing but shredding and partying. All entries are due by November 15, so get working on your entry. Then be prepared for three months of fun in the mountains of British Columbia, and leave Colorado to the virgins.

Colorado offers free 3-month trip to “snow virgins”

by Katie Hammel on

My four-year old niece, who lives in Florida, once detailed for me all the places she’d been in the world. “I have been everywhere,” she said. “I have even been to snow!” (For the record, that means she has been to Michigan). If you aren’t as “well-traveled” as my niece and haven’t yet experienced the icy wonder of snow, Colorado wants to hear from you.

Colorado is looking for “snow virgins”, people who have never been in an area with extensive snowfall (entrants may be subjected to a background check) to enter its “Snow at First Sight” contest. Contestants must be at least 21 years old and residents of the US. To enter, they’ll need to submit a 60 second video explaining why they should be chosen to win a 3-month trip to Colorado to experience their first snowfall.

Entrants need to get their friends and family to vote on their video – finalists will be chosen according to popularity and creativity. Ten finalists will then go to Colorado for the official audition.

So what does the winner get, other than the chance to make their first snow angels and snowmen? They’ll receive a free trip to Colorado for three months (January 1 through March 31, 2010), an $800 stipend for each month, and attendance at promotional events arranged by the sponsors. They’ll get to take part in winter activities like skiing, snowboarding, and dog-sledding and will get to blog all about their adventures in Colorado’s winter wonderland.

Ski season officially begins today!

by Kraig Becker on

The Loveland Ski Area in Colorado officially opens its slopes today, marking the start of the ski season in North America. The resort will open its doors at 9 AM local time, greeting the first eager ski bums and bunnies of the year with 18 inches of fresh powder.

For Loveland, which sits 50 miles west of Denver, this will be the earliest opening day in 40 years. With 160 acres of groomed slopes, and the longest run reaching two miles in length, there is plenty to offer for the beginner and experienced skier alike. And while that 18 inches of snow may sound good for now, it is nothing compared to what will come in the weeks ahead. Loveland averages 400 inches of snowfall a year, ensuring a great season ahead.

Loveland won’t have all of the ski business to itself for long however. Rival resort Arapahoe Basin plans to open on Friday, which will be it’s earliest opening day ever, and the Boreal Ski Area in California will start allowing runs on Saturday as well.

With these ski resorts opening earlier than ever, one has to wonder what happened to global warming? Where I live in Texas we’re still having 90º days, and hard to think about skiing that doesn’t involve being pulled behind a boat. I’m a little envious of the skiers and snowboarders who are going to hit the slopes in the next few days. Anyone know of any cheap airfares to Colorado?

Get married at Colorado’s Keystone Resort and get free season ski pass

by Katie Hammel on

Skiing couples looking to get married on a mountain should look into Keystone Resort in Colorado. Couples who host a wedding at the resort between November 30, 2009 and November 30, 2010 will receive complimentary passes for the 2010-2011 ski season.

In addition to months of free skiing, the Keystone Wedding Pass Promotion includes a free one-night resort stay with champagne and strawberries, the services of a dedicated wedding coordinator, discounted room rates for guests, and a special cake on the couple’s one year anniversary. There are several different packages to choose from. All include rental of chairs, tables, linens and serving ware, rehearsal space, and shuttle service around the resort for guests.

Multi-course dinners with open bar range from $75 to $150 per guest and there are all several venues available. Venues hold anywhere from 80 to 350 guests and include a majestic lodge overlooking the mountains or an intimate gourmet restaurant reached by gondola.

The resort opens for the season on November 6 and offers trails for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.

Paraplegic Athlete Climbing Kilimanjaro

by Kraig Becker on

Paraplegic athlete Chris Waddell is in the process of doing something spectacular. He is attempting to become the first person to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro without the use of his legs, and as of this writing he is camped at 18,000 feet, and preparing for the final push up to the summit.

Back in 1988, Waddell suffered a terrible skiing accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. But he was determined to get back on the slopes, and less than a year later he did, using a monoski to return to his passion. Two years later he was named to the U.S. Disabled Ski team, and he has since gone on to win 12 medals over four Paralympic games, making him the most decorated male skier in the event’s history.

Not content to just ski down the mountains however, Chris wants to climb them as well. To do so, he has devised a specially designed hand cart lovingly called the Bomba, which can maneuver over large obstacles while Waddell uses his arms to “pedal” it up hill. The Bomba is a unique, one of a kind, vehicle built to put Chris on top of Kilimanjaro, which at 19,340 feet, is the tallest mountain in Africa.

Chris is hoping that, through his climb, he can remind the world of all the amazing things that the disabled are capable of. He hopes to, once again, demonstrate that just because someone is “para” that it doesn’t mean that they have to lead a disabled life, and he is sending that message not only to those of us who can walk, but to the 21 million paraplegics in the world as well.

If everything goes as planned, Waddell and his team should reach the summit of Kilimanjaro sometime today. Keep an eye on his blog for updates from the summit. That last 1300 feet will be incredibly challenging for him, with a difficult route to the top, mixed with some snow, and the effects of altitude, but Chris has proven time and again that he can defy the odds when his goal is in sight.

Good luck today Chris!