CARRABASSETT VALLEY, ME – To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the annual Bud Light Reggae Festival, Sugarloaf will give away a Reggae Fest getaway for four people as part of its new #RoadtoReggae promotion. The promotion, which will feature a social media contest to determine the winner of the ski and stay package, will also include two #RoadtoReggae events in South Portland and Bangor.

The parties will be held at the Sea Dog Brewing Company locations in South Portland and Bangor on Friday, March 29, and Friday, April 5, respectively, and will feature the Gorilla Finger Dub Band, a Portland-based reggae group that will also be performing at this year’s Reggae Fest. Sugarloaf will announce the winner of the ski and stay package at the Bangor event.

To enter the #RoadtoReggae giveaway, individuals must post a photo featuring the Sugarloaf logo to Instagram, using the #RoadtoReggae hashtag. One post will be chosen at random and will receive a two-day ski and stay package for four people, complete with lift tickets and concert tickets.

All photos posted to Instagram and tagged with the #RoadtoReggae hashtag will be compiled in the Sugarloaf Blue Room, allowing participants to view all of the entries throughout the contest.

The contest will end on April 6, and the winner will be announced online after the Bangor #RoadtoReggae event. Participants must be 21 or over to win and to attend nighttime Reggae Fest concerts.

At each of the #RoadtoReggae events Sugarloaf will also give away a number of Good Vibes Passes, which will grant the passholder access to the April 13 Reggae Fest concert in Sugarloaf’s King Pine Room featuring John Brown’s Body, as well as the Widowmaker Lounge concert featuring See-I and Noble Society.

The annual Bud Light Reggae Festival draws thousands of spring skiing and reggae enthusiasts to the mountains of Maine every year, and celebrates its 25th anniversary this year on April 11-14. This year’s festival will feature eight bands playing day and night, a spectacular fireworks show, and reduced ticket prices, including free admission to Friday night’s annual “Reggae Rave.”

John Browns Body, a group that has been referred to as “America’s best reggae band” will headline this year’s festival, with support from Boston-based Mighty Mystic. Renegade Soundstation will once again host the Friday night “Reggae Rave,” five additional bands will perform on three different stages throughout the weekend, and a spectacular fireworks show will light up the night to commemorate 25 years as the premier spring skiing festival in the East.

For more information on the Bud Light Reggae Festival and the #RoadtoReggae contest, please visit www.sugarloaf.com.

“When we realized we had the potential to prolong the season, it was a no brainer,” said Josh Arneson, director of sales and marketing at Bolton Valley. “The spring conditions include mid-winter base depths, people want to keep skiing and riding, and we want to give our loyal guests another weekend to enjoy their winter home before the warm weather comes.”

The mountain anticipates about 40 trails of intermediate and advanced skiing and riding open for the last weekend of the season. The Vista Quad will be the solo lift for the weekend, but will take guests to a variety of terrain and trails. The Nordic Center also will be open.

Bolton Valley has set up bargain-basement prices on lift tickets for the final weekend as well. All day lift tickets will be $29 for all ages.

All 2012-2013 Bolton All-Access Season Passes, including night passes, will be valid on the Extra Innings Weekend. For those looking to purchase 2013-2014 season passes, and ski and ride for free for the remainder of this season, the deadline to purchase at the lowest price for next year is April 1.

The resort will offer a 36-Hour Sale from noon on Thursday, March 28 to midnight on Friday, March 29. During the 36-Hour Sale, one day lift tickets for the Extra Innings Weekend can be purchased for just $19. Also, ski and stay packages for the Extra Innings Weekend are just $58 per person, per night when booked by noon on Sunday, March 31.

For more details on the Extra Innings Weekend, visit www.boltonvalley.com/extrainnings.

Bolton Valley is Vermont’s most convenient and affordable big mountain skiing. Less than 10 minutes from I-89 and less than 30 minutes from Burlington and Montpelier, the family-friendly mountain offers skiers and riders of all abilities three mountain peaks with 70 trails and 6 lifts, plus 3 terrain parks including the Burton Progression Park.

Bolton Valley was the first in Vermont and the second in the U.S. to implement wind power as an energy source and is the recipient of the National Ski Areas Association’s 2010 Silver Eagle Award for environmental initiatives. Approximately 100km of high elevation Nordic terrain, a complete Sports Center and Indoor Amusement Center plus Vermont’s most extensive top-to-bottom night skiing and riding are just a few of the extras available to guests. All-inclusive, true ski-to-your-door lodging packages are from $79/person/night. For more information visit www.boltonvalley.com or call 877-9BOLTON.

West Dover, Vt. (March 26, 2013) – The calendar may say it’s spring, but things are looking more like mid-winter at Mount Snow thanks to almost six feet of snow that has fallen in the last month and the resort is providing guests the opportunity to enjoy it with lift ticket deals, summer sports on-snow and a scavenger hunt with the winner going home with a season pass for next year. There is still at least a couple more weeks of Vernal Eternal to go with events, festivals and live music planned through the first weekend of April.

For Good Friday, March 30, Mount Snow is offering $29 lift tickets when purchased at least 48 hours in advance online, but even if skiers and riders miss out on that deal lift tickets will be just $49 at the window on the day of; a sizable discount from the regular midweek rate of $75.

On Saturday, March 30 the resort will host its Inaugural On-Snow Golf Tournament. Mount Snow’s grooming operators are going to build a pitch-and-putt nine hole golf course on the wide, mellow grade of the South Bowl trail complete with greens and tee boxes for the scramble format tournament. Costumes are required and registration will occur Saturday morning in the Main Base Lodge; it is $20 per foursome and prizes will be awarded for lowest score, best individual costume, most improvement needed (highest score) and any hole-in-ones. Mount Snow will provide golf balls so participants just need to bring a pitching wedge and a putter. Skiers must remain clicked into their skis and snowboarders can swing with one foot out of their bindings.

A Golden Easter Egg will be hidden somewhere at the resort on Sunday, March 31 and there will be clues posted throughout the day. Whoever finds the Golden Easter Egg will go home with a 2013/2014 Mount Snow season pass. There will also be 1,000 small Easter eggs hidden around the resort holding candy and other goodies for families to enjoy.

For all the details on this weekend’s events, visit www.mountsnow.com/events

CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Maine – Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Seth Wescott from Carrabassett Valley and 15-year-old Lindsay Stewart from Cape Elizabeth, Maine took first place in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively, today at the 3rd Annual Sugarloaf Banked Slalom.

The two-day Banked Slalom is a snowboard-only, open registration event, in which snowboarders young and old compete on a winding course of banked turns down Sugarloaf’s storied terrain.

Wescott has helped organize the event and build the course in each of the past three years, but this was the first time he has won the event. He finished in third place in 2011 and sat out the 2012 event due to an injury.

Wescott’s time of 1:18.35 put him on top of the field and just ahead of fellow World-Cup snowboarder Alex Tuttle from Stratton, Maine, who finished the course in a time of 1:21.90. Defending champion Ryan Flynn from Damariscotta, Maine finished in third with a time of 1:23.18

On the women’s side, Emily Eames, and Tessa O’Brien, finished in second and third place, respectively.

With their victories, Wescott and Stewart each earned an automatic entry into the 2014 Mt Baker Legendary Banked Slalom (LBS) at Washington’s Mt. Baker resort. Because Wescott was already guaranteed entry into the 2014 LBS after his 2013 win there, he deferred his entry from the Sugarloaf Banked Slalom to Tuttle.

View Complete Overall Results Here: http://allsportsevents.com/Results/other_results/SugarloafBankedSlalom2013.html

For more information, please visit: http://www.sugarloaf.com/Events/Calendar/Banked_Slalom.html.

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About the Sugarloaf Resort– Located in Carrabassett Valley, ME, Sugarloaf is largest ski area in the East, and is home to the only lift-serviced above treeline skiing and riding in the East. and the number one golf course in Maine, according to Golf Digest. Sugarloaf is a member of the Boyne Resorts family of resorts and attractions. Follow: www.sugarloaf.com, www.facebook.com/sugarloaf, and http://twitter.com/sugarloafmaine.

Thanks to its commitment to snowmaking and a parade of recent snowstorms, Loon’s terrain is now 98 percent open across three peaks. That is the most late-season terrain Loon has enjoyed in several years, and should allow for excellent spring skiing and riding right into April.

In addition to great conditions, Loon is looking forward to several classic spring events:

March 30-31 – Spring-Sanity Weekend – Saturday brings a wild and crazy embrace of all things spring, with a Slushpool Party, Battle of the Bumps Contest, and Red Bull DJ Dance Party. A nondenominational sunrise service at the summit will start Easter Sunday, with Easter Egg Hunts and a Pancake Breakfast with the Easter Bunny to follow.

April 6 – ‘80s Day & Neff Beach Bash – Pay homage to a decade of big hair and neon by dusting off your straight skis and squeezing into those acid-washed jeans. In the terrain park, the Neff Beach Bash will offer up an ‘80s-inspired rail jam with cash and prizes up for grabs. At the end of the day, ‘80s cover band Fast Times will rock the Bunyan Room patio.

April 13 – Street Cred presented by Red Bull – Snowboarders compete in this street-inspired rail jam where creativity, style and versatility earn points with the judges. Competitors compete on urban-style elements, vying for bragging rights and a $2,000 cash purse.

2013-14 New England Passes are on sale now at the best prices through April 30. Anyone who purchases a 2013-14 Pass in full now can ski or ride for free the rest of the season. The Easy Pay Plan allows skiers and riders to lock in the current low prices by putting $50 toward their pass by April 30 and paying the balance over the summer.

For more information about spring at Loon, visit Loonmtn.com, follow @loonmtn on Twitter, or visit Loon’s Facebook page at facebook.com/loonmtn.

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About Loon Mountain – Loon Mountain is New England’s most-accessible mountain resort destination, offering 2,100 feet of vertical and a variety of terrain across three peaks, including a full progression of award-winning terrain parks, superpipe and halfpipe. Located in New Hampshire’s White Mountains just two hours north of Boston and three miles from Exit 32 off Interstate 93, Loon was rated the most accessible mountain resort in the East by readers of SKI Magazine in October 2012, as well as a Top 10 Eastern resort.

Loon Mountain is operated by Boyne Resorts, the largest family-owned four-season resort company in North America, and is located in the White Mountain National Forest, operating in partnership with the USDA-Forest Service. For more information about Loon Mountain, visit Loonmtn.com, like Loon on Facebook at facebook.com/loonmtn, or follow @loonmtn on Twitter.

LUDLOW, Vt. – It’s no April Fool’s joke! When skiers and snowboarders visit Okemo Mountain Resort on Saturday, March 30, they can ski or snowboard all day for just $39 when they donate a minimum of five non-perishable food items to Okemo’s April Fool’s Food Drive.

Teams of Okemo Mountain Resort ambassadors will be posted at Okemo’s Clock Tower base area and at the Jackson Gore base area, where they will collect food items in exchange for a discount voucher to be redeemed at the ticket window that same day. All food collected on March 30 will be distributed to the Black River Good Neighbors Food Shelf.

As winter wanes, the final weeks of the season offer great skiing and riding conditions at Okemo. March delivered plenty of natural snow, allowing the mountain to welcome the official start of spring with 100 percent of its terrain open. April 14 is Okemo’s target closing day for the season.

More information may be obtained by calling (802) 228-1600 or by visiting www.okemo.com,

Jolley describes himself as a avid outdoor enthusiast, snowmobiler and split-boarder who spends a lot of time in the back country. He was a technical represetative for Rossignol for 12 years and has been with Arva for three years, since it formed its U.S. distribution. Recently he was promoted to U.S. market manager.

The top product to be featured at the upcoming expos is Arva’s new beacon, The Neo. “This beacon is a perfect balance of power and design, simple and intuitive, built for a wide variety of users,” said Jolley. He added, “The new Isotech technology enables stronger performance on searching antennas, resulting in a more effective search bandwidth, soon to prove to be the largest on the market at 60 meters. The ISPO award-winning beacon also has an easy-to-use marking function for multiple victims, and a innovative auto-revert in case a secondary avalanche were to strike while searching. I believe the biggest growth for end user will be in the ski, snowboarding and snowmobile segment targeting under 40 years old.”

Jolley suggests there are specific trends in the beacon industry and he says that Arva has found a special balance in the Neo. “In the past, trends have shown that the average high-end beacon was too far above the average user. Manufacturers have pushed complicated beacons and questionable technology. This is noticeable with multiple delayed releases dates for final products. The future seems to be on finding the right balance between performance and user-friendly beacons. The Neo offers this,” he said.

“Arva takes pride in the education of what beacons need to be used in certain situations. We provide many test units to Ski Patrol trainers and educators, as well as work with avalanche awareness groups, such as the Utah Avalanche Center and Shejumps.org,” said Jolley. Arva will be offering dealer incentives at trade shows this year and will even provide general beacon education as part of dealer clinics if needed.

To find out more about Arva Snow Safety Equipment, visit:http://en.arva-equipment.com

The Neo is expected to cost approximately $350 USD.

A popular season pass that made its debut last year will be returning for winter 2013/2014 Designed specifically for the twenty-something crowd, The Millennial Season Pass bridges the gap between academic life and everything that follows. The Millennial Pass is available for ages 19-29 only, though 17 and 18 year olds may qualify with proof of college enrollment. It is valid seven days a week, including holidays, at Okemo Mountain Resort and Mount Sunapee Resort. There are no blackout days and it includes a 25 percent discount on multi-day tickets at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, in Colo. The Millennial Pass is being offered at an early bird value rate of just $519 until April 30.

Okemo’s Ultra Pass covers it all. Skiers and snowboarders can enjoy the slopes every day at Okemo, Mount Sunapee or Crested Butte with no restrictions for $1,399, for adults, if purchased by April 30. This premium pass offers special benefits like early lift access on weekends and holidays, discounts on dining, plus discounts in Okemo’s Snowsports Shops and on Spring House fitness memberships.

The Okemo Peak Pass is an unlimited season pass that is valid every day, with no restrictions, at Okemo and Mount Sunapee. The Okemo Peak Pass is $1,139, for adults, if purchased by April 30.

The Okemo Value Pass Plus is aptly named for its tremendous value. When purchased by April 30, $659 gets skiers and riders of all ages on the slopes at Okemo and Mount Sunapee seven days a week, excluding peak periods (17 days).

The Okemo Midweek Superpass is a super value. For $349 if purchased by April 30, this Monday-through-Friday season pass gets skiers and riders of all ages on the slopes midweek, excluding peak periods, at Okemo and Mount Sunapee.

Additional Season Pass products are available. More information may be obtained by calling (802) 228-1600 or by visiting okemo.com.

By purchasing next year’s season pass this spring Sugarbush skiers and riders lock in the best rates. Adult 2013-2014 season passes start at only $499. Youth and For20s season passes are available for only $299. Full details on season pass pricing are available at sugarbush.com. Lowest available pricing is valid through May 8, 2013.

Spring Passes are also available and include ski and riding from March 18th through the end of the season for only $199. Select 2013-2014 Season Pass purchases will also receive FREE skiing and riding from March 18, 2013 though the end of the this season. For those about to turn 30, and for the Spring Pass campaign only, For20s Pass purchasers can use their age as of May 8, 2013 rather than the traditional November 1st cutoff.
“We have had an excellent season of skiing and riding this year at Sugarbush and are looking forward to more great days this spring,” said Win Smith, President of Sugarbush Resort. “Those that are already looking ahead to next season will net a considerable savings by purchasing their pass now.”

Sugarbush Season Passes vary in price and options range from the All Mountain Adult 7 offered at $1049 to the Senior 80+ pass at only $149. Pass options are available for Mt. Ellen only, Youth ages 7-18, For20s for ages 19-29, and Seniors ages 70-79. Children six and under receive free day tickets at Sugarbush and can purchase a Season Pass for only $30.

For more information on Season Pass sales visit sugarbush.com or contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@sugarbush.com or call 800.53.SUGAR.

ABOUT SUGARBUSH RESORT: With 2600′ of vertical, 111 trails, and 20 wooded areas on the trail map, Sugarbush Resort’s two mountains of Lincoln Peak and Mt. Ellen offer a true alpine experience for all levels of winter adventurers. Sugarbush’s terrain variety includes gentle groomers, quiet glades, backcountry adventures in the Slide Brook Basin, and the extreme tests of Castlerock. Sugarbush also hosts a full-feature terrain park at Mt. Ellen, which was just named “Top 5 Parks in the East” by Transworld Snowboarding.

Sugarbush was rated by OnTheSnow.com as having the “Best Terrain in the Northeast” and as “Best Overall Resort in the Northeast” (2012), Ski Magazine said Sugarbush is “Vermont skiing at its best” (2011). and Outside Magazine called the area the “Best Ski Town in the East” (2010). For a complete list of ticket options, or for more information on Sugarbush, please visit www.sugarbush.com or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/Sugarbush.VT

CARRABASSETT VALLEY, ME (March 15, 2013) – As many eastern resorts begin to wind down operations, the three New England ski areas managed by Boyne Resorts are ramping up for the spring skiing season with a late-season round of snowmaking.

With temperatures dipping down into the single digits last night, Sugarloaf, Sunday River, and Loon Mountain each fired up their snowmaking systems to ensure substantial snow coverage well into April and beyond.

All three resorts are already sporting deep base depths thanks to heavy natural snowfall throughout February and early March, and used last night’s window of cold temperatures to build them further and ensure ample snow deep into the spring.

This marks the second consecutive year that the three resorts have made snow in March, and coincides with the launch of the 2013–2014 New England Pass, an inclusive season pass that offers access to Sunday River, Sugarloaf, and Loon – a combined trail count of 345 trails and over 2,200 acres of skiable terrain. Anyone who purchases his or her pass in full can use it for the remainder of the current season beginning on March 18. Passes officially go on sale on Friday, March 15.

This late-season snowmaking is made possible by heavy investments in new, energy-efficient snowmaking technology over the past three years. The three resorts have invested more than $3.6 million in state-of-the-art, low-energy snow guns, allowing them to produce more snow than ever before, while simultaneously using less energy.

“As we’ve shown in the past, our resorts are committed to a long spring skiing season, and the investments we’ve made in the new snowmaking technology allow us to make that happen,” said John McGregor, Senior Vice-President of Ski Operations at Boyne Resorts.

For more information about Sunday River, Sugarloaf, or Loon Mountain, please visit www.sundayriver.com, www.sugarloaf.com, or www.loonmtn.com. For more information about Boyne Resorts, visit www.boyneresorts.com.

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About Loon Mountain – Loon Mountain is New England’s most-accessible mountain resort destination, offering 2,100 feet of vertical, 60 trails, 7 tree skiing areas, 7 terrain parks, superpipe and halfpipe. Located in New Hampshire’s White Mountains just two hours north of Boston and three miles from Exit 32 off Interstate 93, Loon was rated the most accessible mountain resort in the East by readers of SKI Magazine in October 2012, as well as a Top 10 Eastern resort.

About Sunday River – Located minutes from picturesque Bethel Village in Western Maine’s Mahoosuc Mountains, Sunday River is a four-season destination offering eight interconnected peaks covered in the most dependable snow in New England, two Grand Resort Hotels and in the warmer months, golf at the acclaimed Sunday River Golf Club. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter or go a step further, and become part of the family on our very own online Community.

About Sugarloaf – Located in Carrabassett Valley, ME, Sugarloaf is largest ski area in the East, and is home to the only lift-serviced above treeline skiing and riding in the East, as well as the number one golf course in Maine, according to Golf Digest. Sugarloaf is a member of the Boyne Resorts family of resorts and attractions. Follow: www.sugarloaf.com, www.facebook.com/sugarloaf, and http://twitter.com/sugarloafmaine.

Loon Mountain, Sunday River and Sugarloaf are operated by Boyne Resorts, the largest family-owned four-season resort company in North America.

Almost a quarter of a million dollars has been raised in the past 13 years

at the Childhood Cancer Lifeline Event at Pats Peak.
Henniker, NH, March 15, 2013 — The Childhood Cancer Lifeline 2013 event at Pats Peak raised nearly $30,000, insuring much needed support for NH families who have a child battling cancer.

The auction and dinner was a large portion of the money raised along with the generosity of the Pats Peak skier/riders that donated at the cashier locations through the donation request campaign. Visitors to The Peak, along with Peak employees, papered the lodges with well wishes, collectively donating over $8,800. Pats Peak provided a cash donation and also included the Childhood Cancer Lifeline in their March Online Only Specials for a total of a $4,460 donation.

The Childhood Cancer Lifeline thanks October Sons for their talent and commitment to families battling cancer all weekend, and for organizing and lining up other performers for Sunday’s “We Will, We Will ROCK Cancer”.

Sylvia Pelletier, President of the Childhood Cancer Lifeline of NH says: “Each year we are amazed, and touched by the outpouring of generosity from the community, and for the enthusiastic support of everyone at Pats Peak. The Peak has truly embraced families battling cancer through the Lifeline, with a compassion and energy that is awe-inspiring. Each weekend we witness gifts from the heart, given freely to help families in crisis. The funds raised allow us to meet very real, practical needs of families living with childhood cancer. It allows us to put gas in the cars of families making the trek to treatment, or to pay a bill while a parent is out of work to care for their child. To everyone who participated, we are grateful. You are truly a part of the “lifeline” we offer families.”

The Childhood Cancer Lifeline has a great group of board members, and volunteers who work very hard to organize this event. They would like to thank: Rita Blanchard, Sharon DeMarco, Karen Kana, Eren Martin, and Amy Patenaude for their assistance requesting donations, Tom Fisher for serving as auctioneer, and Verlin Gokey and Cameron Pelletier for acting as auction processors.

In addition to our very generous guests at our auction, we must thank the following individuals / business who provided an auction item or made a cash donation:
Alapage Boutique, American K9 Country, Amoskeag Beverages, Amy Patenaude, Ann Tremblay, Apple Tree Fabrics, Atrium Beauty Studio, Bedford Village Inn, Bellman’s Jewelers, Bertie Holland, Beth Smarse, Boston Celtics, Cam Sinclair, Cannon Mountain Ski Area, Carleton & Sally Auer, Carriage Town Bar & Grille, Celebrities for Charities, Inc, Chick & Robyn Chickering, Colonial Village Market, Common Man Restaurant, Company C, Contoocook Well Co, Country Inn and Suites, Covered Bridge Frame Shop, Crystal Bixby, DA Bucci & Sons, Dana Musciano, Daniel DaCosta, David Carlile, David Foster, Dawn Blanchard, Deborah Riley, Dunkin Donuts, Ecologic Cartridge Company, Eileen’s Jewerly, Eren Pils-Martin, Exeter Jewelers, Flatbread Company, Frank Tansey, Frederick’s Pastries, Funspot, German John’s, Grenon Trading Co., Gunstock Mountain Resort, Guy & Sylvia Pelletier, Hair with a Flair/Deb Flanders, Harpoon Brewery, Harvest Market, Henniker Brewing Company, Henniker Crushed Stone, Henniker Pharmacy, Janis Forster, Jessica Audette, Jody Frasier, JP Demers, JulieAnn’s Florist & Gift Shop, Kara Brimblecom-Spiewak, Kristin Colella, Lindt & Sprungli, USA, Lisa Radermacher, Lorna Landry, Marissa Lucci, Michelle Weinstein, Mickey Rourke, Mill City Antiques & Consignment, Mount Sunapee, Nanci Butler, National Grid, Newick’s Seafood, Northeast Mobile Dental Company, Painted Souls Arts & Crafts, Painted Souls Tattoo & Art Studio, Patrick Goodell, Pats Peak, Pilgrim Lanes & Funtime Arcade, Polkadots Gift Boutique, Preciphist, Preference Styling Salon, Rachel Halverson, Ranger, Inc., Riverworks Jewelry, Robert & Jo Ellen Wright, Robin Riley, Rusty’s General Store, S & W Sports, Salon 27, Salon DeJour, Salon Peverly Hills, Sam’s Club, Serendipity Boutique, Smuttynose Brewing Company, Southern NH Alumni of Delta Delta Delta Sorority, Stafford, Gaudet & Assoc, Starbucks, Stop & Shop, Sysco Boston, LLC., Target, T-Bones, The Pines Seafood House, The Tuckaway Tavern & Butchery, Thomas Ralls, Toni & Jason Robbins, Tracy DiMarco, Tracey Hoover, Village Discount Center, Vincent Roberts, Weathervane Seafoods, Whistle Stop Sweet Shop, ZZ and Fah Zimmerman DJ and Photography Services. Our sincere apologies if we missed anyone.

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More about the Childhood Cancer Lifeline of NH:
The Childhood Cancer Lifeline of NH was founded in the fall of 1995 by a group of parents whose children had childhood cancer. Since their inception, they have been a strictly volunteer organization dedicated to addressing the practical and emotional needs of New Hampshire families dealing with pediatric cancer. Today, their volunteers have expanded to include family members, friends, and other caring individuals. The mission is to empower New Hampshire families who are coping with childhood cancer by providing knowledge, resources, assistance, and hope. The organization has twice won the Governors Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Efforts by a Statewide Group. You can find out more about the organization on their website: www.childhoodcancerlifeline.org.

More about PATS PEAK:
PATS PEAK is in its 50th consecutive ski and snowboard season under the Patenaude family ownership. PATS PEAK has 23 well-groomed trails for all abilities, 7 gladed areas, 3 terrain parks, a snowtubing park, 10 high-capacity lifts, 100 percent snowmaking and some of the most challenging skiing in Southern New Hampshire.

PATS PEAK has a Learn to Ski and Snowboard Program for more than 8,000 kids from over 100 local schools. There are more than 70 Adult/Corporate Racing teams in the Adult/Corporate Racing League. Many adults participate in the weekday Adult Ski & Snowboard Clinics for all ability levels. PATS PEAK has 100% of its trails lit for night skiing/riding and is one of the state’s most accessible learn-to-ski-and-snowboard mountains, with three separate beginner areas.

During the “Other Season of PATS PEAK”, PATS PEAK Banquet Center is the perfect location for wedding receptions, parties, company meetings, company outings, or any social gathering!

PATS PEAK is located in Henniker, NH, just twenty minutes from Concord, forty minutes from Manchester, and ninety minutes from Boston. The latest information, snow conditions, photos and events are available at www.patspeak.com or call 1-888-PATS PEAK (1-888-728-7732).

PATS PEAK can be reached:
· By telephone at 603-428-3245
· By fax at 603-428-7821
· 24-hour snow conditions at 1-888-PATS-PEAK (728-7732)
· Online at www.patspeak.com

Boudreau and second place pro finisher Mark Nowakiwsky from Breckinridge each earned a spot in the Association of Freeskiing Professionals (AFP) Platinum Certified Dumont Cup freeski event, courtesy of Red Bull. Rounding out the pro men’s podium was native Vermonter and Carinthia Pro Team skier, Ben Smith.

It was mid-winter conditions at Mount Snow with high temperatures only reaching the mid-20’s which helped to keep the slopestyle course in good shape throughout the day and allowed competitors to go big without having to worry about losing speed due to soft, spring-like snow which can sometimes be the case during mid-March.

The Carinthia Open is an AFP Bronze Certified Event and is open to male and female skiers at the professional and amateur levels.

Event sponsors include Skull Candy, Bern, Smith Optics, Neff and Nordica.

For more information about Carinthia at Mount Snow visit carinthiaparks.com.

Snow Continues to Fall, Bolton Valley Ski Patrol Drops Ropes While Ski Area Officials Drop Lift Ticket Prices for Spring Skiing and Riding; Mid-Winter Conditions Now Available at Spring Rates

New Senior Passes Available for 2013-2014

IMAGE: Courtesy Bolton Valley

BOLTON VALLEY, Vt. (March 20, 2013) – With the first official day of spring in the books today, it’s looking a lot more like mid-winter than spring at Bolton Valley thanks to the 15 inches of new snow from yesterday’s last-day-of-winter storm. As snow continues to fall today, the only sign of spring is the lowering of lift ticket prices, and effective immediately lift tickets are just $39/day for adults and $29/youth, senior and college students. Prices are valid every day until the end of the season, including weekends.

In addition to saving more than $25 on daily lift ticket rates, ticket holders also have access to Bolton’s 100km of Nordic and backcountry terrains as well as the Sports Center, complete with heated pool, hot tub, sauna, and games for the kids. No other discounts or coupons may be applied to the spring lift ticket rates.

Seniors make out all right, too, with the addition of new senior age grouping for the 2013-2014 All Access Season Pass, which if purchased by April 1, offers free skiing and riding to the passholder for the remainder of this season. The new Senior Pass for ages 65-74 is $199 if purchased by April 1. And the new Senior Plus Pass, for those ages 75 and older, is $29.

All lift tickets are valid for skiing and riding until the lifts close for the day. For instance, a one-day lift ticket is valid until 8 p.m. on days night skiing is in effect; a separate night ticket is not needed. Night-only lift tickets are $19 and valid Wednesday-Saturday from 4 – 8 p.m.

Bolton Valley is Vermont’s most convenient and affordable big mountain skiing. Less than 10 minutes from I-89 and less than 30 minutes from Burlington, the family-friendly mountain offers skiers and riders of all abilities three mountain peaks with 70 trails and 6 lifts, plus 3 terrain parks including the Burton Progression Park.

Bolton Valley was the first in Vermont and the second in the U.S. to implement wind power as an energy source and is the recipient of the National Ski Areas Association’s 2010 Silver Eagle Award for environmental initiatives. Approximately 100km of high elevation Nordic terrain, a complete Sports Center and Indoor Amusement Center plus Vermont’s most extensive top-to-bottom night skiing and riding are just a few of the extras available to guests. All-inclusive, true ski-to-your-door lodging packages are from $79/person/night. For more information visit www.boltonvalley.com or call 877-9BOLTON.

NORTH WOODSTOCK, NH, MARCH 2013 – Thanks to a winter filled with natural snowfall and months of extensive snowmaking efforts many areas are still offering skiing and riding on close to 100% of their terrain. A deep base of snow has ensured a classic spring skiing season with uncrowded slopes and comfortable temperatures that will run through much of April. As spring arrives at New Hampshire ski areas, so do fun events, discounted lift tickets and specials on next year’s season passes.

Many traditions come along with sliding on snow in the spring. Among these are light-hearted special events that families and friends can enjoy while taking in the sun and enjoying the soft snow. Probably the most notorious of spring events are pond skimming events, where participants skim across an icy pond of water on their skis or snowboard trying to make it to the other side without going for a swim. Other offerings include cardboard box races, live music, recreational family ski races, terrain park competitions, and more. For a complete listing of events offered this spring at NH ski resorts, visit SkiNH.com’s events calendar.

As warmer temperatures move in, many skiers and riders thoughts wander to other summer activities and hobbies. Because of this, most NH ski areas offer discounts on their lift tickets to entice guests to keep hitting the slopes. Many ski areas simply discount their everyday lift ticket prices, while others create interesting and fun promotions. Many areas offer 2-for-1 lift ticket days or specify certain days of the week when discounts apply; you can find discounts in New Hampshire every midweek day this time of year. Some areas also have special events that include lift tickets as inexpensive as $1! For a complete listing of these deals across New Hampshire, visit the “Daily Ticket Deals” page at SkiNH.com.

A more recent spring tradition is the sale of next year’s season passes during the current spring ski season. These pass sales always offer a savings for buying in advance and most have deadlines in the next month or two. Many of these passes include free skiing and riding for the remainder of the 2012-13 season. For a complete listing of 2013-14 season pass specials in NH, visit the “2013-14 Season Passes” page at SkiNH.com.

“The past few months of March have not brought much natural snowfall, but this year is certainly making up for that. The stage is now set for an awesome spring skiing season which really makes the deals on lift tickets and season passes that much more valuable to our guests,” added Karl Stone, Ski NH’s Marketing Director.

For a complete list of deals and updated snow conditions, visit SkiNH.com or XCSkiNH.com.

Ski NH is the statewide association representing 33 alpine and cross country resorts and more than 200 lodging and guest service properties in New Hampshire. For more information on ski areas, lodging packages, and winter events at Ski NH resorts, call Ski NH at (800) 88-SKI-NH (800-887-5464) or visit the Ski NH website at www.SkiNH.com. For statewide media relations assistance, visit the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism’s media room at http://visitnh.gov/media/ or contact Mr. Tai Freligh at 603-271-2343, option #2.

KILLINGTON, Vt. (March 21, 2013) – Vermont’s Killington Resort, the largest ski and snowboard resort in Eastern North America, announces that the lowest prices for 2013-14 season passes are available through June 13, 2013. Additionally, Unlimited Adult and Senior pass holders who renew their pass will receive $100 pre-loaded Beast Bucks to their 2013-14 pass to be used on food & beverages, retail, lessons and more next season (some restrictions apply).

For the 2013-14 season, Killington will offer Unlimited Passes for adults (ages 19-64) for just $1049; seniors (ages 65-79) for $699; the all-new 29-Below (ages 19-29) for $599; youth (ages 7-18) for $499 with a License 2 Ride benefit; the all-new Vermont Student (grades K-12) for $299 with the License 2 Ride benefit too; and the all-new Super Senior (ages 80+) and child (6 and under) passes for $39. Unlimited passes offer access to the slopes all season long plus a slew of additional benefits including summer activities.

The all-ages Blackout Pass is $729, while it is blacked out on 17 peak* days, for the 2013-14 winter season, pass holders will receive three floating days that may be used on any blackout day of their choice. Additionally, Blackout pass holders who renew their pass will receive $50 pre-loaded Beast Bucks to their 2013-14 pass to be used on food & beverages, retail, lessons and more next season (some restrictions apply) in addition to a variety of discounts around the resort. The all-ages Midweek Pass is $429 and valid Monday through Friday with the exception of peak* days and includes additional resort discounts.

“Killington Resort opened for the 2012-13season on October 13-14 for Pass Holder Appreciation Day and we’ve been skiing and riding daily since November 5,” stated Mike Solimano, president and general manager for Killington Resort. “A Killington Season Pass offers the best value with the most days of skiing and riding in the East with a variety of terrain for all abilities, four terrain parks, two pipes and a Boardercross Course spread across six peaks.”

All Killington season passes are also valid at Pico Mountain for the 2013-14 winter season and all pass holders will receive numerous benefits, including discounts on Snow Sports School lessons, food & beverage, lodging, retail and more!

Returning for the 2013-14 season are renewable season passes. If you are currently a 2012-13 season pass holder, keep your pass because after you sign the 2013-14 Express Acceptance of Risks, Indemnification & Forum Selection Agreement, you will be able to skip the line and head directly to the lifts on opening day. Killington will also be offering an all-ages Refund Protection Option for only 5% of your pass price you will receive a full refund if you are unable to ski/ride for the remainder of the season due to injury, illness, job transfer, etc. (some restrictions apply).

Killington Resort is also offering the Summer Payment Plan for all 2013-14 season passes purchased before the June 13 deadline for 1.5% non-refundable fee per pass. Simply purchase a pass with a credit card online or by phone (800-887-3257) by June 13, and pay 33 percent of the total season pass purchase at the time of your order, 33 percent will be automatically charged to your credit card on August 1, 2013 and the final 34 percent will automatically be charged to your card on October 1, 2014.

Killington Resort will open for the winter season early November. Lift hours are 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. midweek and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. weekends and peak days.

*Peak days for the 2013-14 season include: Dec 24-31, 2013; Jan 18-19, 2014; Feb 15-21, 2014

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About Killington Resort
Killington Resort is a four season destination that sits on 3,000 acres in the heart of the Green Mountains in Central Vermont. The Resort boasts more than 70 miles of diverse snow sports terrain spread out over six peaks and offers the most expansive lift network and snowmaking system in the East. After the snow melts, Killington features an 18-hole championship golf course as well as 45 miles of mountain biking trails and 15 miles of hiking trails. In addition, the numerous après, dining, shopping and lodging options have made Killington a world-class destination for East Coast skiers and riders for over 50 years. Killington.com———————————————————————–
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The 3,500 foot climb begins at the base of the mountain’s Veterans’ Memorial Highway and passes through Santa’s Workshop before finishing at more than 4,600 feet above sea level. Once at the top, racers will be able to relax, catch their breath and take in the 360 degree autumn panoramic view of the Adirondacks, New England and even Montreal, Quebec, to the north.

For the first 34 years, the event organized by the Whiteface Mountain Regional Visitors Bureau, was run in June, preceding the uphill bike race, however; last year race organizers moved the event to September to attract even more competitors. This year, the race will be a part of the 10th annual Festival of Colors.

“Our goal is to keep growing the event year after year,” noted Michelle Burns, the bureau’s director. “This year, with the addition of Santa’s Workshop as the presenting sponsor and including the event in the popular Festival of Colors, we hope that we not only attract running enthusiasts, but entire families too, so that they can not only be a part of the race, but a part of all that the community and region has to offer.”

The Festival of Colors, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., is a traditional hometown celebration of autumn featuring a wide variety of free and family activities including games, face painting, arts and crafts, horse and pony rides, bake-offs and of course food and music. There will also be special guest appearances from Santa’s Workshop characters.

The Uphill race’s awards ceremony will also take place during the festival. Awards will be presented to the top finishers in the men and women’s divisions, junior (under 19) division, military and Santa division, which is open to all competitors in a Santa costume. Awards will also be presented to the best finishing “King and Queen of the Hill,” which is given to the top man and woman, who compete in both the uphill run and bike race.

Registration for the 36th annual Whiteface Uphill Foot Race is $40 for adults, $30 for military, $20 for juniors and $35 for racers who compete in both the bike and uphill races. To register for the event, log on to https://www.runreg.com/Net/3494.

For more information about both the Uphill run and the Festival of Colors, visit www.whitefaceregion.com.

About Santa’s Workshop: Santa’s Workshop is a theme park that specializes in entertaining young children and the young at heart. Unlike other regional parks, the park’s attractions are geared to please children 48 inches and SMALLER! The minute you walk through the gates of Santa’s Workshop, you will be sent back in time to a storybook village where the traditional story of Santa lives! If you are looking for a place to go for your family, there is plenty to see and do! Come on in, look around and join us! OPEN SUMMER, FALL AND WINTER!

Kris Blomback, General Manager of Pats Peak said, “It is our pleasure to be able to support these needy animals by turning Pats Peak into Pets Peak! Thank you to our guests who made the extra effort to bring supplies for the animals for this fundraiser.”

“The Concord-Merrimack County SPCA is very happy to have Pats Peak continue their support another year with their March Pets Peak fundraiser. It is a great time of year for the community and our supporters to show they care by participating in this fundraiser and enjoy a day on the slopes too! On behalf of the homeless pets of Merrimack County, thank you.” said Shannon Camara, Manager of Communications.

“We are absolutely overjoyed about Pats Peak including us in this March promotion again this year. We are a very small rescue therefore every single dollar donated is significant. Every penny donated goes directly towards vetting, kenneling, and transport expenses in order for us to rescue and place at least 100 wonderful at-risk dogs each year”, said Judith Apy, President of Canine Guardians for Life.

IMAGE: Shannon Camara, Manager of Communications at Concord-Merrimack County SPCA, receiving a check for $3,935 from Lori Rowell, Director of Marketing, and Roxy, the golden retriever mascot, at Pats Peak.

About the Concord-Merrimack County SPCA:
The Concord-Merrimack County SPCA was founded in 1910 to relieve suffering and prevent cruelty to animals and to educate society on the importance of being just and compassionate to all living things. Today there is a 2,000 square foot shelter with additional administrative space in a separate building on the property. The shelter is truly a shelter, with all that word implies in providing safety from the world around us. It is a warm and caring facility for animals in transition, where staff find a loving home for all adoptable animals, no matter how long it may take. The mission is interpreted to require not only on-site care of animals but an active involvement in the community that supports us by serving as a resource to all pet guardians and as an educational voice for youth. Programs and services reflect their involvement, their commitment, and their vision. Concord-Merrimack County SPCA, 130 Washington Street, Penacook, NH 03303. (603) 753—6751 www.concordspca.org

About the Canine Guardians for Life:
Canine Guardians for Life believes in the relocation of dogs from areas of abundance to areas of need. To that end, they rescue dogs from high-kill shelters in other states, primarily West Virginia, and relocate them to new homes in New England. They are dedicated to saving and re-homing highly adoptable shelter dogs to caring, permanent homes to provide each of them with a devoted Guardian who will guarantee their canine companion a safe and loving environment for the rest of his/her life. (603) 569-9293 www.CanineGuardiansforLife.org

More about PATS PEAK:
PATS PEAK is in its 50th consecutive ski and snowboard season under the Patenaude family ownership. PATS PEAK has 23 well-groomed trails for all abilities, 7 gladed areas, 3 terrain parks, a snowtubing park, 10 high-capacity lifts, 100 percent snowmaking and some of the most challenging skiing in Southern New Hampshire.

PATS PEAK has a Learn to Ski and Snowboard Program for more than 8,000 kids from over 100 local schools. There are more than 70 Adult/Corporate Racing teams in the Adult/Corporate Racing League. Many adults participate in the weekday Adult Ski & Snowboard Clinics for all ability levels. PATS PEAK has 100% of its trails lit for night skiing/riding and is one of the state’s most accessible learn-to-ski-and-snowboard mountains, with three separate beginner areas.

During the “Other Season of PATS PEAK”, PATS PEAK Banquet Center is the perfect location for wedding receptions, parties, company meetings, company outings, or any social gathering!

PATS PEAK is located in Henniker, NH, just twenty minutes from Concord, forty minutes from Manchester, and ninety minutes from Boston. The latest information, snow conditions, photos and events are available at www.patspeak.com or call 1-888-PATS PEAK (1-888-728-7732).

PATS PEAK can be reached:
· By telephone at 603-428-3245
· By fax at 603-428-7821
· 24-hour snow conditions at 1-888-PATS-PEAK (728-7732)
· Online at www.patspeak.com

It is with deep regret that Frank, Dylan and I, owners and managing members, inform you that we have no option but to close our business. We sincerely hope that our departure is not the end of skiing and riding at Whaleback. On the contrary, we believe that this is an opportunity for the community to Save the Whale and continue to maintain this beloved place. We strongly believe that Whaleback could be a sustainable and vital resource with appropriate funding and leadership, especially after our 8 years of developing strong programs and relationships. It would be a tremendous loss to this region and the industry if Whaleback closes for good.

The positive spin the current management is giving it is that there may be opportunity for others or for the community to step in and take ownership in some form. 

The remainder of the statement:

Currently, multiple schools and towns utilize Whaleback for after school ski and snowboard programs. Every Thursday Night 47 teams of 4 racers eagerly anticipate a night of racing under the lights. The Whaleback Core Team and Whaleback Mountain Club thrive with families who choose to spend their weekends and nights on the slopes here. Whaleback also has been a resource for Ford Sayre Ski Club, which utilizes our great terrain to train future stars of ski racing. Whaleback has become a favorite spot for people to host events of all types from weddings to skiing and snowboarding competitions to motor sports events.

Unfortunately, the positive gains that we have made over the years have not been enough to overcome our debt. We have tried numerous avenues to recapitalize the business to put ourselves on surer footing without success. Our only option at this point is to close. We thank you so much for your support and for believing in the value that our small mountain has for you, your friends and family. Needless to say, we believe in it too.

There have been many discussions and plans are emerging to raise money through a non-profit to purchase the mountain and continue operating. This is an option that many believe is the best hope for the future of Whaleback. If you would like to comment or contribute, please contact Frank directly (frank@whaleback.com). When this plan is ready to go live you will be among the first to know.

Finally, while this a certainly a bittersweet time for all of us, we want to relish the remainder of the season together. Please join us to say goodbye and to enjoy a few more runs down favorite trails as we all contemplate what this place means to us. For us it has been a big family that we will dearly miss.

They are planning on remaining open for the remainder of this season, so if you want to ski Whaleback, it’s probably a good time to head over there.

Creative funding of struggling ski areas is something that appears to be a growing trend. Recently, Squaw Mountain in Maine reopened through the support of volunteers and donations. Other membership based organizations such as the Mountain Riders Alliance are promising to operate ski areas in a leaner way to bring sustainable economics to resort ops.

Whether these new methods will work in the long run remains to be seen, but for the sake of the future of Whaleback, we sure hope so.

STRATTON MOUNTAIN, Vt. – In less than two weeks, Stratton Mountain will crank on the lights and about 300 skiers and riders will hit the slopes for 24 hours straight for the first ever 24 Hours of Stratton.

Video:

Set for March 23 and 24, the 24 Hours of Stratton is an all-nighter that doesn’t require energy drinks, thanks to the continuous laps up and down the mountain. Teams of six to twelve will compete to travel the most vertical feet in a 24 hour period, two teammates at a time. The purpose? To raise money for the Stratton Foundation, a community organization based at Stratton Mountain Resort.

“Skiers and riders will get to do something special and unique at the 24 Hours, and not only for fun but also to support our community,” said Michael Cobb, director of marketing and sales at Stratton Mountain Resort. “The event is raising money for the Stratton Foundation, a continuing champion of families and businesses in our area.”

Each team will send two skiers or riders at a time to make daytime laps on Standard and nighttime runs on a lighted Betwixt. For the “off-duty” teammates and their cheerers, entertainment, music and more is scheduled to fill the night in Stratton’s Base Lodge. Activities and events include:
Live music by Jeff Tuohy and Jam Stampede on the Main Stage, 4 – 11 pm.
Fireworks in the Main Base Area, 9 pm.
Hula hoop contest, Movie Marathon, Team Keg Toss and Golden Watermelon Hunt during the late and wee hours of the night.

It all happens from noon on Saturday, March 23, to noon on Sunday, March 24. Awards for most vertical feet skied during the 24 Hours will be announced on Sunday. The grand prize, a heli-skiing trip for four at CMH in Canada, will also be awarded to the team that raised the most money.

More information on the 24 Hours of Stratton and Stratton Mountain Resort can be found at www.stratton.com.

West Dover, Vt. (March 11, 2013) – Athletes taking part in the Carinthia Freeski Open at Mount Snow Resort on Saturday, March 16 will have to get their chops up to throw down on the slopestyle course built in the resort’s extra-large feature terrain park, Inferno, because the features and jumps are just that – extra-large. Male and female professional freeskiers will be competing for a piece of the $6,000 cash purse and amateur competitors can walk away with gear from event sponsors.

Inferno, which has been the location for numerous large-scale professional slopestyle events including the Winter X Games, is home to Carinthia Parks’ largest features and requires an impressive amount of snow in order for the terrain park crew to execute a full build. Thanks to stellar snowmaking conditions, an arsenal of high-output fan guns lining the trail and a good supplement of natural snow, Inferno is as big as it has been in years which will make the Carinthia Freeski Open a must-see event.

“We anticipate seeing some of the best freeskiers around on the start list for this competition, not just because they can go home with a bunch of cash, but because Inferno is so impressive right now,” said Tim Dolan, Mount Snow’s Event Manager. “I expect to see these athletes go really, really big.”

The Carinthia Freeski Open is an Association of Freeskiing Professionals (AFP) Bronze Certified Event, which means skiers will earn points towards their AFP standings. One of the judges on-hand will be 2011/2012 overall female AFP World Champion – and Mount Snow local – Devin Logan, who is rehabbing a knee injury she sustained over the summer.

Since its inception, this competition has seen some of the biggest names in the sport on the podium including Chris Logan, Devin Logan, Parker White, Nick Goepper and last year’s Open winner, Dale Talkington. Event sponsors are Nordica, Smith Optics, Bern and Neff.

Registration is $100 per athlete and includes a lift ticket for Friday, March 15 for practice and a lift ticket for Saturday, March 16 for the competition.
For more information or to register for the Carinthia Freeski Open, go to www.carinthiaparks.com/open