As reported in the The Exponent Telegram , Clarksburg, WV.
SNOWSHOE — Snowshoe Mountain (www.snowshoemtn.com) has announced plans to open for the 2014-15 winter ski and snowboard season on Nov. 26 and remain open through April 5.
This Thanksgiving-to-Easter calendar marks the longest announced season schedule in a decade, and follows on the momentum of back-to-back big snow seasons, powerful enhancements to the resort’s snowmaking capabilities and early forecasts for a favorable combination of weather factors.
“We know we can’t always count on the terrific early natural snow we’ve seen the past two seasons, and we’re subject to whatever Mother Nature throws our way,” says Frank DeBerry, chief operating officer at Snowshoe. “That’s why we have hedged our position with major investments in our total-mountain snowmaking system. These investments will allow us to make more snow, with greater coverage, earlier in our run up to Opening Day. We look forward to the tradition of Thanksgiving family celebrations continuing here with first laps of the season on fresh corduroy.”
Recently ranked by SKI Magazine readers as a 2015 Top Ten Resort in the East for lodging & après-ski experience, Snowshoe Mountain will roll out exciting additions and enhancements to lodging, amenities and programs for this winter, including:
SNOWSHOE’S FIRST & ONLY LUXURY BOUTIQUE HOTEL SET TO OPEN NOVEMBER 2014
Ideally located at the top of the Powder Monkey chairlift, and across the street from Snowshoe’s famous Western Territory, the family-owned Corduroy Inn will offer upscale amenities to guests in a ski-in/ski-out setting. With its own private hearth room, coffee cafe and dedicated concierge staff, Corduroy Inn will deliver a high level of service and convenience to its guests. There will be an onsite fine-dining restaurant and bar, Alpine Ristorante, offering a unique Tuscan chophouse experience. The property features studios, loft, 1-bedroom and 1-bedroom plus loft suites. Several of the rooms can also be made adjoining to accommodate larger families. All hotel rooms feature a modern elegant style blended with the rustic charm of West Virginia. All of the rooms at the Inn will include luxuriously appointed bathrooms with heated tile floors, granite kitchenettes and stone fireplaces. The entire property will be WIFI enabled and each room will have HD satellite TV. Corduroy Inn is expected to open for Thanksgiving, and the resort is taking reservations now for holiday visitors. Full renderings and additional information on Corduroy Inn can be found here: www.corduroyinn.com.
SNOWSHOE EXPANDS THE SKI AND RIDE REVOLUTION:
Thanks to last year’s success of Snowshoe’s Terrain Based Learning™ program, the resort is making further investments and expanding the program this season. The resort’s goal last year was to aid first-time skiers and boarders with a program based on the methodology that removing the anxiety and fear around first time skiing/boarding experiences will create faster learning and the desire to spend additional days on the mountain. The startling NSAA (National Ski Area Association) statistic shared a few years ago that 85 percent of first time skiers and snowboarders will never return for a second visit, was a motivator for resort managers to look for new ways of teaching.
“Gone are the days of sending your children to ski school and watching them cry after being sent down a small hill in a wedge, hoping that they’ll learn to stop without falling,” explains DeBerry. “With Terrain Based Learning™ we’re now seeing beginners learning to link turns in small park-like stations in a completely controlled and anxiety-free environment. Both the students and parents have expressed to us that this new style of learning is putting them more at ease and bringing that fun and excitement of being on the mountain almost immediately – something that up until now, has been typically reserved for more experienced skiers and boarders.”
Last year, Snowshoe hired the primary TBL™ designer to create a terrain-learning park at the primary area of the ski mountain. In the park, the snow has been shaped to create gentle rolling terrain, which naturally controls the student’s speed. The mini courses are natural progressions. The instructors have also been educated with the new disciplined program and are teaching in an entirely new way.
With classes at capacity and a growing demand from guests for additional TBL™ timeslots, the resort has once again asked the developers to expand and build out an additional Terrain Based Learning™ park at Silver Creek, Snowshoe’s second distinct ski area.
“We’re excited that Snowshoe has invited us back this season to create more Terrain Based Learning™ parks. We love that our years of research and snow designed features are working for those new to the sport,” states Joseph Hession, CEO, Snow Operating. “Our goal is to increase the love of skiing and boarding for first timers and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
THE FAMILY VACATIONER – RANKED TOP 10 IN THE EAST FOR APRES SKI/NIGHTLIFE:
Recently ranked Top 10 for Best Après Skiing and Lodging by SKI Magazine, the resort will continue to offer the best in live music and entertainment. Including the resort’s teen center, called 20 Below, which offers games, movies, sports, dance parties, social media centers and a generally cool area for those guests ages 20 and younger to hang with their friends.
For adults ages 21 and over, the resort has ramped up its weekly live music series called Beats on the Basin which offers different live bands at The Connection Nightclub every Friday evening starting December 26th through February 27th. Nationally known artists scheduled to play at Beats on the Basin this winter season include The Infamous Stringdusters, Keller-Williams, Passafire and Rusted Root.
For kids, the après action centers around the Split Rock swimming pools and water slide. There is also The Big Top with a climbing wall, an arcade and inflatables. Combined with the tubing hill and night skiing, these are just some of the activities on offer to keep kids busy. Other family friendly winter activities at Snowshoe include evening snowmobile tours, and the popular nighttime snow cat tour that gives guests a close-up look at the resort’s grooming and snowmaking operations and also a chance to look for Bigfoot.
FOR THE TIRED PARENT – THE GREAT RELAXER:
Snowshoe has opened a brand new 3,600 sq. ft. Spa at Snowshoe. It will pamper tired moms and dads with skin and body treatments, a salon, a full fitness center, and well-appointed men’s and women’s locker rooms.
OFF THE BEATEN PATH – FOR THOSE LOOKING TO ‘GET AWAY FROM IT ALL’:
This winter guests can take an off the beaten path adventure nearly two miles out on the Cheat Mountain Ridge trail to Snowshoe’s Sunrise Backcountry Hut. The Backcounty Hut, a picture-postcard cabin, nestled deep in the forest, can accommodate up to 20 people for dinner in the most unique dining venue on the mountain. Transportation to the Backcountry Hut includes an extended tour in a 4-seat, enclosed, and heated Polaris RZRs. This off-road tour takes guests into Snowshoe’s backcountry areas and features remarkable scenic views, exciting terrain, and the opportunity to see areas of the mountain that few winter guests get to experience.
Arriving at the Sunrise Backcountry Hut, guests are treated to a hearty meal all prepared on-site by the cabin’s Hutmaster.
NEW DEAL INCENTIVES KICK OFF OCTOBER 1ST WITH A ‘FLURRY OF SAVINGS’
To entice skiers and snowboarders to book early and join in the anticipation of a great long season, Snowshoe Mountain announced ‘The Flurry of Savings’ autumn flash sale which offers 30 percent off lodging, and the option of 30 percent off lift tickets and ski and snowboard equipment rentals. Valid offer dates are available from November through the end of the season. The sale starts October 1st and lasts ten days. Regular holiday blackouts apply and a 2-night minimum lodging stay is required.
Snowshoe is also offering ‘Kids Ski, Ride, Swim & Play Free!’ deals to families with children ages 12 and under. During select winter school breaks, children 12 years of age and under stay and play free with a qualifying 4-night Snowshoe lodging stay. The offer includes a free child or junior lift ticket per day with the free Snowshoe Fun Pass providing access to Split Rock Pools and the Big Top entertainment center Full special offer details can be found at www.snowshoemtn.com.