January 7, 2010 E-MAIL PRINT

Free learning packages available for New England riders

by Matt Boxler/

At Okemo Mountain, Ross Powers teaches his daughter Victoria how to slide on a box. (photo: Skye Chalmers)

At Okemo Mountain, Ross Powers teaches his daughter Victoria how to slide on a box. (photo: Skye Chalmers)

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If you want to get started on that New Year’s resolution to learn how to snowboard, this is the month to do it.

Learn a Snow Sport Month officially kicked off this week in 32 states across the country as resorts are rolling out discounted learning programs throughout January. In fact, participating resorts in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine are offering a limited number of lift ticket, rental equipment and lesson packages this weekend for free.

In New Hampshire, first-time riders can receive a free lesson, equipment rentals and a free beginner terrain lift ticket through Jan. 10 at the following participating resorts: Mount Sunapee, Pats Peak, Cannon Mountain, Loon Mountain, Cranmore Mountain, Gunstock Mountain Resort, Ragged Mountain, Wildcat Mountain, Granite Gorge, Black Mountain and King Pine. Waterville Valley will be participating through Friday.

To take advantage of the deal, participants need to register at SkiNH.com, where they can download a Learn to Ski & Ride Free coupon. Then, they must call the participating resort of their choice to make a reservation. The free packages may be limited, so you should act quickly. Discounted packages are being offered all month at SkiNH’s 36 member resorts.

“Every day of the season, New Hampshire’s ski areas already offer specially designed learn to ski and ride programs to introduce new people to the sport,” said Karl Stone, SkiNH marketing director. “In addition to these learn to ski and ride packages, there will be many other special programs offered during January that normally are not available.”

In Vermont, Gov. James H. Douglas issued a proclamation urging the state’s residents and visitors to help celebrate Vermont’s heritage as the country’s original ski and snowboard state by getting out and learning a new sport. To aid in the effort, many Vermont resorts are also offering free learning packages this weekend, and discounted packages throughout the rest of the month.

First-time snowboarders can register for the free packages by visiting SkiVermont.com and clicking on Learn a Snow Sport Month. If you see no spots available for a resort, that means registration has been closed.

In Maine, January is the heart of winter, according to Greg Sweetser, executive director of the Ski Maine Association. “Learn a Snow Sports Month is a great way to encourage people to get outside to enjoy the cold, snowy weather,” he said. “Learning a winter sport promotes a healthy activity and fights the boredom of being indoors.”

To kick off the January Learn a Snow Sports Month, seven Maine resorts are offering 150 free packages through Jan. 10. The Ski Maine Association will process all requests for these packages through its website at skimaine.com.

Participating areas include Camden Snow Bowl, Lost Valley, Mt. Abram, Saddleback, Shawnee Peak, Sugarloaf and Sunday River.

Glen Plake, creator of the Down Home Tour and star of numerous ski adventure films, appeared on NBC's "Today" show on Jan. 4 to talk about January's Learn a Snow Sport Month. Plake is the national spokesperson for the initiative, which has ballooned into a collaborative effort involving five national organizations, national trade media, and 16 resort associations representing 32 states with more than 350 alpine resorts and Nordic centers.

“This is a great opportunity for children and adults to learn snow sports by taking lessons from a pro,” Plake said. “I have traveled all over the world to ski in some amazing places and I’ve met lots of fascinating people connected through snow sports. I can tell you first hand that it is really important to learn from a professional and that you don't have to be an expert to have fun on the snow.”

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