More Colorado Ski Resorts Open In Time For Thanksgiving

by Kraig Becker on

Hoping to hit the slopes for the upcoming long holiday weekend? If you’re heading to Colorado then you’re in luck, as many of the ski resorts will soon be opening for the season. Better yet, much of the state received fresh powder over the past few days, which means there should be some great conditions heading into Thanksgiving.

Keeping with tradition, Arapahoe Basin was amongst the first resorts in the nation to open back in mid-October. They were later joined by both Loveland and Copper Mountain a few weeks later. Today, Winter Park and Wolf Creek open their doors and on Friday of this week Eldora Mountain Resort will get in on the fun, firing up its lifts for the first skiers and snowboarders of the season.

But next week things get really interesting with Crested Butte, Monarch Mountain and Steamboat all opening on Wednesday, November 21. On Thanksgiving Day, Aspen, Cooper, Snowmass and Telluride will welcome their first visitors as well, while Purgatory joins the party on Friday, November 23.

Those hills provide plenty of options for skiers and riders looking to take their first turns of the year, but December brings more choices as winter looms ever nearer. Howelsen and Silverton Mountain both kick off the season on the first of the month, while Sunlight and Aspen Highlands will open their slopes on December 7 and 8 respectively. The following week, Granby Ranch (Dec. 12), Powderhorn (Dec. 13) and Buttermilk (Dec. 15) will round out the schedule.

If you’re itching to hit the slopes then you should have plenty of opportunities very soon. Even if you’re not in Colorado, other resorts are now opening across the U.S.

[Photo Credit: Powderhorn Mountain Resort]

Win A Lifetime Ski Pass For Colorado’s Winter Park

by Kraig Becker on

The 2012-2013 ski season gets underway on November 14 at Colorado’s Winter Park Resort, where the snow has already been falling. To celebrate, the resort is giving away a host of prizes including skis, snowboards and other gear. But the prize that will be the most coveted amongst ski bums everywhere will no doubt be the ski pass that is good for an entire lifetime.

To be eligible to win, entrants must simply “like” Winter Park on Facebook and then fill out a simple online form. The contest runs through January 10, 2013, after which one winner will be selected to receive the pass that is good for unlimited skiing or snowboarding for the rest of his or her life.

Located one hour outside of Denver, Winter Park features 2762 skiable acres spread out across three different mountain peaks. The resort, which averages nearly 350 inches of snow per year, has more than 130 individual runs, most geared for intermediate and advanced skiers or riders. Adrenaline junkies can get their fix in one of six different terrain parks or by taking a run through the resort’s massive Superpipe.

Imagine having this winter outdoor playground at your disposal for the rest of your life. That is the potential for whoever wins this contest and earns themselves a lifetime pass. I’m sure more than a few of you skiers and snowboarders could appreciate winning this particular contest.

[Photo credit: Jameschipmunk via WikiMedia]

Mammoth Mountain Makes Big Changes Ahead Of Opening Day

by Kraig Becker on

California ski resort Mammoth Mountain received its first snowfall of the season last week, which bodes well for their November 8 opening day. But fresh snow won’t be the only thing visitors find when they arrive at Mammoth for opening weekend. The resort has instituted a host of updates and changes that will make the 2012-2013 ski season one to remember.

Snowboarders and free skiers in particular will find plenty to love at Mammoth this season. In addition to their massive Superpipe, which is traditionally the first to open and last to close in North America each year, the new Progression Park is sure to be a big draw. Specifically designed to help skiers and riders improve their skills, the Progression Park starts with some easy features at the beginning and gradually builds to more challenging obstacles further down the hill. Additionally, the new Downtown Collection adds urban themed obstacles to the Main and South Parks, giving snowboarders a whole new set of features to explore.

Mammoth’s new updates and enhancements extend well beyond the slopes and terrain parks, however, as the resort has brought some additional amenities that visitors are sure to love. For instance, new digital lounges have been added to both the Main and Canyon Lodges that offer recharging stations for smartphones and cameras. Those lounges will also provide Internet connections, which will allow visitors to upload their favorite videos and photos to Facebook or Twitter, giving them the opportunity to gloat to friends stuck at home.
Additionally, the onsite daycare center will once again provide infant care for new parents who still want to enjoy a little time on the slopes, while those with kids 7-12 can now get $30 passes so the little ones can get in on the fun too. Additionally, new dining options in the Main Lodge put an emphasis on healthy eating for both children and adults, with vegan and gluten free choices being added to the menu.

As the ski season ramps up near the holidays, air service will resume to Mammoth on December 19. Travelers will then have the option of hopping an affordable flight from Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego and San Francisco directly to the mountain, putting them on the slopes easier and more quickly than ever.

If you’re a skier or snowboarder who is looking forward to the start of the new season, you’ll definitely want to mark November 8 on your schedule. That’s the day that you can finally hit the slopes in Mammoth and enjoy all of the new enhancements for 2012 and 2013. And let’s not forget, Mammoth is so confident that this will be a ski season to remember that they’re even guaranteeing snow.

[Photo courtesy Mammoth Mountain]

Ski Season Officially Begins, Arapahoe Basin Opens Today

by Kraig Becker on

It may be hard to believe, but the North American ski season officially begins today. Colorado’s Arapahoe Basin fires up the chairlifts this morning at 9 a.m. local time and soon there after, skiers and snowboarders will be making their first runs of the year. The resort has announced that its Black Mountain Express lift will be the first in operation, taking guests to the start of the High Noon trail at mid-mountain.

Although the calendar may say that it is only the middle of October, colder weather and snow showers have already begun across parts of Colorado. A-Basin, which is traditionally amongst the first resorts to open each year, receives an average of 350 inches of powder on an annual basis. They’re not even close to that much just yet of course, but they still have a solid base to get things started.

New for 2013, A-Basin will open Pika Place Learning Area in November, giving young skiers and riders a place to hone their skills. Older and more experienced skiers will want to test their abilities at the Rossignol Experience Center, which will give them the chance to build more advanced techniques.

For those planning to ski Arapahoe Basin this year, the resort has a host of different passes available, including their Double Down option. For just $499, that pass gives unlimited and unrestricted access to the mountain for not just this season but all of next season too. If you’re someone who loves to ski or snowboard, that is an incredibly great deal.

Over the course of the next few weeks, more ski resorts across the western United States will start to open their doors for the 2012-2013 season. If you’re getting antsy to hit the slopes, chances are you’ll get the opportunity very soon.

[Photo credit: Casey Day]

Colorado’s Arapahoe Basin Offers Two-Season Double Down Ski Pass

by Kraig Becker on

It may be hard to believe but a new ski season is closer than you think. The mountaintops of Colorado have already started to receive light snow and ski resorts across the Western states are already busy preparing for opening day. One of those resorts is the legendary Arapahoe Basin, which is generally amongst the first hills to open each year and the last to close as well. That long season makes A-Basin an extremely popular destination for avid skiers and snowboarders who have become accustomed to getting their moneys worth out of their season pass.

This year, the folks at the resort have actually made it even easier for us to cash in on the savings. Until the end of the year, they’re offering their new Double Down 2-Season Pass for just $499. The pass grants unlimited and unrestricted access to Arapahoe Basin for the entire 2012/2013 season as well as all of the 2013/2014 season. Yep, just as the name implies, the pass will take care of all your skiing needs for the next two years.

But that’s not all. The pass also entitles the holder to 10 percent discounts on food and beverages, with the same discount applying to any retail items bought in the ski shop. It also allows for reduced ticket prices for any friends and family members who happen to tag along, not to mention special pricing on lessons and performance tuning of skis or snowboards too.

Last year wasn’t a particularly good one for snow at most of the Colorado resorts. But A-Basin averages 350 inches of fresh powder each winter, which means even on a down year it’s still a pretty good place to hit the slopes. The mountain features 900 skiable acres with 108 total trails, the longest of which is more than 1.5 miles in length. With that much room to roam, there are enough runs for everyone to explore no matter if they’re a beginner or an expert.

Arapahoe Basin is expected to open in mid-October and typically doesn’t close until May, giving it one of the longest ski seasons of any place in North America.