Jackson, WY – Mountain Rider’s Alliance (MRA) has launched its latest initiative, the Mountain Playground Group, designed to assist community and independent ski areas to be more viable. The consortium of geographically diversified, like-minded ski areas will band together to reduce expenses while increasing efficiencies and profits.

“Our organization has been studying the challenges facing smaller ski areas since 2010,” said Jamie Schectman, MRA CEO and co-founder. “The Mountain Playground Group is a solutions-based approach for standalone ski areas to work together and ensure a better chance of survival, as well as provide a layer of sophistication not commonly found at the smaller ski area level.”

Participating ski areas will participate in regular conference calls to share best practices, receive a tuning study, be evaluated for summer events, as well as examine expenses to identify opportunities for cost savings and achieving economies of scale.

Additionally, the consortium will create a joint marketing campaign designed to bring awareness to participating ski areas. To complement the program, the Mountain Playground Card will be sold at the introductory price of $29 for one year of savings. Cardholders will receive exclusive discounts to all participating ski areas as well as benefits on items such as ski and snowboard equipment, retail goods, vacation rentals, tours and more.

“Much like the craft beer industry has done a great job of bringing awareness to a niche market, the Mountain Playground Card will showcase community and independent ski areas, which also appeal to a distinct crowd,” said Schectman.

Fifteen percent of all sales of the Mountain Playground Cards will be donated to SheJumps, a 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to increase the participation of women and girls in outdoor activities.

The Mountain Playground Group is currently composed of five ski areas in Arizona (Elk Ridge), Idaho (Bald Mountain), Maine (Mt. Abram), Washington (Hurricane Ridge), and Wyoming (Beartooth Basin). Mountain Playground Card Brand Partners include Wagner Custom Skis, Bosky Optics, CASA Tours, Powder Factory Skis, Coalition Snow, Rime Knits, Launch Snowboards and others.

For more information visit www.mountainplaygroundgroup.com.