Chamonix, International Mountain Symposium & La Valle Blanche

Duty called this week as I went back to Chamonix France for the first time in decades. The event I attended was the International Mountain Symposium a gathering of 300 mountain travel executives, tourism and resort operators from across Europe, with a few from North America sprinkled into the mix. I had been invited to participate as a speaker on a panel presented by PhocusWright and run by Bruce Rosard. The topic was Social Media with a focus on what to do, case studies of examples of how companies are effectively using various elements of social media in strategies that are working and producing results.

The conference dedicated itself to trends in the larger resort and travel marketplace with a focus on how to manage and respond to the current effects of the global financial crisis that is still impacting economies and industries such as tourism and travel. It was a diverse audience that included different companies showing off their innovations as it pertains to travel and established new travel players that have emerged from the digital revolution that is still shaping and impacting the business landscape. Companies like Travel Zoo, Trip Advisor, EasyJet, our own company flaik each presented how their new approaches to the market are impacting positive results for companies embracing new approaches to the market.

Accommodations: The event booked me into The Mont Blanc Hotel, which was a block from town center and easy access to anything I wanted to do or needed for the trip. An old world hotel with comfort, charm and a dedicated and pleasant staff during my stay, was truly a delight. The last day of my trip I had planned a full day ski and tour of the Le Vallee Blanche with a 6 PM shuttle to Geneva for my return flight. The Hotel was gracious in providing not only storage for my bags, but a room with a shower to freshen up and get myself ready for the journey. The hotel staff were all pleasant, helpful and making sure my stay was enjoyable. They did it with a smile on the face and in a fashion The Hotel Mont Blanc will be high on my list of places to stay when returning.

Overall trip observation’s: Several things on this trip to France jumped out at me. The French were much more pleasant and engaging than 25 years ago during my first trip to France. The willingness to try and speak English, as my French is very limited and poor, was evident everywhere and with a smile. Local markets and shops were pleased to help and see me a spending tourist. The significantly devalued dollar made this so much more expensive than past trips to Europe. It was a point of pain that as the week went on you found yourself simply ignoring it so as to not feel too much pain. That being said I still needed to purchase and bring back souvenir books, chocolate, cheese and French gourmet sausages. The food and culinary treats are always a pleasure in France. Town was quiet as has been the case form speaking to locals regarding the last 2 years. Snow is and has been great with cold temperatures ensuring excellent skiing and riding conditions. Making connections out of Geneva was incredibly easy. When searching Google for shuttles from the Geneva airport to Chamonix I found several choices but after reviewing various options and sites I settled on Chamonix Express. They had many regular scheduled trips back and forth and an easy to use booking engine. At 25 Euros costs seemed reasonable and the service proved to be punctual and professional coming and going. The ease of online researching of trips and services makes travel abroad so much easier while eliminating questions and uncertainty.

Good pub with lively British clientele was La Terrace in the center of town, right behind the statue

Skiing La Valle Blanche: While I sure wish I could have gotten more than one day on the mountain, this is a long way to come for one day, but it was a work trip not a holiday.

Wounded Warriors in Colorado

This is the 22nd annual Hartford Ski Spectacular, hosted by Disabled Sports USA. The Hartford is one of the main contributors, even in these tough financial times.
It is the nation's largest winter sports festival of this type, with more than 700 participants this year. Many of the wounded warriors lost limbs, or suffered other major injuries, in battles in Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, or other wars. Other participants have disabilities, and take part in a number of adaptive sports programs. Many are training for upcoming Parolympics events in Vancouver.

It is fitting this years Event began on December 7th, Pearl Harbor Day. These are brave, patriotic folks, who have suffered greatly, but never give up.

My husband Charles Sneiderman and I have been honored to attend 3 of these Hartford events, as well as numerous other Wounded Warrior Activities around the nation. We were pleased to see so many old friends. Most of us are staying in the huge Beaver Run Resort and Conference Center, which hosts the events. It is well run, the views are great, and you can ski in and ski out to the slopes. The sports rental facilities are part of the building, which makes it much easier. The warriors have the use of a vast amount of special equipment - sit skis and other gear for those with lost limbs. Most of their equipment is stored on a big truck, provided by the Veterans Administration.

It was bitter cold when we arrived in Breckenridge, with temperatures far below zero. But we managed a few runs each day. The slopes were hard packed and well groomed. The participants were out early, receiving lessons in the bitter cold. Many of the instructors also suffered from disabilities, which make them more sensitive and effective as teachers. It often takes several dedicated people to help the sportspeople into their equipment, and assist them on the chair lifts. But, once they are set, they fly down that mountain! Look for more reports to come from field reporter Connie Lawn.

Colorado ramblings – December, 2009 - by Connie Lawn

Early season skiing and riding and lift ticket discounts

The start of December has a truly wide range of conditions available in North America. The areas in British Columbia are enjoying record snowfalls while the Rockies are about average for this time of year and the east has not really gotten started. Look for New England resorts to start to open this weekend as they finally get weather fitting for making snow and opening.

Here is an early peak on lift ticket deals for Mountain Sports Club members:


2 for 1, half price and daily lift ticket discounts, savings and coupons for Ski and Snowboard areas the throughout US and Canada. Register today, upgrade to premium membership and start saving on lift tickets and more for the 2009.10 ski and snowboard season. New lift ticket discounts and offers are being updated daily. Check back often for the latest in breaking lift ticket savings coupons and discounts.Join now and save. Use promo code holiday09 and join for only $14.95.



California

Squaw Valley USA, Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Northstar-at-Tahoe, Mt. Rose, Sierra-at-Tahoe - Lift ticket packages available for Members through the Travel Desk. Must be purchased 7 days in advance.

Colorado - Lift ticket discounts and savings in most resorts and resort towns...2009.10 discounts for ski lift tickets now available.

Loveland Ski Area - Now open for skiing and riding for the 2009.10 winter season. 2009.10 discounts for ski lift tickets now available. Daily lift ticket discounts, save $16 daily.

Monarch - Save $10 Daily Adult or Junior lift tickets! 2009.10 discounts for ski lift tickets now available.

Ski Cooper - Save $10 on weekend lift tickets and 2 for 1 midweek during the 2009.10 ski and snowboard season! Limited Free Ski Cooper lift ticket with membership promotion.

Sunlight Mountain Resort - Buy ONE lift ticket, get the second ticket FREE! 2009.10 discounts for ski lift tickets now available. Limited Free Sunlight Mountain lift ticket with membership promotion.


Breckenridge and Keystone - Lift ticket packages available for Members through the Travel Desk. Must be purchased 7 days in advance.

Beaver Creek and Vail - Lift ticket packages available for Members through the Travel Desk. Must be purchased 7 days in advance.



Connecticut

Mohawk Mountain Area Lift ticket discount coupon offers for members during the 2009.10 ski and snowboard season. Limited Free Mohawk lift ticket with membership promotion.

Maine - Great snow and resort selection for members to enjoy savings and discounts...


Shawnee Peak Ski Area - 2009.10 discounts for ski lift tickets now available. 2 for 1 lift tickets! Save $6 off an Adult weekend lift ticket! Additional offers available.



Massachussetts

Wachusett Mountain - Free Wachusett Passport to Savings Card for lift tickets savings. $30 Value!! 2009.10 discounts for ski lift tickets now available.


Montana

Big Sky Resort - Lift ticket packages available for Members through the Travel Desk. Must be purchased 7 days in advance.

Moonlight Basin - Lift ticket packages available for Members through the Travel Desk. Must be purchased 7 days in advance.

New Mexico

Taos Ski Valley - Lift ticket packages available for Members through the Travel Desk. Must be purchased 7 days in advance.



New Hampshire - The Granite state includes many resort options with daily lift ticket discounts and 2 for 1 lift tickets.

The Balsams Ski Area - Save 30% on weekends and holiday lift tickets.

Black Mountain - 2 for 1 Lift tickets for 2009.10 ski and snowboard season.

Cranmore Mountain Resort - 2 for 1 lift ticket specials for the 2009.10 ski and snowboard season.

King Pine Ski Area - 2 for 1 weekend lift tickets! Additional offers available.

Pats Peak Ski Area - Get $5 off weekend lift tickets! Additional offers available, 2009.10 discounts now online.

Whaleback Mountain - Mountain Sports Club Members buy 1 lift ticket and get the 2nd FREE!

Wildcat Mountain Ski Area - Get $10 off an Adult lift ticket! Additional offers available.

New York - 2 for 1 Lift tickets and discounts from the Catskill mountains to the Adirondacks and western New York...

Plattekill Mountain - Buy one adult lift ticket, get the second 1/2 off!


Pennsylvania - A wide range of discount on lift tickets from the Pocono's, central and western resorts...

Blue Mountain - Save up to $10 a day on lift tickets and even snow tubing. 2009.10 discounts for ski lift tickets now available.

Liberty Mountain Resort - Save $5 on weekday lift tickets! 2009.10 discounts for ski lift tickets now available.

Shawnee Mountain - 2 for 1 midweek lift tickets and save $10 on weekends during the 2008.09 ski and snowboard season.

Utah - Wasatch powder and great deals for members...

Additional lift ticket discounts and packages available for Members through the Travel Desk.

Deer Valley - Lift ticket packages available for Members through the Travel Desk.

Park City Mountain Resort - Lift ticket packages available for Members through the Travel Desk.

Wolf Mountain - Lift ticket packages available for Members through the Travel Desk.

Vermont - The Green Mountain state's wide selection of resort offers ensures you save some green...

Bolton Valley - Members save with 2 for 1 lift tickets Monday - Wednesday non holidays and $10 daily Thursday through Sundays and holidays.

Jay Peak Resort - Members save up to $67 daily on lift tickets with 2 for 1 lift tickets during the 2009.10 ski and snowboard season.

Magic Mountain - Save $10 on weekend lift tickets! Save $19 daily weekdays. 2009.10 discount lift tickets now available. Additional offers available.

Smugglers' Notch Resort - Save with various offers including 2 for 1 lift tickets. Get $10 off a full day 3 mountain lift ticket! Additional offers available.



Washington

Mission Ridge - Save $10 on an Adult weekday ticket! Additional offers available. 2009.10 discounts for ski lift tickets now available.



Wyoming - Lift ticket deals and great lodging offers...


Grand Targhee Resort - Daily lift ticket discounts up to $10 savings per day during 08.09. Look for new offers.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort - Lift ticket packages available for Members through the Travel Desk.



British Columbia

Whistler Blackcomb - Lift ticket packages available for Members through the Travel Desk.

Sun Peaks Resort - Lift ticket packages available for Members through the Travel Desk


Not a Mountain Sports Club Member yet? Register now and save all winter on lift ticket discounts!

Free Mohawk Lift Ticket with membership

Mohawk Mountain in Connecticut is once again extending lift ticket discounts to Mountain Sports Club premium members. Now for a limited time, while supplies last join as a premium member and we will mail you one free lift ticket per membership. To redeem special offer and free Mohawk lift ticket use promotion code - mohawk. Register now, become a member and save with great discounts on lift tickets. lodging, gear and services.

Hartford Ski Spectacular aat Breckenridge,CO

This is the 22nd annual Hartford Ski Spectacular, hosted by Disabled Sports USA. The Hartford is one of the main contributors, even in these tough financial times.
It is the nation's largest winter sports festival of this type, with more than 700 participants this year. Many of the wounded warriors lost limbs, or suffered other major injuries, in battles in Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, or other wars. Other participants have disabilities, and take part in a number of adaptive sports programs. Many are training for upcoming Para-Olympics events in Vancouver.

It is fitting this years Event began on December 7th, Pearl Harbor Day. These are brave, patriotic folks, who have suffered greatly, but never give up.

My husband Charles Sneiderman and I have been honored to attend 3 of these Hartford events, as well as numerous other Wounded Warrior Activities around the nation. We were pleased to see so many old friends. Most of us are staying in the huge Beaver Run Resort and Conference Center, which hosts the events. It is well run, the views are great, and you can ski in and ski out to the slopes. The sports rental facilities are part of the building, which makes it much easier. The warriors have the use of a vast amount of special equipment - sit skis and other gear for those with lost limbs. Most of their equipment is stored on a big truck, provided by the Veterans Administration.
It was bitter cold when we arrived in Breckenridge, with temperatures far below zero. But we managed a few runs each day. The slopes were hard packed and well groomed. The participants were out early, receiving lessons in the bitter cold. Many of the instructors also suffered from disabilities, which make them more sensitive and effective as teachers. It often takes several dedicated people to help the sportspeople into their equipment, and assist them on the chair lifts. But, once they are set, they fly down that mountain!

Colorado ramblings – December, 2009 - by Connie Lawn Mountain Sports Club Field Correspondent.

Looking for deals, discounts and savings on lift tickets, lodging and more check out Breckenridge listings at the Mountain Sports Club. Blog special offer memberships now only $19.95, use promo code blog09 and save.

Colorado Lift ticket discounts and 2 for 1 Lift ticket Savings

With another ski and snowboard season underway the Mountain Sports Club is posting this seasons lift ticket discounts for members looking for the best deal in skiing and snowboarding. Discount coupons this year include daily savings up to 2 for 1 representing over $50 a day in value. The following are the initial resort offers for this year.

Mountain Sports Club Members have access to discounts and savings at Colorado resorts, retailers and lodging. Register to become a member today. Early season special, now only $9.95, use promotion code Fall09 to redeem and save $20 on membership.


Loveland Ski Area - Daily lift tickets now only $30, save $16 daily.

Ski Cooper - Daily savings include 2 for 1 lift tickets, save up to $42 daily...

Monarch Mountain - Daily savings $10 daily..

Sunlight Mountain Resort - Daily lift ticket savings up to 2 for 1, Save up to $50 daily...


Travel Desk lift ticket packages available at the following resorts:

• Breckenridge and Keystone
• Vail and Beaver Creek
• Winter Park
• Copper Mountain

Summit Cove Keystone Lodging Save up to 25%

Summit Cove lodging discounts are available for Mountain Sports Club members - Save up to 20% in the Keystone Resort area, are available for Mountain Sports Club members. Summit Cove lodging discounts are available for the 2009.10 ski and snowboard season.

Summit Cove is a provider of quality vacation accommodations in Keystone Colorado. Our vacation condos are located throughout the Keystone valley. Our offerings feature ski-in ski-out lodging or walk to slopes convenience. From Summit Cove to River Run, our Colorado resort vacation condos are only minutes away from the 2 Keystone golf courses, Keystone horse stables, Keystone Lake, the Keystone ski slopes, and Arapahoe Basin ski resort. All of our Keystone Resort vacation condo rentals are served by free shuttle service.

Mid-Summer Discount: 20% Off Any Stay of 3 Nights
Stay 3 nights or more and save 20% on your lodging. Call 1-866-976-8930 for direct booking and mention Mountain Sports Club or book online use promo code mscsummer20
Some Restrictions Apply
Must book by Sept 30 for promotion. Some properties excluded from promotion. Valid on new reservations only.

Our condo rental rates are comparable to what you would find with basic hotel lodging in and around Summit County and Keystone. We offer much more modern condos and rental properties for better nightly prices than any other vacation lodging provider or condo management company in Keystone Resort. From slope side rental condos to centrally located vacation condos in Summit County, we provide all your Keystone Resort Colorado lodging needs right here at SummitCove.Com. Contact us today for unparalleled personal service and local knowledge.

Make sure to use your Mountain Sports Club lodging discount to save on your next ski, snowboard or mountain vacation or getaway. Save on Keystone lodging at Summit Cove, book now.

Loveland open for Skiing and Snowboarding, Discount $30 lift tickets now available

Loveland Ski Area has once again claimed the first to open for the 2009.10 ski and snowboard season. Now open for a couple of weeks with more terrain due to open soon. Discount lift tickets are now available for Mountain Sports Club members at only $30 daily. This is a $16 a day savings on their early season lift tickets. Join the Mountain Sports Club now and save all winter long on lift tickets, lodging, gear and much more.

High Country Media Partnership Delivers High-Value Offers to Mountain Enthusiasts

Mountain focused companies collaborate with resorts, lodges and retailers to provide money-saving opportunities to passionate enthusiasts.

(BOULDER, CO) – October 7, 2009 – Mountain travelers now have an insider’s guide and a centralized resource for savings . Providing low-priced lift tickets, cheap lodging, valuable retail discounts and more, the newly formed MTNaccess Club delivers deals to a high-demand audience. Mountain Sports Club provides partners with unlimited access to offers and analytics interface, as well as an established member base. Together, MTNaccess Club and Mountain Sports Club will deliver the absolute best quality products and value to both consumers and partners.

The result of a partnership between two Boulder companies, the Mountain Sports Club and High Country Media’s MTNaccess Club members will also receive one year of High Country Media’s newest property, Mountain Sports + Living magazine – a publication dedicated to inspiring mountain recreation and tourism through compelling storytelling, stunning photography and expert industry guidance.

Challenging market conditions created an opportunity to reassess the needs of skiers as well as the advertisers that market to them. This model connects the brand with the actual user, providing accountability and ROI for partners and creating true value through savings for consumers.

“Businesses have been quick to recognize the importance of providing valuable incentives and offers to their clientele”, says Mountain Sports Club Founder John Siewierski. “Not just destination resorts but local ski hills, travel businesses, retail stores and many others are finding that this program carries great value for both the advertiser and the consumer.”

The partnership has created a fresh approach for advertisers seeking interaction with their consumers. “With Mountain Sports and Living, we inspire our readers to get into the mountains and play. With the MTNaccess Club they now have access to fantastic offers to the places they frequent weekly, monthly, or perhaps just once in a lifetime”, said High Country Media President Jamie Pentz.

About Mountain Sports Club

Established in 2005, Boulder, CO based Mountain Sports Club is a membership based online service that providing its members with discounts on lift tickets, lodging, shops, gear, dining, travel and activities to mountain destinations across North America.

About High Country Media

Based in Boulder, CO, High Country Media’s brands target skiers, snowboarders, and four-season mountain enthusiasts. Its major interests include ownership of the magazine Mountain Sports + Living and the MTNaccess Club. Additionally, High Country Media manages web operations and radio advertising sales for www.snocountry.com.

Media Contacts:

Mountain Sports Club John Siewierski // john@mountainsportsclub.com // 303.554.6555

High Country Media Dave Taylor // taylor@highcmedia.com // 720.308.1363