Friday, August 29, 2008

Canyons Lift Ticket Discounts now at Mountain Sports Club



The Canyons Resort in Utah extends a daily lift ticket discount and savings for Mountain Sports Club members. Premium members using the coupons will save $7 on an adult full day lift ticket throughout the 2008.09 ski and snowboard season. This will be the first season promotional offers have been available to Mountain Sports Club members.

The Canyons is Utah's largest ski area and receives abundant Utah powder.

Looking to save on lift tickets, lodging and more this next ski and snowboard season? Then register and join the Mountain Sports Club now. Win free gear, lift tickets and more by posting reviews, videos, photos and blogs from your trips to the mountains at My Mountain Sports Club, basic registration is free. Review the list of lift ticket discounts available.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Smugglers Notch Lift Ticket Discounts for 2008.09 Ski and Snowboard Season

Smuggler's Notch lift ticket discounts for the 2008.09 ski and snowboard season will be available for Mountain Sports Club members. Daily lift ticket discounts will be available throughout the season for adult and child lift tickets.

Adults save $10 daily while child's lift ticket discounts are $5 daily. Smuggler's Notch is one of the very best family ski and snowboard resorts in Vermont. Smuggler's Notch is located in Northern Vermont and provides a variety of skiing and snowboarding terrain on 3 mountains for skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels.

Looking to save on lift tickets, lodging and more this next ski and snowboard season? Then register and join the Mountain Sports Club now. Win free gear, lift tickets and more by posting reviews, videos, photos and blogs from your trips to the mountains at My Mountain Sports Club, basic registration is free. Review the list of lift ticket discounts available.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Snow in Colorado Mountains, New baggage rules and buying cheap airline tickets

This past weekend we saw some real cool weather that brought snow to the high peaks of Colorado and other areas of the Rocky Mountains. This is the first sure sign that another ski and snowboard season is not far away. As each of us prepare for this next ski and snowboard season things sure have changed in the planning of vacations and staying within a budget. We all know how the rising cost of fuel is affecting prices everywhere. The costs of airline tickets for this season is one of the steepest price increases I have seen over the last 30 years in this business. This is coupled with new fees for bags which impacts all of us skiers.

We want to keep you informed of what is being charged and how to get the best airline discounts. Personally I think they have gone overboard. Here is an email letter I just received last week from United:

Dear Mr. R John Siewierski,

Thank you for choosing United for your upcoming air travel. Before your next trip, we would like to remind you about our current carry-on baggage policy and changes to our checked baggage policy effective August 18.

Federal regulations limit all customers to one carry-on bag, plus one personal item such as a purse, laptop, briefcase or backpack. To ease your boarding process, please board only when your Seating Area is called and be considerate of others when sharing overhead bin space. When boarding, place your carry-on bag wheels first in the overhead bin and place your personal item under the seat in front of you.

Checked baggage fees summary

If you purchased tickets...and are traveling...the following fees apply to check bags

First bag, Second bag

Before February 4, 2008Anytime$0$0
Between February 4, 2008 and June 12, 2008 Anytime $0 $25
On or after June 13, 2008 Between June 13, 2008 and August 17, 2008 $0 $25
On or after June 13, 2008 On or after August 18, 2008 $15 $25

Effective August 18, 2008, a $15 service fee will apply, each way, to check your first bag and a $25 service fee will apply, each way, to check your second bag for all United Economy® travel ticketed on or after June 13, 2008. This fee applies to travel within the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada.*

For more details on all of our baggage policies, as well as frequently asked questions, we invite you to visit united.com/baggage.

Again, we thank you for your business and look forward to welcoming you onboard soon.

*Additional baggage charges will apply for checking more than two bags or if any bag is overweight or oversized. Some exemptions may apply. Baggage policies and services fees are subject to change without notice.

To me this is added insult to injury. The next area I am questioning is why would I buy direct from United when I keep getting better air fare through third party operators like Travelocity and the Mountain Sports Club Travel desk. I am finding fares that are $200 - $300 cheaper on our travel desk than by booking direct from United. Of the other major carriers to date Southwest Airline has been consistently been the best value I am finding coming into Denver and there are currently no additional baggage charges.

I know you may need airline tickets for your next ski vacation, so make sure to book with us at The Mountain Sports Club travel desk and save hundreds on your next airfare.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Sundance Resort Utah in Summer

Sundance Resort is just as magnificent, dramatic, rustic, and friendly in the summer as it is in the winter. While my husband Charles and I love most of the resorts, Sundance has a special hold on us. We had business in Salt Lake City, and Sundance (like most of the resorts in Utah) can be reached in under two hours, in a car or busride from Salt Lake airport.

Charles’ godson, Geoff Miller, was performing his jazz guitar at a Sundance dinner, and we went with him. The outdoor barbecue on the deck looked tasty, but some of us chose to eat at some of the fine restaurants or the pub in the resort. They are Western casual, and moderately priced. The rushing creek runs outside, and the steep mountains and waterfalls can easily be seen and heard. The fresh mountain air filled our lungs. The altitude is not too high, and we were not exerting ourselves, so there was no danger of altitude sickness. The base elevation at Ray’s Lift is 6,100 feet, with the Arrowhead Summit at 8,000 feet. The breeze was refreshing, and it was slightly cooler than the 100 degree weather of Salt Lake. But the dry sun was strong, and sunblock was essential. Hats and sunglasses, along with bottles of water, were important at all times outside in the sun and heat.

We arrived on a Tuesday afternoon, and the very friendly and efficient marketing and public relations manager, Lucy Ridolphi, was ready to greet us. We met in the lounge, which offers complimentary fruit, drinks, and comfort to visitors. No sign of founder Robert Redford, but his photo hangs on several walls. Lucy offered the three of us a ride up and down the chair lift. It feels just as steep in the summer as it did on our visit in March, and I had moments of panic when the lift went down the steep canyons.

The mountains enveloped us from both sides. There were steep, narrow waterfalls, and tiny pockets of snow, which was quickly becoming mountain run offs in the heat. The roundtrip lift ride takes about 45 minutes, which gives you an idea of the extensiveness of Sundance. The ride only costs $8 for one ride and $10 for two. You can get off, hike around the top, and get back on. Or you can walk down, which looked like much too much work for me. I will wait for snow season.

We were thrilled to look down at the dozens of mountain bikers under us, and I really believed I would enjoy doing that. Some of the 30 bike trails were not as steep, and I think I can control my speed and balance well enough to handle them. We did see at least one fall and a few flat tires, but nothing serious while we were there. The Director of Village Sports, Czar Johnson (a great name) says Sundance hosts thousands of visits in the summer. Bike and helmet rental, and the ride up are about $50 for a half day. If you bring your own bike, the lift pass is about $14. You cannot cheat, and bring anything with a motor. There is a full range of activities at Sundance. They include hikes, races, and horseback riding during the day. On select nights, there are full moon chairlift rides, from 9 pm on, from May until October.

There is a complementary outdoor film and theater festival, and there are a series of concerts for $25. If you want to go the famed Sundance Film festival, the events are pricy and tickets hard to get. Most of the film showing and street parties take place in Park City, although Sundance Resort is certainly an important part of the festival which was created by Robert Redford. It showcases new talent of all types. The Festival takes place in January, so make your arrangements now if interested. For people in Washington, it means missing the Inauguration activities, which may be a good or bad thing, depending upon the outcome of the election! By the way, the slopes are open during the festival, for skiing and snowboarding. They are not always crowded, because many visitors prefer to watch the movies and party. If you have not skied or enjoyed snowboarding at Park City, or Sundance, it is a treat not to be missed. Skiers should also visit nearby Deer Valley. The three areas have some of the best trails and snow conditions, and finest amenities, of any areas in the world. I always feel like an expert when I dance down those mountains (except for my brief episode of sickness during my last visit in March!).

There is no doubt that winter is great, but I certainly enjoyed my summer visit to Sundance, and recommend it to anyone. Remember, Utah is a relatively short, inexpensive flight from the Washington airports, if you book your tickets wisely, or look for last minute flight bargains that come up. Enjoy the mountains!

Blog posted by Connie Lawn. See more of Connie's work at www.dcskicom.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Marker M1100 Contact Control Sli Ski Bindings is the Deal of the Week at Ski Chalet


Ski sales bargains are now at the best as ski shops make room for the new 08.09 winter ski and snowboard gear. The Marker M1100 Contact Control Sli ski bindings is the Deal of the Week at Ski Chalet. Now save over 40%, purchase price is only $139.08. Buy now while still available at the discounted price.


A great sport performance value component, the Marker ski binding is designed to mesh well with intermediate all mountain skis, carving or all-terrain ski. The Marker M1100 Contact Control Sli Ski Bindings packed with exclusive technologies to properly outfit you with the highest protection, performance, quality and value you expect from Marker. Heighten your progression and get to the next level with the Marker M1100 CC Sli.

Features
silver/black/smoke
DIN 3 – 11
Recommended Skier Weight: 65 - 225 lbs
Biotech Upward Release
Stainless Steel Gliding AFD
Compact Step-In Heel
EC 14 Energy Control Base
EPS Edge Pressure System
Standheight: 31 mm
Brake width: 80 mm


Looking for a great discount on top name ski bindings? This deal on The Marker M1100 Contact Control Sli Ski is a great value.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Half Price Golf at Northstar at Tahoe Resort Golf course

Golfers in the Lake Tahoe area have a great new deal with the 50% off greens fee for Mountain Sports Club members. Those looking for great golf at a a discounted rate and savings simply use the Mountain Sports Club membership.

The Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort golf course is an 18-hole, par-72 (men and women) course that will both challenge golfers’ skills and appeal to their senses. Designed by Robert Muir Graves, the course integrates Tahoe’s rugged, wooded landscape with wavy bunkers and putting greens. The result is an active course whose features create a flow of movement that seamlessly moves in and over the natural terrain.

Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort Golf Course Special Offer!
Buy 1 Green Fee Get the Second 50% OFF!


With the discount golf coupon purchase one green fee at full price and you’ll get the second green fee 50% off. Includes a shared cart.

Offer valid till closing (late October). Not valid for group or tournament play or with any other offers.

Playing up to 6,781 yards, the Northstar at Tahoe Resort golf course offers four tee locations and carries a rating of 72.4 from the Northern California Golf Association. Mountain nine demands precise, tight play through tree-lined fairways and across small greens. Meadow nine opens up to a links-style course allowing golfers to grip it and rip it!

Enjoy this exciting new gold course in the Lake Tahoe mountains. The Northstar at Tahoe Resort golf is a great value with the half-price greens fee discount.