New Echo Mountain Owners Make Area a Private race club

Not happy with the ski racing opportunities for your kids and others? Well one parent just solved that problem by buying Echo Mountain just outside of Denver. Now there will be the Front Range Ski Club operating as a world class ski race training facility.


Denver's closest ski area was put up for sale in June after operating at a loss for six consecutive seasons, and was sold at auction this past week to Pykkonen Capital LLC. This group plans to turn the mountain into a private race training facility. The target date is November 1 opening for the new Front Range Ski Club at Echo.

"We want to announce that Echo Mountain has been sold to new owners and the new owners have decided to change the basic format of the ski area to focus on ski racing training," the previous owner group, led by Jerry Pettit, posted to the Echo Mountain website and Facebook page this morning.
"We have enjoyed the challenge of establishing a new ski area and meeting all the families, snowboarders and skiers as they used the facility. For those of you that bought season passes for next season, we will be refunding your payment through your credit card over the next few days."

Nora Pykkonen, the new owner, confirmed this morning that the Front Range Ski Club at Echo is completely abandoning the terrain park concept developed by the previous owners over the last six seasons. The new focus will be on training for aspiring ski racers of all ages, said Pykkonen, whose own kids --ski racers ages nine, eleven and fourteen -- inspired the concept. Her young racers had been accepted into the prestigious Vail Mountain School, but there was dissension among the family about leaving their home and schools in Evergreen. Rather than moving to Vail, the Pykkonen family has attracted a team of former World Cup and Olympic athletes and coaches to Echo, including four-time Olympian Sarah Schleper, two-time NCAA champion Mike Farny, former Norwegian National Team member Peter Brenna, and five-time Olympian Patrik Jaerbyn.

"This won't just be a place where we're just setting up a bunch of gates for gate bashing," Pykkonen says. "Our goal is to set up a World Cup-level training program, with top coaches and the entire mountain divided into separate stations for training.

Pick a lift ticket at one of 11 resorts and discounts all year on lift tickets

The Mountain Sports Club is pleased to announce our premium plus promotion again for the 2012.13 ski and snowboard season. 

There are 2 great options. Late summer promotion is now only $9.95 for the year - use promotion code summer 12 - and have access to all the coupons, or add a day of skiing or riding at one of the featured areas for only $20 more. So $29.95 gets you a day on the mountain and great savings the rest of the year. See promotion codes below. We will mail a voucher for the day lift ticket to the chosen resort. Questions? call us Monday to Friday 9 - 4 Mountain Time.

New 2012.13 lift ticket discounts are now appearing on the site. We now have the initial 11 resorts with a Free Lift Ticket option with premium membership for the coming season include. Book these now as they will sell out and supplies are limited:

Magic, VT: New 2012.13 coupons now valid and a lift ticket with premium membership for only $29.95 promotion now available valid for the 2012.13 winter season while supplies last. Use promotion code magic12 to reserve your lift ticket.

Shawnee, PA - New 2012.13 coupons now valid and a lift ticket with premium membership for only $29.95 promotion now available valid for the 2012.13 winter season while supplies last. Use promotion code shawnee12 to reserve your lift ticket.

Monarch, CO - New 2012.13 coupons now valid and a lift ticket with premium membership for only $29.95 promotion now available valid for the 2012.13 winter season while supplies last. Use promotion code monarch13 to reserve your lift ticket.

Ski Cooper, CO - New 2012.13 coupons now valid and a lift ticket with premium membership for only $29.95 promotion now available valid for the 2012.13 winter season while supplies last. Use promotion code cooper12 to reserve your lift ticket.

Saddleback Mountain Resort, ME - New 2012.13 coupons now valid and a lift ticket with premium membership for only $29.95 promotion now available valid for the 2012.13 winter season while supplies last. Use promotion code saddleback12 to reserve your lift ticket.

Lost Valley, ME - New 2012.13 coupons now valid and a lift ticket with premium membership for only $24.95 promotion now available valid for the 2012.13 winter season while supplies last. Use promotion code lostvalley12 to reserve your lift ticket.

Pats Peak, NH - New 2012.13 coupons now valid and a lift ticket with premium membership for only $29.95 promotion now available valid for the 2012.13 winter season while supplies last. Use promotion code pats12 to reserve your lift ticket.

Crotched Mountain, NH - New 2012.13 coupons now valid and a lift ticket with premium membership for only $29.95 promotion now available valid for the 2012.13 winter season while supplies last. Use promotion code crotched12 to reserve your lift ticket.

Nashoba Valley, MA - New 2012.13 coupons now valid and a lift ticket with premium membership for only $29.95 promotion now available valid for the 2012.13 winter season while supplies last. Use promotion code nashoba12 to reserve your lift ticket.

Lookout Pass, ID/MT - New Resort Partner. 2012.13 coupons now valid and a lift ticket with premium membership for only $29.95 promotion now available valid for the 2012.13 winter season while supplies last. Use promotion code lookout12 to reserve your lift ticket.

Mountain High, CA - New Resort Partner. 2012.13 coupons now valid and a lift ticket with premium membership for only $29.95 promotion now available valid for the 2012.13 winter season while supplies last. Use promotion code MtHigh12 to reserve your lift ticket.

Register now, upgrade and reserve your first day on the mountain for only $29.95.

Pats Peak Lift Ticket Discounts and Free Lift Ticket

Family friendly Pats Peak in Henniker, NH will once again extend a variety of lift ticket discount coupons and savings to premium members of the Mountain Sports Club for the 2012.13 ski and snowboard season. Discounts coupons range from a $5 daily savings on weekend and holiday full day adult lift tickets to a savings of $10 daily on midweek non holiday adult full day lift tickets. Conveniently located in Southern New Hampshire Pats Peak provide a great skiing and riding environment for all the family.

This year also has Pats Peak continuing as premium plus featured resort. Now while supplies last you can reserve a Free Lift Ticket at Pats Peak with the premium plus promotion. Join now for only $29.95 enjoy a full year of Mountain Sports Club premium member discounts and receive a voucher for one free day at Pats Peak during the 2012.13 ski and snowboard season. Use promotion code pats12 when joining and upgrading your premium membership, and we will mail you a voucher for your day on the mountain.

Crotched Mountain Midweek 2 for 1 Lift tickets

A lot is going on at Crotched Mountain this winter in spite of a soft economy and poor snow last year. Located in Southern New Hampshire and long a favorite of locals and families Crotched Mountain's new owners Peak Resorts continue to make significant improvements. The resort is currently undergoing a $3.2 million dollar expansion project that will give Crotched Mountains's 2012/13 guests a high speed option to the true summit along with an additional 25 acres of skiable terrain.  

The new terrain moves Crotched Mountains Vertical feet to just about 1,000 vertical feet of skiing and riding. All the new terrain will have fan snow making and be available for night skiing. For Mountain Sports Club members once again they will enjoy great discounts and savings on Adult Mid week non holiday lift tickets. Savings for members at Crotched Mountain will be a 2 for 1 valid all season midweek non holiday. Crotched Mountain is also a premium plus resort where you can select a FREE day of skiing or riding at Crotched Mountain with a premium membership for only $29.95, hurry this offer will sell out, valid while supplies last.

Nashoba Valley Offers $10 Discount on Night Lift Tickets

Located conveniently outside of Boston Nashoba Valley provides fast and easy access for local skiing in the Boston Metro area. Once again Mountain Sports Club members will enjoy discounts on night lift tickets for skiing and riding during the 2012.13 upcoming ski and snowboard season. This discount for premium Mountain Sports Club members can be used repeatedly all season long. There are holiday restrictions where the coupons cannot be used. These dates are 11/22/2012 - 1/02/2013; 01/21/2013; and 2/16/2013 - 02/24/2013.

Nashoba Valley is also participating in the Premium Plus program where members can select a free lift ticket at select resorts while supplies last. Now for only $29.95 get one days of skiing or riding at Nashoba Valley and enjoy discounts all year with the Mountain Sports Club. Join now and use promotion code nashoba12 and you will be mailed a voucher for a free day at Nashoba Valley.

Ski Cooper 2012.13 Lift Ticket Discounts and Free Lift Ticket Promotion

Ski Cooper sits high on the continental divide just outside of Leadville, Colorado and serves up plenty of powder at the family friendly and low key ski and snowboard area. Once again we are pleased at the Mountain Sports Club to announce lift tickets discounts and coupons available for lift tickets this coming 2012.13 ski and snowboard season.

Discount coupons are now online and represent a savings of $10 daily on weekends non holidays. Midweek has a 2 for 1 valid all season except holiday blackouts, this is a savings of up to $46 daily. Join now to take advantage of these great discounts for the coming winter season. Take advantage of the Premium Plus package and select a free day of skiing or riding at Ski Cooper. This offer is now only $29.95 and is limited. Use promotion code ski cooper12 to redeem offer when upgrading to premium membership. You will be mailed a voucher for the free day at Ski Cooper this winter.

Powder hounds be sure to check out the Snowcat operation run by the area called Chicago Ridge. 

Aspen, Jackson Hole, Alta, Squaw Valley & Alpine Meadows Now on One Pass

The iconic and legendary mountains of Alta, Aspen, Jackson Hole, Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows join forces to introduce a new concept in passes as season pass sales are in full force. Yesterday on the 14th they introduced this bold new concept and product called the Mountain Collective.

Now for only $349 the Mountain Collective provides one with 2 Free Lift tickets to each of these 4 legendary mountain resorts for the 2012.13 winter ski and snowboard season and then you receive 50% off on lift tickets on all subsequent visits. This is a great deal for the advanced skier/snowboarder who can get out and travel and road trip. Boy what a college break road trip if one was still in college enjoying a winter break.

Purchase the Mountain Collective now and start planning for winter.

Zip Line discounts, Mountain Bike savings and more at Mountain Resorts

While summer winds down we wanted to highlight some of the discounts and savings still available on zip rides, canopy tours, mountain lift tickets and more at many of your favorite mountain resorts. Members are enjoying discounts on mountain bike lift tickets, rentals, canopy tours and more..

Colorado
Winter Park Resort, CO - Various discounts on lodging, Adventure Pass rentals and more.

Idaho
Sun Valley Resort - Save on advance purchase of Mountain Bike lift tickets, rentals this summer.

Maine
Sunday River, ME - Save on advance purchase of Mountain Bike lift tickets, rentals this summer. Also Golf school package discount.
Saddleback Mountain Resort - It is festival season at this Maine resort. Bluegrass Festival this weekend August 10 - 11.

Massachusetts
Berkshire East - Premium members enjoy 2 for 1 Canopy tickets. Save big.

New York
Gore Mountain, NY - Save on advance purchase of Guided Hiking Excursion
Greek Peak Mountain Resort, NY - Save on advance purchase of Adventure ticket.
Plattekill Mountain Resort -Half price mountain bike lift tickets. Save up to $17.50 per day

Take advantage of these discounts and deals for your next mountain adventure this summer and fall.

Resort bankruptcy, resort auctions, resort expansions and more...

This is a time of year many of us winter enthusiasts start to get the itch to get out on snow as we day dreams of power and great turns to come. The magazines start to land chock full of great goods for fun on the mountains.  Now as we look around the landscape of the mountain resorts there sure is a mixed bag of news. The Mountain Sports Club team is busy getting new deals for next winter. Here are a few of the stories we have seen lately affecting resorts range.

We were not pleased to see Greek Peak Mountain Resort in central New York file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to seek time and relief. Operations continue as normal while the finance issues are resolved. The Kryger Family has run a great operation for years and have been caught in the middle of another banks problems. Be sure to check out the discounts for zip rides when purchased in advance.

Eldora Mountain Resort near Boulder is our local ski area and they are in the early stages of permits and hearings for an expansion that will open more terrain, add another lift to the popular back side. Other areas that will be impacted is a new mountain lodge and an improved base lodge. A new high speed 6 pack chair will replace the 2 chairs at the base of the mountain improving quicker access to the top of the mountain.

Just up the road a bit from Boulder we await to hear who will own and operate Echo Mountain next. This truly locals mountain has been growing yearly in popularity and the current owners felt new ownership could take the area to the next level. We will announce who the owners and operators of this local resort once released.

While at first glance one might think that Ski Granby Ranch is a new area, it is simply Sol Vista Basin renamed. We sure wish this family resort right down the street from Winter Park to succeed.  The area also has a wide range of offerings in summer from golf, world class fishing, mountain biking and close access to Rocky Mountain National Park and all of its wonders.

Monarch Mountain Lift Ticket Discounts for 2012.13

Once again we are pleased to post lift ticket discount coupons for Monarch Mountain valid for our premium Mountain Sports Club members during the 2012.13 ski and snowboard season. Members will save $10 daily on full day lift tickets for adults, teens, seniors and juniors. Discounts are valid all season except holiday dates.

One of the best deals we have is taking advantage of the premium plus option where you can also enjoy one day of skiing or riding at Monarch and your premium membership discounts all year for only $29.95. Make sure to use promotion code monarch12 to ensure you reserve a free lift ticket to Monarch and we will mail you the voucher.

There is quite a bit of activity this summer at Monarch as the have enlarged the base lodge significantly and expanded the rental operations.