Snow Zone

Here’s one New Year’s resolution worth considering: getting a helmet.

If you’re one of the hold outs, you’re probably between 18 and 24 where helmet usage is only 32 percent according to the National Ski Areas Association.

According to the 2008/09 NSAA National Demographic Study, helmet usage by skiers and snowboarders nationwide increased 12 percent over the previous season. As a result of industry safety and educational initiatives, helmet usage in the United States has continually increased over the past several seasons. Other findings from the most recent Demographic Study show that:

• 48 percent of U.S. skiers and boarders overall wear helmets, up from 43 percent from the year before; in comparison, only 25 percent of skiers and boarders wore helmets during the 2002/03 season;
• 77 percent of children 9 years old or younger wear ski helmets;
• 66 percent of children between 10 and 14 wear ski helmets;
• 63 percent of adults over the age of 65 wear ski helmets;
• Helmet usage by skiers and boarders aged 18 to 24 is currently 32 percent, representing a 78 percent increase in usage for this age group since the 2002/03 season, when only 18 percent wore helmets.
• Overall ski helmet sales (adults and kids) have increased 43 percent over the past two years, dating back to the 2006/07 ski season. Sales of adult ski helmets alone increased 50 percent since the 2006/07 season, according to the Snowsports Industries of America (SIA) annual Retail Audit.
• Notably, helmet usage increases with the skier’s ability level. Twenty-six percent of beginners wear helmets, 38 percent of intermediates wear helmets while 55 percent of advanced skiers and riders wear helmets. In comparison, the National Traffic Safety Administration reports only 20 to 25 percent of bike riders in the U.S. wear helmets.

Ski and snowboard helmets cost about $100; the more expensive models around $300. Some Giro helmets have optional TuneUps ear flaps with built-in speakers ($29). Connected to an Apple iPod or a CD player, the wearer can listen to music while skiing and riding lifts. A mute button allows normal conversations since the earflaps barely reduce external sounds. The more expensive TuneUps II ($59) allows plugging in a cell phone too

After years of not wearing a helmet, I’m about to change my mind, but I’m waiting for National Safety Awareness Week, Jan. 16-22 when some ski resorts give you a free lift ticket if you buy a helmet at one of their ski shops. Once I find out who does, I’ll pass it along.

Here’s a link to some questions and answers on helmets from the National Ski Areas Association.

Finally, the snow has started falling here in Bridgeport shortly after 8:30 a.m. It’s looking good for significant accumulation at ski resorts.

BRING IT ON!!!

Sure it’s cold, but today promises to be one of the best days of the season, so far, for skiing and snowboarding. Even in the North Country temperartures will rise into the twenties with bright sunshine and fresh snow. Overnight lows dipped below zero.
And best of all Tuesday’s strong winds are but a memory. With up to 14 inches of new snow since early this week, conditions are in excellent shape as the holiday week rolls on.

On Tuesday, Mount Snow opened its superpipe on the Carinthia freestyle area, shown below. The pipe is 400 feet long with 16-foot walls. It’s the first super pipe to open this season in the East.
For powderhounds, there are still some hidden powder stashes in the woods.

Most skiers however will be happy that most trails have been groomed overnight.
And finally nordic skiers have more trails to explore.
More good weather news: there’s a significant chance of snow in northern New England Thursday through New Years. Northwestern Connecticut and the Berkshires should also see some fresh snow although it’s expected to be light.
Northern areas are still waiting for that big dump that will allow areas to open 100 percent of their terrain. On average, the major Vermont areas have about 70 percent of their trails open, with the exception of Sugarbush and Jay Peak that are near 100 percent.
While today looks good, early next week looks even more awesome since the kids will be back in school and most people will be back at work.

It’s a powder day in the North Country. Ski resorts in Vermont and New Hamsphire are reporting up to 14 inches of snow! The big winners were in central and northern Vermont.

The downside were strong winds that affected lift operations at some areas including Mohawk Mountain in Cornwall which closed at 3 today because of high winds.

January’s already shaping up to be one of the better months for deals on lift tickets and lodging. And with the deals already announced it looks like many resorts, particularly in Vermont, will be having price wars to get your business.

No wonder. With the holiday week soon to be a memory, resorts are starting to roll out their January “white sales”  to keep business booming. That’s great news for us because not only does January traditionally bring lower prices, but resorts are uncrowded and conditions often reach their peak.

Most of the deals are found on resort Web sites or in e-newsletters sent to subscribers.

Here’s one just in today and you need to hop on it quickly to get Killington’s deal grabbers. The Big K picked up 11 inches overnight.

Here’s the scoop:

On sale today, Dec. 29, 2009 from 8:00 am – 11:59 pm
100 tickets available for each day
For Monday 1/4/10 through Friday 1/8/10 
$50 per ticket per day
 
On sale Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009 from 8:00 am -11:59 pm
100 tickets available for each day
For Monday 1/4/10 through Friday 1/8/10
$55 per ticket per day
 
On sale Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009 from 8:00 am - 11:59 pm
100 tickets available for each day
For Monday 1/4/10 through Friday 1/8/10
$60 per ticket per day

On Monday,  Stratton in southern Vermont announced these  hot deals that can be used Jan. 4-8 only. The only restriction? They’re only available by pre-registering until Jan. 1.  Deals include:

Buy one full priced window lift ticket and get one free

Buy one sport equipment rental package and get one free.

Buy one group ski or snowboard lesson and get one free .

Buy one learn to ski or learn to ride package and get one free.

Stay in a select Stratton lodging property from Sunday, January 3 through Thursday, January 7,
buy the first night – get the second night free
buy two nights and get two more nights free
(All nights must be consecutive)
Lodging availability is limited with this offer and is only available until January 1, and only by callingl 1-800-Stratton to make your advanced reservation.

These are substantial savings worth hundreds of dollars; I don’t think you are going to find a better deal all season.

Okemo, also in southern Vermont, has these January deals:

U.S.  military veterans, police officers, firefighters and ambulance personnel every Tuesday and Thursday during January can buy half-price  lift tickets. When they show their ID card/badge and a photo ID at Resort Services inside the Okemo Clock Tower Base Lodge or in the Jackson Gore base area, qualified personnel will receive 50 percent off the price of an adult, full-day, full price lift ticket on Tuesdays, January 5, 12, 19, 26, and Thursdays, January 7, 14, 21, 28.

And a good excuse to have kids skip school? When an adult buys a full-price, Monday-through-Friday lift ticket for themselves between Jan. 4 and 29, 2010 (excluding Jan. 18), they get one junior or one young adult ticket, valid the same day, free. The child receiving the free ticket must be present at redemption. The Kids Rock offer may not be combined with other discounts, special price days or promotions and adult ticket must be purchased online, 48 hours in advance.
And when skiers and riders pre-buy online, in advance, they can purchase a lift ticket that includes free lunch. On Monday through Friday, Jan. 4-15,  the lift and lunch pass includes a $20 voucher redeemable at any culinary location on the mountain.

Okemo’s tickets are: adults $72, Young Adults $61 and Juniors $47. T

Also, when skiers and riders purchase a midweek lift ticket online, in advance, for $59, between Jan. 4 and 15, 2010, they’ll be entered into a drawing to win two free midweek lift tickets valid the remainder of the 2009/2010 season (valid Monday through Friday, non-holiday).  Prize drawing will take place Jan. 16.

One of the benefits of this blog is I POST EVERY DAY!

Meaning you will know the best deals, conditions and news as soon as I know.

Finally, some sad news …

KILLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — Vermont State Police say a 20-year-old Connecticut man died while snowboarding at Killington Resort.

The victim was identified as Alex Westphal of Cheshire, Conn., by his father, Ryan Westphal. He says his son suffered internal injuries when he collided with an immovable object at about noon on Christmas Eve.

Ryan Westphal says about 15 minutes before the accident, his son took a picture with his cell phone at the top of the mountain and sent it to his parents. He says his son died on the mountain, and efforts to revive him failed.

Ryan Westphal says his son was a sophomore business major at Hofstra University in Long Island, N.Y., but he loved music and planned to transfer to the SAE Institute in New York City to pursue an audio technology degree.

Here’s a link to the Rutland Herald for a longer story.

Our prayers to Ryan, his family and friends.

Want to ski or snowboard into the New Year?

You can have that chance on New Year’s Eve when Ski Sundown in New Hartford extends its hours to midnight. That’s two additional hours after its normal closing time.

While the deadline has passed for a New Year’s Eve buffet, skiers and snowboarders who purchase a night ticket can take their last run of 2009 or first one of 2010. A night ticket costs $34 for adults, $31 juniors (7-14).

Don’t expect other Connecticut areas to stay open late on New Year’s Eve…lifts stop turning at 5 at Southington, 10 at Mohawk and Woodbury.

Up north a number of resorts will be having parties (nearly all charge), torchlight parades and shooting off fireworks. In northern Vermont,  Stowe’s fireworks go off at 7 p.m., Bolton’s around 9 p.m.

At Stratton in southern Vermont, fireworks go off shortly before 9 after a torchlight parade.

Mount Snow, also in southern Vermont will be shooting off its fireworks on Wednesday following a torchlight parade at 5:30 p.m.

Now here’s the thing to remember about these New Year’s parties, you need to book them in advance (some may be already sold out). So if you plan on being at a major resort on New Year’s Eve and want to party in a restaurant or lodge, you need to act quickly. Go to a resort’s web site for the details.

After Saturday’s washout, at least in Connecticut, we’re heading into some real winter weather in the days ahead. No not snow, but some cold temperatures that should hang in the rest of the week.

Northern New England areas will see soft surfaces on Sunday with mixed conditions. Today will be a day that you will appreciate the groomers who turned the surface into corduroy as temperatures dipped below freezing last night.

Most areas are reporting “variable conditions,” which could mean virtually anything from packed powder or hard pack at the summit to quad-burning slush at the bottom. Loose granular more common. Add some drizzle, mix precip and wet seats on the chairlift … it’s not the best of days.

But things will get better later this week.

If you’re skiing or snowboarding at the major resorts this season, you need to follow a plan to met the most out of the experience. Many of the tips are basic, but they work wonders during peak periods.

Check an area’s Web site the night before; the resort usually tells you any changes or trail closures, openings.

Get to the the lifts as soon as they open, usually 8 or 9 a.m. You’ll not only get the best groomed conditions (although they may be a little firm on the first few runs).

Ski/ride the more popular trails before 10:30 or so before the crowds show up.

Head to the summit and ski some of the upper elevation trails by using the mid-mountain lifts.

Work the mountain and leave an area when the crowds become too big.

At all costs, avoid the lodges around noon. Everyone knows they are packed then, but people still show up at that time.

Keep your speed in check at all times. When more people on the trail, your chances of a collision is better,

Don’t stop in the middle of a trail. Instead, look up trail so you can find a safe time to slide over to the side of a trail.

Show respect and courtesy for others. At least, try to do it this time of year.

It’s not the best weather to start the holiday week, but it could have been a lot worse if the original weather forecast turned out to be true. I’m talking about fog … fog eating snow that can strip ski slopes bare.

Mount Southington didn’t bother to open today because of the threat of freezing rain or just plain rain. They plan to be open Sunday. Other state areas are open today and tonight.

Up north, temperatures are colder, precip is mixed and some summits are shrouded with thick clouds. Mount Snow (photo above) picked up about an inch of Christmas snow Friday night.

So how’s it look for the week ahead?

A strong cold front will approach later on Monday with snow showers. As the front moves through Tuesday and Wednesday it will be cold, especially Tuesday, when fresh northwesterly winds will be howling. The cold is expected to remain through the remainder of the holiday week.

 And while it’s way too early to say, there is the potential for a big storm to spread heavy snow through the east next weekend.

There’s a reason why Santa likes skiers … he’s one of them.

 Here’s your chance to win a free trip to Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont.

Starting at noon TODAY  and ending at midnight on Christmas morning, Stowe Mountain Resort wants you to send a ‘New Year’s Resolution’ to them on Twitter (StoweMtResort) and Facebook (StoweMountainResort).

Twelve winners will be selected at random to receive complimentary lift tickets, overnight stays at the luxurious new Stowe Mountain Lodge and Inn at the Mountain. Tweet #Stowe12hours to @StoweMtResort or enter your resolution on Stowe’s Facebook page during the designated time period, it’s that easy. You might not get exactly what you want for Christmas this year, but Stowe might add to your holiday cheer.