Learn to Ski or Snowboard for FREE at Okemo

Today I get a phone call from family who had to do training at Okemo this weekend. The newest deal they have going is Newbies get Free Ski Rentals, Free lift Ticket and Free lessens. What a deal for regular skiers and Snowboarders. Get A buddy hooked on skiing and Snowboarding and you have a Ski buddy for life.
Not only will this deal create new skiers and boarders but will help keep people employed during the first part of the ski season.
First-time or beginner skiers and snowboarders visiting Okemo Mountain Resort early in the 2007/2008 season are invited to participate in our Learn to Ski or Snowboard program - absolutely free!
The beginner package includes a combination lower-mountain lift ticket, a level 1 or 2 beginner group lesson at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. and introductory level rental equipment (skis, boots, poles, or boots and snowboard).
This program is available for ages 7 and up at no charge every day, Monday, Nov. 26 through Friday, Dec. 21, 2007. Beginners should arrive at the Okemo Express Rental Shop located in the Okemo Clock Tower base area about an hour before lesson time to register and be fitted for equipment. As an added bonus, participants also qualify for a free First Tracks Plus card entitling them to continued discounts and benefits all season long on group lessons, lift tickets and rental equipment or purchase a full adult ski or snowboard package for $379 (inquire at Snowsports Center).
Tell a friend! The more the merrier. If you have any questions, feel free to call the Learning Center at (802) 228-1600.
Ski Zone Store

Bretton Woods is Making Snow

Bretton Woods in New Hampshire is making snow.

"Powder Alert!
October 31, 2007
The guns are cranking at Bretton Woods in anticipation of opening day... coming soon! Over a foot has already piled up near the Top o' Quad restaurant!, The Bretton Woods guns are firing all the way to the top of the Bethlehem high-speed quad - won't be long now!"
Yet another resort cranks up the snow guns. Located accross from The Mount Washington Rosort and Hotel on Rt 302 just west of Bartlett NH. The Bretton Woods Ski Area has had many updates over the last few years. Bretton Woods, New Hampshire's largest ski area with 434 acres of ski and snowboard terrain, 101 trails and glades, as well as four terrain parks! Nine lifts, including four high-speed quads, make your ride up the mountain almost as fun as the ride down. Voted "Best in the East for Weather" by SKI magazine, if there's snow falling, chances are they've got it - or we can make it with snowmaking on 92% of the trails. And, because you'll want to stay on our slopes until after dark, they also offer night skiing and riding
As grand as the history behind it, The Mount Washington Hotel is gracious in ambiance and generous in amenities. A favorite retreat of presidents, poets and celebrities, the hotel delights every sense with enchanting music, refined dining and luxurious décor.
Northeast Ski Zone Gear Shop

Sunday River in Maine To Open for Halloween

Sunday River in Newry Maine Announced they will be opening for Halloween. The announcement board had went down when I went to write this article so a phone call would be advised before heading to the mountain. 1-800-543-2ski.
This would be the earliest opening for Sunday River in 10 years. Sunday River is by far one of the best resorts in New England.
The Accommodation at The River are as far ranging as the terrain. Beginning with the Jordon Grand. Amenities are plentiful here, including kitchenettes in select units and a heated outdoor pool. Accommodations range from standard hotel rooms to two-bedroom suites. In addition to slope side access to Jordan Bowl, guests can enjoy a health club, valet parking, day care, ski check, and concierge.
They also have 700 condominiums, The Grand Summit Resort Hotel , and the The Snow Cap Inn. A great place to plan your next ski vacation. One of the best times to ski or snowboard at Sunday River is Collage week. Normally the first week of January collage week has been moved to 1/6/2008 this year. You can stay for as little as $55.00 per person including lift ticket. Best deal on the planet if you know someone with or have a collage ID. It used to be that you only needed one person with a ID for a the group, but with new owners running the show I would confirm.
We've had a large group there that week for 6 years strait. Shout out if your there.
Northeast Ski Zone Gear Store

Confirmed From Sunday River Web Site " The Halloween skiing is still on the way. NEWRY, Maine -- Thanks to a string of cold nights allowing for intensive snowmaking, Sunday River ski resort in Maine will be the first ski area to offer lift serviced skiing and riding in eastern North America for the 2007-2008 ski season.The resort plans to offer early season skiing and riding on Wednesday only. Lift access on Halloween will likely begin between 10 a.m. and noon and continue until 3 p.m. The Halloween start to the season is the earliest skiing offered at Sunday River in 11 years. Snowmaking operations will continue as temperatures allow throughout the coming weeks. Updates about Halloween skiing will be posted at www.sundayriver.com.Open terrain will be for advanced skiers and riders only with downloading on the Locke Mountain Triple. The Sunday River terrain parks crew will be installing two small elements for the Halloween ski day. Sunday River is projected to open for the season on Friday, Nov. 9.“We’re proud to able offer skiing on Halloween. Sunday River is incorporating new technologies like fan guns and low energy equipment, but in the end, it’s our commitment that keeps us at the top,” said Dana Bullen, Sunday River General Manager.Lift tickets on Halloween will be $25 for all ages. Skiers and riders who bring 3 cans of food will receive a $15 lift ticket as part of the Tin Mountain Round-Up to support local food banks. Costumes are encouraged and a best costume contest will be held.“We’re skiers too,” said Bullen. “We’ve made plenty of snow to give eastern skiers and riders an early season treat. Hopefully this will hold them over for a little while. It also gives us a good kick start on the season.”Snowmaking operations took place on trails including T2, Cascades, Sunday Punch and Jim’s Whim. Open terrain will consist of the length of T2 with uploading and downloading at the midstation of the Locke Mountain Triple.The early start is thanks in large part to the nearly $1 million spent this summer to upgrade the Resort’s already expansive snowmaking system. The investment was part of a $4.8 million resort wide upgrade that was the largest in a decade. The T2 trail was outfitted with tower guns over the summer to help it offer early season high elevation terrain.The Oct. 31 date is nearly a month ahead of last year’s opening date of Nov. 21. Season passes valid at Sunday River and Sugarloaf are available starting at $349. The passes offer discounts at other Boyne USA Resorts including Loon Mountain in New Hampshire and Big Sky in Montana. The coming season will be Sunday River’s first as a member of the Boyne USA Resorts family." From Sunday River forum
Northeast Ski Zone Gear Store

The Snow Guns Are Fired Up At New England Ski Resorts

Photo from Sunday River.com

Killington Vermont, Sunday River and Sugarloaf USA in Maine have started up the snow guns. Reports are pouring in of resorts taking advantage of lower temperatures.

Sunday River says currently, there "projected opening day is set for Friday, November 9th. Of course Mother Nature holds the cards on that one, meaning it could be earlier or later depending on how cold she's feeling".

Killington is the barometer for opening day in these parts.

From Killington.com

KILLINGTON RESORT BEGINS SNOWMAKING OPERATIONS IN PREPARATION FOR OPENING DAY
10/29/2007
KILLINGTON, Vt. – Killington Resort has begun snowmaking operations in preparation for the 2007-08 ski and snowboard season.
Snowmakers fired up the first guns of the season Sunday afternoon on Rime, Reason and Double Dipper trails on the upper sections of Killington Peak. Snowmaking will continue as conditions permit in preparation for opening day, tentatively scheduled for Friday, Nov. 16.
“Right now we’re just blowing piles of snow and stockpiling,” said Dave Lacombe, snow surfaces manager for Killington Resort. “The forecast this week is looking favorable for snowmaking, especially the latter part of the week and throughout the coming weekend.”
When the season opens, Killington Resort will offer more difficult and most difficult terrain and an expanded early-season terrain park. All skier/rider services will be available from the K-1 Lodge.

Killington, which covers more than 50 of its 87 miles of terrain with snowmaking, increased its Low Energy snow gun arsenal another 10 percent for the 2007-08 season. Additional snowmaking upgrades for the coming season include rebuilt pump houses, hydrants, pipe replacement and computer hardware and software upgrades to snowmaking control to improve overall system efficiency.
In addition, this past summer crews also increased trail mowing, clearing and vegetation cutbacks on more than 600 acres of skiing and riding terrain. These improvements, combined with a fleet of 20 state-of-the-art snowcats, will offer Killington guests a high quality snow surface with improved snowmaking coverage and machine groomed terrain.
About Killington Resort - The largest ski and snowboard resort in eastern North America, Killington features diverse terrain, an expansive lift network, the most extensive snowmaking system in the world and numerous off-mountain activities, including après, dining, shopping and lodging options. http://www.killington.com/.

Please Visit Northeast Ski Zone GEAR STORE . Watch Free Warren Miller and TGR Video Clips !

Killington The Beast of The East

Fall Photos By North East Ski Zone

KILLINGTON, Vt. (Winter 2007-08) – Killington Resort enters the 2007-08 ski and snowboard season with more than $5.3 million in resort improvements and new programs to enhance the overall guest experience. In addition, Killington is implementing new environmental initiatives in an effort to reduce the resort’s overall carbon footprint.

“This will be our first season as a new company and we’re focusing on improving our overall product and the guest experience. And that means focusing on every detail from snowmaking and grooming, to our ski and snowboard school programs, to food and beverage quality and value,” said Chris Nyberg, Killington Resort and Pico Mountain president and general manager. “Moving forward our mission is to exceed customer expectations, be innovative, profitable and environmentally responsible.”

Leading the list of improvements include upgrades to the world’s most extensive snowmaking system; remodeled Long Trail Pub at the Snowshed Lodge; a fresh look for select lifts and lodges with new paint, furnishings and carpet; $2 million in upgrades to the Killington Grand Resort Hotel and Spa; new kid’s Ski and Snowboard School programs; new Burton Learn to Ride program and two new lift access products, the Killington Countdown Card and the Killington/Pico Express Card.
“Guests will notice a difference in the overall look and feel of the resort this season,” Nyberg added.
From new awnings over the Magic Carpets at the Ramshead Family Center, to new loading and unloading decks and lift house refurbishments, freshly painted lifts, new lift information signs, and new Cooper’s Coffee outlets serving Starbucks products at K-1, Snowshed, Bear Mountain and Ramshead Lodges, guests will enjoy many changes throughout the resort this season.

Gear up with North East Ski Zone Ski And Snowboard Shop

Less energy and improved snowmaking firepower :
Killington continues to improve snowmaking operations and lower its overall carbon footprint by increasing its Low Energy snow gun arsenal another 10 percent for the 2007-08 season. Additional electric outlets have also been installed on-mountain for increased use of energy-efficient fan guns throughout base and hi-traffic areas. The increased use of Low Energy snow guns has reduced Killington’s diesel consumption by more than 30 percent and electricity by 25 percent over the past three years.

The additional Low Energy snow guns will be installed on the upper sections of Killington Peak, where these technologically-advanced guns offer the most operational efficiency -especially during the early season - by producing the same amount of snow as conventional guns while utilizing up to 75 percent less energy. Additional snowmaking upgrades include rebuilt pump houses, hydrants, pipe replacement and computer hardware and software upgrades to snowmaking control to improve overall system efficiency. Combined with a fleet of 20 state-of-the-art snowcats, which have been completely refurbished including tillers and tracks, Killington will again offer guests a high quality snow surface with more snowmaking coverage and groomed terrain that any other resort in the east.

To improve access and flow from Lower Ovation and Flume to the Superstar Express Quad, the water slide adjacent to the Superstar Trail was removed over the summer. In addition, the former ice skating rink in front of the K-1 Lodge was removed to improve flow around the K-1 Lodge and access to the K-1 Gondola and Superstar Express Quad. Other improvements include increased trail mowing, clearing and vegetation cutbacks on more than 600 acres of terrain.

The remodeled Long Trail Pub at the Snowshed Lodge features new furnishings, food and beverage menu items, flat panel TVs and live après entertainment Monday through Saturday. Other improvements include new carpet and paint throughout the Snowshed Lodge; new cafeteria furnishings and remodeled restroom facilities at the Ramshead Lodge. Lifts receiving a fresh look for the season include the Snowdon, Canyon and Northbrook Quads, Needle’s Eye and Superstar Express chairs, Southridge Triple and K-1 Gondola. New webcams at Bear Mountain and Pico Mountain will allow on-line users a fresh look at real-time conditions.

Owner improvements to Killington Grand Resort Hotel and Spa
The Killington Grand Resort Hotel and Spa has recently undergone a $2 million renovation, including newly-renovated guest rooms with new carpet, trim, furnishings and paint. These improvements complement the full-service spa opened during the summer of 2006. The Grand Hotel also features new carpet throughout the lobby, hallways and Grand Ballroom. Guests will also notice a new ski and snowboard check room and newly remodeled locker rooms in the health club.

Max 3/Max 5 and Burton Learn to Ride
This season, Killington provides skiers and snowboarders industry-leading learning opportunities that focus on innovative and cutting-edge teaching techniques with new Max 3 and Max 5 children’s programs and the Burton Learn to Ride program. These new programs will provide participants with an opportunity to learn and improve their skills as they explore Killington’s expansive terrain.

“In the tradition of Killington's heritage as an innovator in ski and snowboard school teaching technique, we will deliver an entirely new children's program experience with the new Max 3/Max 5 programs,” said Joe Wood director of the Killington Ski and Snowboard School. “By guaranteeing a maximum of three or five students per instructor, combined with the experience of our teaching professionals, Max 3/Max 5 will increase the overall value of our children’s programs in both the enjoyment they have on the slopes and the quality of the learning experience.”

With Killington’s new partnership with Burton Snowboards, Killington will offer a Burton Learn to Ride program for the upcoming season for new riders ages 13 and older. Burton Learn to Ride incorporates the right Burton equipment with proven teaching methods and small class sizes to make learning to snowboard easy and fun for those trying the sport for the first time. The goal of the Burton Learn to Ride program is for participants to link turns after only one lesson.

New Ticket Card Programs
The new Killington/Pico Express Card offers skiers and riders opportunities to save up to $20 per day throughout the season. The Killington/Pico Express Card provides “pay-as-you-go” flexibility and the convenience of skipping the ticket windows and going directly to the lift. The Express Card is valid at both Killington Resort and Pico Mountain.

The Killington Countdown Card, offered in pre-paid six and 10-day increments, offers guests savings up to 20 percent throughout the season over regular window ticket prices. The non-transferable Countdown Card works by presenting the card and a photo ID at any Killington ticket window. Skiers will then be issued a ticket for the day and the visit will be deducted from the card’s balance. Also, the dollar-value of any unused days at the end of the season may be applied to the purchase of next year’s Countdown Card.

Environmental initiatives
As a company, Killington has a renewed commitment to environmental responsibility for the 2007-08 season and beyond. In addition to new Low Energy Snowguns, Killington is investing more than $100,000 into the following initiatives:

• Co-mingle recycling program throughout all our facilities, including all six base area lodges
• New “Free Aire” refrigeration energy saving project on 10 of our 18 walk-in coolers and freezers that will save a combined 86,389 kilowatt hours of electricity consumption and 31 tons of CO2 emissions per year
• Environmental assessment of Killington’s overall carbon footprint to establish priorities for future energy conservation and CO2 emission reduction projects.

About Killington Resort - The largest ski and snowboard resort in eastern North America, Killington features diverse terrain, an expansive lift network, the most extensive snowmaking system in the world and numerous off-mountain activities, including après, dining, shopping and lodging options.

North East Ski Zone