Washington, DC – Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month (LSSM) is in full swing from coast to coast throughout January with large and smaller ski and snowboard resorts in 34 states hosting special programs for beginners. Anyone, anywhere who takes a beginner lesson during January can get a $50 gift certificate for their effort from skis.com, an online specialty snow sports retailer based in Michigan. Anyone who brings a friend for beginner lessons can win prizes in the Bring a Friend Challenge.
Even members of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team are urging children and adults to take up a winter activity and learn how to ski and snowboard.
“I was just a lucky little girl. I learned to ski at Squaw Valley,” said Olympic Champion Julia Mancuso, who was born nearby in Reno, Nev. “January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month. Get out there, take a lesson and bring a friend.” Mancuso has won more Olympic medals than any other U.S. woman.
For those looking for new activities in winter, children and adults who ski or snowboard can earn points for the President’s Active Lifestyle Awards (PALA) through the President’s Challenge. LSSM is a strong supporter of the First Lady’s Let’s Move initiative.
Ski New Hampshire is offering a free lift, lesson, rental package through Friday at participating resorts and inventory is limited. Reservations can be made online at www.SkiNH.com.
Mt. Bachelor in Oregon and three jointly owned resorts in Pennsylvania all have been cited by the National Ski Areas Association for exemplary beginner programs. Bachelor’s award-winning Learn to Ski or Ride in Five includes five days of lifts, lessons and rentals for $199 – less than $40 per session. Ski Liberty, Roundtop and Whitetail feature the First Class Package that includes a lift ticket for the beginner area, equipment rentals and a “first-timer” lesson for $39 as does Camelback in Pennsylvania’s Poconos region.
Elsewhere in Oregon, Mt. Hood Meadows Three-time Passport Includes three days – lift ticket, two-hour lesson and equipment rentals each day for those 13 year and older. The offer is good for any three days and no reservations are required.
In Montana, Showdown has a beginner package including a lift ticket, lesson and rental for $25 (skiing) and $35 (snowboarding). Ski lessons start at age seven and snowboard lessons start at age 11. Other Montana resorts are participating as well.
Lake Tahoe’s Heavenly is giving away a Grand Prize two-night vacation package to someone who introduces a friend or family member to skiing or snowboarding lessons during January. Entries are being accepted in their own Bring a Friend Challenge. Northstar, Squaw, Alpine Meadows and Diamond Peak all have robust beginner programs in the Lake Tahoe region. Diamond Peak is offering a lift lesson, lesson, and rental package for $29 January 14–18. Ski Vermont’s similar program for $29 is good at all Vermont venues for the entire month of January.
All Ski Utah resorts have a learning deal during January as well as select resorts in Colorado. Venues throughout Michigan and New York are offering special deal through Discover Michigan and ISkiNY.
These are just a few examples of Learn to Ski and Snowboard programs being offered at U.S. venues during January. For more details go to www.skiandsnowboardmonth.org.