Summer Solstice Camping and Hiking at St Mary's Glacier

Backpacking, camping and hiking at St Mary's glacier for summer solstice. With the temperatures climbing and summer officially here the need and pull to get out and backpack,
camp and hike has been strong. This past weekend we planned a quick overnight camping and hiking at St Mary's Glacier. The plan was to take advantage of the easy access and get to altitude.

St Mary's Glacier is accessible from Boulder and Denver Colorado right off of I 70. From Boulder it is only one hour and fifteen minutes to park at the access. This trip we had not done for about two years and we were surprised when we discovered there is now pay parking, at $5 a day now. The camping is still free wiht no permits required and access to the base of the glacier is less than a mile hike from the parking. The path is clearly marked and is a quick trip straight up to the lake and glacier.

It is always my preference to camp right at the base of the glacier by the running creek that empties into the lake. The sound of the running water is a very soothing sound for evening sleeping. This year with the abundant snowfall from this past winter there is still plenty of skiing and the very steep chutes are skiable this year and seldom have I seen this skiing available in late June.

The views are spectacular and provides quick access to elevation, snow and a getaway from the city. From here we planned a hike to the top of James Peak at 13,400. That was the hike for the next day. Once you have climbed past the top of the glacier and snowfields you enter a high alpine tundra that is easy hiking to the base of James Peak and surrounding peaks that provide a dramatic view and vista. The wild flowers are just starting to bloom as snow is still melting.

The area is slowly growing as there is also an effort to reopen the ski area just below the hiking
access. Now there is also an inn in the little town past the parking and hiking access. Another popular activity includes the fishing in the lake.

Memorial Day, Camping and Mountain Biking in Colorado

The day after the Memorial Day weekend proves to be a good day of reflection of what lies ahead as the summer vacation season has now officially begun. In our first two years we have focused on winter in the mountains primarily, but now you will see our group begin to focus and provide more information and detail on summer activities in the mountains. Activities like mountain biking, camping, hiking, rafting, fly fishing guides and resort based events and activities where be our initial focus. Look for national and state based ides and directories over the coming months this summer. We have just published our first rafting and fly fishing guides, with several vendors offering discounted trips and online booking options to make planning your next mountain endeavor easier.

We had the good fortune to get out for an evening of camping this weekend at Buffalo Creek Campground located in the Pike National Forest of Colorado. Conveniently located with easy access from the front range it was our first time camping here. I had come to mountain bike ride several years ago as it is home to a wide range of classic and epic single track riding that is part of the Colorado Trail network. In searching for direction online I was surprised at how few and lacking directions were online.

In an effort to enable you to find this location we were able to finally get a physical address of the main Buffalo Creek Campsite. On the sign entering the campground we deciphered 28718 Red Skin Creek Road as the exact address in the Pike National Forest. Getting there was relatively easy as we made our way south from Boulder down Route 93, past Golden, Red Rocks and into Morrison. There we worked our way to Highway 285 past Conifer to Pine Junction. Take a left onto County Road 126 – Pine Valley Road – and continue 5 plus miles toward the town of Pine. Once here keep going past the first temptation, to not turn on Buffalo Creek Road as you enter town. On the left is a ranger office as well. Be sure to go through town and follow up the hill to you have reached the summit and you will see clearly marked signs on your right hand side. There is a quick turn in on the right for day parking for those here to simply take advantage of the great riding for the day. For those not able to send a night or three camping this is still a must ride area for the devout and serious mountain bike enthusiast.

Note the riding is not for hard core alpha only riders. There is quite a bit of variety for those who simply want great rolling single track surrounded but forest and great views of the mountain peak s surrounding the area. The area was hit hard several years ago with a dramatic fire that burned significant parts of the region. The riding through the recovering forest provides a sometimes eerie sense and now with the vegetation starting to recover, a chance to see mother nature’s recuperative powers. Check out the photo gallery we posted at My Mountain Sports Club.

Altitude – Ranges 7,000 – 9,000 feet. Drink lots of water and be sure to bring sunscreen and a shell for after noon showers.

Campgrounds – Lone rock campground, No web site found yet – 303.647.2350 and Meadows Creek which has great group camping. Our weekend here was part of a large group that spends each Memorial day here. See photo gallery for views of campground, riding and cooking options.

Mountain Sports Club in the News - Spotlight at SkiTownJournal.com

The growing Mountain Sports Club presence and acceptance continues to lead to new media coverage. This past month a front page story was run titled - "The Evolution of Ski Card International.

This is a very insightful interview and article wiht founder John Siewierski on the backgroupnd thinking an dplans for our prmotional online service and community.

Here is a sneak preview of the article and interview:

"Mountain Sports Club also becomes valuable tool for other associated businesses including all those retailers who are not good at collecting information such as email, names and addresses. This current iteration is able to reach out well past just lift tickets and help the merchants and shops."

"And of course it is much more economical to be in a digital world than in a print and mail order world. We can really engage the customer now, and in so many more ways with the new 2.0 web technology."

While his ideas, and the ideas of the web's great innovators are sometimes slow to catch on, Siewierski firmly believes he has the right product for the right audience.
"The mountain visitor - they are much more savvy. From a technology standpoint they are the early adopters. I believe we can do for mountain resorts communities and activities what a AAA has done for vacation and travelers."

"Our goal is to be very focused and have a very rich offering for mountain resorts and communities. Widespread participation is developing. We make online booking and reservations very easy and we strive to really be a glue for many facets of the industry."

Look for more details on new prmotional programs and particpants over the summer and early Fall 2008.

Late Spring and Summer Ski Update

Wiinter keeps hanging out in parts of the Rocky Mountains and a few areas are keeping the the lifts open and/or extending their seasons.


Here are a couple of updates we found on the web at the Ski Area Management site:

New York State's Windham Mountain is reopening on Saturday, May 24 to host a rail jam for diehards. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the 24th. Because of the event’s location at the base of the mountain, no lifts will be running, but food and beverage operations will be open.

Utah, Snowbird will continue to operate on a limited schedule, with selected lifts through the weekend of May 30, and will shoot for a possible July 4 closing should conditions permit.

Colorado’s Arapahoe Basin is the last to remain open in the state, with a June 8 closing day. Check out recent photo galleries of spring skiing, beach party and hikes to the North Pole terrain.

In California, Mammoth Mountain has scheduled May 26 as the mountain’s final day to run the lifts.

Farther west, both Timberline’s Palmer snowfield on Mt. Hood and Blackcomb’s glacier will remain open deep into summer. Timberline’s season is expected to go until September 1, with operations on the Blackcomb glacier commencing June 9 and running through July 27.

Blackcomb resort will close on June 8 and the mountain’s Wizard Chair and Solar Coaster Chair are closed for maintenance through June 8, but will reopen on June 9 for glacier skiing.)

K2 Public Enemy Twin Tip Ski now On Sale 40% off

The deal of the week at Ski Chalet is now the popular K2 Public Enemy twin tip ski.

The K2 Public Enemy twin tip ski was designed and tested by the K2 Factory Team riders as the ideal park and pipe ski with all-mountain versatility. Built with an 85mm waist width, new urethane sidewalls underfoot and the stiffest torsion flex construction in the twin tip line makes stomping landings or ripping around the entire mountain with added confidence and stability.

The K2 Public Enemy has set the standard for years in the twin tip ski category. At this off season price of only $337.43, you save over $200. Buy these now as they are sure to be long gone at this price when the next winter ski season arrives. Ski Chalet is clearing out last year's ski inventory to make room for next years skis and more.

Features
Twin tip
Triaxial Braided Core
ABS/Urethane Hybrid Sidewall
Tip and Tail Rivets
3.5mm Steel Edges

We'll continue to browse our partners site to highlight the top deals on heavily discounted skis and gear for your next mountain adventure.

Special spring and summer membership drive. Save on lift tickets and more.....

Special spring and summer membership drive. The Mountain Sports Club premium membership retails for $29.95. This valuable membership offers premium members savings of up to 50% on purchases, services, lodging, lift tickets, travel and more at top resorts throughout North America.

Register now and enter promo code spring08 to receive specially priced membership for only $6.95, for one year from date of registration and start saving.

The Mountain Sports Club membership offered member lift ticket discounts at over 50 resorts in North America during the winter 2008. Lodging discounts and online booking of discounted travel was available at most major destination resorts and through over 2,000 different lodging properties. More resorts, lodges and merchants are being added weekly.

Resorts offering lift ticket discounts and savings:
Alyeska, Kirkwood, Squaw Valley, Loveland, Crested Butte, Monarch Mountain, Sunlight Mountain, Diamond Peak, Shawnee, Shawnee Peak, Windham Mountain, Mad River Glen, Ski Liberty, Roundtop, Whitetail, Cranmore Mountain, Tenney Mountain, Whaleback, Wildcat, Gunstock, Pats Peak, Smugglers Notch, Ski Cooper, Powderhorn, June Mountain, Mission Ridge, Saddleback, Plattekill Mountain, Holiday Mountain, Baldy Mountain, King Pine, Ski Denton, Camelbeach, Magic Mountain, Breckenridge, Keystone, Vail, Beaver Creek, Copper Mountain, Winter Park, Tamarack, Big Sky, Moonlight Basin, The Canyons, Arapahoe Basin, Snowbird, Park City,Angel Fire, Red River and more…

Mountain Sports Club members enjoy lift ticket savings at over 50 resorts nationwide. Resorts from California, Colorado, New York, Vermont, Utah, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and more. The 2008-09 winter season will offer more and more benefits for members to save at an ever growing list of resorts and merchants providing members with valuable savings.Have a special promotion code and offer? Once setting up your FREE basic membership, follow the links to upgrade account to complete activation of your premium membership.

Start saving now on lift tickets discounts, lodging discounts, travel savings and more.Special spring and summer membership offer. Spring special offer now only $6.95 for one year. Use promotion code spring08 when upgrading to redeem discounted membership offer.

Questions call us at 303.554.6555 Monday - Friday 9-4 Mountain Time.

Volkl Bridge Skis now on sale at over 50% off at Ski Chalet

The Volkl Bridge Skis are now on sale at a savings of over 50% off. They are the deal of the week at Ski Chalet. This is another example of a great deal and savings during the spring and summer season for purchasing skis at the best prices of the year.

As the name implies, the Volkl Bridge Ski is an all-new ski that forms the ‘Bridge’ between big mountain and park riding. Even the graphic borrows a little from Volkl's big-mountain and park-specific graphics. The shape is 130-92-112mm, a little wider than the Volkl Karma from years past. For the skier who wants a ski that will ride great in the park, yet still have the width and strength to take on really deep conditions, the Bridge will pick up where the Karma left off as a benchmark.

Features
Lengths (Radii): 161 (16.1))_169 (17.9)_177 (19.9)
Construction: Power
Core: Dual Layer Sensorwood
Sidecut: 130_92_112

Available now for only $245.07. This is an incredible price and deal and at this price they will not last the summer. Use your Mountain Sports Club coupon offer and save even more. Ski Chalet and Sun and Ski Sports have a variety of great deals now available.

Get a Free $25 Gift Cheque From American Express When You Spend $100 With Your American Express Card at Sun & Ski Sports!

$10 off all Footwear Orders of $75 or More from Sun & Ski Sports!

Free Lift tickets at Monarch Mountain

Free Skiing at Monarch MountainFree Lift tickets for all on Monday April 7, 2008 Monarch, CO.

Monarch Mountain is offering free lift tickets on Monday April 7, 2008 to encourage people to visit the area in central Colorado. Monarch has received record snowfall this season, more than 36 feet so far and the conditions are fantastic.

“We are a pretty low key family ski area and we feel it’s important to offer a great value to keep people coming into our sport and what’s a better value than a free lift ticket” said Rich Moorhead, CEO. “This season has been one of our best so we want to show off the mountain” added Moorhead.

Complimentary lift tickets will be available at the ticket windows starting at 8:30am. Monarch is asking for a donation of a non-perishable food item but everyone will receive a free lift ticket. The donated food will be given to The Grainery a local organization that operates a food bank.

Monarch is located in the San Isabel National Forest 20 miles west of Salida, CO. Abundant natural snow (350 + in.) and friendly people are two of the areas strongest attributes. For more information on Monarch Mountain or the free lift ticket day visit www.skimonarch.com.

Mountain Sports Club members save all season on lift tickets at Monarch Mountain.

K2 Skyla Women's Snowboard Now on Sale

With spring time comes the best deals and discounts on great snowboard gear. The deal of the week from Ski Chalet this week is K2 Skyla Women's Snowboard Now on Sale at for only $279.

K2 is one of the leading snowoboard companies worldwide and the K2 Skyla is another popular ladies snowboard.

Girls like options. So K2 snowboarders demand a board that's built for versatility. Designed for advancing females with an ambitious attitude, the Skyla has limitless possibilities on any terrain whether you're park bound or headed for the trees. The K2 Skyla's Rhythm Core Snowboard with softer tip and tail and smooth flex, combined with the gentle sidecut offer a forgiving and predictable transition, while remaining stable and responsive.

Features
S-Class Technology- Taking full advantage of every moment you experience on snow, whether it's your first few turns or that last high-speed mission, S-Class technology is engineered to keep your legs at full potential for strong riding all day long. K2’s patent pending feature incorporates a vibration-absorbing layer, giving your muscles a well-deserved break from any and all board chatter. One more run anyone?

Hyper Progressive Sidecut- K2 Snowboards most aggressive, yet versatile sidecut. A very gentle radius in the tip and tail are blended to a tight radius in the center of the board. Whether you want to relax and bomb with confidence or carve circles around your buddy, this sidecut puts you in control of your turns.

Patented Hybritech Construction- Hybritech is the most effective way to make a snowboard. It takes a cap tip and tail and blends it into a sidewall along the running surface. K2 Snowboards' takes the time to create complex molds and parts that bring these two features together. It gives you low swing weight and optimized turn initiation at the ends combined with durability and damping on the running surface. This design produces high-performance boards that excel across any variety of mountain terrain, snow conditions and riding styles.

Carbon Torsion Forks- Dual Torsional stability at tip and tail = better high speed edge hold + better off-axis landing stability

Rhythm Core- Softer tip and tail and smooth flex, combined with the gentle sidecut offer a forgiving and predictable transition, while remaining stable and responsive.