Colorado Skiing and Snowboard Update, and Lift Ticket deals

Update from Colorado....

The Thanksgiving holiday and a kick off to the ski and snowboard season is upon us. We are all looking for a week of snow and storms to get the more ski areas and terrain open. Fortunately a storm is bringing snow to the mountains for the holidays and weekend. Recently, we skied at Arapahoe Basin on Monday as the kids had off from school for Veteran’s day. Arapahoe Basin has just recently opened top to bottom skiing so we would take the two chairs and have a pretty good length top to bottom cruiser. It snowed lightly all day and the new snow provided some soft snow to carve turns on. We also took time to walk over to the top and take a peek at the terrain that will be serviced by the new Montezuma Chair into Montezuma Bowl. This new chair will usher in a new era, providing the area with 80% more skiable terrain. With a full variety of runs and access for everyone from cruisers to extreme access, A Basin will ski much differently from this point on.

The new chair is the most talked about addition, but the area just opened a new mid mountain base lodge – Black Mountain Lodge to accompany a more modest lodge at the top that opened last year. This came on the heels of a new building for rentals next to the ticket window. Given no one will mistake the experience for Beaver Creek, but Arapahoe Basin has taken a giant step forward improving the guest experience and open significant new terrain. This opening of the Montezuma Bowl has been eagerly awaited by locals skiing and riding at the Basin for years. Now Mountain Sports Club members can enjoy lift ticket savings by using the pre-purchase program in conjunction with Liftopia. Discounts vary but are currently available.

Loveland Ski Area was the second Colorado ski and snowboard resort to open this year and beat many of the resorts. Currently there are several chairs and runs open. With the high elevation, Northern exposure on many of the runs and significant snowmaking, they may be offering the best variety of terrain to ski and snowboard at this time of year. With easy access to the front range and limited terrain open at most resorts, Loveland is our suggested skiing and snowboarding stop this weekend for Colorado skiers and riders heading to the slopes. Make sure to download your lift ticket discount at the Mountain Sports Club. This discount is off the early season rate and provides members with the best price on lift tickets for early season skiing and snowboarding.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort opened this past weekend and it is the start of the FREE lift tickets promotion. Yes just show up and the tickets are free. With millions of dollars of investment in new lifts and terrain the current ownership wants you to test the product. Can’t make the early season?

Make sure to use the single or multi day lift ticket discounts available to Mountain Sports Club members. Savings start at $9 off per day on lift tickets in peak season.

Not a member yet? Register and join today. Early season offer of one year membership and a one year subscription still available at only 19.95. Use promo code mag07 and start saving today.

November Lodging Discounts and Savings

Traveling this Holiday Season? We have some great savings on lodging and packages for Mountain Sports Club Members no matter where your holiday plans take you! Book now for best rates and selection.

Colorado
Denver

• Holiday Inn Lakewood - Arapahoe Basin Ski Package for only $119! Colorado Ski Package for 2 only $149!

Crested Butte

• Peak Property Management - From Nov. 19th - Dec. 15th stay 5 nights, get the 6th FREE!

Monarch Mountain

• Circle R Motel - Salida near Monarch. Save up to 15% on weekends!

Steamboat Springs

• Mountain Resorts Inc - Save up to 15% on direct bookings!
• Bristol Hotel - Save up to 15% on direct bookings!
• Storm Meadows - Save up to 15% on direct bookings!
• The Ranch at Steamboat - Save up to 15% on direct bookings!

Summit County - Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain and Arapahoe Basin

• Big Horn Rentals - Frisco: Save 10% on direct bookings!
• Beaver Run Resort - Great value at any rate!
• Summit Cove - Keystone: Save 20% on a 5 night stay. Save 10% on a 3 night stay!
• Hotel Frisco - Frisco: Save 25% on last minute bookings. Save 10% on direct bookings!
• Mtn Managers - Frisco: Save 10% on a 3 night stay!
• Frisco Lodge - A great value at any rate!
• Frisco Mountain Rentals - Frisco: Save 25% on last minute bookings. Save 10% on direct bookings.
• Peak Property Management - Save 20% on all bookings made before Dec. 1st! Save 20% on last minute bookings! Save 10% on all lodging!

Vail

• Apex Holiday Inn - Save 10% on all direct bookings. Save 15% on stays between Nov. 1st and Dec. 15th!
• Apex Condominiums Save 10% on direct bookings!

New Hampshire
Ski 93 - Cannon Mountain/Loon Mountain & Waterville Valley Resort

• Colonel Spencer Inn - Save 10% on 2 night stays! Save 10%-20% on lodging when you bring a friend!
• Nordic Inn Condominium Resort - Save 10% on direct bookings!
• Royalty Inn - Save 10% on a 2 night weekend/holiday stay! Save 20% on any Mid-week stay! Save 20$ on Lift Tickets to Wildcat!
• Franconia Notch Vacations - Stay 2 Mid-week nights, get the 3rd night FREE! Stay 3 Mid-week nights, get the 4th night FREE! Save 10$ on Adult Lift Tickets when you purchase a ski package with your accomidations!

New York
Hunter/Windham

• Scribner Hollow Lodge - Save 10% on Mid-week, Non-Holiday stays! Save 10% on Weekend stays!

Utah

Park City

• Prospector Square Lodge & Conference Center - Stay 2 nights, get the 3rd FREE!

Vermont
Killington/Pico

• Cortina Inn & Resort - Save 50% on Mid-week, Non-Holiday stays! Save 20% on Weekend, Non-Holiday stays!
• Zola's Grille at Cortina - Save 10% on meals!
• Ramada Inn Suites- Save 20% on Weekend, Non-Holiday stays! Save 50% on Mid-week, Non-Holiday stays!

Wyoming
Jackson Hole

• Alpenhof Lodge - Save 20% on bookings of 4 days or more! Save 10% on direct bookings!
• Ski Butlers - NOW serving Jackson Hole!

Additional lodges with package options are available using the Mountain Sports Club Travel Desk - Book lodging, cars, airfare and complete packages at a discount. Choose from over 2000 properties and most major destinations. Members receive monthly promotion code for additional savings when booking through the Mountain Sports Club Travel desk.

Complete list of ticket list values here.

Not a member? Register and join now and start saving on lift tickets, lodging, shopping and more in the mountains.

Breckenridge and Keystone Lift Ticket Discounts at Mountain Sports Club

The Mountain Sports Club Travel Desk just posted and made available discounted lift tickets available for popular ski and snowboard destinations Breckenridge and Keystone Resort in Colorado.

Those purchasing tickets for will use the online booking engine at the Mounatin Sports Club. Lift ticket discounts are available throughout the year and include multi-day tickets. Keystone just opened last Friday November 2 for the season and Breckenridge is scheduled to opne for the ski and snowboard seaosn this Friday November 9, 2007.

Take advantage of great savings for skiers and snowboarders at the Mountain Sports Club. Register today and start saving. Special blog price only $9.95 includes your choice of a years subscription to either Snowboard or Freeskier. Use promo code combo07 when purchasing your membership and save on your next ski and snowboard vacation or ski day.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort & Wildcat Mountain add New Lift Tickets Discounts for MSC Members

Two exciting resort offers came into the offie today and have been posted on Mountain Sports Club.

We are pleased to see Crested Butte Mountain Resort update the same offers from last year again for members. This was a popular program last winter that included a variety of savings from single day tickets to multiday tickets for skiers and snowboarding. Combine this with the early season Free Lift ticket promotion and millions of dollars in continued on mountain development and there are many reason to plan a trip to Crested Butte this winter. Book your lodging with Peak Property Management and Real Estate for special savings and value on your ski vacation.

On the East Coast we welcome the venerable Wildcat Mountain, located in New Hampshire, as a new resort partcipating in the Mountain Sports Club lift ticket dicount program. Located directly across from Mount Washington, Wildcat enjoys significant natural snowfall for skiing and snowboarding. Mountain Sports Club members will enjoy 2 for 1 lift tickets offers this winter at Wildcat Mountain.

Be sure to sign up now and take advantage of early season rates. Combo deal - premium membership and a one year's subscription to either Freeskier or Snowboard magazine for only $9.95. Offer valid through November 10, 2007. Use promotion code Blog107 when purchasing membership.

Use it Once it's Paid for, Use it Often and Save Hundreds on Lift tickets, lodging, travel, shopping and more.

More 2 for 1 Lift Ticket Offers and Resort Savings

Mountain Sports Club members will enjoy even more exclusive savings this coming ski and snowboard season. Individuals, families and small groups of skiers and snowboarders will take advantage of our great values on lift tickets at popular ski resorts coast to coast.

Several of the new discounts just announced for this season include the following:

• Windham Mountain in New York's Catskill mountains offers a 2 for 1 Midweek lift tickets.
• Holiday Mountain in New York's Catskill mountains offers several 2 for 1 lift tickets.
• Plattekill Mountain in New York's Catskill mountains offers several 2 for 1 lift tickets.
• Sunlight Mountain in Colorado offers a 2 for 1 lift ticket.

Daily lift tickets discounts now available for Mount Baldy, Monarch Mountain, Pats Peak, Shawnee Peak, Powderhorn, Diamond Peak, Cranmore and more being added weekly.

Join now and save. Premium memberships now only $9.95 and includes a one year magazine subscription to either Freeskier or Snowboard. Use your membership once and it is paid for, Use it often and save hundreds. Use promotion code - combo07

October Lodging Savings!

It’s that time of year again! The weather is getting chilly and ski season is drawing near. Ghosts and goblins are all about and Mountain Sports Club has some GRUESOME savings for our members. Get your reservations in soon and take advantage of these great lodging deals!


Colorado
Denver
Holiday Inn Lakewood - 2 great ski packages available!

Monarch Mountain
Circle R Motel - Salida near Monarch. Save up to 15% on weekends


Steamboat Springs
Mountain Resorts Inc - Save up to 15%
Bristol Hotel - Save up to 15%
Storm Meadows - Save up to 15%
The Ranch at Steamboat - Save up to 15%


Summit County - Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain and Arapahoe Basin
Summit Cove - Keystone Save up to 20%
Hotel Frisco - Frisco Save up to 25%
Summit Mountain Rentals - Frisco & Breckenridge Save up to 20%
Frisco Mountain Rentals - Frisco Save up to 20%
Peak Property Management - Save up to 20%


Vail
Apex Condominiums Save up to 15%


New Hampshire
Near Waterville Valley Resort
Colonel Spencer Inn - Save up to 15%


New York
Hunter
Scribner Hollow Lodge - Save up to 15%


Vermont
Killington
Cortina Inn & Resort - Save up to 50%


Rutland
Ramada Inn Suites- Save up to 50%


Wyoming
Jackson Hole
Alpenhof Lodge - Save up to 20%
Ski Butlers - NOW serving Jackson Hole!


British Columbia
Crystal Lodge - Whistler/Blackcomb Save up to 25%



Additional lodges and packages options are available using the Mountain Sports Club Travel Desk - Book lodging, cars, airfare and complete packages at a discount. Choose from over 2000 properties and most major destinations. Members receive monthly promotion code for additional savings when booking through the Mountain Sports Club Travel desk.

More Lodges Extend Discounts and Savings to MSC Members

The following is a spotlight on lodges currently offering Mountain Sports Club members discounts on direct booked lodging reservations.


Check out the savings up to 50% off.


Colorado


Steamboat Springs

Mountain Resorts Inc - Save up to 15%

Bristol Hotel - Save up to 15%

Storm Meadows - Save up to 15%

The Ranch at Steamboat - Save up to 15%

Colorado Resort Services - Save on direct bookings



Summit County - Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain and Arapahoe Basin

Summit Cove - Keystone Save up to 20%

Pine Ridge Condominiums - Breckenridge Save on Direct Bookings

Big Horn Rentals - Frisco Save on Direct Bookings

Hotel Frisco - Frisco Save up to 25%

Summit Mountain Rentals - Frisco & Breckenridge Save up to 20%

Frisco Mountain Rentals - Frisco Save up to 20%

Mtn Managers - Frisco, Breckenridge, Keystone Save on Direct Bookings

Peak Property Management - Breckenridge Save on Direct Bookings



Vail

Apex Condominiums Save up to 15%

Apex Holiday Inn Save up to 15%

Monarch Mountain

Circle R Motel - Salida near Monarch Save up to 15%

Sunlight/Glenwood Springs

Red Rooster Inn - Glenwood Springs, close to Sunlight and Aspen areas.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort


Peak Property Management & Real Esate - Crested Butte Save on Direct Bookings



New Hampshire

Nordic Inn Condominiums - Lincoln near Loon Mountain Save on Direct Bookings

Colonel Spencer Inn - Near Waterville Valley Resort Save up to 15%



Wyoming

Alpenhof Lodge - Jackson Hole Save up to 20%



Utah

Prospector Square - Park City, Deer Valley and The Canyons Save on Direct Bookings



Vermont

Cortina Inn & Resort - Killington Save up to 50%

Ramada Inn Suites - Rutland Save up to 50%



New York

Scribner Hollow Lodge - Hunter Save p to 15%



British Columbia - Canada

Crystal Lodge - Whistler/Blackcomb Save up to 25%



Additional lodges and packages options are available using the Mountain Sports Club Travel Desk - Book lodging, cars, airfare and complete packages at a discount. Choose from over 2000 properties and most major destinations. Members receive monthly promotion code for additional savings when booking through the Mountain Sports Club Travel desk.

Boulder Colorado Last updated 09.01.07

Ski Companies K2 & Atomic Launch New Sites and Sweepstakes

In a sign truly indicative that the winter ski and snowboard season is not too far away both K2 and Atomic released their new sites live.

K2 re-launched an entirely new 2007-2008 website, http://www.k2skis.com/. The new site has a section for introducing new products and technologies in skis/ski systems, helmets, poles and other K2 gear. The K2 site features updated news and events, athlete interviews, video footage, entertaining downloads and much more.The athletes section has photos, interviews and videos. The news section gets updated throughout the season.

The all-new Culture section includes behind the scenes footage from K2 ad shoots, a mini site devoted to Doug Coombs, the Factory Team and the Alliance Team among other things. Check it out at http://www.k2skis.com./

Now try to win free gear. Atomic luanches with a Circus Contest 4 the New Atomic GearWorldwide Web. The prizes will be several pairs of Atomic’s new Hawx boots and Nomad skis will be given away to members of the skiing public starting who register to win. The new contest allows participants to enter their names in a series of drawings that will occur each week between October 15, 2007 and January 15, 2008.Twelve winners will come away with a pair of the organically-flexible Hawx boots and the über-light, super-stable Nomad skis. Atomic is promoting new technology for the 2007-08 ski season and expects the new products’ design for North American terrain will be a draw for US and Canadian skiers. Go to hawxwinbig.com, and review two new products and their accompanying technical specifications while registering to win. Once the videos are viewed, the site visitor is eligible to enter his or her name into the drawing.

Initial blog report for Yellowstone – Teton Mountains Road Trip

Rocky Mountain RV Campground - June 19, 2007

Well the way this was advertised it did not meet our expectations as a place to camp. Too close to houses and the Plethora of RV’s. While the WIFI would be nice if it worked faster than old dial up. It was so slow that it essentially did not work if you really need to log in and do something. We cannot say its views are by their selves so great given what is right next to us. Maybe we are too spoiled but we would not camp here again by choice. It does have clean bathrooms, showers and supplies. The laundry facilities and ability to re supply in town were nice. Two days was a little more civilization than we needed. One night to load up on last minute supplies would have worked better.

Boiling River Hot Springs
Boiling River located right before the entrance to Wyoming several miles into the North entrance was truly a treat. The parking lot is located right before the 45th parallel, exactly equidistant to the North Pole and the Equator. This easy access is about .5 miles walk on a clearly marked path. On the way, we saw several elk. A passerby thought they were moose, so much for general awareness of the local wild life. This particular set of hot springs are clearly marked and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone in the family. The one entrance was pretty tricky with a rocky access and strong current. After a little scouting of the area we found an easier route into the pools that enabled us to get everyone from our 6 year old to the 11 year old in and enjoying the hot springs. If we were close enough, we would visit this spot every night. In the two nights we were close members of our party went each night.

During the first night there we met one of the local personalities, a gentlemen we called Jumbo for his big size. He was very friendly and full of advice. Come to find out he is a passionate Buffalo activist. This man had left his real world job on several occasions to spend time crusading for better treatment and protection of the free range Buffalo that make Yellowstone National Park there home. More on this particular issue will appear in a separate post. We ran into Chris aka Jumbo the next day working the crowds on our visit to Tower Falls.

Beaver Ponds Hike, Yellowstone National Park

The Beaver Ponds hike is located a couple of hundred yards from the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotels and at the base of the parking lot for accessing the Mammoth Hot Springs.
This was as advertised in all the hiking books we had reviewed. 5 Miles total and a loop. Once we departed the base area we only saw one group of 3 people the entire trip. The hike starts out as a fairly steep climb, mostly in the shade. During the hike we saw several groups of elk, and a beaver at the first of the ponds. The balance of the wild life was several families of geese and ducks playing in the ponds. The walk out was through classic western sage scrub and offered a great view of the parking lot and Boiling River hike and access, as well as the town of Gardiner Montana. This was great hike and ended just North of the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.

We had an earlier hike around the Mammoth Hot Springs Trail from the lower base parking lot. See the photo gallery of shots from this short and easily accessible hike.


Madison Campground
Immediately upon arrival we knew we were now enjoying the camping we had envisioned. Well run and full the campsites are bordered by a river surrounded by wilderness and lots of trees. The facilities are nice, but no showers. This fact was a plus with our 3 boys (11, 9 & 6) as for them camping should not entail having to take a shower regardless of how dirty they get. Our neighbors however (with 2 children our boys shortly had them engaged in a soccer game and then a game of pickle), who had been here for several days informed us of a well-guarded secret swimming hole. This unexpected treat would prove to be the daily bath for our boys and a great cooling off after each day of hiking and traipsing around various parts of Yellowstone Park. Once settled in we also discussed that the original plan of moving every 2 days was really a little over the top. Given we had the family environment, packing everything up and setting up camp again did not make the best use of precious time to relax and enjoy. The decision was made to try and stay for 5 nights and cancel the reservations at Yellowstone Lake (a cabin we had rented) and two nights at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. It was agreed we would still visit every thing we wanted but not spend the extra packing up and reestablishing camp.
I wandered down to the office and a little to our surprise we were able to make this work, and even received a refund for the difference of the cost of the cabin to the campsite. This was a bonus and everyone agreed this was for the best and we had one completely happy set of campers.

Firehole Swimming Hole
This is a must visit during hot days. Located just about 2 miles south of the Madison junction with the main route headed south to Old Faithful. There are off limits cliffs that we saw had quite a bit of activity. On day two we did see park ranger providing a ticket to one who had not heeded the posted warnings. Given how cold the temperatures had recently been we were amazed at how warm yet refreshing the water was. Out of the 4 days camping in Madison Campgrounds we swam 2 of the days.

Monument Geyser
This hike located North of Madison campgrounds just before Norris Junction was advertised as moderate, but for the family proved to be a tad more difficult. A steep climb out that was dusty and with no shade. The effects of the massive fires were evident and I would venture to guess in about 5 years there will be a pretty good amount of shade on this hike. It does offer great views North. The reward on this hike was a unique view of the thermal geysers rumbling about as we got to the top. The chimney features of several geysers was a different feature we had not seen. Also, we saw absolutely no one on this hike. One note is this is listed as a one mile up and then one mile back, however several books had disputed the distance and stated its distance at 1.5 miles. I would definitely agree it is closer to 1.5 miles as opposed to .9 miles.

Beryl Geyser
An easy turn off the main drag between Norris and Madison. The deep blue water and this being a very active and bubbling geyser made this a nice short and easy access.