Loveland Skiing in October, more resort openings and lift ticket offers

October comes to an end this evening and I believe there are more ski areas open in different areas for skiing and snowboarding than I can recall for Halloween. Given the economic issues and the mean spirited election dominating news it is truly a joy to see skiing and snowboarding starting.

I was able to enjoy some sweet turns yesterday at Loveland Ski Area, even though it is in the 70's in the front range. I have lived here in Colorado now for 30 years and this is the 25th October of the 30 that I have been able to get lift serviced skiing. They are doing a great job getting a good base and good conditions for skiing and riding. We'll be back up in another week.

Skiing at Loveland with a $30 Mountain Sports Club discount coupon for my lift ticket made it a bargain as well.

Resort openings: that we have gathered from around the country include the following.

Killington opens with up to 6 trails and top to bottom skiing tomorrow November1. If you are heading up to the Killington make sure to check out some of the lodging deals we have available.

Sunday River - Opened Halloween. Sweet lodging deal for MSC members at the Bethel Inn.

Arapahoe Basin - Discount available on a prepurchase ticket.

Loveland - That's right only $30 vs $44 for MSC members. Save $14 a day.

Fernie announces Girls Day Out for second year.

Newest Mountain Sports Club resort addition is Lost Valley in Maine. The resort is offering skiers and snowboarders a $5 daily savings on lift tickets for the 2008.09 winter season.

Todays new deals and coupons on lift tickets, lodging and ski helmets

With the end of October rapidly approaching we were able to update the following lift ticket and lodging discounts today and the past few days:

• Mad River Glen - Ski it if you can and no boarders allowed in Northern Vermont. Mid week skiing for Mountains Sports Club members will be only $35 a day which is a $4 daily savings of the adult full day lift ticket at this venerable Vermont ski area.
• Diamond Peak in the Lake Tahoe area bordering Nevada and California will extend a $9 daily lift ticket discount to Mountain Sports Club members this 2009.09 season.
• The Marriot at Mechanicsburg near Ski Roundtop in Pennsylvania is offering weekend lodging at 40% off!!!

New gear deal from ski helmet sponsor LDM, Leedom helmets - Members save 20% off when purchasing ski and snowboard helmets direct. Everyone needs a helmet for skiing and riding.

Cataloochee Opens first in the South

Earlier today we announced Wild Mountain had opened. We have confirmed the lifts started running at Cataloochee Mountain in North Carolina with 2 runs open as well today. With cold and snow in the Northeast several more resorts are racing to try to open. Stay tuned for ski and snowboard treats for this Halloween.

Wild Mountain Starts the Midwest Ski season

This email just arrived. We knew Wild Mountain in Minnesota was looking at getting the ski and snowboard season going and they sure did.

Email release from Wild Mountain's Amy Frischmon

"Today,Tuesday, October 28th, we are officially starting the Ski/Snowboard Season in the Midwest! Keeping with our 33 year tradition Wild Mountain is the first Area to open in the Midwest.

We will be opening with one run Expressway an intermediate run and 1 chairlift

We are excited to start the season and to see you all soon!"

Stayed tuned as we update additional resort openings in the blog.

Hours of Operation
Tuesday, October 28th, TBD - We are going to continue to blow as long as we can, and then we need to groom. Please call for more details as the sun comes up.

Wednesday, October 29th, 4pm - 9pm
Thursday, October 30th, 4pm - 9pm
Friday, October 31st, 4pm - 9pm
Saturday, November 1st, 9:30 am - 9pm
Sunday, November 2nd 9:30am - 5pm

Lift tickets for today, October 28th will be $16

Rates will change daily as we add more runs.
Hours of Operation may also change. Please check web site daily for updates.

Hope to see you on the slopes soon!"

Ski gear deals, resort openings and treats...

Monday October 27, 2008

Random thoughts and online deals as the season gets into motion a little more each week.

Looking for the best deals in a tight economy? The folks who own Skis.com just added a new site: http://www.thedailysteal.com/ It features a hot deal of the day.

This very similar to initial site launched by Backcountry.com called Steep and Cheap. Mountain Sports Club members save at Backcountry.com when using special members only code and coupon.

Possible resort openings in the East and Mid-atlantic states this week??

Snowmaking reports from Snowshoe resort in West Virginia and we have heard that a resort in the Poconos just might try and open if the weather cooperates. Stay tuned, we'll keep you updated.

New sweet Mountain Sports Club deal and discount offer at http://www.mountainsportsclub.com/listing/2051 - Members save 20% on most purchases with promotion code msc20. All the top skis, ski gear and clothing from Dynastar, Line, Armada, Spyder, Orage, Obermeyer, Marker and more.

Best lift ticket deals and discount for the early season is at Loveland. MSC members ski and ride for only $30 a day, save $14 daily. Register now and save all season on lift tickets, ski gear and more.

Head Snowboard Shops

Make sure to visit a Head Snowboard dealer near you for the best riding gear and equipment for this winter's snowboard season. Visit their stores and visit them online.

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Windham 2 for 1 Lift Ticket Mid Week

2 for 1 discount lift ticket coupons at Windham Mountain in the Catskill Mountains of New York are now available for the 2008.09 ski and snowboard season for premium Mountain Sports Club members. This is the third winter for the Mountain Sports Club online service and Windham has been a participant each year.

Look for new lodging specials to be added as well for the coming winter. Windham Mountain is conveniently located a short 2 hours from New York City and has recently remodeled the base lodge in a major renovation. There has been a $5 million investment in the base lodge and improvements in snow making to ensure the best in skiing and snowboarding at Windham Mountain.

Head Skis for the Rainforest

Head USA continues their innovative ad campaigns this winter demonstrating their commitment to the environment and the concern for global warming and its impact on our planet. As a sponsor of the Mountain Sports Club we are proud of our affiliation.

Head Skis Cool Ads for a cool earth

Head USA's winter sports ski division has clearly made a statement of support for the environment as evidenced in ads like the one below. The Mountain Sports Club is pleased and proud to have Head USA as a sponsor of the Mountain Sports Club.

Save 50% on Early Season Lodging in Summit County Colorado

Looking to get a jump on the ski and snowboard season and stay in the mountains? Mountain Sports Club has teamed up with Summit Cove to offer 50% off on lodging stays of 2 nights or more till November 20th. Summit Cove offers a wide selection of condos and homes in the Keystone and Summit County area, now at a great lodging discount.

Now that both Arapahoe Basin and Loveland opened there are a couple of early season options with Copper planning to open early next month followed by Keystone Ski Resort later in November.

Both Loveland Ski Area and Arapahoe Basin have early season offers on discounted lift tickets for Mountain Sports Club members. Use the membership and save on lift tickets, lodging and more. Not a member join now and take advantage of preseason specials. Now only $14.95, use promotion code pre08.

Early season Loveland lift tickets only $30, Save $14 daily

Mountain Sports Club announces $30 early season lift tickets for premium members now at Loveland ski area. With a mid October start to the ski and snowboard season premium members now can start the season off and save $14 daily on early season tickets.

Not a member, join now and take advantage of preseason membership pricing. Memberships are only $14.95. Use promotion code "pre08" to redeem offer.

2 for 1 Lift tickets at Sunlight Mountain Resort in Colorado

Sunlight Mountain Resort in Glenwood Springs Colorado just updated their Mountain Sports Club lift tickets discounts for the 2008.09 season. They will extend 2 for 1 lift tickets Monday through Friday non holidays. On weekends non holiday buy one adult lift ticket and receive the second for half price. These new deals and discount coupons are a great value for skiers and snowboarders looking to stretch the ski budget.

Loveland Ski Area and Arapahoe Basin Open to start 2008.09 Ski and Snowboard Season

The start of the 2008.09 ski and snowboard season is off and running tomorrow as both Loveland Ski Area and Arapahoe Basin open for skiing and riding. It is often a race and this year the end result will be a tie. For those of us looking for turns without hiking it is nice to have both open.

While this officially kicks off the season it is to be noted there is skiing and snowboarding elsewhere in North America and in Europe. Timberline, Ore., currently offers glacier skiing from Friday to Sunday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. as part of that ski area’s “autumn” season.

Arapahoe and Loveland will both rely on machine-made snow on one intermediate run, served by one chairlift each.

The Basin and Loveland are joining a few other resorts around the world, particularly in Europe, that are currently open for skiing and riding. These include Tignes, France, which features skiing on the Grande Motte glacier; Swiss ski areas Saas Fee and Zermatt; Italian resort Val Senales, Italy (two lifts, seven runs), and the Austrian resorts of Hintertux and Soelden, the latter of which hosts an Alpine World Cup opener on Oct. 25.

Get your boards and skis ready for another winter of skiing and riding. Looking for lift ticket discounts join the Mountain Sports Club now.