West Dover, VT – Mount Snow officials announced this week that a record number of attendees came through the gate last weekend at the southern Vermont ski and snowboard resort’s Oktobrewfest, many of whom purchased raffle tickets for their chance to win the Golden Chair from the Grand Summit Express lift in support of local Tropical Storm Irene flood recovery efforts. Total raffle sales eclipsed the $5,000 mark.  The influx of visitors over the holiday weekend regarded as a major boon for Mount Snow Valley area businesses eager to welcome patrons now that most have re-opened their doors following the devastation to the area from Irene’s flood waters.

“Regarding the success of this past weekend, the amount of visitors was tremendous!”  said Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Philip Gilpin. “When people want to relax, explore and live life to the fullest, they know to come to Southern Vermont.”

Mount Snow’s Oktobrewfest saw attendance increase at the two-day event by almost 25% over 2010’s record numbers.  Traditionally called Mount Snow Oktoberfest, the event was re-branded for this year following the decision to invite more breweries after the Mount Snow Brewers Festival could not be held due to local road damage from Tropical Storm Irene.

Lodging properties throughout the Mount Snow Valley were either sold out or mostly occupied for the weekend and local restaurants reported exceptionally busy nights on both Friday and Saturday.  The weather certainly played a role in the weekend’s success with two days of cloudless skies and temperatures in the upper 70’s.

Tickets for the Golden Chair Raffle are now available to purchase online at www.mountsnow.com.  They cost $5 each with all proceeds going towards Irene recovery efforts in the Valley and the winner will be drawn at the grand opening of Mount Snow’s new chairlift, the Bluebird Express, early this winter.  The Golden Chair has been repainted and mounted on a custom-built timber frame which Mount Snow will deliver to the location of the winner’s choice anywhere within a 150-mile radius of the resort.