Mammoth Mountain Guarantees Snow For Opening Day And Beyond

by Kraig Becker on

Anyone who loves to ski or snowboard can tell you that last winter was less than stellar in terms of snowfall across most of North America. But the long-term outlook for this year appears to be much improved and ski resorts are gearing up for what promises to be a much better season. In fact, the forecasts are so good that Mammoth Mountain, located in California’s Sierra Nevada, is actually guaranteeing snow for opening day.

Skiers who book a stay with Mammoth between now and November 8, the projected opening day, are guaranteed a base depth of at least 10 inches of snow when they hit the slopes. If the base is less than 10 inches, those guests can elect to keep their original registration and receive a $100 gift card or they can reschedule their stay without any kind of fees or penalties.

But the resort is extending its snow guarantee well beyond opening day. The guarantee actually stretches into February with increasing base depths to correspond with the advancing dates. So while Mammoth promises 10 inches of snow in early November, that number actually rises to 28 inches by mid-December, 50 inches by mid-January and 70 inches by mid-February.

The offer for guaranteed snow is extended to those who book their stay early, which in this case means before opening day or November 8, which ever comes first. This is a good option for skiers and snowboarders looking for fresh powder this season as they can book a stay at Mammoth early and if the snow isn’t up to expectations simply move their dates.

For more information on the Mammoth Early Booking Snow Guarantee, click here.

[Photo courtesy Mammoth Mountain]

Liftopia Has Hot Deals On Lift Tickets For The Upcoming Ski Season

by Kraig Becker on

As the last few weeks of summer drag out to their inevitable conclusion it is time to start thinking about the seasons ahead. The crisp air and cooler temperatures of autumn will be a welcome change of pace for many of us who have endured unusually warm temperatures the past few months. But for many travelers and outdoor enthusiasts it is the coming of winter that gets them the most excited. That’s because winter brings fresh powder and the promise of a great ski season ahead.

To help skiers and snowboarders prepare for their winter adventures, Liftopia, the largest online site for purchasing lift tickets, has launched their Red Hot End of Summer Sale. This limited-time event features more than 32,000 deals on discounted passes from over 60 ski resorts across North America. Some of these tickets are being offered at prices that are as much as 86% below their normal price, which makes buying a ski pass in September seem like a really smart idea.

Thinking of heading to Colorado to hit the slopes this year? Liftopia has passes for Aspen/Snowmass at 34% off and Arapahoe Basin for as much as 39% off. Utah’s Snowbird is currently selling at a 45% discount while Idaho’s Tamarack Resort passes are 54% below normal price. Similar discounts are offered for ski destinations in New England, the Pacific Northwest, Canada and beyond.

Liftopia also happens to be the exclusive provider of the Mountain Collective Pass, which is an unbelievable deal for skiers. For just $349, the pass provides two free days at each of the following resorts: Aspen/Snowmass, Alta, Jackson Hole and Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows. It also provides 50% off unlimited lift tickets after that, as well as 25% off accommodations. That is an incredibly affordable way to enjoy some of the best ski resorts in North America, if not the world.

If you’re one of those people who just can’t wait for winter to arrive then you’ll definitely want to check out the deals being offered by Liftopia right now. I know it may seem like winter is still a long way off but it’ll be here before you know it. When it does arrive you’ll be glad you saved some cash in the waning days of summer.

The Mountain Collective Offers Great Savings For Skiers

by Kraig Becker on

Yesterday four of the biggest and best independent ski resorts in North America announced that they are joining forces to offer skiers and snowboarders unprecedented options for the coming winter. This new alliance, dubbed the Mountain Collective, provides access to some of the premiere ski destinations in the entire world at an incredibly affordable price.

The four resorts that make up the Mountain Collective include Alta in Utah; Aspen/Snowmass in Colorado; Jackson Hole in Wyoming; and Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows in California. Collectively these resorts offer visitors over 16,000 skiable acres, 104 lifts and eight unique mountains to explore. The best part of the announcement is that you’ll only need to buy one pass to enjoy all four destinations.

The Mountain Collective Pass, which went on sale yesterday, provides two free days at each resort and a 50 percent discount on unlimited lift tickets once those complimentary days are used up. Additionally, pass holders will be able to take advantage of discounts on lodging as well, earning as much as 25 percent off their stay. Adult passes purchased before November 19 are just $349 and passes for children under the age of 12 are $229.

I know it is hard to think about ski season in the heat of August, but this is an incredibly good deal for lift tickets to some of the best ski resorts in the world. If you’re the kind of person who eagerly counts down the days to the start of the ski season, you’ll definitely want to take advantage of this deal.

[Image credit: Alta Ski Area]


Introducing The Mountain Collective™ from Aspen/Snowmass on Vimeo.

Utah Ski Resort Offers California Residents Free Skiing All Winter Long

by Kraig Becker on

The ski season may still be months away but Eagle Point Ski Resort, located in Beaver, Utah, has already announced its operating schedule, along with some terrific deals for the winter ahead. In addition to offering free skiing on every Thursday in January, the resort is granting California residents fee-free access to their slopes all season long.

After being closed for eight years, Eagle Point was purchased by a new ownership group back in 2010. Since that time the resort has undergone a transformation as millions of dollars were spent to improve the facilities both on and off the slopes. The result is a revamped one-stop ski destination in southern Utah with plenty of amenities. The resort, which receives an average of 450 inches of annual snowfall, features 40 named runs spread out over 600 skiable acres and 1500 vertical feet. Five lifts and two snow cats ensure guests don’t have to wait in long lines, while onsite lodging and dining mean that upon arrival they don’t have to leave the premises either.

For the entire 2012-2013 ski season Eagle Point is offering residents of California free skiing and snowboarding. Visitors from the Golden State will simply need to provide a name and email address and they’ll gain unlimited access to the lifts and ski runs. Resort ownership sees this promotion as a way to raise awareness about their boutique ski destination and help get the word out to skiers and snowboarders in nearby states.

Eagle Point, which is also available for private rental, is scheduled to open for the winter on December 21.

Massive New Ski Resort Gets Approval In British Columbia

by Kraig Becker on

Government officials in British Columbia recently approved a plan to build a massive new ski resort in the province’s Purcell Mountains. When complete, the Jumbo Glacier Alpine Resort will be one of the largest ski areas in all of North America and will become the first on the continent to operate year-round.

It is estimated that it will take approximately two years and $900 million to complete the project, which is expected to open for Christmas 2014. When it does open, Jumbo will stretch across nearly 15,000 acres and will feature 23 lifts. Eventually it will also have as many 5500 rooms for on-site guest accommodations. Its unique location on the Jumbo Glacier will be one of its defining characteristics of course, as that will provide for four-season skiing and snowboarding.

The new project has been in the planning stages for more than 20 years and has been met with resistance from those living close to the new development. Some fear that it will alter the natural landscape and have an adverse effect on the wildlife in the Jumbo Valley where it will be built. As a result, a special grizzly bear protection and management program had to be created before the resort was given the green light and developers had to meet 195 environmental commitments before receiving the seal of approval. When it is completed, Jumbo is expected to draw thousands of visitors to the region on a yearly basis, creating jobs and additional revenue in the process.

I personally know a number of skiers who would love to have the ability to hit the slopes in the dead of summer and in a few years they’ll have that option.