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Woodstock Inn Offers Ski Packages at its Suicide Six Ski Area

January 5, 2022

In the heart of Vermont’s snow-covered Green Mountains and the picturesque town of Woodstock, VT, the Woodstock Inn & Resort offers value-added packages featuring numerous snow sports at the Suicide Six Ski Area and at its Nordic ski center.

WOODSTOCK, VT – In the heart of Vermont’s snow-covered Green Mountains and the picturesque town of Woodstock, VT, the Woodstock Inn & Resort welcomes guests in search of cold weather pursuits with value-added packages for the whole family. The 142-room luxury resort offers numerous snow sports at the Suicide Six Ski Area and Nordic Center, as well as endless après ski activities with its award-winning Spa and farm-to-table dining options.

Vermont’s leading family ski resort, the Suicide Six Ski Area, is home to 100 acres of skiing and snowboarding on 24 trails and slopes suitable for all skill levels and offers wide open spaces and shorter than average lift times. New for 2022 is a Sunkid conveyor lift named Snow Day, which offers ease of use, weather protection, and increased uptime for reliable transport to the Snow Day Learning Area. Those new to skiing have the option to learn from the resort’s world-class ski & ride school offering private and semi-private lessons to acquaint themselves with new equipment and the slopes. The school also offers uphill travel lessons to learn best practices of “skinning.” Also featured at the mountain is state-of-the-art snow-making technology and a freestyle terrain park. Open weekly Wednesday through Sunday, Suicide Six will also be open daily for holiday weeks and peak periods.

For cross country skiing, fat tire biking, and snowshoeing, 45 kilometers of groomed trails are primed for exploration at the Nordic Center. The extensive network of trails weaves throughout Mt. Peg and nearby Mt. Tom in the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. Snowshoers & fat bike riders may utilize the groomed ski trail areas in addition to a series of ungroomed trails for a more invigorating hike. Rentals, clothing, winter sport accessories, trail maps and passes are available at the center, as well as lessons, tours, and clinics with local experts.

Families, couples, and snow sports enthusiasts can enjoy one of the 2022 winter packages, including:

The Family First Run Package begins new traditions of learning how to ski. During a family lesson, parents will pick up new tips while the children master the basics.

Two nights’ accommodations
Breakfast daily
Two day passes to the Suicide Six Ski Area
One family lesson
S’mores kit for après ski
Starting at $753 per night or $1503 for two nights, for two adults and two children

Teach Your Honey How to Ski Package is the perfect romantic getaway for couples who want their partner to learn ski basics while they take to the slopes.

Luxurious Accommodations
Two-hour private beginner ski lesson (lift ticket included)
Lift ticket at the Suicide Six Ski Area for a second person
Two après ski cocktails
Starting at $631 for a one-night stay for two adults

Unlimited Snowsports Package is the ultimate adventure package that includes alpine skiing, Nordic Treks, fat tire biking, and snowshoeing.

Two nights’ accommodations
Breakfast daily
Unlimited access to snow sports at the Woodstock Nordic Center and Suicide Six Ski Area
Starting at $669 per night or $1,338 for two nights for two adults

Packages are available for stays from January 4 through March 12, 2022, based on availability. Pricing does not include applicable tax, gratuity, and the $35 per room, per night resort fee. Blackout dates and other restrictions may apply.

This season, Perley’s Pourhouse will offer grab-and-go food and made-to-order beverages options at Suicide Six Ski Area. The ski area’s newly expanded outdoor deck features additional seating, gas fire pits, and wind cover areas for guests to sit back, relax, and warm up by the fire. The Woodstock Inn & Resort offers locally sourced cuisine at The Red Rooster, which is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

After hitting the slopes, skiers can head back to the Woodstock Inn & Resort to relax in the library, participate in a friendly competition in the Inn’s flannel-draped retro game room, or opt for a soothing treatment at The Spa, the Inn’s award-winning, 10,000 sq ft wellness retreat. Guests can indulge in specialized facial treatments that utilize all-natural skincare products, tools, and techniques through a new partnership with Tata Harper, a leading Vermont-based all-natural skincare brand. Guests can opt for the seasonal Winter Rose treatment which restores the skin’s glow with a spiced cranberry orange body scrub followed by a rose-colored clay mask wrap.

Located in idyllic Woodstock, Vermont, the Woodstock Inn & Resort defines country sophistication in one of New England’s most charming and popular year-round vacation destinations. The 142-room, AAA Four Diamond Resort and a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts LVX Collection, offers award-winning dining in two restaurants, ranked among the finest in New England. The Woodstock Inn & Resort is owned and operated by The Woodstock Foundation, Inc. Proceeds from Resort operations support The Woodstock Foundation and Billings Farm & Museum education and conservation programs.

Recognized as one of the oldest ski areas in the country, Suicide Six has a rich history. America’s first rope tow, introduced on nearby Gilbert’s Farm in 1934, evolved into the opening of Suicide Six in 1936. In 1961 Laurance S. Rockefeller purchased Suicide Six from its founder, Wallace “Bunny” Bertram, as part of his vision for the community of Woodstock. Suicide Six is one of Vermont’s leading family-friendly ski resorts featuring more than 100 acres of skiing on 24 trails with terrain suitable for all abilities.

The Woodstock Inn & Resort is a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Lifestyle Collection, which represents premier global properties that offer engaging stays and memorable moments. Authentic, intelligent, and approachable, this diverse collection presents hotels and resorts featuring responsive service and local dining that articulate culture and style. For more information, visit PreferredHotels.com.

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Tags:cross-country skiing, family travel, ski packages, ski Vermont, skiing, Suicide Six Ski Area, Woodstock Inn and Resort, Woodstock Vermont
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Club Med Launches ‘Fall Into Savings’ Sale, Extends Ski Getaways Sale With Up To 45% Off All-Inclusive Escapes

September 9, 2021

Book an all-inclusive ski vacation at Club Med’s first resort in Canada, Club Med Quebec (opening December 3, 2021), with rates up to 45% off thanks to Club Med’s extended Ski Getaways Sale.

Club Med, a pioneer of the all-inclusive resort concept, invites families, couples, and solo travelers to take advantage of up to 45% off all-inclusive escapes, plus perks, at Club Med’s top mountain and beach resorts from Canada and Florida to Mexico and the Caribbean. From now through November 2, 2021, Club Med guests can Fall into Savings when traveling to their favorite Club Med beach-side resorts from September 4 to May 6, 2022. Guests looking to book their next ski escape can take advantage of the extended Ski Getaways Sale when booking now through October 18, 2021 for travel to Canada through April 10, 2022 and the Alps for travel through April 30, 2022.

Whether looking to lounge in the sun or partake in over 25 land and water sports, travelers can capitalize on Club Med’s Fall into Savings Sale and enjoy up to 45% off, plus added incentives such as free room upgrades and no single supplements at Club Med’s all-inclusive beach resorts in Florida, the Caribbean, and Mexico. Kids under 16 can receive up to 50% off stays while kids under 4 can stay for free at Club Med’s family favorite resorts, including the eco-chic, five-star, Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda, the first and only resort in the undiscovered region of Miches, Dominican Republic, featuring four distinct boutique villages (resorts within the resort), unlimited refined culinary options, and family-friendly activities such as flying trapeze, movies under the stars, and discovering the Secret Chocolate Room – a speakeasy ensuring fun for the whole family.

Those who prefer snow over sand will find all-inclusive mountain escapes with Club Med are more luxurious and offer significantly lower prices than a do-it-yourself ski vacation. Travelers can book an all-inclusive ski vacation at Club Med’s first resort in Canada, Club Med Québec (opening December 3, 2021), with rates up to 45% off thanks to Club Med’s extended Ski Getaways Sale. A Club Med mountain vacation includes accommodations, lift tickets, group ski and snowboard lessons, all-day dining, après-ski activities, and ski-in, ski-out access to ensure peace of mind when conquering the slopes. Guests over age eleven can elevate their ski experience through Club Med Québec’s all new Ski Workshops, a curated program that aims to enhance guests’ ski and snowboard skills while exploring the wonderous ski domains of Le Massif de Charlevoix.

Club Med’s spacious low-density resorts are surrounded by nature, spread across 50 acres, and operate at a limited capacity. Paired with Club Med’s enhanced safety and hygiene protocols, free onsite antigen testing, and flexible policies, guests will enjoy total peace of mind and the freedom to unwind while creating cherished memories together. Guests will also enjoy unlimited culinary options on single plated dishes, premium accommodations, and activities for all interests – from skiing and snowboarding to standup paddle boarding and snorkeling – and families will particularly enjoy Club Med’s Amazing Family program, a fun-filled agenda of weekly activities designed to help families reconnect and experience a greater sense of reunion.

For full details on the Fall into Savings Sale, visit https://www.clubmed.us/o/best-all-inclusive-vacation-deals.

For full details on the Ski Getaways Sale, visit https://www.clubmed.us/o/early-booking-ski.

Fall into Savings Sale

Up to 45% off* all-inclusive escapes at participating Club Med resorts in Florida, the Caribbean, and Mexico
Booking window: Today through November 2, 2021
Travel window: Select dates from September 4, 2021 – May 6, 2022 (blackout dates apply)
45% off* plus perks:
- Free room upgrade
- Kids under 4 stay free
- No single supplement
- Free Antigen testing
- Flexible Cancellations^

Ski Getaways Sale

Up to 45% off* all-inclusive ski packages to Canada & the Alps
Booking window: Today through October 18, 2021
Travel window:
- Club Med Québec: Select dates through April 10, 2022
- Club Med’s Alpine Ski Resorts: Select dates through April 30, 2022
Perks include:
- Lift tickets
- Ski/snowboard group lessons
- Kids under 4 stay free
- Flexible Cancellations^

Participating Club Med Resorts
Travelers looking for opportunities to reconnect and create cherished memories with their families and loved ones on their next vacation will find that peace of mind is a destination at several Club Med resorts, including:

Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda, Dominican Republic: The first and only operating resort in the undiscovered region of Miches – and Club Med’s only Exclusive Collection (5 Star) resort in North America – offers a luxury experience wrapped in an all-inclusive vacation. The eco-chic resort features four boutique villages specializing in wellness, adventure, kid-friendly, and adults-only concepts, catering to an array of travelers seeking a boutique hotel-within-a-hotel experience. Enjoy unlimited refined culinary options, Zen moments with treatments at the on-site Club Med Spa by Cinq Mondes, yoga in the Tree Top Wellness Canopy, and relaxation at the naturally-filtered Zen pool, and also Must-Try Experiences for families from learning how to plant and compost ingredients at the on-site community garden to the Boho chic Sunset Ritual, the perfect way to end the day in paradise. Families can also satisfy their sweet tooth when discovering a Secret Chocolate Room – a first-of-its-kind kid’s speakeasy featuring unlimited sweets crafted with locally-sourced cocoa (and adults can get in on the fun, too!).
Club Med Québec, Canada: Opening December 3, 2021. The four-season, all-inclusive mountain resort will be Club Med’s first in Canada, just an hour and a half away from Québec City in the Le Massif de Charlevoix region. With over 300 rooms spread across 300+ acres, the family-friendly resort will feature locally inspired culinary experiences, a private Exclusive Collection (5 Star) space, sweeping views of the scenic St. Lawrence River and surrounding mountains, and unlimited ski-in/ski-out access on the biggest vertical slope east of the Rockies. Families can enjoy year-round activities, including skiing, biking, and hiking, as well as activities traditional to the region like ice skating and dog sledding. For added Zen, the resort offers an expansive wellness area with a 25-yard heated pool overlooking the river, an outdoor jacuzzi, and a variety of à la carte wellness experiences inspired by Nordic spas.
Club Med Cancún, Mexico: An ideal location for families looking for some much-needed R&R, the only resort in Cancún with three private beachfronts, offers families a variety of opportunities to reconnect. Enjoy exhilarating land and water activities, from wind surfing and snorkeling to flying trapeze and archery, before partaking in outdoor activities as part of the new Club Med Amazing Family programming. Relax in the refreshed Aguamarina family oasis area, which features spacious two-bedroom oceanfront family rooms and a dedicated family pool, before kids head off to their respective kids’ club while adults enjoy treatments at the newly renovated Club Med Spa by L’OCCITANE. For added exclusivity, guests can book an ocean view suite located in the resort’s Exclusive Collection (5 Star) space. Families looking for an added sense of adventure can explore the Mayan ruins at Chichén-Itzá (at an additional cost) or discover life under the sea by snorkeling through the world’s second-largest coral reef surrounding the resort with Club Med’s all-inclusive water sport activities.
Club Med Punta Cana, Dominican Republic: On a 2,000-foot stretch of beach, Club Med Punta Cana caters to solo travelers, couples, and families alike with unlimited land and water sports, from golfing on an oceanfront PGA green to learning how to shoot with a bow and arrow at archery school. Adults can indulge in treatments at the Club Med Spa by L’OCCITANE or relax in the adult-exclusive Zen Oasis area, where intimate cabanas, an oversized pool and dedicated Zen Beach await. Families can partake in the new Club Med Amazing Family program, featuring a fun-filled agenda of weekly activities for families to bond and create memories, like Club Med CREACTIVE by Cirque du Soleil, an interactive playground with more than 25 acrobatic and artistic activities for guests of all ages.
Club Med La Rosière, France: From its perch at 1,950 meters above sea level overlooking the entire Tarentaise Valley, Club Med’s newest resort in the Alps features sweeping 180-degree mountain views and 395 spacious rooms emanating the cozy atmosphere of a refined alpine Chalet. The resort also offers a variety of accommodation styles catered to all travelers, including some interconnecting rooms for larger groups and some rooms offering private balconies. Guests can enjoy a variety of locally inspired culinary experiences, daily entertainment, and unlimited daily activities like skiing, snowboarding, Nordic walking, and yoga workshops.

Additional participating resorts include Club Med Sandpiper Bay, Port St. Lucie, Florida, Club Med Caravelle, Guadeloupe, French Caribbean, Club Med Buccaneer’s Creek, Martinique, French Caribbean, Club Med Turkoise, Turks and Caicos, Club Med Valmorel, France, Club Med Val Thorens, France, and Club Med Peisey-Vallandry, France.

Flexible Policies
To ensure added flexibility and peace of mind for travelers, Club Med also offers:

Flexible Cancellation Policy: for travel through December 31, 2021.
Emergency Assistance Program: All guests traveling before December 31, 2022 will receive coverage for emergency medical expenses during their stay, including those related to COVID-19.
Safe Together protocols: Implemented in all of the brand’s resorts as they reopen, including those in Florida, Mexico, and the Caribbean, these newly enhanced hygiene and safety measures were developed through recommendations from the World Health Organization, local health authorities, and the advice of an International Scientific Committee comprised of a specialized team of doctors and professors.
PCR + Rapid Antigen Testing: As required for re-entry into the United States from international destinations, Club Med offers complimentary Rapid Antigen COVID-19 tests on-site. PCR testing is also available at an additional cost.

Full details on the above policies can be found here.

Club Med, founded in 1950 by Gérard Blitz, is a pioneer of the all-inclusive concept, offering approximately 70 premium resorts in stunning locations in 30 countries around the world including North and South America, Caribbean, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Mediterranean. Each Club Med resort features authentic local style and comfortably upscale accommodations, superior sports programming and activities, enriching children’s programs, gourmet dining, and warm and friendly service by its world-renown staff with legendary hospitality skills, an all-encompassing energy and diverse backgrounds.

For more information, visit www.clubmed.us, call 1-800-Club-Med (1-800-258-2633), or contact a preferred travel professional. For an inside look at Club Med, follow Club Med on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

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Tags:all-inclusive resorts, all-inclusive vacations, beach resorts, Club Med, Club Med fall savings, Club Med Ski Getaways Sale, resort deals, ski resorts
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Colorado Ski Country USA Resorts Offer Kids Ski Free Programs

November 16, 2017

Colorado Ski Country USA resorts across the state are offering various programs geared to families. At Winter Park Resort, kids five and under qualify for beginner lift tickets for $10 a day or $30 for the season with no black-out dates © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) member resorts are offering Kids Ski Free programs across the state. Parents and families can take advantage of free and discounted lift tickets for children, specialized lessons and rental discounts to plan a ski vacation experience that won’t break the bank.

For example, Colorado Ski Country USA has a 5th and 6th Grade Passport Program which offers fifth graders the chance to ski or ride three days at 22 participating member resorts across the state absolutely free. That’s up to 66 free days on the slopes. Fifth graders who have never skied or snowboarded are eligible for the First-Class program which provides never-ever skiers and riders one free full-day beginner lesson and equipment rental at the resort of their choice. All Passport holders also receive one complimentary junior rental from Christy Sports. The corresponding 6th Grade Passport Program offers four days of skiing at the same 22 resorts for only $105 before November 30, or $125 through the end of the season. To register for the Passport Program visit:www.coloradoski.com/passport.

Resorts have their own programs as well:

Arapahoe Basin

Kids Free 2 Ski Pass: Children five and under ski free every day at Arapahoe Basin with a free Five & Under lift ticket from the ticket window. Children ages six to 12 can ski or snowboard for free any two days of the 2017-18 season with no blackout dates through the Kids Free 2 Ski Pass. Register online, at a Front Range ski show or at the mountain by December 18, 2017. For more information, visit www.arapahoebasin.com.

Aspen Snowmass

Kids Ski Free: Children six and under always ski free at Aspen Snowmass. For children ages seven to 12 years old, Aspen Snowmass allows kids to ski free when booking two or more nights of lodging through Stay Aspen Snowmass or renting children’s ski or snowboard equipment from Four Mountain Sports. There is no limit on the number of days children can receive free lift tickets when renting from Four Mountain Sports. The offer is valid January 1 – April 15, 2018. Mention kids ski free when you call 800-290-1326 or visit www.aspensnowmass.com for more information.

Cooper

Kids Ski Free: Children five & under always ski free at Cooper, and children six to 14 receive a discount on their daily lift tickets. Cooper also offers children’s group lessons, with several levels of instruction for age and ability, that include rentals for affordable rates. For more information, visit www.skicooper.com.

Copper Mountain

One, Two, Free! With Copper Mountain’s One, Two, Free! Package, kids 12 and younger ski free with the purchase of an adult two-day lift ticket. The deal also includes additional perks like a third night of lodging free, a third day of rentals free, a free half-day ticket on the day of arrival or departure, and free upgrade to the Secret! Pass for early access and shorter lift lines. Children five and under always ski/ride free at Copper Mountain. For more information, visit www.coppercolorado.com.

Crested Butte

Kids 12 and Under Ski Free: Children six and under always ski free at Crested Butte. All kids ages 12 and under visiting Crested Butte Mountain Resort Nov. 23 – Dec. 15, 2017 and Apr. 1 – 8, 2018 ski or ride free. No strings attached, no parent ticket required, no lodging stay required, no advance reservations, just a free ticket for kids. For more information, visit www.skicb.com.

Echo Mountain

Kids Ski Free: Kids five and under ski and ride free at Echo Mountain. The ski area also offers ski or snowboard package rentals for only $29 for kids, plus specialized private and group lessons for kids through Utivity. For more information, visit www.echomountainresort.com.

Eldora

Season Pass Deals: At Eldora, kids age five and under can purchase an alpine season pass for only $29. For more information,visit www.eldora.com.

Granby Ranch

Kids Ski Free: Kids five and under ski free. Granby Ranch also offers child’s ski or snowboard rental packages for only $15 per day. For more information, visit www.granbyranch.com.

Hesperus

Kids Ski Free Every Day Deal: Guests seven years old and younger get a free lift ticket every day, with no blackout dates. Just ask for the Ski Free Every Day deal at the ticket window.

4th Graders Ski Free: 4th graders (with report card) get a free lift ticket every day, with no blackout dates. Just ask for the Ski Free Every Day deal at the ticket window.

First Time; Free Lessons: Hesperus offers first-timers ages seven and older up to three free lessons with the purchase of one full-day, full-price lift ticket for $39. Available every day. For more information, visit www.ski-hesperus.com.

Loveland

Kids Ski Free: Children five and under ski free every day at Loveland. Children five and under can also purchase a ski or snowboard package equipment rental for $12.

3-Class Pass for Kids is for all children, ages four to 14, of all ability levels. When guests pre-purchase or complete three full-day lesson packages, they receive a free unrestricted season pass to keep practicing their skiing or snowboarding skills for the rest of the season. Children’s full day lesson packages include a lesson, lift access, equipment rentals (ski or snowboard), helmet and lunch. For more information, visit www.skiloveland.com.

Monarch

Kids Ski Free and Free Lessons: Children six and under ski free at Monarch. Children between the ages of seven and 12 get a free lesson with the purchase of a lift ticket and a rental package. For more information, visit www.skimonarch.com.

Powderhorn

Season Pass and Lift Ticket Deals: Children six and under can purchase a season pass for only $94 during early-season promotions or $119 all season long. Or, kids six and under can go to the lift ticket window and pay only $18 for a full-day pass. Children 12 and under can purchase an EZ Rider pass for access to the beginner lift for only $12. For more information, visit www.powderhorn.com.

Purgatory

Kids and 4th Graders Ski Free: Kids seven years old and younger ski free every day at Purgatory Resort. Fourth grade students also ski free at Purgatory with proof of grade. For more information, visit www.skipurg.com.

Silverton

Silverton Winter Sports Club: A local youth program, the Silverton Winter Sports Club provides a season-long introduction to big mountain skiing and backcountry snow safety protocols. While there is a small participation fee for families, the Silverton Winter Sports Club is funded almost entirely by donations, including the support of Silverton Mountain and the Brill Family. For more information, visit www.silvertonmountain.com.

Steamboat

Kids & Grandkids Ski Free programs enable children 12 years of age and under to ski free the same number of days as their parent, grandparent, or legal guardian when the parent, grandparent, or legal guardian purchase a five-or-more day adult lift ticket. For season passes, one child (12 and under) is eligible to receive a free season pass with parent, grandparent, or legal guardian purchase of an adult Steamboat Season Pass. For more information, visit www.steamboat.com.

Sunlight

Carefree Skier Season Pass: Children age five and younger can receive a free Season Pass to Sunlight Mountain Resort. Children five and younger can also ski free every day by visiting the ticket window for a complimentary daily lift ticket.

Ski, Swim, Stay: With Sunlight’s Ski, Swim and Stay package, kids 12 and under ski free. Enjoy a full day on the slopes of Sunlight, a rejuvenating soak in natural hot springs, and a relaxing night’s stay at one of nine participating lodging properties. Packages start at just $99/night. For more information, visit www.sunlightmtn.com.

Telluride

Kids Ski Free: Free lift tickets are available at the Telluride ticket window for children ages five years old and under. Child lift tickets for children ages six to 12 are available online at discounted rates for two or more days of skiing when you purchase at least 48 hours in advance. Telluride also offers children’s ski school lessons divided into programs that offer age and skill specific learning experiences. For more information, visitwww.tellurideskiresort.com.

Winter Park

Kids and Beginners Ski for Less: At Winter Park Resort, kids five and under qualify for beginner lift tickets for $10 a day or $30 for the season with no black-out dates. These lift tickets are intended for beginners only and grant access to the Galloping Goose chairlift at Mary Jane. For more information, visit www.winterparkresort.com.

Wolf Creek

Tots and Children Discounts: At Wolf Creek Ski Area, the unrestricted season pass for Tots (children five and under) is only $54, while children ages six to 12 can purchase an unrestricted season pass for $385. For families looking for daily lift tickets, children ages five and younger can purchase a lift ticket for only $6. For more information, visit www.wolfcreekski.com.

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Tags:children's ski deals, children's ski programs, Colorado Ski Country USA, CSCUSA, family skiing, learn to ski programs, Ski the Rockies, skiing
Posted in family skiing, Ski Colorado, ski resorts, ski Rockies | Leave a Comment »

Vail Resorts’ Beaver Creek Opens Red Buffalo Park Learn-to-Ski Area

November 9, 2017

Tubing at the Adventure Center atop Beaver Creek Resort © Dave E. Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Beaver Creek Resort, Colorado, renowned as a world-class luxury family mountain resort, is opening a new 200-acre Red Buffalo Park for the 2017-2018 season – an incomparable family learning area at the top of the mountain with 13 trails dedicated to beginner and learning terrain, serviced by a new Red Buffalo Express Lift (#5), a new Cookie Cabin, Kids’ Adventure Zones, snow sculptures, and a Ski School Skills Zone.

The new family and adventure learning area is designed to improve the experience for beginner and intermediate skiers and further establish Beaver Creek, part of Vail Resorts, as one of the world’s best luxury family resorts. Located at the mountain’s highest elevation, 11,440 feet, Red Buffalo Park provides 13 trails designated as a family learning area. At the heart of Red Buffalo Park, the new Red Buffalo Express Lift (#5), a high-speed quad, will improve the beginner experience by decreasing lift lines and providing a shorter, 4.3 minute ride to the top of the mountain.

Red Buffalo Park amenities include Kids’ Adventure Zones, snow sculptures, Park 101 and Zoom Room terrain parks, and a dedicated Ski School Skills Zone on Upper Sheephorn trail. Beaver Creek Ski & Snowboard School students will have access to the new Cookie Cabin, a mountaintop refuge serving Beaver Creek’s famed, fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies daily.

“Red Buffalo Park is all about more time skiing with your family in an area that focuses on beginners and intermediate skiers and riders. Upgrading Red Buffalo Express Lift will provide high-speed lift access to the amazing beginner terrain at the top of Beaver Creek, resulting in less time riding the lift and more time skiing,” said Beth Howard, chief operating officer of Beaver Creek Resort. “We expect this improvement to take significant volume off Cinch Express, Beaver Creek’s second most-popular lift, and it really is an improvement befitting of Beaver Creek’s luxury, family experience, as it enhances a key beginner and family area of our mountain.”

Red Buffalo Park

Unlike most beginner learning areas, Beaver Creek’s Red Buffalo Park is located at 11,440 feet, the highest point of the mountain. The gentle slope of the designated learning trails provides terrain fitting for beginner and intermediate skiers and riders, plus breathtaking panoramic views of the Gore Range. Guests can ride the new Red Buffalo Express Lift (#5), located at the heart of Red Buffalo Park, for quick access to all 13 trails.

The new Red Buffalo Express Lift (#5) is named after the signature, beginner Red Buffalo trail, which provides incredible views of the Gore Range and is named after two signature peaks of the Gore Range, the Red peak and Buffalo peak. The new lift will reduce ride time by 50 percent, from 8.6 minutes to 4.3 minutes, and will increase uphill capacity by 75 percent. With the upgrade, all primary lifts on Beaver Creek will be high-speed.

New Ski School Experiences at Red Buffalo Park

Cookie Cabin: Guests enrolled in Beaver Creek Ski & Snowboard School will have access to the Cookie Cabin, located at the top of Red Buffalo Express Lift (#5). Serving up Beaver Creek’s famed, fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies all-day long, the Cookie Cabin provides the perfect rejuvenation during a day on the slopes.

Sheephorn Ski School Skills Zone: Upper Sheephorn, a signature trail in Red Buffalo Park, is designated as a Ski School Skills Zone. The wide trail with sweeping views of the Gore Range is the perfect place for guests to refine their skills. After mastering the Sheephorn Skills Zone, guests can move on to explore the rest of the mountaintop terrain offered at Red Buffalo Park.

Activities & Events in Red Buffalo Park

Snow Sculptures: Explore Red Buffalo Park to discover various snow sculptures located alongside the trails. Watch as the sculptures grow in size throughout the season – guests might even see Beaver Creek’s master snow sculptor at work.

Kids’ Adventure Zones: With banked turns, covered wagons, teepees and more, these fun areas are perfect to build confidence and challenge children’s skiing and riding abilities. Discover a sense of adventure on these runs designed just for kids within Red Buffalo Park.

Jack Rabbit Alley: This is a perennial favorite for kids of all ages. This trail starts at the very top of the mountain and winds its way through the trees of Red Buffalo Park challenging advanced and intermediate skiers.
Wild West Trail: A little bit of the Wild West built into Jack Rabbit Alley. Ski through a covered Calistoga wagon or explore the inside of a Native American teepee.
Mystic Maze: A fun interpretive trail winding through the lower trees just off the Ski School Skills Zone. This is a great piece of terrain for intermediate skiers to explore and learn about the animals on Beaver Creek Mountain.

Terrain Parks

Park 101: This beginner terrain park is great for people who are just learning the basics of freestyle snowboarding or freeskiing. The entry-level park contains small jumps, boxes, rails, and stall features designed for beginner riders and skiers to learn the basics of a terrain park.
Zoom Room: An intermediate-level park designed to flow through a variety of different and unique features including boxes, rails, log-slides, stall features, and jumps. Zoom Room is the natural progression once skiers and riders get comfortable with the basics.

Ski With A Ranger
Join partners from Walking Mountains Science Center and the United States Forest Service on a fun, engaging and complimentary tour of the beautiful natural surroundings here at Beaver Creek. Come learn more about the forest around you including wildlife, plants, history and the mountain ecosystem in winter. The tour will meet every Monday, starting December 11, at 1:30 p.m. at the top of Red Buffalo Park for an hour long educational adventure. Ability Levels 3 and up, open to all ages.

Vail Resorts’ Beaver Creek Resort is renowned as a luxury family resort and for legendary attention to detail, World-Cup mountain pedigree, intimate alpine village, and reputation for world-class service. Just 30 minutes east of Eagle Airport (EGE) and 2.5 hours west of Denver International Airport (DIA), Beaver Creek offers luxury accommodations throughout three villages and ski-in, ski-out luxury lodges and hotels. More than 40 in-resort and slope-side restaurants, elegant village boutiques, cherished daily traditions and activities such as world-class downhill skiing and snowboarding spanning 1,832 acres with 3,340 vertical feet of descent, snow shoeing, Nordic skiing, and ice skating in the Beaver Creek village. Visit BeaverCreek.com for additional information and vacation planning.

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Tags:Beaver Creek, Beaver Creek Resort, family skiing, Learn to Ski, ski resorts, Vail Resorts
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Ski Vermont Welcomes 2017 with New Ways to Hit the Slopes, Save and Win Big

December 31, 2016

Montpelier, VT – Ski Vermont pairs with partners in Vermont and across the country to provide great programs and incentives to get on the slopes this season. Long time skiers and riders, as well as those looking to learn a snowsport for the first time can win great prizes like lift tickets to Vermont resorts, skis from Rossignol and snowboards from Burton, among many other prizes this season.

Longtime participants in the national Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month initiative, Vermont resorts offer $49 beginner packages during the month of January. Ski Vermont also offers the Take 3 Pass this season, which includes 3 beginner lessons for just $129. Ten participants in this program are eligible to receive a pair of Rossignol skis or a Burton snowboard at the end of the season.

Ski Vermont aims to reward already established Vermont-loving skiers and snowboarders this season with the new Bring-a-Friend program and the 2016-17 Season Scavenger Hunt. For those that want to introduce a friend or family member to skiing or snowboarding, they simply need to refer them (or gift them) a Ski Vermont Take 3 Pass and help get them to the slopes and into their first lesson. The first 100 participants will receive 2 lift tickets to a resort in Vermont.

Social-savvy skiers and riders can participate in the inaugural Ski Vermont Scavenger Hunt this season. Each week, starting on Thursday, December 29^th, Ski Vermont will announce the resort, product and prize of the week on Instagram and Facebook. Participants post photos of the resorts and/or product that week to be entered to win prizes from Ski Vermont partners like Darn Tough socks, Skida headwear, Vermont maple syrup and more. Two lucky participants will walk away with a Burton Process Flying V snowboard or a pair of Rossignol Soul 7 HD skis at the close of the season.

“We are extremely excited to launch new initiatives for both beginners and established skiers and riders this season,” said Ski Vermont’s Director of Marketing and Communications Sarah Wojcik. “With great incentives provided by our partners and Vermont resorts, Ski Vermont aims to reward those visiting our Green Mountains and reveling in the state’s official winter sports – whether for the first time or hundredth.”

For the 17^th year in a row, Ski Vermont is offering the Fifth Grade Passport, allowing fifth graders to ski virtually for free up to 88 days at Vermont alpine and Nordic resorts. For more information on Ski Vermont’s programs and incentives to slide, visit skivermont.com.

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Tags:January is Learn to Ski Month, Learn to Ski, ski deals, ski programs, ski Vermont, skiing, Vermont ski resorts, Vermont skiing
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Snow Pros Offer Tips to Get Your Kids Ready for a Ski Vacation

December 7, 2016

Is a ski holiday on tap for this year’s winter vacation? To insure the trip goes well, the snow pros from the Professional Ski and Snowboard Instructors of America (PSIA-AASI) National Team (the best-of-the-best ski and snowboard instructors in the country), suggest these simple tips to get kids ready for the slopes so your readers can make the most of their family winter vacation together:

Be active as a family before your trip

Skiing and snowboarding are sports that require some physical fitness, so start an exercise program for you and your family. Whether it’s enrolling kids in soccer or another sport, to taking walks together as a family, it’s important to get moving.

Do your homework on the weather

Most resorts have mountain cams and temperature updates. Know what the weather and temperature is like on the mountain and where you are staying, so you can dress your child appropriately for conditions. At some resorts temps vary greatly from the town versus the mountain.

Try on ski/snowboard clothes and equipment before you go

For younger children getting used to putting on ski or snowboard equipment and clothing helps them adjust to the mountain environment more easily. You can make it a game and help them see their ski/snowboard clothes and equipment as something fun to play in versus something strange or bulky to wear. For older kids, it also helps to check to make sure everything still fits and is working properly before you arrive on the slopes.

Invest in lessons for your kids

Having your kids learn from an expert can make their ski/snowboard experience more fun and also gives you time to enjoy the slopes. Set the expectation that the lesson is more like a sports practice than going to school and that they’ll have fun while getting to learn new skills.

Watch ski/snowboard movies or videos to get everyone excited

Use media to motivate your kids and set expectations of what their experience on the mountain and lessons will be like. There’s an array of ski and snowboard clips on YouTube to videos on the PSIA-AASI YouTube Channel here.

Pack the right gear

You don’t have to spend a fortune on kids’ ski and snowboard gear. Just make sure they have a good snowsuit that’s wind/snow resistant along with goggles, long socks pulled up below the knee, snow gloves and insulated layers. If they become more involved in the sport then you can invest in wicking base layers and more expensive jackets when they will be out on the mountain for longer periods of time.

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Keystone Mountain Resort Expands Family-Friendly Programming

October 16, 2016

Keystone Resort, one of the easiest major resorts to reach from Denver International Airport, one of the few major resorts that offers night skiing, as well as combined access to Arapahoe Basin with its lift ticket, is famous for its family-oriented Kidtopia programs.

Keystone Resort offers a wide variety of comfortable and family-friendly lodging options, from affordable hotel rooms to welcoming, family-sized condominiums. Plus, an unmatched Kids Ski Free program, free daily events, and unique offerings and special events perfectly complement the more than 3,000 acres of skiing and snowboarding terrain.

Here are some of the many things to look forward to this winter at Keystone, one of the Vail Resorts (and included on Vail Resorts’ Epic Pass, details at EpicPass.com):

Keystone’s Kids Ski Free Program Turns 5
Keystone has long been the place where kids rule, and this year the resort’s unmatched Kids Ski Free program turns 5 (which just so happens to be the same age that kids can officially become a part of this awesome program). With more than 100,000free kids’ lift tickets provided to families since the inception of the program in 2012, there is a whole lot to celebrate as Kids Ski Free enters its fifth year. This year guests can look forward to free Kidtopia events and parties, including a special weekly birthday bash with Ripperoo, plus free skiing of course! Every day, all season long kids 12 and younger ski for free at Keystone with no blackout dates when parents book just two or more nights in one of Keystone’s numerous accommodation options, which span from affordable hotel rooms to family-sized condominiums. When it comes to family, no one does it better than Keystone!

Keystone’s Mountain House is Base Camp for Families
Having served as the original base area when Keystone’s founders, Max and Edna Dercum, first brought their family to the resort, this winter the Mountain House base area is ready to welcome a new generation of ski families to Keystone. Centrally located, the Mountain House base area offers an oasis for ski families and the perfect base camp for any ski day, offering smaller crowds, free and convenient family parking and an updated family restaurant concept. Plus, with free preferred parking just for families at Mountain House, it’s easy to get from the lots to the lifts, providing direct access to the resort’s family ski and ride zone, The Schoolyard. Families can also take advantage of conveniently located lift tickets, rentals and Camp Keystone – the resort’s kid-centric Ski and Ride School experience, where interactive displays, game-aided learning and a 24-foot slide that propels kids into their adventure on the snow will have little rippers begging to go back to “school.” When you’re ready to hang up the skis and boards for the day, relax fireside or continue the fun with Kidtopia activities that take place twice-a-week at Mountain House during Sunday’s Ice Cream Birthday party with Ripperoo and Wednesday’s Giant Snowball Launch.

NEW Kidtopia Mountaintop Spectacular – Dec. 16-18, 2016
Keystone’s Kidtopia continues to redefine the family resort experience with free activities and events on and off the snow every day of the week starting Friday, Nov. 25. This winter Keystone presents the inaugural Kidtopia Mountaintop Spectacular, a weekend of festive on-mountain fun for the entire family. This free event will showcase a variety of activities and Kidtopia programs that make the resort a top destination for families, including nightly firework displays, a torchlight ski parade led by Keystone’s Ski & Ride School, and a mountaintop celebration where guests can enjoy free snow tubing, snowcat photo opportunities, live music, hot cocoa and fireside stories with Santa. Kidtopia will animate the mountaintop with Bigfoot adventure walks and a ski patrol-dog meet and greet, plus a special lighting ceremony of the world’s largest Snow Fort to create an unforgettable weekend.

The Kidtopia Experience March 5-11, 2017
With the addition of the Kidtopia Mountaintop Spectacular, this winter season is bookended by two awesome Kidtopia events as the Kidtopia Experience returns for an extended week-long celebration. Start your family spring break early and be a part of all the kid-centric festivities and live outdoor music at the Kidtopia Experience, March 5-11.

Behind-the-Scenes Chocolate Tours with Keystone’s Very Own “Willy Wonka”
Keystone Resort’s executive pastry chef Ned Archibald welcomes guests for a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse into his world of decadent desserts and chocolate making at the resort. Take a break from the slopes one morning to experience these can’t-miss tours designed for kids (and parents), and meet the man himself, tour his chef’s workshop and make delicious treats of your own to take home. No golden ticket required; these Chocolate Tours are free to attend. Offered on select dates throughout the season. Schedule TBD.

On-Mountain Family Adventures, Minus the Skis and Boards

With Keystone’s enclosed River Run Gondola, mountaintop adventures like snowcat tours, snow tubing and fondue dinners are accessible to the whole family regardless of skiing ability. The Mountaintop Snowcat Tour is a must-do family activity that provides an exclusive glimpse of Keystone’s high-alpine bowls, where breathtaking views of the Continental Divide and surrounding mountain ranges await. Adventure Point, just steps away from the Kidtopia Snow Fort, features up to eight lanes of high-speed tubing action for kids and kids at heart. To cap off an evening of mountaintop adventure, guests can enjoy two gondola rides en route to Keystone’s North Peak, where Der Fondue Chessel offers an exciting and interactive dining experience for the whole family, complete with accordion-wielding musicians in lederhosen, all at 11,640-feet elevation.

Experience the Mountain Together with a Family Private Lesson
Whether your family is new to skiing and snowboarding or you’re seasoned snow veterans, those looking to develop new skills, improve technique or explore the mountain like never before can enjoy the Keystone Ski & Ride School’s Family Private Lesson together. Taking advantage of shared on-snow time, bonding is just an added bonus to these specially designed lessons. Private lessons can be reserved for up to six family members (or friends) of similar ability, and with instructors who specialize in working with the whole family you can rest assured that everyone’s ski and snowboard needs will be met on the snow.A family private lesson at Keystone is the perfect way to create memories together and take your shared passion to the next level, so this new product is a can’t-miss for snow-loving families.

Keystone Resort’s more than 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, average of 300 days of sun a year, convenient lodging and variety of on- and off-snow activities all combine to provide the ideal location for winter vacations. As one of the closest ski resorts to Denver, Keystone is the ultimate family resort destination. Convenient touches like free parking, including front-row family parking, and complimentary red wagons to help parents tote gear and kiddos to and from the slopes help make a winter family visit to Keystone easy and hassle-free. For more information visit keystoneresort.com.

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