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TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival: The season ender party to rule them all!

Whistler, B.C. - Voted Whistler's Best Event in Pique Newsmagazine's annual awards, the TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival is back for its 17th year and is bringing back all the goodies plus some extra toppings in the way of sports, arts and music. With the Mayans pitting the end of the world for December 21st, this could be your last chance to strap on that board, click on those skis, and get your shred on. From April 13-22, Whistler Blackcomb resort will be transformed into a thriving hub of foot-stomping live music, adrenaline pumping sports competitions and awe-inspiring arts and lifestyle events. Plain and simple, you couldn't ask for more, and you couldn't ask for a better way to see out what could be the last winter on earth.

This year sees the rejuvenation of Fashion Exposed, complete with an apocalyptic theme and sexy, sassy fashion brands strutting the runway in preparation for the end of the world. Adding to the energetic vibe will be a selection of incredible dance crews, vying for top spot in the Freeze Dance Showcase. Busting mind-blowing moves, these crews are being judged by the fashion elite, the audience themselves, for the People's Choice Award and $1000 prize. The end of the world may be coming, but at least we'll be going out in style! The Fashion Exposed: Armageddon, and Freeze Dance Showcase will be held on Friday April 20 in the Whistler Conference Centre.

Already in the music lineup is the world famous, and self-proclaimed genre-smashing, band The Cat Empire. Playing Sunday April 15th, The Cat Empire will help kick off the 10 days of festivities with their iconic 'anything goes' sound. Up and comers from Saskatoon, the Sheepdogs, purveyors of "good ol' fashioned Rock and Roll", rock the mainstage on the following Sunday, April 22nd. With many more acts to be announced.

The bad boys of energy town, Monster Energy, are back to present The Shred Show, 5 days of steezy shredness from the who's who of snowboarding. From their infamous party style to their do-or-die snowboarding attitude, these riders lay it all on the line for the true snowboarding lifestyle. Presenting a Big Hip competition, alongside firm favourites in slopestyle and moguls, Monster Energy's The Shred Show is more than just snowboarding, it's a way of life. The Shred Show: April 13-17

The Association of Freeskiing Professionals, AFP, is back to present the World Skiing Invitational, and set the bar that little bit higher in the freeskiing world. Ranked as platinum on the freeskiing lineup, the crème de la crème will be out to thrown down and show the hill who's boss. The evolution of freeskiing is well underway and the best in the world will be out to defend their titles alongside the rising stars of the ski world who will be out in full force to challenge them. There will be hundreds of thousands of dollars on the line, infinite bragging rights, and the opportunity to be crowned at the World Championships of 2012. World Skiing Invitational: April 18-22.

Après Ski Party with live music this Saturday - February 4th .

Bousquet Mountain is having an Après Ski Party this Saturday night at the Tamarack Lounge, on the deck and on the mountain. Entertainment begins at 4:30 with Tor, followed by Tony Lee Thomas at 7, Billy Keane around 8pm and Bousquet's favorite DJ Larry "the Tuneman" Kratka playing your favorites until the night is done.

The Berkshire carousel will have rounding boards on the top of the carousel with murals designed and painted by local artists. A mural depicting the scenic vista of Bousquet Mountain will be one of the murals.

In an effort to support this worthwhile project Bouquets will host the fundraiser Saturday evening starting at 4:30pm.

A $10 lift ticket will be offered with a voucher you can download from our website for the event which offers event attendees a night on the slopes and a follow up party with a cash bar. Activities will include an on the mountain Poker Run, an indoor ski race game, an ugly sweater contest and an appearance from the shot-ski. All proceeds from the lift tickets and activities will go to support the Berkshire Carousel project. Please come out and spend a night with us and have some fun and support a great cause.

Gift certificates have been donated from local businesses to support this event to include the Dakota Restaurant, Shaker Mill Tavern, The Arcadian Shop and Arizona Pizza.

We look forward to seeing you at this worthwhile event…and, of course, I appreciate your business.

George and Bousquet's Staff.

Wrightwood, CA - January 30, 2012: Mountain High is proud to announce its latest snowboarding game, the Cholula Triple Air, available on both PCs and Macs. Ever dream of flying over 70 foot kickers throwing back to back switch Rodeo 900s, Double Back Flips, and Triple Cork 1260s? Well now you can! Mountain High has made it easy with their new Cholula Triple Air game and, best of all, it's FREE! Just click the link to start playing online.

The Cholula Triple Air game is branded with signature graphics and competitors have the ability to customize their players; male or female, regular or goofy, pants, jackets, hats, goggles, and more. A short tutorial is recommended to get familiar with the controls and then it's on to the big event. Almost anything is possible and, once at the bottom, riders have the ability to replay their runs and take snapshots of their favorite tricks.

Mountain High will be hosting the game through Monday, February 6th, and then awarding the top 5 competitors who post their high scores on the resort's Facebook page with free lift tickets. There is no limit to the number of times you can play and there is no cost to enter. Try it now!

And then don't miss the REAL Cholula Triple Air in memory of Chuck Allen this Saturday, February 4th. $20,000 is on the line and this year first place takes home $5,000 in the Men's Snowboarding Division, $3,500 in Open Skiing, and $2,000 in Women's Snowboarding. The Cholula Triple Air is unlike any other big air event of its kind and for 14 straight years, riders like Shaun White, Zak Hale, and Keegan Valaika have competed. Instead of one big jump, skiers and snowboarders must tackle three humongous kickers making their landings and execution crucial. Riders are scored on their best of two runs and the top 10 finishers make their way to the finals where awards are paid out to 5th place.

The Cholula Triple Air has been upgraded to a 3 star TTR (Ticket To Ride) event this year which means competitors will earn points towards their overall worldwide ranking. The TTR standard is what competitive snowboarders use to rank themselves against each other, and earn entry into events like the Grand Prix and the Olympics.

Says John McColly, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, "This is our biggest event of the season and with $5,000 on the line for first place, you know there is going to be some heavy competition."

This is an open event but space is limited so competitors are encouraged to register early Friday, February 3rd. There is no pre-registration at this time. Below is the complete listing of event details including the prize purse breakdown. Don't miss Mountain High's richest single-day event, the $20,000 Cholula Triple Air…an event that is as great for spectators as it is for competitors.

Schedule:
Contest Dates: Saturday February 4th, 2012
Practice: (A Full Day of Practice) Friday, February 3rd, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Additional Practice: Saturday 8:30 to 9:00 a.m.
Registration Times: Friday 7:30 to 12:00 p.m. and Saturday 7:00 to 9:00 a.m.
Rider's Meeting: Saturday 10 a.m.
Competition: Saturday 10:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Registration:
Online Registration: Open Starting Friday January 7, 2012
Rider Cap: 150
Fee: $150 Men's ($125 Women's & Ski)
Includes: 2-day Lift Passes (February 3rd & 4th)
Location: Mountain High West Resort in the Big Pines Lodge.

Competition:
Location: Mountain High West Resort
Course: Three 40 to 60 foot jumps in a row.
Divisions: Open Snowboard Men's, Open Snowboard Women's, Open Skier
Format: Two runs judged on best run. The top 10 from the qualifiers advance to the finals for another best of two runs.

Cash Purse Breakdown:
Open Snowboard Men's:
1st - $5,000
2nd - $2,500
3rd - $1,500
4th - $600
5th - $200

Open Snowboard Women's:
1st - $2,000
2nd -$1,000
3rd - $500
4th - $100
5th - $50

Open Ski:
1st - $3,500
2nd - $2,000
3rd - $750
4th - $200
5th - $100

U.S. SKI AND SNOWBOARD ASSOCIATION USSA REVOLUTION TOUR

US SKI AND SNOWBOARD ASSOCIATION JANUARY 30, 2012

OTSEGO CENTRAL DIVISION

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

S N O W B O A R D B O A R D E R C R O S S L A D I E S

OFFICIAL RESULTS

JURY TECHNICAL DATA

TD FIS T. SCHAEFER (USA) COURSE CHAIR 5

REFEREE N. ALEXAKOS (USA) START 415 M

CHIEF OF RACE K. SHORR (USA) FINISH 190 M

VERTICAL DROP 225 M

LENGTH 570 M

FIS HOMOLOG.Nr.

1st RUN 2nd RUN

COURSE SETTER W. VAN GILDER (USA)

FORERUNNERS -A- -A-

-B- -B-

-C- -C-

-D- -D-

-E- -E-

FEATURES/DIR CHANGE 11/(6) /()

START TIME 9.30 5.00

WEATHER: SNOWING SNOW: PACKED POWDER TEMP. S: -7 C F: -7 C

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PL BIB FIS COMPETITOR----------------------------- QUALIFY RANK IN RACE

Nr Nr SURNAME+NAME CLS NAT/YR TIME ROUND POINTS

Finals

1 8 9045005 TAYLOR, Amanda MID AUS/90 1 90.00

2 6 9535296 KOBAYASHI, Karen J-2 USA/95 2 72.00

3 10 9535129 BOOTH, Elizabeth MID USA/91 3 54.00

4 3 9535201 HARVEY, Kristen MID USA/91 4 45.00

Semi-Finals

5 1 9535290 STASSEL, Allison J-2 USA/95 1 40.50

6 9 9535260 HEDMAN, Aimee USA/84 2 36.00

7 19 9105214 HERRON, Elle J-2 CAN/95 3 32.40

8 2 9535213 DOLGIN, Alyssa J-1 USA/93 4 28.80

Qualifier

9 21 9045044 TURNBULL, Biba J-1 AUS/94 47.28 3 26.10

10 7 9045053 TUDHOPE, Annabel J-2 AUS/95 47.59 3 23.40

11 11 9535318 LOBELL, Marian J-2 USA/95 48.46 3 21.60

12 22 9535272 EDWARDS, Noelle J-2 USA/96 49.06 3 19.80

OTSEGO USA7459.9999 SF8 / 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

U.S. SKI AND SNOWBOARD ASSOCIATION

USSA REVOLUTION TOUR

US SKI AND SNOWBOARD ASSOCIATION JANUARY 30, 2012

OTSEGO CENTRAL DIVISION

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PL BIB FIS COMPETITOR----------------------------- QUALIFY RANK IN RACE

Nr Nr SURNAME+NAME CLS NAT/YR TIME ROUND POINTS

13 14 9535353 MCGORISK, Kelsey J-1 USA/94 49.77 4 18.00

14 5 9535165 BARCIA, Miranda USA/83 49.93 4 16.20

15 18 9535335 BOOMHOWER, Olivia J-1 USA/93 50.27 4 14.40

16 12 9535330 O NEILL, Brooke MID USA/91 52.02 4 13.50

Qualifier

17 4 9535321 WILLIAMSON, Brittany J-2 USA/95 52.08 12.60

18 17 9105240 CLOW, Kaitlyn J-2 CAN/95 52.53 11.70

19 13 9535289 BREWER, Brooke J-1 USA/94 52.59 10.80

20 15 9535334 WEIRICH, Summer MID USA/87 53.14

21 20 9535340 LACHENDRO, Autumn USA/80 54.48

Whiteface, in Wilmington, N.Y., has received seven inches of fresh powder, on the upper mountain, over the last 24 hours and two inches on the lower mountain. Today, the Olympic mountain is skiing 59 trails with eight lifts going up.

The Nordic center at Mt. Van Hoevenberg also woke up snow this morning. Five inches fell overnight and today all 50K is open.

Due to snow conditions, the 30th Lake Placid Loppet has been postponed from Feb. 3-4 to March 9-10. The Lake Placid Loppet has established itself as one of the best events of its kind in the country. Since 1981, thousands of skiers have enjoyed skiing and racing on the challenging Mt. Van Hoevenberg trails at the Olympic Sports Complex.

The updated Lake Placid Loppet schedule online.

Friday, March 9, 2012
Olympic Sports Complex Cross Country Lodge

· 3:00 p.m. - Bib Pickup and Late Registration Open

· Complimentary beverages & hors d'oeuvres

· Fireside chat with old friends and new

· 6:30 p.m. - "Waxing for Race Day" Clinic

· 6:30 p.m. - .5km Kids Race Free for all children 12 and under

· 8:00 p.m. - Bib Pickup, Late Registration Close

Saturday, March 10, 2012
Olympic Sports Complex Cross Country Lodge

· 7:00 a.m. - Bib Pickup

· 8:30 a.m. - Bib Pickup Closes

· 9:00 a.m. - 50K Classic Technique Race Start

· 9:15 a.m. - 25K Classic Technique Race Start

· 10:00 a.m. - 50K Free Technique Race Start

· 10:15 a.m. - 25K Free Technique Race Start

· 3:00 p.m. - Awards Banquet - Lake Placid Conference Center

In addition, the 32nd Empire State Winter Games Nordic events have been moved from Mt. Van Hoevenberg to the Olympic Jumping Complex where a 1k loop is being built to host cross country, biathlon, adaptive cross country and adaptive biathlon.

A total of 60 competitors in the two day event with two Italian racers coming out on top

MT. CRESTED BUTTE, Colo. - Jan. 29 - Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) hosted the inaugural GORE-TEX North American Ski Mountaineering Championships this weekend under sunny skies with competitors from Italy, Spain, Slovakia, Canada and the United States. Day One of the race was a short sprint course leading racers on a quick up and down at the ski resort, early yesterday morning. Today during Day Two, the individual race course climbed roughly 5,000 vertical feet and took racers to the Peak of Crested Butte Mountain; an elevation of 12,162 feet. A route of this difficulty has never been seen in a North American competition before; a low class-five technical boot pack ascent via fixed rope up the famed Guides Ridge. Racers were required to use mountaineering gear to fully harness themselves into 1,000 feet of line rigged by Crested Butte Professional Ski Patrol along the narrow ridge.

"Today's event put mountaineering back into the sport of ski mountaineering," says Bryan Wickenhauser, race director. "Crested Butte Mountain Resort is the venue to showcase ski mountaineering in North America, offering the perfect terrain for a race of this caliber."

After two days of racing, Manfred Reichegger from Italy finished first in the men's field with a combined time of 2:03:23, with Lorenzo Holzknecht, also of Italy, and Reiner Thoni, of Canada, taking second and third, respectively. Janelle Smiley, of Crested Butte, led the women with an overall time of 2:45:39. Sari Anderson, of Carbondale, CO came in second place and Stevie Kremer, another Crested Butte local, finished third.

"ISMF was very pleased to have another international calendar event in North America, says David Dorian, technical judge for the International Ski Mountaineering Federation. "Crested Butte was admirable, the community stepped up to put on this event and the terrain here was fantastic. We are very appreciative of the resources the resort gave and yes, we hope to be able to return someday."

Results:

RACE DIVISION - MEN

1 Manfred Reichegger Italy 2:03:23

2 Lorenzo Holzknecht Italy 2:07:16

3 Reiner Thoni Canada 2:12:47

4 Luke Nelson United States 2:20:11

5 Jason Dorais United States 2:24:58

6 Marshall Thomson United States 2:26:43

7 Jared Inouye United States 2:29:37

8 Andrew McNab Canada 2:32:14

9 Travis Scheefer United States 2:35:12

10 Andy Dorais United States 2:35:30

RACE DIVISION - WOMEN

1 Janelle Smiley United States 2:45:39

2 Sari Anderson United States 2:50:31

3 Stevie Kremer United States 3:09:14

4 Gemma Arro Ribot Spain 3:19:05

5 Melanie Bernier Canada 3:19:30

6 Jari Kirkland United 3:24:35

7 Julie Matteau Canada 3:43:34

8 Lindsay Plant United States 3:56:34

9 Lyndsay Meyer United States 3:57:27

10 Jen Gersbach United States 4:01:16

A day of racing, music, fun and giveaways.

Henniker, NH , January 29, 2012 - Pats Peak , New Hampshire's premier family snowsports destination, announces its participation in the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge (MDVC) series on Sunday, February 5, 2012. This is the 22nd Season of the MDVC! It's a fun, all day event for the whole family with a slalom race, prizes, giveaways, awards party and more, sponsored by Mountain Dew.

This fun race takes place on the Downdraft slope. The race is free of charge to all who have purchased a Pats Peak lift ticket for that day or have a Pats Peak Season Pass. The race is open to skiers and snowboarders of all ages and abilities with over 30 race categories. The top 3 racers in each category are awarded Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals. All medal winners receive free lift tickets for the Finals on Saturday, March 31 at Mount Snow , VT for the chance to compete for the Gold.

Registration is from 7:30am to 10am in the Main Lodge. Children under 18-years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Save time on event day and complete the pre-registration form online. For more information and the complete Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge schedule, check online. The Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge Race starts at 10am. The Race Awards and a Victory Party is at 1:30pm. Participants and resort guests will be entertained throughout the day with exciting interactive games, music, thousands in raffle prizes and plenty of FREE Mountain Dew!

"We are excited to be hosting the annual Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge again this year", say Jim Wall, events director. "Many of our skiers and riders look forward to this event. Since it is on Super Bowl Sunday so we have moved up the start times in order for everyone to can get in their race, enjoy the vertical awards party and then get home in time for the big game".

ASPEN, COLORADO (January 28, 2012) - It was a two-medal day for Canada under beautiful sunny skies at the X Games superpipe today as Rosalind Groenewoud took gold and Noah Bowman earned the silver medal.

Groenewoud said it was the love and support she felt from the ski community in the wake of Sarah Burke's death that boosted her to her first X Games gold here today in the halfpipe.

The five-time X Games competitor whose previous best result was bronze said, "I just let all that love lift me up, I definitely had my teammate with me today, she's been with me for so long," said Groenewoud in the finish area as she raised her ski and added, "for Sarah."

It was a bittersweet moment for Calgary's Groenewoud, who said she would have preferred if her close friend and teammate had been there in the finish line to give her a hug.

Wearing her signature Canada maple leaf bandana and bright red lipstick, Groenewoud boosted an enormous 14-foot straight air off her first hit in the pipe on her winning run. She followed it by landing her first unnatural 720 in her X Games career.

Silver medalist American Maddie Bowman joined a plethora of women here who pulled off 900s (two-and-a-half revolutions). She scored 92.00. Brita Sigourney, also of the US, scored 90.66 and performed a difficult 1080 - a trick that Burke pioneered for women.

"There was a lot of great skiing by the girls today and it's definitely Sarah's example. The best way to do her legacy justice is to push ourselves and so, that's what we're trying to do," said Groenewoud.

Edmonton, Alta's Keltie Hansen was sixth today at 86.33; Dara Howell of Huntsville, Ont. was 7th at 70.66; and, Calgary's Megan Gunning was 8th at 49.00.

On the men's side, Bowman came into the event a true underdog. In fact, the Calgary-native was second alternate until he got a call two-hours prior to Friday's elimination round saying that he had a spot.

With nothing to lose, Bowman attempted a trick in the elimination round that no one else is doing, and one that he had only learned the day before - an 'alley-oop dub nine'. That, and the rest of his run, was enough to earn him a spot in today's finals where he successfully landed it again.

His bravado impressed the judges and the crowd who began chanting "Noah" before his second and third runs. And it earned Bowman the silver medal at 90.00.

The self-effacing, shaggy-haired 19-year-old said, "Well, I just learned that trick a couple of days ago and it seems to be working out, so I'm going to stick with it." He added,
Noah was flanked by Americans David Wise and Torin Yater-Wallace on the podium, who scored 93.00 and 89.66, respectively.

Edmonton, Alberta's Mike Riddle landed in 7th after he pulled his ski off mid-air on his final run.

Justin Dorey of Vernon, B.C. dislocated his shoulder after a nasty fall on his second run. He finished the day in 8th.
Penticton's Matt Margetts and Calgary's Kris Atkinson did not progress to finals.

FIS World Cup freestyle action continues in Calgary tomorrow with the Canada Post Grand Prix Aerials event.

WINTER X GAMES ASPEN 2012: SKIING SUPERPIPE WOMEN'S FINAL
Final Results from Aspen/Snowmass on Saturday, January 28, 2012

	Name	Bib No.	Hometown	Score
1.	Roz Groenewoud	363	Calgary, AB, Canada	93.66
2.	Maddie Bowman	360	South Lake Tahoe, Calif.	92.00
3.	Brita Sigourney	367	Carmel, Calif.	90.66
4.	Anais Caradeux	361	La Clusaz, France	89.00
5.	Devin Logan	352	West Dover, Vt.	87.66
6.	Keltie Hansen	365	Edmonton, AB, Canada	86.33
7.	Dara Howell	350	Hunstville, ON, Canada	70.66
8.	Megan Gunning	364	Calgary, AB, Canada	49.00

WINTER X GAMES ASPEN 2012: SKI SUPERPIPE MEN'S FINAL
Final Results from Aspen/Snowmass on Saturday, January 28, 2012

	Name	Bib No.	Hometown	Score
1.	David Wise	335	Reno, Nev.	93.00
2.	Noah Bowman	338	Calgary, AB, Canada	90.00
3.	Torin Yater-Wallace	336	Aspen, Colo.	89.66
4.	Kevin Rolland	333	La Plagne, France	89.33
5.	Tucker Perkins	331	North Hampton, N.H.	88.33
6.	Simon Dumont	326	Bethel, Maine	87.00
7.	Mike Riddle	332	Sherwood Park, AB, Canada	80.33
8.	Justin Dorey	325	Vernon, B.C., Canada	38.33

Stratton Event Raises Over $91,000

STRATTON MOUNTAIN, Vermont, January 28, 2012 - The tenth annual Tubbs Romp to Stomp Out Breast Cancer at Stratton Mountain raised over $91,500 for the VT/NH Affiliate of Susan G. Komen, with funds still rolling in.

Snowshoers emerged in all shapes and sizes, some even on four legs. The Sun Bowl trails were a sea of pink and smiles with 849 participants - young and old, first timers and veterans, from near and far - Romping across Stratton's sun-soaked trails in celebration and in memory of friends and family and to eliminate breast cancer.

The event's top individual fundraiser, breast cancer survivor Brenda Estella, took the honor for the second consecutive year. Estella raised $7,525, shattering her own record from last year, $5,930.

Estella's team, Five for the Girls, raised $12,695 in support of their friend.

"We're family members, we're friends," Estella replied when asked what fueled her team to come out for the fifth consecutive year, "we're just people that want to do it for a good cause."

Their incredible sum was eclipsed only by the highest ranking team, Cook with Love, who solicited $14,803.

Whether romping on two feet, in a baby bjorn or on a leash, the costumes and enthusiasm couldn't be beat. All proceeds benefit the VT NH Affiliate, with 75 percent dedicated to local breast cancer education, treatment and screening programs, the remaining 25 percent supports national research.

OVER FOUR FEET OF NEW SNOW

New Snow Combined with Superior Snowmaking Systems Allow Vail Resorts Properties to Offer Finest Conditions at Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE and TRUCKEE, Calif. - Jan. 27, 2012 - Fresh off a powerful Lake Tahoe snowstorm that dropped over four feet of new snow over three days, Heavenly Mountain Resort and Northstar California Resort have announced that they will open more new terrain for the upcoming weekend. The new natural snowfall combined with two resorts' expertise in snowmaking and grooming allow them to lay claim to the most open trails and finest surface conditions Lake Tahoe has to offer.

After receiving five feet of new snow, Northstar has opened 89 trails accessed by 15 lifts featuring top-to-bottom skiing and riding on 2,280 vertical feet of terrain. The resort also has Lake Tahoe's only 22-foot Superpipe, 20 terrain park features, all three of its on-mountain lodges open daily, as well as lift-served snow tubing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

"It will be obvious to our guests that when a commitment to early-season snowmaking gets a little help from Mother Nature, the results are truly impressive," said Bill Rock, chief operating officer at Northstar. "While we wait for more snow to fall, we will continue to make snow and offer our guests access to the the best snow conditions, most open trails and most complete winter mountain resort experience in North Lake Tahoe."

On Lake Tahoe's South Shore, Heavenly received nearly four feet of new snow, allowing it to open 66 trails accessed by 24 lifts with top-to-bottom skiing and riding on Lake Tahoe's longest vertical drop of 3,500 feet. The resort also continues to offer Ante Up Terrain Park featuring 20 jibs and two 50-foot jumps, as well as the West Coast's largest tubing operation. For the weekend, Heavenly plans to open Galaxy Chairlift and the associated trails, Groove Terrain Park with six jumps and 18 creative features, and Lakeview Lodge, which is the final of Heavenly's nine on-mountain restaurants to open.

"Heavenly's elevation, the highest of any Lake Tahoe resort at over 10,000 feet, combined with our superior snowmaking and grooming, plus a little help from Mother Nature equals some of the finest skiing and snowboarding conditions Lake Tahoe has to offer," said Pete Sonntag, Heavenly's general manager. "With the President's holiday coming up, Heavenly and Northstar are uniquely positioned to offer the best winter resort experience at Lake Tahoe."

Heavenly is offering 33 percent off President's Week if guests book before February 10, 2012. Prices start as low as $108 per person. Stay & Ski Free lodging packages start at just $115 per person, per night at Northstar. Some restrictions apply.

( January 27, 2012 , Ellicottville , NY ...) With an almost weekly weather cycle between cold and snowy and warm and rainy, the 2012 Western New York winter weather that skiers and riders usually count on has been full of tricks and twists.

But despite what Mother Nature has in mind, Holiday Valley has an amazing amount of snow. To create a thick blanket of durable base snow, Holiday Valley has, more than ever, relied on its substantial snowmaking capacity which covers 95% of the trails. At this time the resort is reporting a 14-51 inch average base depth. This weekend Holiday Valley will operate all 13 of its lifts including 3 high speed quads, 8 quads and 2 surface lifts. Over 45 slopes will be open and the resort will be hosting 2 USASA Boardercross events on the Moonshadow slope.

Over the past 10 years Holiday Valley has invested over $3.3 million in snowmaking expansions and upgrades. Spruce Lake was built in 2006 which created a 62 million gallon snowmaking reservoir at the top of the mountain. Underground pipes that carry water throughout the resort have been replaced with larger diameter pipes to increase the snowmaking capacity. Each year new snowmaking guns have been added to increase coverage.

In preparation for the 2011-2012 season the resort installed a new automated snowmaking system on one of its main trails, the mile long Mardi Gras. The HKD Klik automation system has proven to be a wise investment, as all 28 guns can be turned on or off simultaneously, allowing for the resort to make snow in short windows of cold temperatures.

The weather is predicted to continue to fluctuate through the next week, but Holiday Valley snowmakers are standing by to make more snow at every opportunity. According to Director of Mountain Operations, Steve Crowley, "We'll be making snow 'round the clock as weather permits through the month of February. The Mountain Crews are committed to doing their best so that our skiers and riders can have a great time at Holiday Valley."

Attitash Mountain Resort - Scheduled to spin 9 lifts and have 54 trails for the weekend (with possibly more trails & glades to be opened by Ski Patrol depending on what the backside of this storm delivers for additional snow and if we avoid any afternoon freezing rain and overnight freeze creating a breakable crust). For events, après & entertainment:

· Saturday, 1/28

UNH Ski Team Alpine Racing Carnival - Men's and Women's Slalom events scheduled on Illusion trail at Bear Peak . Trail will be closed to the public.

Ptarmigan's Pub - Full Circle performs and is joined by Boston 's 100.7fm WZLX and Budweiser for promotional fun, prizes, and giveaways for skiers & riders age 21+

The acoustic Den Sessions at Bear Peak features Al Schafner

Nor'Easter Mountain Coaster open for weekend 10am - 4pm

Wildcat Mountain - Scheduled to spin 3 lifts and have 43 trails for the weekend (same thing, possibly additional trails & terrain to open depending on backside of this storm)

· Saturday, 1/28

Wildcat Pub Party with Pat Foley with Budweiser prizes and promotions for skiers age 21+

· Sunday, 1/29

Sunday Acoustic Chill in the Wildcat Pub with Bill Came ron . Also, $30 Sunday Funday afternoon lift tickets available at Wildcat & Attitash.

Looking ahead, we have a couple of upcoming special ticket promotions available at both Wildcat & Attitash Mountain :

· Sunday, February 5: Sunday's Big Game $46 Lift Ticket Deal - Enjoy a full day of skiing and riding with plenty of time before kickoff. Cannot be combined with other offers.

· Tuesday, February 14: Valentine's Day 2-for-1 $63 Lift Ticket Deal - Bring your loved one and purchase two full day lift tickets for just $63! Not applicable to Junior, Young Adult, or Senior ticket rate, cannot be combined with other offers.

Henniker, NH , January 26, 2012 - PATS PEAK , southern New Hampshire 's favorite mountain, announces it will be hosting the 2nd Annual American Cancer Society's Hope on the Slopes event on Sunday, February 12th. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. with skiing/riding beginning at 8:30 a.m. and snowtubing at 9:00 a.m.

Hope on the Slopes is a fun, memorable experience and a great way to raise money to fight cancer. Participants enjoy a day of fun, exercise, and camaraderie, while honoring someone they love whom this disease has affected. Whether you're a recreational skier, a snowboarder, a downhill racer, a tubing enthusiast, or just want to help in the fight against cancer, you can join this worthwhile event.

Participants gather donations from friends and family and enjoy a fun-filled day on the slopes. A $35 registration fee ($15 for Pats Peak Season Pass Holders) and a minimum of $100 raised per participant, includes a full-day lift or tubing ticket. Raise $150 to compete in the Vertical Challenge and raise $500 to be eligible to win a 2012/2013 Pats Peak Season Pass.

"It's a great spin on the classic "Relay" events. We love to see the skiers and riders come out to support a great cause! Their "Skiing in Memory of …" and "Riding in Honor of …" badges really make a great statement on the mountain!", says Celina Braun, Group Sales Coordinator.

BOLTON VALLEY, Vt. (Jan. 16, 2012) - In an effort to show that winter has finally "popped" in Vermont, Bolton Valley, big mountain skiing and riding packed with value just 30 minutes from Burlington, will be selling through this Friday at four Vermont ski and snowboard shops, a limited number of $29 lift tickets valid during the 2011-2012 season.

Only 250 tickets will be sold at the South Burlington, Burlington, Montpelier, and Richmond shops, and there is a limit of two tickets per customer.

"We know winter has been hiding for awhile, but, along with our trail count and natural snowfall total, it has finally popped," said Josh Arneson, director of sales and marketing at Bolton. "We have partnered with four, local Vermont shops to sell these specially priced lift tickets. With more than half off of a weekend lift ticket price, visiting one of these shops this week to grab these tickets is a no-brainer."

Lift tickets are valid for a day of skiing or riding any day until the end of the 2011-12 season, excluding Feb. 18-26, 2012. Tickets are non-refundable. Tickets purchased at the sale are not valid at the lifts and must be turned in at Guest Services for a lift ticket on the day you would like to ski. Tickets may not be resold. Tickets are valid for all ages.

Tickets may be purchased through Jan. 20, from 4-7 p.m., at the following locations:

Tuesday, January 17th
Alpine Shop, 1184 Williston Rd. South Burlington, Alpineshopvt.com

Wednesday, January 18th
Gear X, Outdoor Gear Exchange, 37 Church St. Burlington, Gearx.com

Thursday, January 19th
SlopeStyle Ski and Ride, 92 River St. Montpelier, Slopestylevt.com

Friday, January 20th
Ski and Snowboard Express, 4 West Main St. Richmond, Skiexpressvt.com
Ski and Snowboard Express is sweetening the deal by offering: 10% off any new Giro helmets; 15% off a helmet and goggle purchase; and 15% off any Level or Zanier Gloves.

Bolton Valley is Vermont's most convenient and affordable big mountain skiing. Less than 10 minutes from I-89 and less than 30 minutes from Burlington, the family-friendly mountain offers skiers and riders of all abilities three mountain peaks with 70 trails and 6 lifts, plus 3 terrain parks including the Burton Progression Park.

Jump On It 2012 Tour Stop at Attitash Will Allow Skiers/Riders to Practice Aerial Maneuvers

Bartlett, NH - Currently the only East coast stop, U.S. Airbag will have its newest giant airbag set up in Bartlett , New Hampshire at Attitash Mountain Resort on Friday, January 20 through Sunday, January 22 allowing skiers and snowboarders to utilize this newer freestyle trick training and development product. The airbag is used as a safety cushion to softly catch riders after a jump, whether it is a beginner level skier or a professional rider. Manufactured by U.S. Airbag in the USA , their new airbag is a 50 foot by 50 foot inflatable with adjustable vents to allow for varying softness. The participants ski or snowboard off a regular jump and land on top of the airbag, allowing their impact force to be absorbed by the inflatable, greatly reducing risk of injury.

"Airbags allow skiers and snowboarders to try tricks that they might otherwise be doing for the first time on snow where there may be a greater risk of injury," said Frank Hennigan, an Attitash seasonal freestyle coach. "They are becoming a popular and low cost training option at resorts and it should be a great weekend for Attitash to get a sense of what it's like to operate and facilitate one."

Skiers and riders 12 years and older are invited to come and try tricks and softly land on this giant stunt airbag. A regular lift ticket or Attitash/Wildcat season pass is required in addition to the cost of purchasing jump tickets. Jump tickets will be $5 for 2 jumps; $10 for 5 jumps; or $25 for 15 jumps. U.S. Airbag staff will be selling tickets directly at the jump site and it will be required that persons show their valid lift ticket or season pass and will be required to sign additional liability forms (or have parent/guardian signature required for skiers and riders between age 12 - 18) when purchasing the jump tickets.

Aspen/Snowmass is being treated to wonderful powder day today with over 6 inches being dropped across the mountains and still snowing. Please note: Call in sick tomorrow! This is your 'official note' to take off work and go ski or ride tomorrow as the conditions will be stellar!

In honor of the 10 year anniversary of the 2002 Winter Games Snowbasin will be hosting a volunteer appreciation day on February 16^th. Snowbasin will offer a special $20.02 day lift ticket for those who wear their 2002 Winter Games Volunteer Coat and or Credentials. People will also be meeting on Earl's Plaza at 1:00 pm for a group photo.

"Snowbasin has been looking forward to celebrating the 10^th anniversary of the 2002 Winter Games and what better way to celebrate than give back to the all the volunteers that worked hard to make the games such a big success" said Steve Andrus, Director of Events and Sales at Snowbasin.

Snowbasin hosted the Men's and Women's Downhill, Super G, and Combined events during the 2002 Winter Games. "Hosting the downhill events during the 2002 Winter Games has really benefited Snowbasin and the Ogden area" Steve Andrus continues "That was one of the reasons The Dew Tour looked at Snowbasin as a venue and now we host their Championship stop. The legacy of the games is something that will carry on for years to come."

WILMINGTON, N.Y. --- Before Sunday's big game, get your game face on at Whiteface Mountain , in Wilmington , N.Y. It's Super Football Sunday, Feb. 5, presented by Bud Light, at the Olympic mountain, where skiing and riding is just $35 for adults, $30 for teens and $25 for juniors.

While at Whiteface join in on the slope-style competition for your chance to win a pair of K2 Revival skis. Plus, follow us on Facebook and vote for your favorite feature.

At the end of day, there's a tailgate party in the Cloudspin Lounge complete with Bud Light specials and live music with the Blind Owl Band.

Whiteface boasts the East's greatest vertical drop and was recently selected as the top destination for Off-Hill activities by readers of SKI Magazine. The 22nd annual survey also tabbed Whiteface Mountain as the fourth top ski resort in the eastern United States .

Whiteface, Wilmington and Lake Placid also received high marks from the magazine's readers for its scenery (#2), resort dining (#3), après ski (#3), mountain character (#4), family programs (#7), challenging terrain (#7), overall terrain (#9), overall satisfaction (#9) and lodging (#10).

SnowEast Magazine readers also tabbed Whiteface/Lake Placid as the most scenic.

Don't forget about Coca-Cola's Why Not Wednesdays? Present any empty Coca-Cola product and get a one-day adult lift ticket for only $38 at Whiteface. Offer not valid with any other offers, programs, promotions, discounts, or frequent skier products. Limit one ticket per can.

Wrightwood, CA - January 24, 2012: Mountain High is proud to announce two members of its newly formed professional snowboard team medaled in the Snowboard Street event at the 2012 Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado. Ryan Paul took Silver with his impressive technical tricks including a 270 onto the Jersey Barrier to 450 out, a gap to 50-50 on the down-flat ledge to a backflip out, and a Cab 180 to 50-50 on the ledge to backside rodeo out. Nick Visconti held off some series competition to win the Bronze with his smooth style and hammer tricks including a hardway cab 3 on the down rail, a 270 onto the curved C-rail, and frontside 50-50 to 180 out on the massive cargo container feature.

"X Games was so awesome. I'm super stoked on how it all went and can't wait to get back next year," says Ryan Paul. "Mountain High has been a great training ground to learn the tricks that have helped me excel as a professional snowboarder." "It was an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience that I'm excited to participate in annually," says Nick Visconti. "I'm thankful and feel blessed to represent the core side of snowboarding in the X Games for my sponsors including Mountain High."

Paul and Visconti have become an exceptional part of Mountain High's new professional snowboard team that also includes Marc Frank Montoya, Kyle Lopiccolo, Harrison Gordon, Cory Cronk and Spencer Link.

On Sunday March 18, 2012, X Games medalist's Nick Visconti and Ryan Paul will team up for a signature event at Mountain High dubbed "The Great White Park Attack." This will be a great opportunity for snowboard enthusiasts to come out and meet the professionals who took home Silver and Bronze from the Winter X Games in 2012.

Look for the entire Mountain High professional snowboarding team throughout the season as they film for the Drive In web series and their first full-length snowboard movie "Los Angeles" that will be released in the Fall of 2012. For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact John McColly at 760 316 7803.

"2012 RACE AGAINST CANCER"

Saturday, February 4th

Ski, Ride & Race For a Great Cause!

Shawnee on Delaware, PA - Shawnee Mountain Ski Area and the American Cancer Society are working together to increase awareness of cancer prevention and to raise money for cancer research, education, advocacy, and patient services.

Shawnee Mountain Ski Area will be hosting its annual "Race Against Cancer" on Saturday, February 4, 2012. All proceeds from this event will be donated to the Monroe Unit of the American Cancer Society in support of their mission to eliminate cancer. The 2011 event raised over $11,000 last ski season.

Skiers and snowboarders of all ages and skill levels are welcome. The race course is set on the Upper Tomahawk Race Trail; an intermediate level run. The race course is open from 10am until approximately 3pm. The cost is $8.00 for 2 runs, or $15.00 for 4 runs on the course. A lift ticket is required.

For more information you can contact Shawnee Mountain at 570-421-7231 ext. 254.

BOLTON VALLEY, Vt. (Jan. 18, 2012) - Bolton Valley, Vermont's most convenient ski area just 30 minutes from Burlington, once again will host the Bolton Valley Snowshoe Shuffle, a 5K walk or run on snowshoes to benefit the American Lung Association, on Saturday, Feb. 11. The event will be held on a specially designed course at the Bolton Valley Nordic Center and will include several hills and groomed trails as well as powder sections and single track. All abilities are welcome, from those who have never been on snowshoes to seasoned racers.

Fundraising efforts support the American Lung Association's mission to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.

Directly following the event, awards will be presented to the top three male and female runners as well as the top three individual fundraisers and top three fundraising teams. All walkers and runners will be entered into a drawing for great prizes from a variety of sponsors. After the awards ceremony, participants and family members can swim at the Sports Center's indoor pool at a discounted rate ($5 for adults, free for children under 6).

Pre-registration is $35 and includes a fleece hat while supplies last; day-of registration is $40. Both individuals and teams are encouraged to participate and raise additional money for the American Lung Association. All participants who raise an additional $100 will receive a free Bolton Valley lift ticket for skiing in the afternoon after the event.

The Bolton Valley Snowshoe Shuffle 5K begins at 10 a.m. Check-in begins at 9 a.m. For more details. Online registration closes Feb. 9.

With one of the highest base elevations of any Vermont Nordic Center, at 2,100 feet, The Bolton Nordic Center receives plenty of natural snow for its 88 km of terrain--earlier in the season and more often--and keeps it longer so guests can enjoy the pristine trails, lined with snow-covered balsam firs, where they may even find an animal track or two. Instruction is available for beginner groups, Nordic Kids, backcountry skiers plus private lessons for all abilities in classic and skate skiing.

Bolton Valley is Vermont's most convenient and affordable big mountain skiing. Less than 10 minutes from I-89 and less than 30 minutes from Burlington, the family-friendly mountain offers skiers and riders of all abilities three mountain peaks with 70 trails and 6 lifts, plus 3 terrain parks including the Burton Progression Park.

Bolton Valley was the first in Vermont and the second in the U.S. to implement wind power as an energy source and is the recipient of the National Ski Areas Association's 2010 Silver Eagle Award for environmental initiatives. Approximately 88km of high elevation Nordic terrain, a complete Sports Center and Indoor Amusement Center plus Vermont's most extensive top-to-bottom night skiing and riding are just a few of the extras available to guests. All-inclusive, true ski-to-your-door lodging packages are from $79/person/night.

10 Inches of New Snow in the Last 48 Hours, More through Saturday

January White Sale Savings

Telluride, Colorado (January 19, 2012) - Fresh tracks are the buzz around Telluride, especially for Powder Hungry Hounds scouring the state for the white stuff. With the Front Range ski resorts suffering from minimal snow coverage, Telluride is proud to share 10 inches of freshies in the last 48 hours with more predicted through Saturday.

To celebrate the white blanket so kindly laid upon Telluride this January, the world renowned Peaks Resort and Spa is offering guests tremendous deals with the

January White Sale - 2 free nights, with the purchase of 5, or 1 free night with the purchase of 4. *

"This great snow is what we've been waiting for," said Joe Shults, Director of Helitrax, the Peaks Resort and Spa's in-house Heli-Skiing operation. "Southwesterly storms are especially good to us, and it looks like we will continue to be fortunate through the weekend."

The Telluride Ski Resort, Unmatched in North America, is operating with 95 % of lift-accessed terrain open, offering nearly 4,000 vertical feet of skiing and riding. Boasting some of the best conditions in the U.S., the National Weather Service is calling for scattered snow showers throughout the region this weekend.

*Prices start at $183.20 for 5th night free promotion and $160.30 for buy 5 get 2 free promotion.

Kaya Turski Tops Women's Podium at Pantech Invitational

Killington, Vt. - Jan. 22, 2012 - Tom Wallisch is making it a habit to bring excitement to the final minutes of Winter Dew Tour freeski slopestyle, achieving the highest Winter Dew Tour freeski score ever and the top spot on the podium with his second run. Wallisch tore through the rail section, starting with a switch lipslide blind 270 on the top down rail, a right foot forward front up blind 400 on the flat down and a switch lipslide front 400 out of the cannon rail. He hit the jumps full force, pulling a left double cork 1260 mute grab, a switch left double cork 1080 japan grab and a switch right double cork 1080 japan grab.

"I'm trying to convince myself that I'm a second run skier," said Wallisch. "I get a good mindset, picture myself at the bottom and let my body do the work." Today's result, coupled with a win at the Nike Open in Breckenridge, puts Wallisch in first place heading into the Dew Tour Toyota Championships in Snowbasin. "I'm so happy. I'm in such a good mood," said Wallisch. "There's a lot of pressure for me to keep skiing well."

Kaya Turski made it look easy on Sunday morning in the women's ski slopestyle finals after struggling in her first run of the day. The Montreal native kept it stylish and technical starting off with a front switchup on the down bar, into a switch gap to the downbox, to a 180 on the cannon and switch 3 off. On the jumps, she finished with a switch 5, into a 5, to finish with switch 7, scoring a 92.25 on her second run to unseat the leader Devin Logan. It looked like Logan had all but locked up the first podium of the season, until Turski dropped in last to take the lead in the race for the Dew Cup. The pressure was on, but you couldn't tell by Turski's performance.

"I have my whole family and friends here with me just trying to keep me calm," Turski said. "I tried not to think about the first run, tried to keep it together. It was a new run, so I was all in."

All of the competitors will have the option to sign over their winnings as a contribution on behalf of freeski icon Sarah Burke. "Sarah was a friend and an idol," said Maddie Bowman, following her win at Superpipe yesterday. "She was so kind-hearted, and we're skiing for her always. She'll never be forgotten for us."

TOM WALLISCH WINS SLOPESTYLE WITH HIGHEST FREESKI SCORE IN WINTER DEW TOUR HISTORY

Kaya Turski Tops Women's Podium at Pantech Invitational

Killington, Vt. - Jan. 22, 2012 - Tom Wallisch is making it a habit to bring excitement to the final minutes of Winter Dew Tour freeski slopestyle, achieving the highest Winter Dew Tour freeski score ever and the top spot on the podium with his second run. Wallisch tore through the rail section, starting with a switch lipslide blind 270 on the top down rail, a right foot forward front up blind 400 on the flat down and a switch lipslide front 400 out of the cannon rail. He hit the jumps full force, pulling a left double cork 1260 mute grab, a switch left double cork 1080 japan grab and a switch right double cork 1080 japan grab.

"I'm trying to convince myself that I'm a second run skier," said Wallisch. "I get a good mindset, picture myself at the bottom and let my body do the work." Today's result, coupled with a win at the Nike Open in Breckenridge, puts Wallisch in first place heading into the Dew Tour Toyota Championships in Snowbasin. "I'm so happy. I'm in such a good mood," said Wallisch. "There's a lot of pressure for me to keep skiing well."

Kaya Turski made it look easy on Sunday morning in the women's ski slopestyle finals after struggling in her first run of the day. The Montreal native kept it stylish and technical starting off with a front switchup on the down bar, into a switch gap to the downbox, to a 180 on the cannon and switch 3 off. On the jumps, she finished with a switch 5, into a 5, to finish with switch 7, scoring a 92.25 on her second run to unseat the leader Devin Logan. It looked like Logan had all but locked up the first podium of the season, until Turski dropped in last to take the lead in the race for the Dew Cup. The pressure was on, but you couldn't tell by Turski's performance.

"I have my whole family and friends here with me just trying to keep me calm," Turski said. "I tried not to think about the first run, tried to keep it together. It was a new run, so I was all in."

All of the competitors will have the option to sign over their winnings as a contribution on behalf of freeski icon Sarah Burke. "Sarah was a friend and an idol," said Maddie Bowman, following her win at Superpipe yesterday. "She was so kind-hearted, and we're skiing for her always. She'll never be forgotten for us."

WINTERGREEN, Va. (January 19, 2012) -- The home of the "2011 Outstanding Ski Patrol in the Nation," Wintergreen Resort, is recruiting volunteers for its award-winning Ski Patrol team.

On February11 and 25, interested skiers will have the opportunity to ski with a Wintergreen Ski Patroller and experience firsthand exactly what a patroller does both on and off the slopes. Minimum age to join the ski patrol is 15. The Wintergreen Ski Patrol dedicates itself to ensuring the safety of the public using the mountain and serving the outdoor recreation industry by providing education, emergency care and safety services.

Wintergreen's Youth Patrol also is looking for interested skiers to join its mountain team and welcomes youth from 11-15 years of age to become part of the Youth Patrol. Members receive basic first aid skills and CPR, ski the slopes for two hours on Saturdays.

This month, Wintergreen Resort is recognizing Learn a Snow Sport Month and Ski and Snowboard Safety Week.

For additional information about the Ski Patrol and Youth Patrol, visit www.wintergreenskipatrol.org

January 23, 2012 - Swatch and the TTR World Snowboard Tour are pleased to announce the third annual Swatch Art Rules Design Contest. It offers artists the chance of a lifetime to have their artwork featured on the 2012/13 TTR World Tour Trophy and matching Swatch Tour Watch. The TTR Trophy, which was sculpted by renowned "Coarse" designer, Mark Landwehr, acts as a blank canvas for artists to get creative. One lucky winner will have the honor of their work being part of snowboarding history. The Contest is on now through March 27th, 2012 and artists can submit their designs online. .

Swatch Art Rules is an excellent opportunity for an artist to showcase their work and break into the spotlight through the snowboard and art worlds. As one of the most coveted awards in freestyle snowboarding, the TTR Tour trophy is featured throughout the TTR season and is awarded to the tour champions live on stage at the biggest events in the sport. In addition, the matching Swatch Tour Watch with the winning design will be produced and distributed worldwide in 2012/2013.

A jury of snowboard and art experts selects the winning design from all submitted proposals. The top three nominees will be invited to the Swatch Art Rules Night gala event in May 2012 in the Los Angeles area (USA) where the winning design and artist are set to be unveiled to the world. In addition to the portfolio-building exposure, the winner also receives a two-week trip to New York City to soak up all the art and design inspiration of the Big Apple.

The Swatch Art Rules Design Contest has just started, so get the creative juices flowing and submit your final designs by March 27th, 2012.

On-mountain Connection Between California and Nevada Sides Open

Heavenly Mountain Resort, Calif./Nev. - January 16, 2012 - Thanks to the West Coast's largest snowmaking system and the ingenuity of the mountain operations, snowmaking and grooming crews, Heavenly Mountain Resort opened Skyline Trail on Monday, January 16, allowing skiers and snowboarders to ski and ride from California to Nevada.

Heavenly snowmakers and groomers combined to cover more than 4,830 linear feet of trail with high-quality, machine-made snow using Sky Express chair lift to help transport snow up to the top of Skyline Trail and push it down the run. Snowmakers also made snow at the top Dipper Express in Nevada and groomers pushed it up Skyline Trail to meet the team pushing across from California.

"This project has been an amazing combination of creativity and hard work, driven by our boundless desire to make things the best they can be for our loyal guests," said Pete Sonntag, Heavenly's general manager. "We hope this is a project we never have to do again, but with natural snow being tough to come by this season, we felt that opening Skyline was a critical component to the overall experience for our guests. Now that the two separate mountains are connected, we are functioning as one large resort."

Overall, Heavenly is operating 23 lifts with 28 open trails and more than 15 miles of the finest snow surface conditions Lake Tahoe has to offer. Snow depths on the open trails range from 18-24 inches and snow coverage is wall-to-wall.

With snow in the forecast for this weekend, Heavenly is hoping to open additional terrain soon and, with the snow pack that has already been created across all 28 open trails, conditions will only continue to improve.

50 Percent off Lodging in January

With snow in the forecast and 50 percent off hotels in January, there is no better time to book a last minute trip to Heavenly. Visit Heavenly between Jan. 16-26, 2012 to save 50 percent off a two- or four-night stay at Tahoe Seasons Resort and Horizon Casino Resort. Two-night stays, including one day of skiing or riding, starts at just $165 per person.

Activities & Specials Include Free Lift Tickets for Active & Veteran Military Service Men & Women

Bartlett & Pinkham Notch, NH - Attitash Mountain Resort will recognize our nation's defenders and is offering free lift tickets for active and veteran service men and women as well as discounted lift tickets ($45 All Ages) for active duty family members with ID* on Saturday, January 21 and Sunday, January 22. While all honorary and fun activities will take place at Attitash, Wildcat Mountain , located in Pinkham Notch just 20 minutes from Attitash, will also be offering these same ticket discounts.

On Saturday, January 21, at Attitash Mountain , all are welcome to participate in the on-snow flag parade taking place at approximately 12:45pm. Later that afternoon, fun and entertainment featuring Happy Accident will take place in Ptarmigan's Pub. Then on Sunday, the 3rd Annual Battle of the Branches GS Race will take place. Racers of all levels (including children) will select which branch they are representing and their points will go toward each branch to determine a winner. Entry fee is $10 with all proceeds being donated to the Wounded Warriors Project.

The Attitash Grand Summit Hotel, offering slopeside accommodations at Bear Peak , is offering a 15% discount on lodging to military personnel for the weekend. Call 888.554.1900 for reservations. For the Military Salute Weekend, ticket discounts offered at both Attitash Mountain Resort and Wildcat Mountain , Active Duty personnel must show their Common Access Card (CAC) or their DD Form 2ACT. Veterans must present their DD Form 214 and retired military personnel must show their DD Form 2RET. Dependants must show their DD Form 1173.

Photos taken at first light this morning

CBMR reporting six inches as of 9 a.m. Monday morning

All smiles at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Credit: Chris Segal

MT. CRESTED BUTTE, Colo. - January 16 - After what has been a dry start to the ski season in Colorado, Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) is now a winter wonderland. The resort is reporting six inches as of 9 o'clock this morning, with no signs of the storm letting up and a forecast of up to 12 more inches throughout the next 24 hours.

This much anticipated powder day has local snow enthusiasts lined up at the Silver Queen lift ready to charge for first tracks. Crews were up bright and early plowing and shoveling, lift mechanics gearing up the lifts, and ski patrol out for their morning safety checks. CBMR is excited and ready for Mother Nature's gift.

For information on CBMR and the snow storm:

· Tweet It: It's a powder day @skicrestedbutte . 6" of fresh snow and still coming down!

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· Photos & Captions: 6 inches equals lots of fun at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Credit: Chris Segal

THIS WEEKEND AT PATS PEAK

Henniker, NH, January 16, 2012 -- PATS PEAK, southern New Hampshire's favorite mountain, announces the weekend line up of special events.

Saturday, January 21, 2012 is the S&DUB Board Shop/CandyGrind Big Air Contest, sponsored by Pats Peak, S&W Sports and CandyGrind. The Big Air Contest will take place in Turbulence Park starting at 12:30pm. Registration for the Big Air is from 8:30am to 11:30am in the Valley Lodge with a $20 Entry Fee plus at least a Valley Lift Ticket is required or Pats Peak Season Pass. All participants must sign a release of liability form, ages 17 years old and under need a parent to sign a parental consent form. There will be snowboarder and skier divisions with over $1,000 in prizes.

"Our park crew is excited to be hosting our annual Big Air Contest," says Phil Grant, Park Supervisor. "This year we will have two big air jumps, which will double the excitement!"

Sunday, January 22, 2012 is an exciting Mascot Day. Mascots from all over the area will be at Pats Peak for a Mascot Fashion Show along with fun activities. Guests can bring a camera to have their photo taken with some fun mascots. Over 25 mascots from around the state attend this family fun event. The fun activities start at 1pm with a Tug of War, Fashion Show, Dance Off and Award Ceremony. Radio Disney will also be at Pats Peak with music, games, prizes and more.

"Mascot Day was created for a fun day for families to come out and celebrate outdoor winter family fun," said Jim Wall, events director.

WINTER DEW TOUR'S PANTECH INVITATIONAL AT KILLINGTON RESORT, JANUARY 19-22

Events Will Air Live on NBC Saturday, January 21 at 4:00PM EST

Burr Ridge, Ill. - Jan. 17, 2012 - The Winter Dew Tour continues this weekend with its second stop of the season when the Pantech Invitational hits Killington, Vermont. The top athletes in freeskiing will descend on one of the East Coast's biggest resorts to battle it out for points toward the Dew Cup.

Competition in the men's freeski events will be sure to deliver excitement. After combating an injury in Breckenridge, Simon Dumont will take to the superpipe looking to dethrone reigning champ Kevin Rolland. Tom Wallisch will attempt to go two for two in Winter Dew Tour ski slopestyle wins this season, bringing huge air and smooth landings to a slopestyle run that is sure to defy the laws of physics. Last year's Killington winner Bobby Brown, along with Alex Schlopy and Nick Goepper, will be among the top skiers intending to push him off the podium.

The top names in women's freeskiing will have their Winter Dew Tour season debut at the Pantech Invitational with bigger stakes than in years past. For the first time in Dew Tour history, women freeskiers will compete towards a Dew Cup. Devin Logan, who took the freeski halfpipe world by storm in her breakout rookie year in 2011, will bring her signature style to Bear Mountain, while young up-and-comer Kaya Turski will be showing off on the slopestyle course. Several women with eyes on the 2014 Olympics are also headed to the Pantech Invitational, including Grete Eliassen, Brita Sigourney and Ashley Battersby.

In addition to action-packed competitions, the weekend will also include a Friday night VIP party at the Wobbly Barn, a well-known Killington watering hole. The night will feature a live DJ set from RAC, the Portland-based cutting edge duo of Andre Allen Anjos and Karl Kling, spinning original remixes and party favorites. Party entry will be $10 for those 21-and-over.

The pre-qualified athlete list for Pantech Invitational is as follows:

The full schedule of events for the Pantech Invitational is as follows:

Thursday, Jan. 19^th - Festival Village Opens at 9:30AM

	8:45 AM - 9:50 AM	Women's Freeski Slopestyle Qualifier
	10:30 AM - 11:30 AM	Men's Freeski Superpipe Last Chance Qualifier
	11:05 AM - 12:45 PM	Men's Snowboard Slopestyle Last Chance Qualifier
	1:30 PM - 2:15 PM	Men's Snowboard Superpipe Last Chance Qualifier
	2:00 PM - 4:00 PM	Men's Freeski Slopestyle Last Chance Qualifier
	4:30 PM - 5:30 PM	Women's Freeski Superpipe Qualifier

Friday, Jan. 20^th - Festival Village Opens at 9:30AM

	9:30 AM - 12:00 PM	Men's Snowboard Slopestyle Semi-Final
	11:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Women's Freeski Superpipe Semi-Final
	1:30 PM - 4:00 PM	Men's Freeski Slopestyle Semi-Final
	2:00 PM - 3:30 PM	Men's Snowboard Superpipe Semi-Final
	6:00 PM - 7:30 PM	Men's Freeski Superpipe Semi-Final
	9:00 PM - 11:00 PM	RAC @ Wobbly Barn

Saturday, Jan. 21^st - Festival Village Opens at 9:30AM

	9:00 AM - 10:30 AM	Women's Freeski Slopestyle Semi-Final
	12:00 PM - 1:00 PM	Men's Snowboard Slopestyle Final
	3:00 PM - 3:40 PM	Women's Freeski Superpipe Final
	4:30 PM - 6:00 PM	Men's Freeski Superpipe Final

Sunday, Jan. 22^nd - Festival Village Opens at 9:30AM

	10:00 AM - 10:45 AM	Women's Freeski Slopestyle Final
	11:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Men's Freeski Slopestyle Final
	3:30 PM - 5:00 PM	Men's Snowboard Superpipe Final

**Schedule is subject to change. To stay up to date on the action, follow live updates via the Dew Tour on Twitter**

Running through the entire weekend, the Festival Village offers something for everyone attending the Dew Tour. Visit the Pantech tent to test out the newest cell phones, play pool or air hockey at Paul Mitchell, and grab a ride all weekend in one of Toyota's free shuttles.

The Mega Pass offers exclusive access to the world's best action sport athletes at the Pantech Invitational. Mega Pass lets you experience the Winter Dew Tour like a VIP, including athlete meet and greets, admission to the Dew Tour VIP Part, fast pass access on the Skye Peak Express Quad, discounts throughout Killington and Dew Tour swag. Mega Passes are on sale now for $50 at Killington.com or at the Winter Dew Tour merchandise tent in Festival Village on Thursday, Jan. 19 - Sunday, Jan. 22.

The Pantech Invitational will air finals competitions live on NBC at Saturday, January 21 at 4:00PM EST and

The complete 2011-12 Winter Dew Tour schedule is as follows:

Event Date Location

Nike Open Dec. 15-18 Breckenridge Ski Resort - Breckenridge, Colo.

Pantech Invitational Jan. 19-22 Killington Resort - Killington, Vt.

Toyota Championships Feb. 9-12 Snowbasin Resort - Ogden,Utah

Entering its fourth year, the top athletes in the world will take part in the 2011-12 Winter Dew Tour, all competing for the highly coveted Dew Cup that will be awarded at season's end to champions in each of the eight disciplines. The 2010-11 Dew Cup champions include Louie Vito (men's snowboard superpipe), Kelly Clark (women's snowboard superpipe), Torstein Horgmo (men's snowboard slopestyle), Jamie Anderson (women's snowboard slopestyle), Kevin Rolland (ski superpipe) and Bobby Brown (ski slopestyle).The Winter Dew Tour continues its commitment to progression in action sports, with premier superpipes and the highest level slopestyle courses.

SAINTE-ADÈLE, QUÉBEC (January 15, 2012) - Olivier Rochon of Gatineau, Que. earned his first FIS World Cup medal here, finishing second in the aerial event of the Canada Post Grand Prix at Ski Mont Gabriel.

Rochon went up against Pavel Krotov of Russia, Naoya Tabara of Japan and Stanislav Kravchuk of the Ukraine in the four-man super-final today. It was the first aerial world cup of the season, and the first time the new super final format was used at this level of competition. Under the new rules, the top four jumpers from finals jump again to determine the order of the podium.

Krotov took the gold today, while Tabara was bronze, leaving Kravchuk out of the medals in fourth. It was the first World Cup podium for all three medalists.

Today's performance was especially poignant for Rochon who was suspended last year for not following the rules.

"After my year off I got back into shape and saw that I hadn't missed that much. I think that while it probably wasn't the best circumstances to take a year off, in the end it was the best year because it was the first year of the four year Olympic cycle and because it was my first year off ever from sports so I got to see what the outside world is all about and, well, I like the sports world better. Now I'm 100 percent committed to my sport."

Rochon's medal was the first for a Quebec skier since the heydays of the illustrious Quebec Airforce - the last aerials medal won by a Quebecker was a gold in 2002, by Nicolas Fontaine.

It was also a great day for Milton, Ontario's Travis Gerrits who finished just out of the super final, in fifth position, after slapping back on his full, double full, full - a quadruple twisting, triple backflip. Today was the first time Gerrits had performed that jump in competition.

"For sure this result for me is awesome because it's my best-ever world cup finish, but I had high exceptions coming into today and I obviously would have like to make it to the super final," said Gerrits.

In another first, Tabara's medal is the only world cup aerials medal on the record books for Japan, and one that has a Canadian connection. In fact Tabara and his teammate Takanori Minami have been training with the Canadian Team for the past three years.

"After 2010 the Japanese ski federation was going to cut their program, but in aerials and in Canadian Freestyle we have a culture of helping each other. So we get some money from Japan to coach their athletes and we put that money towards our own athlete development program," explained Canadian Aerial Head Coach Daniel Murphy, who added, "I'm really happy for Tabara and I hope Japan recognizes his skill and rallies behind him and the aerial program now."

The third Canadian in today's event, Jean-Christophe Andre of Montreal was 14^th today.

With both Canadian female aerialists out with injuries, Canada was not represented in the women's event today. The podium on the women's side went to Olga Volkova of the Ukraine who took the gold, Emily Cook of the US who was second and Laura Peel of Australia who was third.

…
In other Freestyle news, Canadians Shannon Gunning, 15, and Aaron MacKay, 16 - both of Calgary, Alta, finished fourth and sixth, respectively in the ski halfpipe event at the Youth Olympic Games in Austria. Coach Brett McClelland was very happy with the performance of these two young freeskiers.

…
The Canadian Mogul and Aerials Team compete in Lake Placid, NY next week for a mogul event on Thursday and aerial events on Friday and Saturday nights. The Halfpipe and Slopestyle Teams will be in Killington, VT for the second event of the Dew Tour - finals for the superpipe are on Saturday and for slopestyle on Sunday.

SAINTE-ADÈLE, QUEBEC (January 14, 2012) - Mikael Kingsbury remains undefeated on the FIS World Cup mogul circuit after a convincing win at the Canada Post Grand Prix here today. His teammate Justine Dufour-Lapointe earned her second silver medal of the season at the same event.

Under blue skies and freezing -20 degree temperatures, the 19-year-old Kingsbury maintained his lightening speed, smooth turns and soaring jumps run after run on the 25-degree course.

The Deux-Montagnes, Que. native beat Jeremy Cota of the US in the final. Russia's Sergey Volkov surpassed American Sho Kashima for the bronze.

Kingsbury's win solidifies his grip on the FIS yellow leader's bib with a 110-point lead over Sho Kashima of the US.

"When you touch the yellow bib you want to keep it," said Kingsbury, "So now that I have it I don't plan to let it go."

Other Canadians who advanced to the 16-man finals today included team veteran Pierre-Alexandre Rousseau from Drummondville, Que. who finished eighth; rookie Simon Lemieux from Repentigny, Que. was an impressive 12^th in his first FIS World Cup start. Marc-Antoine Gagnon of Terrebonne, Que. was 13^th; and Cedric Rochon of St. Sauveur, Que. was 15^th.

Canadian men who didn't make finals included Langley, B.C.'s Eddie Hicks who was 19^th, Olympic Champion Alex Bilodeau from Rosemere, Que. who fell after his second jump and landed in 39^th; and, Philippe Marquis of Quebec City who was 41^st. Montreal's P-O Gagne did not finish.

In women's head-to-head action Justine Dufour-Lapointe went head-to-head with Olympic Champion Hannah Kearney of the US in the final dual of the day. Kearney edged Dufour-Lapointe for the gold after the 17-year-old Montreal-native made a mistake just above the second jump.

"Justine really pushed me today, she's a great skier and she was right there with me today," said Kearney.

For her part Dufour-Lapointe said, "I'm really happy to win the silver. I did my best and skied really fast. My last dual was really fun, I managed to push Hannah -- now she knows I'm here."

Spruce Grove, Alberta's Chelsea Henitiuk went against Ekaterina Stolyarova of Russia in the women's small final. Stolyarova took the bronze, but Henitiuk was thrilled with her best ever FIS World Cup finish.

"I'm kind of in shock right now," said a grinning Henitiuk, "I typically don't do well on this course, so I had nothing to lose. So, I just pushed my limits and it paid off." Canadian coaches said that Henitiuk's performance here was a breakthrough for the 23-year old.

Other Canadian women in the final included Maxime Dufour-Lapointe of Montreal who finished 6^th and Quebec City's Audrey Robichaud in 13^th.

Canadian women who did not advance to finals included Christel Hamel of St. Sauveur who finished 19^th; Alex Dufresne of Lorraine, Que. who was 20^th; Beatrice Bilodeau of Montreal who was 21^st and Chloe Dufour-Lapointe of Montreal who was 22^nd.

January 14 - 22, 2012

Duluth , MN - Spirit Mountain Recreation Area is proud to be participating in National Safety Awareness Week on the slopes January 14-22, 2012. With the help of our volunteer Ski Patrol, we encourage skiers and riders to actively engage in learning the best ways to keep themselves and others safe on the slopes. National Safety Awareness Week is an annual event run in conjunction with the National Ski Areas Association and the National Ski Patrol.

According to Gretchen Ransom, Spirit Mountain 's Safety, Sustainability and Risk Manager, "Safety is our number one objective whether it's during Safety Awareness Week or any other time of the year."

Briana Johnson, Director of Marketing and Sales at Spirit Mountain , adds that "While it is a central focus for our employees and volunteers every day, this particular week we expend some added resources on education. The best way to keep people safe on the slopes is to teach them about how to ski and ride responsibly, with the overall goal of injury prevention."

Some of the ways in which Spirit Mountain will engage our skiers and riders in safety awareness this week include a poster contest for children ages 13 and younger, a safety-oriented scavenger hunt, a safety trivia game in the Chalet, various safety promotions throughout the Chalet, and public service announcements read over the PA system throughout the week. In addition we are offering the opportunity for Ski Patrol room tours where guests can get a behind-the-scenes look at how our Ski Patrol operates.

Safety Reminders: Always stay in control, people ahead of you have the right of way, stop in a safe place for you and others, whenever starting downhill or merging, look up hill and yield, use devices to help prevent runaway equipment, observe signs and warnings and keep off closed trails, Smart Style park tips - respect gets respect.

Bands to Play the Always FREE Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series and CORE Party During the 12^th Annual Spring Jam

Aspen/Snowmass, Colo., January 13, 2012 - Motet, Railroad Earth and The Wailers will rock Aspen/Snowmass this winter as a part of the ongoing free Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series and annual CORE Party concert in downtown Aspen.

"Aspen/Snowmass is proud to offer over 30 free events throughout the winter season, including bringing world-class musical acts to the slopes through our Bud Light Hi-Fi Series," says John Rigney, Vice President of Sales & Event Marketing, ASC. "Our lineup this year is exciting and just adds to the experience that is Aspen/Snowmass."

Motet - Sunday, February 19 - Snowmass Base Village

Boulder, Colo. based Motet will bring their six-piece jam band sounds to Snowmass Base Village at 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 19 for the third free Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert of the season. Motet is sure to get the crowd dancing as they play a mix of funk, jazz, folk and world music sounds. For a sneak peek into the Motet experience, here's a video of them performing "Power" http://vimeo.com/11075975.

Railroad Earth - Friday, March 16 - Downtown Aspen

Railroad Earth will rock downtown Aspen at the corner of Cooper Avenue and Galena Street for the Spring Jam CORE Party concert at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 16. Railroad Earth transcends traditional bluegrass music with folk, Celtic, jazz and rock sounds.

The Wailers - Sunday, March 18 - Snowmass Base Village

The reggae sounds of Bob Marley will live on in Snowmass Base Village with a free Bud Light Hi-Fi performance by The Wailers at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 18. The Wailers will play classic hits from Bob Marley & The Wailers.

12^th Annual Bud Light Spring Jam - March 16-18 and March 23-25

Two of these concerts are a part of the 12^th annual Bud Light Spring Jam - the premier spring festival in the Rocky Mountains - bringing two weekends of competitions, downtown concerts and parties to Aspen/Snowmass. The festival kicks off on March 16 with the CORE Party and continues the next day with the 13^th annual KickAspen Big Air, where skiers and snowboarders compete under the lights at the base of Aspen Mountain. A Terrain Park Boot Camp offers both adults and kids instruction on how to slide a box or hit a rail in a mini-park on Snowmass. The 4^rd annual Fallen Friends Memorial Event, two Bud Light Hi-Fi concerts and the 5^th annual Helly Hansen Battle in the Bowls will once again join the Spring Jam lineup. Spring Jam sponsors include Bud Light, Sprint, Helly Hansen, Town of Snowmass Village, Coke, Clif Bar, Smith Optics, Green Mountain Coffee and D&E Ski and Snowboard Shop.

More on the Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series

The Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series is comprised of five free concerts that take place during key weekends throughout the season. The next upcoming act is the indie-electronic rock band Awolnation, playing at the base of Aspen Mountain over ESPN Winter X Games on Saturday, January 28 at 5:30 p.m.

Past Hi-Fi performers include Big Boi, Ghostland Observatory, Donovan Frankenreiter, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe and many more. Acts are are booked in partnership with Belly Up Aspen. The final Bud Light Hi-Fi concert yet to be announced will be on March 23.

Aspen/Snowmass would like to thank the Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series sponsors: Bud Light, Sprint, Audi, Helly Hansen, Skullcandy, Coke, Green Mountain Coffee, Frias Properties, Alchemey, Belly Up Aspen and Town of Snowmass Village.

Wrightwood, CA - January 12, 2012: Winter resorts throughout the state are starving for snow. But the Southern California resorts have terrific conditions with all major lifts and trails open. So Mountain High is offering a $25 lift ticket to anyone who presents a season pass from another California resort - any California Resort now through January 31^st, 2012. It's their way of inviting you to experience the great conditions for yourself. Mountain High is Southern California's most popular winter resort for a reason and they guarantee you'll love the drive.

This adult 8-Hour lift ticket is valued at $69 and can be used 7 days-or-nights a week, including the MLK Holiday. That's a savings of up to 64%!

Mountain High is Southern California's closest winter resort located just an hour and a half from Los Angeles and Orange County. The area consists of three separate mountains (Mountain High East, West, and North), and offers a wide variety of lifts and trails, a world-class terrain park, an outstanding Winter Sports School, and the region's largest tubing area. Night skiing & snowboarding is available 5 nights-a-week and snowmaking covers more than 80% of the slopes. Mountain High has been the first resort to open in Southern California for the past 14 years and traditionally operates from mid November to mid April.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Kim Hermon at 760 316 7830

With fresh snow on the mountains from the past week, CSCUSA member resorts across the state will host events, clinics and other activities designed to educate and remind skiers and riders of the importance of slope safety. These programs, promotions and prizes motivate safe skiing and riding behavior, and highlight the Skier Responsibility Code and various resort safety measures.

"This week reinforces the value of safety that our member resorts prioritize for our consumers," said Melanie Mills, CSCUSA president and CEO. "Guest safety is number one at our resorts and this week is an excellent chance to refresh awareness about skiing and snowboarding responsibly, which is the best way for everyone to enjoy a day on the slopes."

For CSCUSA member resorts, every week is safety week as resorts have safety measures in place permanently during the season. Examples of how resorts raise awareness about safety include providing information about snow safety and avalanches, educating guests about helmet use, posting reminders about proper hydration and sunscreen use, and designating slow skiing zones.

Ultimately, it is the responsible behavior of skiers and riders that make the slopes safe. Knowing the nationally recognized Your Responsibility Code is crucial to skier and rider responsibility. Referred to simply as The Code, it is comprised of seven principles that collectively outline on-mountain skier etiquette and safe skiing practices.

Responsibilities within The Code include:

· Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.

· People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.

· You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above.

· Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.

· Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.

· Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.

· Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.

Below are details about resort-specific events happening for National Safety Awareness Week:

Arapahoe Basin

Arapahoe Basin is hosting a safety weekend on January 14-15 starting at 10 a.m. The base area will be filled with booths focusing on the terrain park, ski patrol, snowsports, and more. One of the sponsors will also be giving away 100 helmets each day, along with a raffle and cake.

Copper Mountain

Copper Mountain will showcase its year-long safety efforts with Copper Safety Fest on January 14-16 in Copper's Center Village. Along with kid-friendly signage and messaging throughout the West Village, Copper is showing off artwork created by Frisco Elementary School third-graders that focuses on the Responsibility Code and Terrain Park Safety. Copper has also teamed up with many community safety entities like the National Ski Patrol, Copper Mountain Ski Patrol and Avalanche Dogs, US Forest Service, and more to offer tips and information during its family-friendly Safety Fest.

Safety Fest will also have a Flight-For-Life helicopter fly-over on January 15, as well as Avalanche Dog drills and an open house at Ski Patrol Headquarters. There will be daily prize drawings in Burning Stones Plaza.

Copper Ski Patrol is also inviting guests to join in sweeping the mountain during Safety Fest. Each day at 4:15 p.m., Ski Patrol will sweep the trails to make sure that all guests are safely off the mountain before it closes. Guest can sign-up to follow a patroller as they clear the mountain. Spots are limited, so guests must sign up by 2 p.m. that day. For more information and to sign up, call 970.968.2318 x 66124.

Echo Mountain

Echo Mountain celebrates National Safety Awareness Week with activities on January 14-21. Activities include a kids' poster contest, an on mountain slope-safety scavenger hunt, a stretching session, Responsibility Code trivia and prizes, a Never Summer demo day, and more. Helmet discounts of up to 10 percent will also be offered to Echo Mountain pass holders at participating stores.

Loveland

Loveland is kicking off Safety Week on Saturday, January 14 with a visit from Neptune Mountaineering and Pieps, who will join with the Loveland Ski Patrol to give guests avalanche awareness information and beacon training. The ski area's terrain park crew will also be giving information on the Smart Style Program. Loveland will also feature a manned booth to give information on the skier responsibility code, the importance of sun safety with help from Rocky Mountain Sun Screen, and hydration issues with support from Vitamin Water.

Steamboat

Safety Week at Steamboat will feature a variety of safety messages and activities listed below:

§ Park Rangers: The designers, testers and maintainers of Steamboat's Terrain Parks will be in Gondola Square January 14-16 sharing the PARKWISE code.

§ Meet Patrol: The men and women who help keep the mountain safe will be onsite in Gondola Square January 14-16 to provide additional information and answer any questions guests may have about mountain safety.

§ Bear the Safety Dog: Steamboat's Safety Mascot will be in Gondola Square January 14-16.

§ Snow Safety/Avalanche Awareness: On Saturday and Sunday, January 14 and 15, Steamboat Ski Patrol will host special seminars on snow safety and avalanche awareness. The seminars are free to the public and meet at Patrol Headquarters at the top of Sundown Express Chairlift at 1:00 p.m. both days.

§ Know the Code Contest: Skiers and Riders will randomly be stopped on the slopes by members of Steamboat's Patrol. If they know at least three of the seven parts to the Responsibility Code they'll receive a prize. The contest runs January 14-22.

§ Billy Kidd One O'Clock Run: This is a free clinic by Steamboat's director of skiing, who will be joined by Patrol.

§ Free Mountain Tours: Guests c join Steamboat's Ambassadors with SlopeWise & Safety Information from Patrol at 10:30 a.m. at the top of Vagabond Trail.

§ Free Racing: Any guests who can tell the attendant one of the seven topics of the Responsibility Code races free at the NASTAR training course.

Sunlight

The Sunlight Ski Patrol and Valley View Hospital are hosting Safety Awareness Day at Sunlight Mountain Resort on January 21. As a part of the event, $2,000 worth of helmets will be given to kids in the valley.

Winter Park

During Safety Week, employees of Winter Park will be out on the mountain, around the Winter Park Resort base and in The Village at Winter Park, sporadically wearing their "Know the Code" arm bands. Guests that talk about the Code with Winter Park employees will be entered into a drawing for a 2012-13 Winter Park Resort adult season pass. During the weekends, Winter Park Resort will have tents set up at the bases of Winter Park and Mary Jane with NSAA giveaways.

The Innsbruck 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games officially got under way today with an Opening Ceremony at the Bergisel stadium, the iconic Olympic venue in the heart of Austria's Tyrolean capital, Innsbruck.

With the snow-capped mountains providing a breathtaking backdrop, over 1,000 athletes aged 15 to 18 marched in the athletes' parade, which was followed by speeches by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge, and the Chairman of the Innsbruck 2012 Organising Committee, Richard Rubatscher.

Reflecting the Olympic heritage of Innsbruck, which staged the 1964 and 1976 Olympic Winter Games, the newly created Youth Olympic cauldron and the two existing cauldrons from the previous Games were set ablaze. The Ceremony fused Tyrolean tradition and modern youth culture, with entertainment including freestyle skiers and snowboarders jumping overhead and a paring of ancient Tyrolean dances with a hip hop crew. The stage and costumes were designed by young students from local colleges.

Addressing the crowd in the stadium, President Rogge said: "For the first time, young people from around the world have come together for the Winter Youth Olympic Games, a global celebration of sport and Olympic values."

"You have come here from 70 countries not just to compete against each other, but also to learn from each other. Some of the friendships formed over the next nine days will last a lifetime, and so will the memories", he added, reminding the audience that the Winter Youth Olympic Games, which will run from 13 to 22 January and feature a unique Culture and Education Programme, have been created and designed just for young athletes.

Those attending the Opening Ceremony included Austrian President Heinz Fischer, Coordination Commission Chairman for the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gian-Franco Kasper, and Olympic champion and Youth Olympic Games Ambassador Yuna Kim.

In the next few days, Innsbruck 2012 will feature some of the world's most talented young athletes taking part in the seven sports currently on the winter Olympic programme, including three new events: women's ski jumping, ski halfpipe and snowboard slopestyle.

After their success at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010, mixed-gender and mixed-country events will also form part of the programme, with a mixed Alpine skiing parallel team event and mixed-country short track skating team relay. In addition, mixed-sport events, such as cross-country biathlon, will be introduced for the first time.

These mixed events aim to strengthen bonds between the athletes and foster better understanding of each other's cultures and backgrounds, a fundamental vision of the Youth Olympic Games.

With sport as a foundation, the Youth Olympic Games will give the young athletes their first taste of the Olympic experience and provide valuable lessons which they can leverage in their future careers, be it in sport or in other vocations.

Save on Lift Tickets and Helmets

Snowbowl is preparing for the MLK holiday with a discount web coupon for an all-day Adult lift ticket valid all weekend long and half-price helmets to promote the National Ski Area Association's "National Safety Awareness Week".

Snow riders can download a coupon for a $40 all-day lift ticket from the website valid Saturday - Monday, January 14-16, 2012. There are 300 new helmets for sale on a first-come, first-served basis during the holiday and will continue the following weekend, January 21-22. The cost will be $40 per helmet.

"We have top to bottom skiing and continue to operate daily with 50% of the resort open serving all ability levels. Our beginner area is limited to the Little Spruce Conveyor. It is thin in places but the guests have been enjoying the conditions. Our snow groomers have been working very hard at maintaining a quality product", states Dave Smith, Snowbowl's Marketing Director. "This is a La Nina year and most resorts across the nation have received little snowfall this season and are relying on snowmaking to keep their resorts operating. We are forecasted to receive more snow this weekend and hope we will continue to see new snow through the remainder of the season."

NATIONAL SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK, JANUARY 14-22, 2012

Snowbowl will be participating in National Safety Awareness Week and hopes to win its fourth consecutive National Safety Award with its slogan of "Keep It Safe at Snowbowl" (K.I.S.S). Along with the helmet sales, they will have Safety Camps set-up around the resort along with a visit from the Guardian Medical Teams Monster Truck.

LEARN TO SKI & SNOWBOARD MONTH

January is Learn to Ski or Snowboard month across the U.S. and Snowbowl is celebrating with a special promotion; with each Learn to Ski or Snowboard lesson, guests will receive a voucher for a $53 Ski or Snowboard Better lesson which includes a 2-hour group lesson, rental equipment and an all-day Adult lift ticket.

For more information about the Arizona Snowbowl, call (928) 779-1951

January 6, 2012 ( Girdwood , Alaska ) - Alyeska Resort is recognizing the importance of safety

on the slopes and joining a number of U.S. based resort operators for National Safety

Awareness Week to be held January 14 to 22, 2012. The primary goal of the week's activities is

to raise awareness among skiers and snowboarders for safe habits and practices on the slopes.

The promotional week is designed to reinforce positive practices on the mountain and will include

rewarding skiers and snowboarders wearing helmets during the week with free gifts, offering

complimentary beginner lessons and freestyle coaching, avalanche beacon training and many other

fun activities.

Alyeska Resort's Safety Week is part of a national level program administered by the National

Ski Area Association (www.nsaa.org). NSAA is a trade association for ski area owners and operators.

It represents 325 alpine resorts that account for more than 90 percent of the

skier/snowboarder visits nationwide. The organization has developed a variety of safety

campaigns which have helped resort operators standardize safety messages on mountain.

NSAA originally introduced the campaign "Your Responsibility Code" which promotes skiing

in control, observing mountain signs and warnings, and using devices to prevent runaway

equipment. Evolving with the needs of the snowsports industry, NSAA also developed the

"Smart Style" program which includes safety initiatives specific to freestyle terrain which

includes terrain parks and half pipes.

Over the course of Safety Week, Alyeska Resort mountain staff will be out on the slopes

rewarding skiers and snowboarders wearing helmets. The prize rewards include free midweek

lift tickets, hot ski waxes, snowboard leashes and more. Skiing and snowboarding with a helmet

is highly encouraged by NSAA and Alyeska Resort. The Alyeska Mountain Shop and Max's

Mountain Shop will be offering 20% off select helmets and safety gear during the promotional week.

The kick-off weekend includes both on and off the slope opportunities to increase awareness

about safe practices while skiing and snowboarding. There will be an informational booth staffed by

the Alaska Brain Injury Network located in the Daylodge over both weekends of Safety Week from

9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.

There will be opportunities for free terrain park and super pipe coaching with professionals. For

intermediate to advanced skiers and snowboarders, the Alyeska Ski Patrol will be offering special

sessions to join them on an end-of-day mountain sweep. Patrol performs a mountain sweep to ensure

all guests are safely off the slopes prior to closing each day. To participate, please meet at the top of

Chair 6 in front of the Ski Patrol building on Monday, January 16 through Friday, January 20 at

3:30 P.M.

As part of the week's activities, there will also be two kids' oriented contests with fun prizes.

Kids will be able to participate in the NSAA Safety Week Poster Contest. Top entries submitted

to Alyeska Resort will also be entered into the national-level contest. In addition to the poster

contest, the Resort is also holding a helmet decorating contest. To enter the helmet decorating

contest, participants can visit the Daylodge over the holiday weekend and decorate their

helmets at the designated booth. Or, participants can also submit photographs of themselves

wearing their decorated helmet online at the Alyeska Resort Facebook Page or via email to

events@alyeskaresort.com. Winners for both the Poster Content and Helmet Decorating Content

will be selected at the end of Safety Week.

The week culminates with a fund-raising special event benefitting the Alyeska Resort Ski Patrol

Avalanche Dog Program. In its second year, the Avalanche Dog Program now has three canine

members - Zooka, Fundy and Yuki. The third annual Avalanche Dog Program Auction is

scheduled for Friday, January 20 at 8:00 PM in the Sitzmark Bar & Grill. Local auctioneer, Paul

McGuire, will be on-hand. Auction attendees will be bidding on an early ski morning with the ski

patroller of their choice. Big Fat Buddha will finish out the night with a 10:00 PM live show on the

Sitzmark stage. The show is $5, 21 and over please.

ECHO MOUNTAIN, CO - Echo Mountain has announced its participation in the National Ski Areas Association's National Safety Week beginning this Saturday, January 14 and continuing through Friday, January 20. Echo Mountain has organized a list of events that will focus on the importance of safety both on and off the mountain.

Safety Week kicks off Saturday with a Helmet Safety theme. Concussion safety will be the main focus and helmet fittings will be incorporated into these efforts. A kids' scavenger hunt is scheduled for Sunday, as clues that relate to slope safety will be posted around the mountain. Scavenger hunt finishers will receive an Echo Mountain goodie bag. Monday, stop by the Echo Mountain Street Team Safety Tent, as they reward skiers and snowboarders wearing helmets for the "Lids on Kids" campaign.

Tuesday will be a special day for Never Summer fans, as four lucky Facebook winners will have a chance to join Echo Mountain staff for an exclusive factory tour. A sneak peek into the latest and greatest from Never Summer will be on display for this select group. Wednesday and Friday, Echo will host a Ski Patrol meet and greet/safety information session. Vitamin Water will be set up with samples for Echo guests at their hydration booth these days as well. Supplementing the hydration theme, Honest Tea will be on site Sunday for thirsty skiers and riders. Thursday will focus on park safety, with two park safety and etiquette sessions throughout the day provided by the Echo Ski and Ride School. Friday, Safety Week will wrap up with another safety information session with Ski Patrol, as well as a safety tent with goodies from Echo.

Throughout the week, tents will be set up with various information tools about Echo Mountain and the importance of safety on and off the mountain. NSAA is hosting a children's poster contest to highlight the safety "code" for skiing and snowboarding. For those looking to take the next step in safety, the onsite retail department at Echo will be offering a 20% discount on helmets at the mountain.

"We can't stress how important safety is, not only on the mountain, but off the mountain as well," said Echo Mountain General Manager Cindy Dady. "Echo has great things planned for this year's National Safety Week designed to allow guests to learn as much about each department as possible, and how they can stay safe during visits."

Located just 12 miles from Evergreen, CO and 35 miles from downtown Denver, Echo Mountain has reaped the benefits of fantastic early season conditions. More than 120 inches of snow have fallen at Echo this season, making the 35-inch plus packed-powder base and coverage some of the best in Colorado. With 98 percent of the mountain's lifts, terrain and runs open, it is one of a few ski/snowboard areas in Colorado with the ability to boast such offerings at this point in the season.

For the latest Echo Mountain conditions, news, ticket information, directions and more, please call 303.325.7347.

On January 19, 2012, Seven Springs Mountain Resort will forever change snowboarding as you know it with the grand opening of The Streets - the world's first urban terrain park, featuring some of the most iconic skyline images of Pittsburgh.

Joining Seven Springs for the opening of this innovative park will be professional riders:

n Pat Moore, Forum team rider who ranks in Snowboarder Magazine's Top 10 Riders for 2012 and helped mastermind the concept for The Streets

o Check out Pat's X Games Real Snow video ! Real Snow is one of the newest additions to the winter X Games. In this category, riders submit video s of themselves and others riding in urban areas. The video s are posted on the website and voted on by the viewers to decide the winners.

http://espn.go.com/action/xgames/realsnow/2012/realsnow

n Nic Sauve, Forum team rider and also among the braintrust for The Streets creation

n Austen Sweetin, who took burning sensationalism to new levels on the October 2010 cover of Snowboarder Magazine shot at Seven Springs

n Forum team riders Stevie Bell, Niko Cioffi and Cam Pierce will also be riding in this event

Since 2004, Seven Springs has been committed to developing and growing its terrain parks. In addition to the existing six parks and more than 70 features, The Streets is to be the most innovative urban setup created. Due to its hard work and dedication towards these efforts, Seven Springs has been nationally recognized as the 2011-2012 number one terrain parks on the East Coast.

"Seven Springs is committed to providing the best parks and pipes in the country, and this is a great addition to our already solid program" said Joel Rerko , Seven Springs' Director of Action Sports. "Our region is a perfect fit for this style of park and I know The Streets will help progress the riders of the lower East Coast."

"The Streets is taking the concept of what a snowpark should be to a whole new level," said Nic Sauvé. "I envy the kids who will grow up riding it!"

"The park looks so sick," Pat Moore added. "I'm excited for the snow to come to bring it to life! I think we'll be seeing some real good snowboarders coming out of Pennsylvania in the near future."

Grand Opening Itinerary

n 9 a.m.- 3p.m. - Forum Team photo shoot

o Spectators welcome

o Photographers welcome

o Interviews with creative staff and riders can be arranged

n 4-10 p.m., Kick-off Party

n 4-10 p.m., Park opens to the public

n 8 p.m.-close, After Party in the Foggy Goggle

ubing at Skibowl is a Party on the Snow

Lights, music, action-unique environment provides night time winter fun.

(Government Camp, OR-Jan.11, 2012) By combining laser lights, strobe lights, reflective snow tubes and a new sound system, Cosmic Tubing is a party on the snow, held every Saturday night at the Snow Tube & Adventure Park on Skibowl's east side.

"We've created a unique environment and a fun winter experience for older kids, teens and adults," said Kirk Hanna, owner of Mt. Hood Skibowl. "The response has been great. People love to be outside with their friends having a good time."

Party music, from dance to classic rock sets the tone. Laser lights shine on the slopes, black lights shine from above and neon green tubes reflect the laser lights. Twelve groomed lanes accommodate tubers riding single or tandem.

"It's a blast!" said Jesse Norton, 27, of Damascus, who came on opening night with his girlfriend Lakin, two brothers, and his 6 year old nephew. "The fact that we were tubing at night brought back childhood memories for us. We loved when it snowed and could be outside at night. It was always more fun because the snow was lit up by the moonlight. So now, when you add the music, black lights and lasers, it just creates overall good energy."

And, there's no need to trudge uphill. A new conveyor lift carries people and snow tubes to the top of the hill, steps away from the Multorpor Lodge and lounge or to outside slope-side seating.

"Cosmic Tubing is another part of our mission to make Skibowl a family-friendly, alpine--style resort with something for everyone," said Kirk Hanna, owner/operator of Skibowl. "We are glad to be able to offer another great winter activity."

Cosmic Tubing is scheduled every Saturday night from 7p-10p at Skibowl East, and on Fridays and Saturdays of school holiday weekends, and nightly during Oregon's spring break. Cost is $30 a person. The conveyor lift along with reflective single and double tubes are provided. Check the Skibowl web site to confirm dates.

Skibowl is usually open for winter activities from December through April and is located at 87000 East Highway 26, in Government Camp, Oregon. The main information line is 503-222-BOWL (2695) or online.

Mountains in prime condition for upcoming heli-skiing season with EpicQuest

January 10, 2012 ( Girdwood , Alaska ) - With 29 days of precipitation in December, the Alyeska Resort snow safety and ski patrol teams stayed busy recording one of the earliest openings of many key outer areas of the resort's 1,500 skiable acres. There were 183 measureable inches of snowfall at the top snow station (approximately 2,750 feet in elevation) in the month of December. January has continued the snowfall trend with two feet recorded to date and more on the way. This culminates in a season-long total of 400 inches, measured starting from October 1, 2011 as of January 10th.

The La Nina weather pattern has been generous to Alaska and select areas in the Pacific Northwest region as well as resorts in the lower Southwest. With the winter solstice now weeks past, Alaska is gaining daylight by the minute, and by vernal, or spring, equinox on March 20th, the greater Southcentral Alaska region will start to receive more hours of daylight as compared to the rest of North America . This natural phenomenon provides Alyeska Resort one of the longest ski seasons in North America spanning from Thanksgiving Weekend through Memorial Day when conditions allow.

Often called a "bucket list" destination in the summer season when millions of visitors disembark one of the major cruise lines to experience the great Alaskan wilderness, it's no secret that Alaska also tops many avid powder-hounds' dream ski list. The 2011/12 ski season is the year of powder in Alaska and Alyeska Resort, EpicQuest and Alaska Airlines would like to extend a warm welcome to ski (or ride) the last frontier.

The Epic Alaska Package is a limited time offer and includes four-nights stay at the luxurious Hotel Alyeska, three-days adult lift ticket, breakfast each morning and one-day guided cat skiing tour with Chugach Powder Guides (conditions permitting). The Epic Alaska Package with a standard room is available from as low as $699 per person based on double occupancy. Direct and connecting flights from most major U.S. cities are available to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport , 40 miles from Alyeska Resort along the scenic Seward Highway .

Alyeska Resort features diverse terrain for all levels including a family-friendly beginner area and PSIA certified instructors at the Mountain Learning Center . The resort has a 60-passenger aerial tram that access the upper mountain with open bowls and the North Face, home to North America's longest continuous double black diamond ski run. The Hotel Alyeska offers 304 well-appointed guest rooms, ski in/out access, full service spa and diverse restaurants and shops. Guests will have the option to purchase addition snow-cat tours at a 15% discount for $300 per person reflecting a $50 savings. To reserve, please call Alyeska Resort Reservations at 800-880-3880 or 907-754-2111, or visit www.AlyeskaResort.com , and ask for the Epic Alaska Package. Alyeska Resort packages are priced per person based on double occupancy and promotional pricing is subject to availability, tax and resort fee. Snowcat tours are available Friday to Sunday only. Each package can accommodate up to four adults with additional fees. All packages are available for stays through April 29, 2012, some restrictions may apply.

The iconic Chugach Mountains are assessable by helicopter starting in mid-February. Short helicopter flights place skiers on top of big Alaskan faces with views of Turnagain Arm in one direction and Prince William Sound in the other. Epic Quest's operations in Girdwood , Alaska are world-renowned and unmatched in the heli-ski industry. EpicQuest guests receive low guide-to-guest ratios; countless 3,000 to 4,000-foot vertical runs, and a full-service experience including luxury lodging and mountain-top dining at AAA Four Diamond Award winning Seven Glaciers Restaurant. The Chugach mountains offer excellent terrain for all ability levels.

This winter, EpicQuest is offering avid skiers and snowboarders the opportunity to interact with pro-athletes during their week-long heli-skiing package. The guest host program includes many leading pro-athletes each with their own specialties and areas of expertise.

Pro-Athlete Roster:

Week 1 (Feb. 11 - Feb. 19): Ian McIntosh (Download a PDF on Ian's week here)

Week 2 (Feb. 25 - Mar. 4): Chris Davenport (Download a PDF on Chris's week here)

Week 3 & 4 (Mar. 3 - Mar. 11): Jess McMillan (Download a PDF on Jess's week here) and Reggie Crist (Download a PDF on Reggies's week here)

Week 5 (Mar. 10 - Mar. 18): Lynsey Dyer (Download a PDF on Lynsey's week here)

Week 6 (Mar. 17 - Mar. 25): Zach Crist (Download a PDF on Zach's week here)

Week 7 (Mar. 24 - Apr. 1): Scott Markewitz (Download a PDF on Scott's week here)

Week 8 (Mar. 31 - Apr. 8): Elyse Saugstad (Download a PDF on Elyse's week here)

Week 9 (Apr. 7 - Apr. 15): Bryan Iguchi (Download a PDF on Bryan 's week here)

For weekend warriors, the Heli/Aly Package combines the perfect amount of time and expense for a power-long weekend of adventure and unforgettable terrain. The Heli/Aly combo package includes five (5) nights of deluxe lodging at The Hotel Alyeska, two (2) days of helicopter skiing, two (2) days of resort skiing, use of avalanche transceiver, lunch on ski days, option to purchase snowcat backup on no fly days, and round-trip scheduled airport shuttle.

Guests can choose from two options:

Heli/Aly Package #1

Arrive Wednesday, ski/ride the resort Thursday and Friday, heli Saturday and Sunday, depart Monday. Single Occupancy $4850 / Double Occupancy $4025

Heli/AlyPackage #2 Arrive Friday, heli Saturday and Sunday, ski/ride the resort Monday and Tuesday, depart Wednesday. Single Occupancy $4850 / Double Occupancy $4025

To take advantage of one of the EpicQuest packages, please call 907-783-4330.

"Giants Ridge is receiving up to three inches of fresh snow today, but to ensure a safe and excellent race course, six to eight inches is needed this week, and the forecast is not calling for more than three," said Deb Maki, race coordinator.

The East Range Cross Country Challenges, Inc. Board is proud to announce the following sponsors of the 2012 race: Giants Ridge, The Pepsi Bottling Group, SmartWool, Great River Energy, Minnesota Power, Biwabik Area Civic Assoc., UPS, TOKO, Hammer Nutrition, Bennett & Koch Construction, Range 11 - KBJR TV6, Nature Valley Granola Bars and Cold Snap Technology.

The Pepsi is a citizen race with many skiers of all ages and abilities participating. The Pepsi Challenge is a member of the American Ski Marathon Series and an American Birkebeiner qualifier.

All Active Duty, National Guard and Reservists Included in Special Offer, a $56 Savings

Brian Head, UT - Free Brian Head Resort lift tickets will be provided to all active duty military personnel, National Guard and Reservists on Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 16, 2012.

In the Rocky Mountains of Southern Utah, Brian Head will offer free skiing and snowboarding to all those presenting appropriate military identification at the ticket window. This represents a savings of $56, the price of a holiday full-day adult lift ticket at Brian Head, perhaps the best-kept skiing and snowboarding secret in the Southwestern United States. Free lift tickets are limited to one per person.

"Brian Head wants to honor and thank those who serve our country," said Brian Head's Sales, Marketing and PR Manager, Jon Christoffersen. "They put themselves in harm's way to protect our freedom. Skiing and snowboarding allows these men and women a chance to relax and unwind like few activities do."

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- To no one's surprise American mogul skier Hannah Kearney (Norwich, Vt.) will wear the yellow bib, when the FIS Freestyle World Cup series visits Lake Placid, N.Y., Jan. 19-21. The reigning Olympic and overall World Cup champion secured the points' lead on Dec. 20, in Meribel, France, when she captured her first dual moguls win of the season.

That victory has given her a 94 point edge over fellow American Eliza Outtrim (Steamboat Springs, Colo.), who sits in second place in the overall World Cup series chase with 106 points. Nikola Sudova, of the Czech Republic, is a single point behind Outtrim, in third place overall.

On Thursday, Jan. 19, Kearney will try to extend her World Cup winning streak on Whiteface Mountain, in Wilmington, N.Y., to four in a row. Last season, she raced to back-to-back wins on the 240-meter long Wilderness trail course.

Sho Kashima (El Paso, Texas) and Jeremy Cota (Carrabassett Valley, Maine) will lead the U.S. men's moguls team next week. Kashima is currently tied with France's Anthony Brenna, for third place in the men's overall points chase, with 140 points apiece. Both skiers are trying to chase down Canadian Mikael Kingsbury, who sits in first place with 200 points. Cota will come to Lake Placid and Wilmington in fourth place with 90 points.

The world's top aerial skiers will have competed just once before they soar in Lake Placid. The aerials World Cup series was slated to begin last weekend in Meiringen-Hasliberg, Switzerland, but the event was cancelled due to weather. Instead, the series kicks off this weekend in Mont Gabriel, Canada.

Following the event in Canada, these athletes will travel to Lake Placid and compete both next Friday and Saturday night. Action begins at the Olympic jumping complex both evenings at 7 p.m.

While the athletes soar 60 feet into the night air, fans can enjoy bonfires, giveaways and plenty of food and drinks provided by Centerplate. Fireworks will follow the competition and Lucid will perform live music from 7-8 p.m.

While in Lake Placid, be sure to celebrate World Snow Day. Spend World Snow Day cruising the greatest vertical drop east of the Rockies at Whiteface and catching U.S. Ski Team members and some of the best Freestyle skiers in the world compete. In honor of World Snow Day, purchase your aerial freestyle ticket at Whiteface, at our special World Snow Day booth, for a special $6 off discount to either aerials events on Friday or Saturday nights.

Tickets for the aerial competitions are $15 for adults and $9 for juniors and seniors. Saturday's admission will include free snow tubing, from 3-6 p.m. Space is limited. A lift ticket and skis are required to view the mogul events at Whiteface.

For those who can't make it to Lake Placid and Wilmington, the event will air on NBC, Saturday, Jan. 29, at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Check your local listings.

Lincoln, NH, January 11, 2012: Loon Mountain continues its commitment to safety both on and off the mountain by celebrating National Safety Awareness Week, January 14-22, in conjunction with its popular annual Independence Weekend events. Created by the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) to help raise safety awareness at resorts across the country Safety Week will be recognized this year at Loon in a number of different ways for both guests and employees.

Children 12 and under are invited to enter the NSAA Responsibility Code Poster Contest through January 22 by stopping by the Adventure Center or Loon Mountain Sports. Forms can also be downloaded through the NSAA website (nsaa.org) under the Safety Programs tab. Completed entry forms need to be submitted at Loon Mountain Sports by January 22. A panel of Loon employees will choose the winning posters and the top three winners will receive prizes. Loon poster finalists will also be entered in NSAA's national contest.

Throughout the weekend of January 14-16, a Safety Week Headquarters tent will be set up outside The Shred Shed freeski & snowboard shop. Reps from Giro, POC, and Smith will be on hand throughout the weekend for helmet demos. Loon Ski Patrol will offer safety advice to guests and hand out Know the Code buttons and Responsibility Code postcards. Hot cocoa will also be available at the tent throughout the weekend.

On Monday January 16, Steve Reinfurt, a Loon Mountain Ski Patroller and a member of the American Association of Avalanche Professionals, will be giving 15 minute presentations on avalanche awareness. Presentations will be held on the hour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ski Patrol building at the Gondola summit.

In addition to the helmet demo, participants in Loon's Seasonal Snowsports Programs will be promoting helmet awareness by decorating old helmets and displaying them in the headquarters tent.

Throughout the week, a number of departments will also be doing their part for Safety Week. Loon employees will be sporting 'Know the Code' buttons to raise awareness about the Responsibility Code. Loon Mountain Sports and the Shred Shed will be offering special discounts on helmets, leashes, and wrist guards. Guests can get their bindings checked for free at Loon Mountain Sports Monday through Friday. Lift operations will be competing in an ice sculpture contest with a Responsibility Code theme. Guests can vote on the best sculpture and enter their vote into a drawing for prizes. Ballots will be available at the Safety Week HQ Tent and the winners will be drawn at 5 p.m. in the Bunyan Room on January 14, 15, and 16^th. Food and beverage locations will be highlighting their healthy options throughout the week and display facts about the best things to eat and drink to stay hydrated and energized throughout a day of skiing and riding.

Borrowing from the TV quiz show Cash Cab, Loon will roll out their version, called 'Cash Cabin,' which will take place on the gondola throughout Safety Week. Several Loon employees will ride the Gondola with guests at random and quiz them on the Responsibility Code and other safety topics. If the contestants answer the questions correctly, they will win prizes. The 'show' will be filmed and the videos will be posted on Loon's Facebook page.

Meg Clinton, Loon terrain park ambassador, will be offering terrain park safety tours, during January 14-16, to help educate skiers and riders about park safety and proper etiquette so that Loon's parks can be enjoyed by all.

PEEPs, Loon's Park Etiquette and Education Program, which was launched by Loon's terrain park staff two winters ago, is an online interactive program that educates skiers and riders about freestyle terrain and signage. Once a skier or snowboarder completes the online quiz, they can download a voucher and pick up their PEEPs pass the next time they visit Loon. PEEPs pass holders can enjoy benefits such as five dollars off specific terrain park event registration, discounts at The Shred Shed and Loon Mountain Sports, a chance to win gear from different sponsors in monthly raffles, and special events. For more information on Loon's Safety Week visit loonmtn.com. For more information on National Safety Week,

With snow and a long weekend in the forecast, it's shaping up to be a wonderful holiday weekend at Stratton. There are a slew of can't miss events on the books for young and old. Most importantly, however, is the recognition, praise and applause owed our snowmakers, who have made good on the calendar's promise of winter.

Pumped enough water to fill 304 Olympic pools - And 2.5 million bathtubs. Our snowmakers have truly saved winter! While you may still be mowing your front law, Stratton is skiing and riding as though in the midst of a La Niña winter. It's been a non-stop effort on their part, having made snow a whopping 404 hours in December alone (or 54% of the month)! The figures - and their outcome - are staggering. Please touch base for more details or a chance to set up a tour with the snowmakers.

Cold Wars Rail Jam - The Rail Jam series is back this Saturday, January 14, on Tyrolienne. And this time, it's a day jam! Registration ($20) is in the Overflow Room from 1 to 2pm, with the competition kicking off at 2:30pm on Tyrolienne. Skiers and riders of all ages are invited to compete for swag and cash. Helmets required. Bonus: this weekend only, hike and ride Tyro under the lights from 5-9pm!

MLK Weekend - MLK is synonymous with ski getaway. Pack your skis, boards and base layers and escape the daily grind for a few days on the slopes. Stratton has a weekend full of events to keep you stoked on and off the hill, including live late night music by Vermont's favorite band, Twiddle (1/14, 8:30pm at Grizzly's), a fireworks display (1/14, 8:30pm), Kid's Helmet Flair Parade (1/14, 3:30pm) and everyone's favorite wintertime tradition: sugar on snow!

Tubbs Romp to Stomp - The snowshoe event of the winter benefiting Susan G. Komen is back Saturday, January 28. Last year's benefit raised an extraordinary $80,000+ for breast cancer research. Join us this winter as we smash that record. The Romp to Stomp is a 3k or 5k snowshoe tour through Stratton's wooded Nordic trails.

While the calendar clearly states that it is, in fact, winter, Mother Nature seems to be indecisive about her seasonal obligations to the skiers and snowboarders - and not just in the mid-Atlantic and East Coast, but throughout most the mountainous regions of the United States.

However, the heroic actions of Seven Springs Mountain Resort's Mountain Crew are here to save the day and defeat Mother Nature's mild wild child, La Niña! By taking advantage of the scant opportunities and going full-blast, the Mountain Crew has been able to open 75% of the resort's skiable terrain and build a base ranging from one-foot to two-feet of snow on the open terrain. Currently, the resort has 24 slopes and trails, three terrain parks with more than 25 features with five chairlifts and two surface lifts and 11 snowtubing lanes open.

While La Niña can be a formidable opponent, the Seven Springs Mountain Crew is armed with nearly 1,000 snowmaking towers, 45 ground guns, seven fan guns and eight high-efficiency electric compressors with the ability to produce up to one inch per hour in snowmaking areas, under ideal conditions.

But snowmaking isn't just about mechanical wizardry, it ultimately comes down to good old-fashioned man power. To say the Mountain Crew is passionate about their work is an understatement. With a staff of 58 of full and part-time professionals to make, move and maintain a mountain of snow, the Mountain Crew works around the clock in some of the toughest conditions.

"To make snow, the right ingredients are needed," adds Dick Barron, Director of Ski Patrol. "First, cold water, preferably in the mid-30 degree range. Next, the outside air at 28 degrees or lower and last, humidity of 85% or lower. Then we can start the snowmaking process by using water from our 50 holding ponds and then compressing the air and water together. The air explodes the water into finer particles. Mother Nature then freezes those particles and the result is snow."

Also among the arsenal to combat La Niña is the Mountain Crew's brainchild - the SolarBee, a solar panel complete with a battery back-up that is roughly the size of a dinner table. Originally designed to combat algae, the SolarBee quietly floats in the resort's largest snowmaking water source, the 12-acre Lake Tahoe. Here it circulates water to even the water temperature within the ideal snowmaking range. The SolarBee is capable of circulating about 10,000 gallons of water per minute!

Cold air is scheduled to return to the region Thursday evening and the Mountain Crew anticipates making snow for the next three to five days. Round-the-clock snowmaking will be conducted Thursday through Sunday throughout the mountain. Mother Nature is also expected to bring approximately four to eight inches of natural snow over the same timeframe.

While there may not be snow in the cities, towns and neighborhoods around Seven Springs Mountain Resort, January is National Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month and Seven Springs is featuring a new lodging package in honor of this initiative. The Learn to Ski and Snowboard package includes two nights of lodging, a beginner lesson complete with rental equipment, breakfast, dinner, snow tubing and more starting at $298 per person, based on double occupancy.

For more information, please visit www.7springs.com or call (800) 523-7777 for the snow report.

DIRECT TO PATS PEAK ON SATURDAY AFTERNOONS

Get on the bus and save!

Henniker, NH, January 9, 2012 - Pats Peak, southern New Hampshire's favorite mountain, continues their bus service on Saturdays from the Boston Area and now added a pick up location at Ski Haus in Salem, NH.

Roundtrip transportation is provided on a Motor Coach Bus starting on Saturday, January 14, 2012. Bus Trip & Lift Ticket Package includes round trip transportation, lift ticket, rental equipment, snowtubing and live entertainment for only $65 per person.

Bus Departs from these locations:

Braintree Lot (Roc-Sam Park Dr.) at 11:30am

Comm. Ave/Warren Towers at 12:10pm

Ruggles T Station Roundabout at 12:30pm

Ski Haus, Salem, NH at 1:20pm

The bus departs from Pats Peak at 9:30pm.

Reservations must be made in advanced online or call (781) 849-0200.

"We have been elated to see the response to our bus service! We have been able to add a new pick up location in Salem NH, and have been receiving requests to add new locations. We have even had some dates sell out, so make sure you reserve your seats early," comments Celina Braun, Group Sales Coordinator at Pats Peak.

SEVEN SPRINGS, Pa. - Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Pennsylvania 's premier four season family resort, has snow!

While the calendar clearly states that it is, in fact, winter, Mother Nature seems to be indecisive about her seasonal obligations to the skiers and snowboarders - and not just in the mid-Atlantic and East Coast, but throughout most the mountainous regions of the United States.

However, the heroic actions of Seven Springs Mountain Resort's Mountain Crew are here to save the day and defeat Mother Nature's mild wild child, La Niña! By taking advantage of the scant opportunities and going full-blast, the Mountain Crew has been able to open 75% of the resort's skiable terrain and build a base ranging from one-foot to two-feet of snow on the open terrain. Currently, the resort has 24 slopes and trails, three terrain parks with more than 25 features with five chairlifts and two surface lifts and 11 snowtubing lanes open.

Although Seven Springs' average annual snowfall is 147 inches, snowmaking has played a pivotal role this season. The resort's expansive snowmaking system can cover nearly all of the resort's 285 skiable acres.

While La Niña can be a formidable opponent, the Seven Springs Mountain Crew is armed with nearly 1,000 snowmaking towers, 45 ground guns, seven fan guns and eight high-efficiency electric compressors with the ability to produce up to one inch per hour in snowmaking areas, under ideal conditions.

But snowmaking isn't just about mechanical wizardry, it ultimately comes down to good old-fashioned man power. To say the Mountain Crew is passionate about their work is an understatement. With a staff of 58 of full and part-time professionals to make, move and maintain a mountain of snow, the Mountain Crew works around the clock in some of the toughest conditions.

"To make snow, the right ingredients are needed," adds Dick Barron, Director of Ski Patrol. "First, cold water, preferably in the mid-30 degree range. Next, the outside air at 28 degrees or lower and last, humidity of 85% or lower. Then we can start the snowmaking process by using water from our 50 holding ponds and then compressing the air and water together. The air explodes the water into finer particles. Mother Nature then freezes those particles and the result is snow."

Also among the arsenal to combat La Niña is the Mountain Crew's brainchild - the SolarBee, a solar panel complete with a battery back-up that is roughly the size of a dinner table. Originally designed to combat algae, the SolarBee quietly floats in the resort's largest snowmaking water source, the 12-acre Lake Tahoe . Here it circulates water to even the water temperature within the ideal snowmaking range. Aerators and a fully solar-powered circulation system called the SolarBee keep the water moving and at a steady temperature. The SolarBee is capable of circulating about 10,000 gallons of water per minute!

Cold air is scheduled to return to the region Thursday evening and the Mountain Crew anticipates making snow for the next three to five days. Round-the-clock snowmaking will be conducted Thursday through Sunday throughout the mountain. Mother Nature is also expected to bring approximately four to eight inches of natural snow over the same timeframe.

While there may not be snow in the cities, towns and neighborhoods around Seven Springs Mountain Resort, January is National Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month and Seven Springs is featuring a new lodging package in honor of this initiative. The Learn to Ski and Snowboard package includes two nights of lodging, a beginner lesson complete with rental equipment, breakfast, dinner, snow tubing and more starting at $298 per person, based on double occupancy.

For more information, please visit www.7springs.com or call (800) 523-7777.

70% off heli skiing this week (only) to hook up the locals.

Silverton, Colo., January 9, 2012… Silverton Mountain is the only location where you can heli ski/board this weekend for only $50. As the only ski area in the US that offers heli skiing, Silverton Mountain is also the only place you will find it for $50. If you haven't ever experienced heli skiing, this weekend is your chance as Silverton Mountain is hooking up the locals with prices from the 1980's. Normally heli skiing can cost upwards of $1,000 per day as you have to purchase 6 runs at most heli skiing operations.

The $50 single heli drops will be offered in the Pyramid Zone at Silverton Mountain, which has not been skied all season and should have great snow. Silverton Mountain is 100% open with fantastic steep skiing to be had.

This is the final weekend of unguided skiing until April 5^th when unguided skiing resumes. From January 19^th through April 4^th it returns to guided only skiing with approximately 80 skiers or less on the mountain each day.

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- The second weekend, Jan. 6-9, of the New Year saw some pretty strong results from area athletes competing internationally.

Alpine Skiing:

Andrew Weibrecht (Lake Placid, N.Y.), Tommy Beisemeyer (Keene, N.Y.): Weibrecht spent some time home, in Lake Placid, and returns to the World Cup circuit this weekend. Beisemeyer raced in Saturday's FIS World Cup giant slalom, held in Adelboden, Switzerland and did not finish.

Biathlon:

Lowell Bailey (Lake Placid, N.Y.), Tim Burke (Paul Smiths, N.Y.), Annelies Cook (Saranac Lake, N.Y.): The IBU World Cup tour visited Oberhof, Germany over the weekend. In Saturday's 10 km sprint, Burke was 36^th, while Bailey finished the race in 45^th position. The two, along with Jay Hakkinen (Kasilof, Alaska) and Leif Nordgren (Marine, Minn.), helped the U.S. squad to an 11^th place showing in Thursday's, Jan. 5, 4x7.5 km relay. The weekend wrapped up with the 15 km race… Bailey was 11^th and Burke did not race. Cook did not race.

Bobsled:

John Napier (Lake Placid, N.Y.): Heavy snow delayed the start of Saturday's FIBT World Cup two-man bobsled race for two hours and poor visibility forced officials to cancel the race's second run. Napier finished 17^th in the one-heat race. In Sunday's four-man race, Napier drove his sled to a 16^th place result.

Luge:

Chris Mazdzer (Saranac Lake, N.Y.), Emily Sweeney (Suffield, Conn.): Mazdzer made his FIL World Cup debut Friday in Koenigssee, Germany. The 2010 Olympian finished 21^st in the men's singles race. He helped USA Luge to a fifth place showing in the team relay. Sweeney did not qualify for the women's singles race after suffering a spill in Nations Cup qualifying.

Nordic Combined:

Bill Demong (Vermontville, N.Y.): Demong competed in Oberstdorf, Germany where he helped anchor Team USA to a fifth place finish in Saturday's HS137/4x5 km team competition. In Sunday's FIS Nordic Combined World Cup individual event, the reigning Olympic champion placed 14^th.

SNOWBIRD, UT - Snowbird Mountain School is creating an incentive for first-time skiers and snowboarders to return to the slopes with a Learner's Permit, a pass that allows beginners to learn to ski or snowboard with six discount lessons and five discount lift tickets.

"Our Learner's Permit gives you access to the slopes - with training wheels," said Maggie Loring, Director of Snowbird Mountain School. "The Learner's Permit makes it easy for beginners to learn gradually until they feel comfortable navigating the mountain on their own."

The Learner's Permit is for first-time skiers and snowboarders, ages 13 and older. The first session includes a 2.5-hour lesson, lift ticket and rental equipment, all for $40 on January afternoons, or $90 on January mornings and the rest of the season. The beginner can then return for five additional adult group lessons for $60 each (regularly $100), and five lift tickets for half-price. Learner's Permit lessons are subject to availability and valid for the rest of the regular 2011-12 Mountain School season.

January afternoons are priced at a discount as part of Snowbird's participation in national Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month.

"It's the instructors that make all the difference for beginners, and Snowbird instructors are prepared to help beginners learn to ski or snowboard the entire mountain, from groomers to powder," said Loring. "Snowbird is unique in that if you learn here, you can ski or snowboard anywhere."

Snowbird Mountain School also offers private guiding and coaching, women's camps, sidecountry touring camps, and lessons for children ages 3 and older.

CALGARY, ALBERTA (January 8, 2012) - Two Alberta teens will represent Canada in freestyle halfpipe skiing at the inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria next week.

Fifteen-year-old Shannon Gunning and 16-year-old Aaron MacKay, both of Calgary, will be accompanied by Winsport Alberta Halfpipe Team Coach Brett McClelland to the games where they will compete in a qualifying event on January 14 and the finals the next day.

"It's incredible that halfpipe got selected for these Games before it even made its Winter Olympic debut. I think it shows that the IOC sees us as the future of sport," said McClelland.

And even the fact that he doesn't know much about the international field of teenage halfpipe skiers that will compete in Innsbruck didn't stop this proud coach from musing on the chances for his two-member team.

"I have high expectations. The fact is that I believe they could both podium. [Gunning] has the amplitude and the tricks; and [MacKay] is the most consistent kid I've ever coached and an insanely good competitor," he said.

But Gunning is focused on the experience more than the outcome, "I'm really stoked and I've been imagining how great it's going to feel to be representing Canada at this prestigious event. My goal is to embrace the experience with an open mind, try my best, and stomp a clean run."

She also revealed that she was really excited by prospect of marching in the opening ceremonies and wearing the "sick" Team Canada parka and other goodies she got in her athlete package from the Canadian Olympic Committee and HBC.

MacKay, whose biggest trick is a 900, said that he feels the Youth Olympic Games are a great stepping-stone to his ultimate goal, a berth on Canada's Winter Olympic team. "I train really hard and put a lot of passion into my sport," said the former ski racer who turned to freestyle because, "I had way more fun doing tricks in the park."

The Youth Olympic Games' declared goal is to bring the Olympic ideals closer to young people around the world; the Innsbruck event follows the success of the first Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010.

DAVOS, Switzerland - January 7, 2012: In the Swiss winter wonderland of Davos, Canadians Spencer O'Brien and Mark McMorris won the 6Star Big Air competition at the O'Neill Evolution. Gripping until the last run, Mark was followed closely by Eric Willet (USA) and Seppe Smits (BEL) in third place.

Swiss rider, Sina Candrian, came second, followed by rookie Anna Gasser (AUT) in the women's competition.

The women's final was extremely exciting, counting in rookies like 3rd placed Anna Gasser (AUT), leaving some experienced favorites behind.

It was Anna's last run that secured her spot on the podium. With a stylish Backside 540 Mute Grab and Frontboard to 50-50 Frontside Out on the rail, she surprised everyone, including herself: 'I can't believe it, I am so happy! This morning I was very nervous, but during training, it all felt so good and I relaxed a bit more, that may have been it!'

Spencer O'Brien, who locked in the highest score of 93.45 for her Frontside 720 Nosebone and a Gap Lipslide on the rail in her 2nd run stated: 'I am super excited over my second win of the season, especially with a trick that I haven't really done that much. It was a good time here in Davos!'

With record amounts of snow all week during the qualifications, it was a rather mild women's final today weather-wise, but a powderwonderland nonetheless. As the snow started coming down more densely, things were heating up at the same time in anticipation of the men's final.

Amongst a thrilled crowd of thousands, the men's final was exciting down to the last run. Eric Willett lost his first and second run lead to Mark McMorris by only 0.30 points, with Mark performing a nearly perfect Backside Double Cork 1260 Mute Grab and Gap switch hardway to 270 out on the rail. None of the finalists were holding back in going BIG, which influenced the atmosphere amongst the spectators tremendously, giving the riders the necessary energy to perform.

Mark McMorris, who surprised himself today, commented on his win: 'Eric rode insane, and would have deserved the win as much as I did.'

In the Big Air Tour ranking, Eric Willett grabs the lead from Roope Tonteri (FIN). Seppe Smits advanced from 12th to 5th position, remaining in his 5th position in the Overall Rankings. With his first Big Air result of the season here at O'Neill Evolution, Swiss rider, Christian Haller, advanced to the 1st position in the TTR Overall World Tour rankings. O'Neill Evolution was the last Big Air contest before the Big Air final Billabong Air&Style February 4th, in Innsbruck, Austria, where the TTR Big Air Tour Champion will be crowned.

The O'Neill Evolution Big Air results count on the qualifying road to the World Snowboarding Championships in Oslo, and was the last chance to gather points on the 6Star level. Riders have another few chances to qualify for the Halfpipe and Slopestyle disciplines of the WSC. The RedBull Nanshan Open in China is the last 5Star Slopestyle opportunity for men. A number of 4Star level events in both Halfpipe and Slopestyle provide further opportunities to collect points until the deadline on January 23rd, 2012.

Time Lesson Package; Sundays in January!

Palmerton, Pennsylvania (6^th January 2012)-- Blue Mountain Ski Area begins Learn a Snow Sports Month with 50% off our first time lesson package, which includes rentals, first time lesson, and access to our three learning hills. Our Learn to Ski or Snowboard Package is for guests ages 6 and over who have never tried the sport. This month long promotion starts January 8^th and will run every Sunday until January 29^th. The cost is only $32.50 which is half off the published price.

New for this year, guests who purchase the First Time Lesson Package will enjoy a first time lesson that gives them all the time they need to learn. This station teaching format provides access to open-ended instruction, which focuses on progressing at an individual pace. Their daily lift ticket can be used all day, until they can stop and turn with confidence.

"Blue Mountain is committed to introducing new guests to Snowsports. With over 40% of our mountain being beginner trails and offering numerous beginner programs, we are dedicated to exposing the sport to guests who may not have had the opportunity otherwise." states Director of Marketing, Heidi Lutz.

Join us for Skiing Features, Videos and a Ski Ticket Giveaway!

January is Ski Month at Absolute Michigan, and all month long we are celebrating skiing in Michigan with original articles and features on downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding along with photos and videos that take you up close and personal with the Michigan ski experience.

We'll also have features on Michigan ski pioneers and the rich history of skiing in the Great Lakes State, and from our friends at Seeking Michigan and the Archives of Michigan we'll have a feature on the Suicide Hill ski jump in Ishpeming.

At the center of it all is a giveaway of 4 pairs of lift tickets to 4 great Michigan ski resorts: Crystal Mountain, Boyne Mountain, Shanty Creek and The Homestead! For a chance to win, just head over to absolutemichigan.com!

We're not alone in celebrating skiing this month. Governor Rick Snyder has proclaimed January as Discover Michigan Snow Sports Month, citing the fact that we are home to more downhill ski areas than any other state and encouraging Michigan residents and visitors to use this month to take advantage of it. With 41 ski areas and over 800 runs and 40 terrain parks and hundreds of miles of groomed cross-country trails, there's plenty of terrain to explore.

The Michigan Snowsports Industries Association has jumped on board, offering a program called Discover Michigan Skiing that will give you a beginner lesson, ski or snowboard rental equipment and a beginner-area ski lift pass or cross-country trail pass at 23 Michigan ski facilities! It's available through January 31 and costs just $20 for cross-country skiing; $30 downhill skiing and $40 snowboarding.

7 New Slope Openings Today through Saturday To Bring Total Open Terrain to 145 acres

SNOWSHOE, W.Va.-January 5, 2012--Thanks to a foot of new natural snow, cold temperatures and aggressive snowmaking, Snowshoe Mountain is announcing the opening of 40 new acres of terrain including the popular Cupp Run.

The resort opened Camp 99 at Snowshoe and Slaymaker and Spur at Silver Creek today and will open Grabhammer, Bucksaw and Laurel Run on Friday, January 6. On Saturday, January 7, Snowshoe's highly touted Cupp Run will be open. The new slope openings will bring Snowshoe's total of open terrain to approximately 145 acres, more than any other ski resort in the region. The resort's Progression Session Park also reopened yesterday after a full build out complete with 15 features including four jumps.

This weekend, Snowshoe will host its annual Burton Women's Camp - a camp designed by women for women. Discounted tickets and lodging available as part of the package.

Shermans Travel Top-Six Romantic Getaways

LAKE PLACID/WILMINGTON, N.Y. --- Are you looking for a romantic ski vacation this winter? If you are, you might want to consider Whiteface/Lake Placid, N.Y. Shermans Travel has included the two-time Olympic village and Whiteface Mountain, in Wilmington, N.Y., as one of their top six Romantic Ski Destinations.

The article describes skiing at the Olympic Mountain, bobsled rides at Mt. Van Hoevenberg and the Olympic Center as activities and attractions. It also features lodging properties including the Mirror Lake Inn and the Lake Placid Lodge.

This is the latest recognition for the resort. Earlier this winter, Whiteface/Lake Placid was tabbed by National Geographic Magazine as one of the top-10 winter destinations world-wide. Whiteface/Lake Placid was one of only three United States destinations to make the list. The world-wide publication also featured the area in its top-10 of North American Snow Adventures.

Of course this fall; readers of SKI Magazine selected Whiteface/Lake Placid as the top destination for Off Hill Activities. The readers also selected Whiteface Mountain as the fourth top ski resort in the eastern United States.

Whiteface, Wilmington and Lake Placid also received high marks from the magazine's readers for its scenery (#2), resort dining (#3), après ski (#3), mountain character (#4), family programs (#7), challenging terrain (#7), overall terrain (#9), overall satisfaction (#9) and lodging (#10).

SnowEast Magazine readers also picked Whiteface Mountain as the east's most scenic resort.

Wakefield, Mich.,- Indianhead Mountain Resort has plenty of natural snow and would like to share it with winter enthusiasts from around the Midwest.

"We just received about 20 inches of new snow just after the holidays. While other areas have little to no snow, we are very thankful for Lake Superior and Lake Effect Snow," says GM Barry Bolich. "Over the holidays, we welcomed guests from all over Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota. Some traveled even further to come enjoy the snow."

Tucked into the southwestern border of Lake Superior's snow-belt, Indianhead Mountain is famous for its Lake Effect Snow. Each winter, the surrounding area is blessed with 200+ inches of natural snow.

It all begins when cold air pushes across the Great Lakes. As the cold air passes over the warm water, the warmer lake water heats the air as lake moisture evaporates into the cold air.

As the wind moves inland and begins to run into Big Snow Country's mountainous terrain, it forces the air to rise, cooling the air. As it cools, more humidity creates even more snow. This is why Indianhead receives some of the heaviest lake effect snow from the Great Lakes.

"The word is definitely getting out that we have several feet of snow on the ground," says Vice President of Marketing Dave Nyquist. "Skier visits over the holidays were up over last year, a trend we hope continues through the year. It is hard for people to believe we have snow when their backyard is green. Hopefully, they'll visit one of our web cams and see for themselves."

Indianhead Mountain Resort is a full service resort offering 29 downhill skiing slopes, snowboarding and an average of 17 feet of snow per year. The village and resort facilities are located on top of the mountain overlooking the Ottawa National Forest. Indianhead boasts award-winning dining, lodging, live entertainment and full-service conference/banquet facilities.

Whiteface Offers $59 Learn to Ski and Snowboard Packages

WILMINGTON, N.Y. --- There's never been a better time to learn to ski or ride than January, during the National Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month. The first 31 days of the new year are dedicated as the national month to learn a new snow sport and hundreds of alpine and Nordic ski resorts in 22 states, will be offering discounts and specials on lessons, rentals and lift tickets.

The goal of the Learn to Ski and Snowboard month is to get American families on the slopes and enjoy a healthy winter lifestyle. Organizers are hoping that more than 150,000 children and adults will take ski and snowboard lessons from a professional instructor. Last January an estimated 75,000 children and adults participated in the program.

"No matter what your age, January is a great time to get outside, hit the slopes and enjoy this fun and healthy outdoor activity," remarked Aleks Smith, Whiteface Mountain 's snowsports director. "Whether it's your first time ever on skis, or you haven't skied in a few years, or maybe you're just looking to improve your skiing or riding, here's your chance to take an affordable lesson. Skiing and riding are sports to enjoy for a lifetime."

During the National Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month, Whiteface will be offering a mid-week special for just $59. This includes lessons, rentals and a lower-mountain lift ticket. Lessons begin at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and are available for skiers and riders 13 and older.

Learning to ski and ride at Whiteface has never been easier thanks to Whiteface's ski school pros and to the new Rossignol Experience range of rockered all mountain skis available at the Olympic mountain. Utilizing this innovative technology, Whiteface ski instructors will help to ease a beginner's fear of failure and falling.

The Rossi rockered grows along with the skier's skill and input level. So, novice skiers benefit from the ease with which these skis glide, steer and stop. And, when skiers begin to roll the ski up on edge and increase speed, the skis carve on-demand, control speed and maneuver easily for all skier levels.

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- The holidays are over and it's back to racing for several Lake Placid, N.Y. area athletes.

Alpine Skiing:

Andrew Weibrecht (Lake Placid, N.Y.), Tommy Beisemeyer (Keene, N.Y.): Weibrecht did race during the holiday period. He participated in the FIS alpine World Cup downhill stop, Dec. 19, in Bormio, Italy, where he finished 49^th. Beisemeyer is now back on the Nor-Am tour.

Biathlon:

Lowell Bailey (Lake Placid, N.Y.), Tim Burke (Paul Smiths, N.Y.), Annelies Cook (Saranac Lake, N.Y.): The IBU World Cup tour is scheduled to resume Friday, Jan. 6, in Forni Avoltri, Italy. Bailey is ranked ninth in the overall Cup chase, while Burke is 37^th. Meanwhile, Cook competed in Obertilliach, Austria, Dec. 14-17. She was 60^th in the 7.5 km sprint and did not complete the 10 km pursuit. Cook did help anchor the U.S. squad to a 14^th place finish in the mixed team relay.

Bobsled:

John Napier (Lake Placid, N.Y.): The FIBT World Cup bobsled series starts its second half this weekend in Altenberg, Germany. Napier is 15^th in the overall two-man rankings and 12^th in the chase for the four-man crown.

Luge:

Chris Mazdzer (Saranac Lake, N.Y.), Emily Sweeney (Suffield, Conn.): The holiday break is over for the International Luge Federation's World Cup athletes. Racing resumes this weekend in Koenigssee, Germany for Mazdzer and Sweeney, whose father is from Saranac Lake, N.Y. Mazdzer, a 2010 Olympian, returns to the tour after spending the first half of the season in Lake Placid testing equipment. Sweeney opened the season winning two junior World Cup crowns before joining the senior squad in Calgary, Canada.

Nordic Combined:

Bill Demong (Vermontville, N.Y.): Demong and Ryan Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) teamed up to compete in the FIS World Cup Nordic combined team sprint, Friday, Dec. 16. The two combined to finish sixth in the HS 109/2x7.5 km event. This weekend's World Cup stop in Schonach, Germany has been cancelled. The tour's next event is the following weekend in Chaux Neuve, France.

Ski Jumping:

Peter Frenette (Saranac Lake, N.Y.): Frenette made is FIS Continental Cup debut, Dec. 22-28, in Engelberg, Switzerland. He was 69^th in Tuesday's event and 52^nd Wednesday. He's getting ready to jump again, Jan. 7-8, in Kranj, Slovenia.

Free lifts, lessons and rentals for beginners, starting in January to honor National Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month

MT. CRESTED BUTTE, Colo. - January 4 - It's National Learn to Ski & Snowboard month and thanks to an incredible offer from Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR), there's one more reason to learn this season.

Beginning in January, CBMR is offering a free day of lifts, lessons and rentals to aspiring skiers and riders who book a two-night stay at any CBMR property. The offer is valid for true beginners - 'never-evers' - and includes each person on the reservation. Even better, this package applies to both adults and children.

"With the views from the learning area and the elegant terrain guests have the perfect area to learn to ski and snowboard at Crested Butte Mountain Resort," says Nick Herrin, director of resort services at CBMR. "The free lift ticket, lesson, and rental package makes the 'learn to ski' opportunity even sweeter. Guests will be able to move through the learning progression with some of the best instructors in the country, while capitalizing on a great lodging and ski offer. We are honored to introduce more skiers and riders into the sport and give them positive memories of their first time on the slopes."

CBMR's Learn to Ski for Free special is available from January 3 through March 9, 2012. A two-night minimum stay in a CBMR property is required. Included lift ticket allows access to beginner areas only and included lesson is intended for never-ever skiers and riders. An upgrade is available for a full-access lift ticket and lesson for more experienced skiers. Included rental is for 'Sport' level skis or snowboard.

For information or reservations contact Crested Butte Vacations at 800-600-2803.

January 4, 2012, Ellicottville , NY . . . A ribbon cutting ceremony and champagne toast will be held to celebrate the opening of the new SnowPine Quad Chairlift at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 7th.

The $650,000 chairlift is Holiday Valley 's tenth quad chairlift and was constructed over the summer by the resort's Mountain Crew to replace the existing double chair. The lift is 2,100 feet in length and has a capacity of 1,600 skiers per hour.

This new lift almost doubles the capacity of double chair and enhances the ski-in, ski-out access to the SnowPine Village condominiums. Bear Cub, a beginner trail that was constructed for the 2010-11 season is serviced by this lift and was outfitted with snowmaking pipeline and hydrants for the 2011-12 season. The lower section of Bear Cub was also extended for easier access to the base of the SnowPine lift. The lift also services the double black diamond slope, the Wall as well as the intermediate slopes of Bobsled, Catwalk and Last Chance.

A completely new drive terminal was installed at the base and the towers, cross arms, and the return station were replaced to accommodate the larger gauge of a four passenger chair. Holiday Valley Mountain Manager Jim Curtis led the Holiday Valley mountain crew in the construction of the lift. Holiday Valley is one of only a few ski areas in the country to construct their own lifts. The advantage is that the mountain crew is familiar with every aspect of the lift and can maintain the lift properly and make repairs efficiently.

Holiday Valley, in Western New York State is a leading eastern North American winter resort. Fifty-eight slopes and 13 lifts (including three high speed quads) are spread over four distinct faces that offer challenging steeps, gentle cruisers, glades, fun terrain parks and a mountain coaster. Three beautiful base lodges provide full service dining, marketplaces and coffee bars, as well as ski and snowboard rentals and repair, two ski shops and four bars. Fantastic children's ski programs and on-site day care means convenience and flexibility for families. Comfortable lodging is available on the slopes and in nearby Ellicottville, a quaint ski town with shops, restaurants and après-ski fun.

Crystal Mountain, WA- Crystal Mountain Resort is offering two lesson specials to encourage new skiers and snowboarders in January as part of a nationwide initiative with the National Ski Areas Association, Olympic Gold Medalist Bode Miller and extreme skier Glen Plake.

"I want everyone to get out there and fun on the snow like I do," says Plake. "You don't have to be that good; you just have to enjoy yourself."

Crystal Snowsports staff specialize in teaching beginner skiers and snowboarders using clear and simple instruction combined with a fleet of cutting edge rental equipment tailored for those new to the sport.

"Skiing and snowboarding are no longer just for the adventurous mountaineer, but open for all to try," said Sean Bold, Director of Crystal's Snowsports School. "We have a very well trained and competent staff to help you learn the sport quickly, easily and safely. Teaching beginner skiers and snowboarders is what we love to do."

These special rates are valid any day in January for both skiers and snowboarders:

First Time Lesson Package ($79, regularly $89)

Includes a 5-hr group lesson, Discovery lift ticket and equipment rental.

Learn to Ski 1-2-3 Package ($175, regularly $185)

Everything you need to fall in love with winter! Three days of skiing or snowboarding instruction, lift tickets and rentals. First day is a 5-hr group lesson, Discovery lift ticket and equipment rental. Days two and three are 2.5-hr afternoon lessons, all-mountain lift tickets and equipment rentals.

BIG SKY, MT -- Colorado ski conditions have been far less than epic this season. In Montana, that's not the case - with several large snowstorms and 3,050 acres open so far this season, Big Sky Resort has the best ski conditions and most open acres in the Rocky Mountains. With such good Montana conditions contrasting with Colorado's distinct lack of snow, Big Sky Resort is spreading the love by inviting Epic Pass holders to ski for free throughout the month of January.

"Big Sky has about twice the open acreage that Vail and Breckenridge do right now, plus we've had some great powder," said Chad Jones, Big Sky Resort Public Relations Manager. "And with other Epic Pass resorts like Heavenly at under 200 acres, we decided to share the wealth. We're a skier's and rider's mountain, and no one should miss out on good snow just because they live in Colorado or California."

The home of the Biggest Skiing in America, Big Sky Resort is currently open with 3,050 skiable acres, 4,350 vertical feet, and 100% of lifts running. From rolling groomers to chutes off of the Lone Peak Tram and Big Sky's five new gladed runs, 131 out of Big Sky's 155 named runs are currently open.

This expansive open terrain combined with great conditions and holiday festivities drew skiers to hit the slopes in record numbers over the holidays this year. With an increase of nearly 15% in skier visits over same week in 2010, and an increase over the previous record season in 2007 as well, the 2011 holiday week proved to be a banner week for the Resort.

Epic Pass holders are now able to take advantage of these great conditions and join in the fun throughout January: Big Sky Resort will honor Epic Passes by allowing holders to ski free for the duration of their stay when they book lodging with Big Sky Central Reservations and ask for the Epic Package. Big Sky Resort will extend the Bring a Buddy Coupon to holders as well, allowing friends in their reservation without Epic Passes to ski for $74/day.

Big Sky Resort encourages all Rocky Mountain skiers to stop praying for snow, and just come find it. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport offers 35 direct flights to and from Denver and 14 to and from San Francisco each week, as well as direct flights to and from eight other cities and hubs. all Big Sky Central Reservations at 1-800-548-4486 for more information.

There will an Alpine Adaptive Clinic at Whiteface Mountain, in Wilmington, N.Y., Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 3-4. The clinic is in conjunction with New England Disabled Sports.

Sign up now… space is limited. For more information, or to register, contact Whiteface Adaptive Snowsports at 518-946-2223 ext. 367.

Meadows has the largest ski school in Oregon, with certified professionals and a vast amount of experience in introducing New Adventurers to skiing and snowboarding. The resort's "Buttercup" beginner chairlift services the gradual terrain where first time lessons are conducted. Meadows also has Mt. Hood's only enclosed over the conveyer called "The Ballroom Carpet" which gives new adventurers a fun uphill experience. Most ski areas rely on the traditional "rope tow" which tend to wear out beginners being pulled up the hill.

Governor Kitzhaber has declared January as Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month in Oregon, proclaiming, "This initiative encourages children and adults to take lessons from professional instructors during the month of January. Skiing and snowboarding are both lifestyle and life-long sports and are great wintertime activities for exercise, entertainment and satisfaction. Anyone can discover the dynamic world of skiing and snowboarding by getting out of the house, escaping from the city, and being energized by spectacular alpine scenery and mountain fresh air."

"Snow sports are fun and easier to learn than many people think," said Dave Tragethon, Meadows Executive Director of Communications. "You can burn a lot of calories, meet some terrific people and have an experience that can be shared among friends and family."

3Time Passport - $139 (age 13 and older)
Includes three days - lift ticket, 2 hour lesson and equipment rentals each day. First two days include Buttercup beginner lift ticket, third day is an all mountain lift. Any three days, no reservations required.

3Time Night Passport - $79 (age 13 and older)
Includes three evenings - 3 - 9 PM lift tickets, 2 hour lesson and equipment rentals each day. First two evenings include Buttercup beginner lift ticket, third evening is an all night operating lift. Any three nights (Wednesday - Sunday evenings), no reservations required.

One Day Beginner Package - $70 at the ski resort (age 13 and older)
Includes a Buttercup beginner lift ticket, 2 hour lesson and equipment rentals.
A second two hour lesson can be added for just $20 more.

Night Beginner Package - $35 (age 13 and older, offered Wednesday - Sunday Evenings)
Includes a Buttercup 3 - 9 PM beginner lift ticket, 2 hour lesson and equipment rentals.

Twilight Kids Club $75age 7 - 12 / $80 age 4 - 6
Twilight Kids Club is offered Saturdays and Sundays. Parents receive 1 free adult 3pm - close lift ticket for each child enrolled in Twilight Club. Kids are supervised from 3 PM - 7 PM with a two hour on snow lesson offered in between. Dinner is included for the kids. Equipment rentals are just $10 for kids in the Club.

KidSki and KidsRide Daily Ski and Snowboard Program
Mt. Hood Meadows offers kids lessons every day - presented in 2 hour (half day) or 4 hour (full day) formats. Kids are grouped together by age and ability and coached by our best PSIA Certified Instructors.

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