Skiing Okemo Mountain Resort, now part of Vail Resorts and included on the Epic Pass. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Getting the perfect gift for the skiers and snowboarders on your list doesn’t require busting doors, battling crowds of fellow shoppers or waiting in long lines at the checkout.Ski Vermont has compiled a handy guide to holiday shopping ideas that will bring a smile to the face of everyone who enjoys Winter In Its Original State.
Ski Vermont Wine: Ski Vermont has once again partnered with New England-based 90+ Cellars on a limited-edition red wine just in time for the holidays. This year’s release of Ski Vermont wine is the newest vintage of the same delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from California, a full-bodied red with hints of vanilla, dark chocolate, blackberry and warm oak spices, making it the perfect wine to cozy up with after a day on the slopes. The label features artwork from one of Ski Vermont’s official posters and encapsulates the feeling of watching the sun set over Vermont’s beautiful mountain ranges while squeezing in one last run. One dollar from the sale of every bottle will be donated to Ski Vermont and used to support a scholarship program for Vermont students in areas of study relating to the snow sports industry.
Ski Vermont Take 3 Beginner Package: The Take 3 Beginner Package allows you or someone you love to take 3 beginner ski or snowboard lessons at participating Vermont resorts for one low package price of $129. Beginner skiers and riders can choose to redeem all three lessons at the same resort, or they can choose to visit a new resort for each lesson – it’s up to them. Each pass will include rental equipment for the day plus a group lesson with a professional instructor and a lift ticket to access limited beginner only terrain. Some restrictions apply. https://skivermont.com/take-3
Ski Vermont Fifth Grade Passport: Skiing and snowboarding are magical sports and that can change lives, supporting healthier decisions and experiences that can last a lifetime. There is no better time to fall in love with snow-covered mountains of Vermont than during a student’s 5th grade year. To help our youth get to the hills, we offer participating fifth graders, from both in-state and out-of-state, up to 88 days of skiing and riding at Vermont’s alpine and cross country resorts for just a $20 processing fee. https://skivermont.com/fifth-grade-passport
Ski Vermont 2020 50th Anniversary Poster: This very special 50th anniversary Ski Vermont poster (right) was designed to honor some of the very foundations of our organization – families, learning, history and, of course, skiing in Vermont. Made in the signature throwback style Ski Vermont’s posters are known for, it features period-correct outfits and gear as a nod to Ski Vermont’s 50th anniversary (1959-2019). https://skivermont.com/store
Killington Resort: 3-Day Discovery Program – Earn ‘Best Gift’ this year without breaking the bank with Killington’s 3-Day Discovery Program for adults (16+). Not only will you learn to ski or snowboard, but you’ll walk away with a brand-new set of skis or snowboard – all for under $400.Dinner at the Ledgewood Yurt – Earn major points with your partner this year and get the Adult Dinner Excursion to Killington’s Ledgewood Yurt this year! It’s one of their most unique slopeside dining experiences on the mountain, complete with a snowcat-drawn sleigh ride to get there.
Okemo Mountain Resort: Okemo Gift Card – This Christmas, give the gift of skiing. A gift card in any amount purchased at an Okemo retail shop can be redeemed for new items in those shops (outerwear, skis, helmets, goggles, etc.) OR apply that amount toward rental equipment for the day. Rental equipment that includes skis, boots, poles and a helmet will run from about $45 a day for a junior kit. Junior skis are designed for children under the age of 12 with varying ability levels. Sport Skis, about $65 a day, feature a softer, more forgiving flex which makes them best for beginner skiers who are looking to build confidence on the mountain. Performance skis, about $74 a day, are designed for beginner and intermediate skiers who are looking for a stiffer ski that will perform better at higher speeds. Demo skis, about $87 a day, are the best for any ability level and any condition. These are the newest and best skis Okemo carries. Choose from all mountain, women’s-specific and powder skis.
Smugglers Notch Resort: Top of the Notch Snowshoe Adventure Tour and Dinner: Treat your special someone to an unforgettable mountain adventure and leave the work to us (and gravity)! The Top of the Notch Snowshoe Adventure Dinner offers a unique opportunity to see the top of beautiful Sterling Mountain during the quiet evening hours. Sunsets, the glowing city lights of Montreal in the distance, and a four-course meal provided by the legendary Hearth & Candle restaurant, all complement this romantic evening in a rustic post and beam cabin. Diners are brought to the top of the mountain via chairlift and have the chance to enjoy a relaxing guided trek around the top of the mountain. After dinner, enjoy a downhill hike back to the base, set to a backdrop of moonlight, stars, and the glowing peaks of some of the tallest mountains in Vermont. This event even runs at the same time as Kids’ Night Out event, so if need be, the little are all taken care of! For more info, visit https://www.smuggs.com/pages/winter/amenities/top-of-notch.php
Sugarbush Resort:
First Timer to Life Timer Program: The best gift a skier can give a non-skier is an introduction to the sport, so consider giving your buddy the best learn to lesson package around. January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month and you can grab a $49 beginner package that includes a beginner lift ticket, lesson, and rentals. But it gets even better because that $49 ticket can be upgraded into the First Timer to Life Timer Program (normally $315, but with $49 ticket it’s only $244), where upon the completion of three lessons you get a FREE Sugarbush Premium Season Pass. Add a fourth lesson to that and you get your very own FREE pair of Elan skis or a Rome Snowboard to take home with you. https://www.sugarbush.com/plan/deals/learn-to-ski-and-ride-month/
Cabin Cat Adventures: Give the gift of adventure with Sugarbush’s Lincoln Limo cabin cat. Sunrise First Tracks with early morning cabin cat skiing, Sunset Groomer Rides with beautiful summit sunset views, and Allyn’s Lodge Remote Fireside Dining with a cabin cat ride to a candle-lit gourmet feast followed by a moonlit ski down are all available for you, your friends, and your family. Rates and availability available online. https://www.sugarbush.com/activities/cabin-cat/
Pico Mountain:
Rent Pico – The ultimate gift for 2019 can only be found in Vermont at Pico Mountain. What says ‘I love you THE MOST’ like an entire mountain? Rent Pico for an epic proposal, party with your closest friends, company retreat or just because.
Adaptive Ski & Ride Lessons – Give the gift of freedom through hitting the slopes at Pico this season. Vermont Adaptive offers ski and snowboard clinics at Pico, where Vermont Adaptive instructors teach lessons for all ability levels. Students may book lessons as individuals or as part of a group.
Mount Snow Resort: Peak Discovery Program: This year, give your loved ones the gift of skiing and riding, with the Peak Discovery Program. We all have that one friend or family member that we’d love to get into the sport and now you can. With the Peak Discovery Pass, you get three lessons, rentals, and lift tickets, for just $199, so all you have to do is show up ready to learn a new lifechanging sport. Designed for the true beginner, these lessons start with the basics and work with you to grow your confidence and expertise in a fun and supportive environment. Take all your lessons at Vermont’s Mount Snow, or mix and match across 10 resorts in the Discovery Pass program, it’s up to you.
Darn Tough Vermont: Outer Limits Ski and Ride Sock: Secret stashes are a source of pride here in Vermont, but we’re going to let you in on a little secret of our own: Darn Tough Vermont makes the best ski and ride socks out there. Added mesh panels on top of the foot and back of the leg combined with light cushion underfoot will guide soft landings lap after lap. https://darntough.com/
Skida: Extra Blue Alpine Hat: The Alpine Hat, is the perfect weight for colder days. Skida’s printed poly-blend outer fabric is fully lined with cozy mid-weight fleece – it wicks moisture, cuts the wind, and always leaves you warm and dry. Great for chilly runs, hitting the slopes, or just cruising around town. This hat goes from casual to performance without skipping a beat. And as always, Skida is made in Vermont. Visit https://skida.com/.
Burton: Step On Binding: Experience the simplicity and convenience of snowboarding’s most intuitive connection. The Burton Step On Binding offers the ultimate boot-to-binding connection for riders seeking both convenience and performance. Three connection points – two by the toe and one at the heel – deliver unmatched simplicity, security, and board control, while a quick release lever ensures quick and easy exit. The Step On is universally compatible with all current snowboard mounting systems.
Rossignol: Experience 88TI (Konect): Experience the all-mountain freedom to carve high-speed groomers and explore further off-trail. The Experience 88 TI is Rossignol’s most versatile all-mountain ski. It blends the heart of a high-performance carving machine with a freeride-inspired profile for playful fluidity and ease in any snow. The race-inspired build gives you the confidence to explore all sides of the mountain in all conditions. This ski is available in Men’s and Women’s. Give the gift of skiing this winter. Visit https://www.rossignol.com/us/ for a holiday gift they’ll never forget.
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