Monarch Mountain Lift Ticket Discount Coupons for 2010.11 and improvements

We are pleased to announce that Monarch Mountain will once again offer a $10 daily lift ticket discount for Mountain Sports Club members.

Monarch always known for dry Colorado powder skiing, family friendly and an exceptional value also announced significant new inprovements and upgrades for the coming winter ski and snowboard season.

Monarch Mountain is investing $1.2 million in area improvements for the 2010-11 season, these enhancements are due to a record breaking 2009-10 winter season. Monarch Mountain will once again reinvest in the area. Keeping with Monarch Mountain’s mission to always improve the skiing/riding experience, families are at the top of the list.

Lift Improvements
A new base terminal for the Garfield Chair Lift leads the list of improvements. A new and improved loading station, drive units and hydraulics will create an entirely new base terminal at Monarch Mountain’s most popular chair. The new base terminal will allow Garfield to run more efficiently with less stops for skiers and riders getting on and off the lift. The Pioneer quad chair lift will see a new unloading ramp at the top, helping ease the unloading process. Both Garfield and Pioneer lift mazes will see new lane dividers to facilitate the flow of maze traffic.

Base Lodge
The “highest Starbuck’s in the free world” will get even higher. Starbuck’s will be relocated to the top floor of the main lodge so customers can easily enjoy a snack or beverage with family and friends. A new deli will inhabit Starbuck’s former location at the mid-level corridor. The deli will be ideal for guest looking to get a quick sandwich, salad, snack and a drink and get back on the slopes.

Last years installment of the “Hydration Station” on the top level of the main building was such a success, two additional ones will be installed for this winter. The Picnic Room on the lower level of the main lodge and the Rental/Lesson center building will now have Hydration Stations. “Drinking water to stay hydrated at high altitude is very important and we want to make it as convenient as possible for our guests” said Rich Moorhead, Monarch Mountain CEO.

Rental/Lesson Center
Rental and Lesson Center guests will appreciate the addition of 600 sets of new Head rental skis, boots and bindings. These will be complemented by new snowboard and demo skis. New boot dryers will be added to the rental shop and the reservation counter will be remodeled to speed up the delivery of reserved equipment.

Just for Kids
Kids are “king” at Monarch Mountain, so several improvements and upgrades are aimed at the younger generation. A new Yurt for the junior mountain program will be used for registration and as a warming hut for the older offspring. The Children’s Center will be remodeled to better serve the younger tikes.

On mountain improvements will be made for beginners and families. Beginners will find a new gentler access point paralleling Romp which will make it easier to ski or ride to the terrain on the west side of the mountain. Tilt, the popular kids’ terrain park, will acquire several new “features”, keeping it fresh and fun. The “Organic” K2 Terrain Park will also have several new “all natural” features and a new log entrance (all features and the entrance are made from downed trees at the area). The addition of a new Prinoth Bison Snowcat will let allow the cat drivers to groom more terrain and lay down Colorado’s only “all natural” corduroy for skiers and riders to enjoy.

Skiers and Riders of all ages will enjoy this year’s improvements at Monarch Mountain, all aimed at enhancing the family and guest experience.

Great savings on Colorado lodging - Keystone and Steamboat

With summer if full swing it is a great time to head to the Colorado mountains and enjoy the best of summer. More deals and discount savings are available at Summit Cove in Keystone, save 20% and at Mountain Resorts, Inc in Steamboat. From value condos to luxury town homes these two companies offer great value and selection.

Call them now and remember to tell them you saw the deal on the Mountain Sports Club blog.

Hiking Colorado 14 ers, The list of 14,000 foot peaks in Colorado

Summer in Colorado for many entails knocking off the hike to the summit of one, or several, of Colorado's 14,000 foot peaks. The following is a list of the peaks for you to start your plans to summit.

Colorado Fourteeners

Name                             Mountain Range              High In Feet
Blanca Peak                    Sangre de Cristo                 14,345
Ellingwood Point              Sangre de Cristo                14,042
Mount Lindsey                 Sangre de Cristo                14,042
Mount Massive                Sawatch                             14,421
Mount Elbert                    Sawatch                             14,433
La Plata Peak                   Sawatch                             14,336
Mount Huron                    Sawatch                             14,012
Missouri Mountain            Sawatch                             14,067
Mount Oxford                  Sawatch                             14,153
Mount Belford                 Sawatch                              14,197
Mount Harvard                Sawatch                              14,420
Mount Columbia              Sawatch                              14,073
Mount Yale                     Sawatch                               14,196
Mount Princeton              Sawatch                               14,197
Mount Tabeguache          Sawatch                               14,155
Mount Antero                  Sawatch                               14,269
Mount Humboldt              Sangre de Cristo                  14,064
Pikes Peak                       Front                                   14,110
Handies Peak                   San Juan                              14,048
Mount Elbert                    Sawatch                               14,433
Mount Shavano                Sawatch                               14,229
Redcloud Peak                 San Juan                              14,034
Sunshine Peak                  San Juan                              14,001
Mount Sherman                Tenmile-Mosquito                14,036
Mount Democrat              Tenmile-Mosquito                14,148
Mount Lincoln                  Tenmile-Mosquito                14,286
Mount Bross                    Tenmile-Mosquito                14,172
Quandary Peak                Tenmile-Mosquito                14,265
Mount Bierstadt                Front                                   14,060
Mount Evans                     Front                                   14,264
Grays Peak                       Front                                   14,270
Torreys Peak                    Front                                   14,267
Mt. Of The Holy Cross     Sawatch                               14,005
Castle Peak                      Elk                                       14,265
Challenger Point               Sangre de Cristo                   14,081
Kit Carson Peak              Sangre de Cristo                   14,165
San Luis Peak                  San Juan                               14,014
Uncompahgre                   San Juan                               14,309
Wetterhorn Peak              San Juan                               14,015
Mount Sneffels                 San Juan                               14,150
Crestone Needle              Sangre de Cristo                   14,197
Culebra Peak                   Sangre de Cristo                   14,047
Crestone Peak                 Sangre de Cristo                   14,249
el Diente                           San Juan                               14,159
Mount Wilson                   San Juan                               14,250
Little Bear                         Sangre de Cristo                   14,037
Wilson Peak                     San Juan                               14,017
Windom Peak                  San Juan                                14,082
Sunlight Peak                   San Juan                                14,059
Mount Eolus                     San Juan                               14,083
Maroon Peak                    Elk Mountains                      14,156
North Maroon Peak          Elk Mountains                      14,014
Pyramid Peak                    Elk Mountains                      14,018
Snowmass Mountain          Elk Mountains                      14,092
Longs Peak                       Front                                    14,259
Capitol Peak                     Elk Mountains                       14,130
Mount Lindsey                  Sangre de Cristo                   14,042
Torreys Peak                    Front                                     14,267

Enjoy your hikes and summits. Remember to start early, be prepared, lots of water, food, sunscreen and layers for changing weather and conditions.

Save 25% on Keystone Lodging For July 4 Weekend and more

Summit Cove Rentals located in Keystone Resort Colorado has a few condos still available for the July 4th weekend. With summer ready to kick into high gear there will be lots of activity this summer in Keystone. Book your July 4 Condo and save 25% while there is still time.

Lift serviced mountain biking, hikes, fishing, cycling abounds in the area. Looking for gear and accessories for your day outside, be sure to visit High Trail Sports in Frisco, for bike service and purchase discounts.

Sun and Ski Sports, Up to 50% off July 4th Sale

Summer sales for bikes and outdoor gear are in full swing as the July 4th holiday approaches. Sun and Ski Sports with stores in 7 states as well as a robust online store are promoting up to 50% through the holiday. Be sure to see all the great cycling deals and more.

Boreal Mountain Reopening for Summer Weekend

Late snows in the west have resulted in various areas re opening for weekends this summer. The latest is Boreal Mountain Resort who announced they will reopen for a weekend of skiing and riding July 10-11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. The area’s Castle Peak Quad will service a variety of park features. Lift tickets will cost $20. More details will be available shortly, according to the resort. Enjoy the summer skiing and pleasure of riding the lifts in July. 

Bike to Work Day a Boulder Celebration of Bikes and Cycling

Bike to work day will finds thousands of enthusiasts leaving their cars at home to "Bike to work", here in Boulder on Wednesday June 23, 2010. Part of a month long celebration and awareness, this cycling crazed city will have 40 plus breakfast stations manned for participants walking or riding to work in the AM between 7 and 9, available at locations around Boulder.

Sue Prant, the director of Walk & Bike Month, encourages and invites all participants to be counted and register at www.communitycycles.org, that also includes the location of breakfast stations.

Another highlight part of the day is the Bike Shorts Film Fest stating at 5:30 p.m. at Old Main at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Activity begins at Old Main with an ice cream social and music. Movie viewers will move inside the Old Main for the Bike Shorts films.

Admission is $6, with all proceeds benefits Community Cycles' Youth Earn-A-Bike program.

Antique Ski Lift Chairs from Butternut Basin

Antique chairlift chairs now available for collectors from Ski Butternut

Retired 48 to 50+ year old chairlift’s double chairs now available to

skiing enthusiasts and collectors alike.

For those interested in having a unique piece of skiing nostalgia to adorn their

home or garden, Ski Butternut is offering three different styles of antique chairlift

chairs for sale. Price is $200 per chair. Guests can pickup their chairs at Ski

Butternut - 380State Road, Great Barrington, Massachusetts 01230.

There are three chairlift style chairs to choose from (use link to view picture).

Borvig or Carlavaro or maybe a Mueller.

There are a total of 85 chairs; 2 Mueller, 23 Borvig and 60 Carlavaro. These

chairs vary in design and construction. Some used wooden slats for seats and

backs, while others used metal or a more durable composite. These old double

chairlift chairs are all truly remarkable pieces of skiing history. Antique chairlift

chairs are quickly disappearing. Each lift chair is being sold as is. Chairs must be

picked up at Ski Butternut. To secure a chair one must first call the Ski Butternut

main office 413.528.2000 x111. Please have your credit card ready. Full

payment will reserve a chair for pickup. Pickup can be accommodated from 10

a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, or at the same times over the weekend

of August 1st and 2nd. Cash sales will also be accepted, but we are unable to

hold a chair in your name until payment has been secured. Personal checks will

not be accepted. All chairs are sold on a first-come first-served basis.

All Lift chairs can fit in a standard truck bed. Customers have also strapped

chairs down onto the top of their vehicles for transport. Please bring

appropriate tie down cords, or other means so you can firmly attach the chair

to your vehicle. Chairs measure approximately 42” wide by 98” tall by 28” deep

and weigh 35 to 45 pounds. The Carlavaro chairs have been disassembled into

three pieces (a hanger, hoop and basket) making them easier to transport for

those without access to a truck. These chairs can be reassembled using a

screwdriver and wrench.

There are only 2 Mueller center pole style chairlift double chairs remaining. This

lift was manufactured in 1961 by Mueller (a Swiss company that still

manufactures chairlifts today). The lift was powered by a 65 HP motor and was

originally installed at Mount Cathalia in Ellenville, NY, before being purchased

and relocated to Ski Butternut (known then as Butternut Basin). Channing

Murdock and the Butternut Basin Lift Maintenance crew sweated through all

aspects of the installation of the foreign made lift components to get it ready for

the coming winters’ guests. This Mueller lift carried many an aspiring novice to

the top of the Cruiser ski slope at Ski Butternut until it was decommissioned in

2004. Ski Butternut replaced this aging lift with a quad chairlift prior to the winter

of 2005.

There are 60 Carlavaro chairlift chairs available which were originally installed on

the ski slopes at the Dartmouth Ski Way in NH. Channing purchased these chairs

from them in 1992. These Italian made chairs served as backup chairs for the

original summit double chair and for our beloved Paddy’s beginner chairlift, also

a Carlavaro, which through great care is still in operation at the resort today.

Channing Murdock also purchased 23 Borvig chairs along with the other lift

components and a 15 horsepower drive unit from another mountain. These

components were installed at the mountain as the Scooter lift in 1969. The

Scooter lift, in tandem with the Paddy’s chairlift, serviced the areas numerous

beginner clients. Today a series of four Sun Kid carpet lifts in conjunction with the

Paddy’s chairlift better serve the continual mix of beginners, of which a high

percentage of these are children through young teens. Guests, just learning to

ski today, desire a less intimidating, confidence building, yet fun transportation

link to the various starting points for lessons on the Scooter learning slope. This

series of new carpets deliver the right mix for our guests today.

Keen interest has been expressed in acquiring a chair by many Ski Butternut

loyal guests, instructors, patrollers as well as a number of the local ski shops.

Purchasers have told me they desire to incorporate these unique and limited

pieces of skiing history into their backyard, garden, game room or storefront.

Many want to restore these historical treasures so as to preserve the memories

they have had on the slopes of our beloved mountain. 

Have some fun, be creative and once you are done please send me pictures of your new special treasure. Email your pictures to: Marketing@SkiButternut.com along with a description telling us what

makes it special for you.

Half Price Mountain Bike Lift ticket at Plattekill Mountain Bike Park

Plattekill Mountain Bike Park has geared up for another spring, summer and fall of the best lift served mountain biking in the New York metro area and Catskill region. Once again Plattekill Mountain Bike Park will offer Mountain Sports Club members half price lift tickets for lift serviced mountain biking.

Join now and save on every visit to the mountains. Summer special now available, annual membership now only $9.95, save $20 for a full year premium membership. Use it once it's paid for, Use it often and Save hundreds! To redeem special offer - enter ebird10 in promotion code box when upgrading to premium status. You can always call us to order over the phone and to speak to a live person Monday - Friday 8 am - 4 PM Mountain time at 303.554.6555.