What's New for LSSM 2012?

Learn to Ski  and Snowboard Month 2012 is over and we soon will be making plans for January 2013. In the meantime, we will keep most of the content on this site up to give you ideas on the kind of learning programs that are available. Teaching continues through the winter. We'll be posting success stories in the News and Info section of this site.

Congrats to  Eric Willet , a big LSSM supporter, for his Dew Tour win. 

Thanks to our partners for their support. especially HEAD Wintersports and SKI magazine and Ski Utah on our Bring a Friend offer. Thanks also to all the consumer products suppliers that contributed to our Great Products Drawing.  The contests are over now and winners have been notified. Thanks to Skis.com and Snowboard.net  for offering a girft card for up to $50 to anyone who took a lesson from a professiona instructor at any ski/snowboard area during January.

The newly updated U.S. Forest Service's Junior Ranger Program continues to help kids gain a better understanding of and appreciation for winter .

The Governors of Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia all declared January Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month. The Governor of Utah included Learn to Ski and Snowboard in its prloclamation to celebrate winter.  .  

NEW ENGLAND

Ski New Hampshire’s “free week” January 7 – 14) is over but there are plenty of great learning programs throughout the month of January....and beyond. 

Ski Maine coordinates with Maine ski areas to provide Learn to Ski or Snowboard packages that are available on a first come first serve basis. On-line registration starts in late December via the Ski Maine web site, on the “DEAL” page that displays an inventory of lessons available and locations. It also lists all ongoing LTS/R packages being offered at individual ski areas. Maine ski areas also partner with MaineTodayMedia with a contest that allows a family to register on line for a family LTS/R package.  Details for all programs are available at the Ski Maine Web site. Individuals and families can sign up for our e-newsletter and request all Learn to Ski information.

Ski Vermont’s $29 Learn To packages for the month of January, non-holidays. It includes lesson, equipment rental, and lift ticket at locations throughout the state. Children and adults can sign up for programs at participating resorts on the Ski Vermont Web site.  

 NEW YORK

The state of New York has more ski and snowboard areas than any other state. The Ski Areas of New York Web site lists information from its members throughout the state. The site is updated regularly and currently lists offers from Bristol Mountain, Peek n Peak, Kissing Bridge and Whiteface.

Swain is offering 20% off the regular price of $49 for its First Turns Package. It includes a beginner lift ticket (Magic Carpet and Round Top Quad only), rentals, and lesson during the month of January (except Jan. 14-16). There are no age limitations. The offer may not be combined with other offers. Details are at www.swain.com.

Hunter Mountain is offering a unique SinglePAc program during January. Take a look!

Whiteface , near Lake Placid, recently announced a $59 lift, lesson, rental package that comes with an innovative twist..

MID-ATLANTIC

New Jersey's Mountain Creek  is hosting a 2 for 1 Bring a Friend program during January and beyond in collaboration with Burton snowboards.

The new learning programs, titled Experience Snowboarding & Go Skiing,take place exclusively at Mountain Creek’s new Ski and Snowboard Progression Center, part of the $20 million in renovations made to the resort this winter. In order to share their passion for snowsports with as many new participants as possible, Mountain Creek is offering two-for-one ski and snowboard lift/lesson/rental packages midweek throughout the month of January, excluding holiday periods, for the price of $99.99. Go HERE for details.

Pennsylvania

Liberty Mountain has several offers during January. Advantage Card and Season Pass holders can bring a friend for a Special FREE VIP Learn to Ski or Snowboard Package! The promotion is daily Tuesday through Friday the entire Month. Learn to Ski or Snowboard Packages for everyone ages 8 and up are $39 every Thursday the entire month of January! A FREE PlayCare* (day care) is available with the purchase of a ‘Learn To’ Package! Libertycontinues its First Class Learn to Ski or Snowboard Package and Mountain Passport Program every day throughout January. It includes an open to close lift ticket good on the First Class Quad and the Dipsy Quad and the moving carpet lift. Newcomers only pay for lifts they are able to use on their first day. The package also includes rental equipment. 

Whitetail is offering some similar programs. Learn to Ski or Snowboard Packages for everyone ages 8 and up are $39 every Wednesday the entire month of January! FREE Day Care* with purchase of a ‘Learn To’ Package is offered as appropriate! The $39 Learn to Ski & Board packages are valid for a 8:30am – 5pm lift ticket. Packages include a beginner area lift ticket, rental equipment and a ‘First Time’ lesson.*Reservations are required for Day Care – please call 717-328-9400. Upon completion of your First Time lesson, participants are eligible for the Mountain Passport.

Every other day in January Whitetail guests can get started on a lifetime of winter fun with the First Class Learn to Ski or Snowboard Package and Mountain Passport Program! Find out more about the Whitetail Learning Program for January.·

Roundtop, near York and Harrisburg, PA, is a sister resort to Liberty and WHitetail. It offers some similar programs including the $39 lift. lesson, rental package during January. Check the Web site for details.

In the Poconos, Camelback’s Learn To Package is available for $29 on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10am, 2pm and 6pm. and at 2pm and 6pm on Sundays. The package includes an open-to-close beginner lift ticket, open-to-close rental equipment and 90 minute group lesson.  The package can be purchased online. A specific LSSM webpage has been set up for the program.

Elsewhere in PA, Shawnee Mountain kicks off the month-long promotion on Thursday, January 5^thwith 100 introductory Learn to Ski or Snowboard Packages for the cost of $20 each.  All proceeds from this one day promotion will be donated to the Bushkill Outreach Program.  Reservations are required and can be made by calling 570-421-7231 ext. 229.  Some restrictions apply. For the remainder of January, Shawnee Mountain will be offering a discount coupon good for a $59 Learn to Ski or Snowboard Package available online at www.shawneemt.com.  This package includes a lift ticket, rental equipment and a group lesson. 

Blue Mountain is offering a 50% reduction on its First Timer Lesson Package during January on Sundays startin January 7. The lift, lesson, rental  package is for those 6 years old and up. It costs $32.50 and is available from 9 am to 8 pm on designated date.  Check their Web site for details.

Sno Mountain,located near Scranton, is partnering with the Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association, to celebrate Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month in January. Sno is offering 50% off the cost of its Beginner and Superkids packages on January 2, 9, 23, & 30 at the 10 am, noon, & 2 pm. Lesson times.  The same offer will also be available on January 8, 22, & 29 at the 10 am lesson time. Online purchasing starts December 26 at www.snomt.com. Check the site for details.

SOUTHEAST.

West Virginia’s Timberline Resort is pricing its Beginner Package at $52 dollars during January, a 50 % savings over the regular price. It includes a beginner lift ticket, rental, and lesson. Check out their Web site for details. .

North Carolina’s Cataloochee is offering free beginner ski or snowboard lessons to anyone who purchases a rental equipment package. The offer is good Monday through Thursday. Check out their Web site for details.

North Carolina's Beech Mountain is hosting the "Learn to Ski Challenge"and is offering a $39 lift, lesson, rental package that includes a helmut. You can take the Challenge with local celebrities by signing up on the Beech Web site.   

Tennessee's Ober Gatlinburg has multiple offers for children and adults during January including a women-only winter sports program.

Skisoutheast.com is another resource for this region.

MIDWEST

Wisconsin’s Cascade Mountain is offering a first time skiers/boarders ages 9 and older package January 1 through January 31, 2012. The cost is $10 (tax included). It includes a beginner hill lift ticket, rental equipment, helmet, and a 1-1/2 hour group lesson on the beginner hill. Reservations are required and openings are limited. Check their Web site for details.

Elsewhere in WIsconsin, Tyrol Basin has a lift, lesson, rental offer that also includes a free season pass for those who participate.  

The Michigan Ski Industries Association again is offering the Discover Michigan program at all ski and snowboard areas that are members of the association. 

Afton Alps in Minnesota offers a variety of learning programs. “It Pays To Learn”Is a one hour beginner Free Lesson that includes a $5 Afton Alps Bonus Card that is mailed back to first-timer participants 10 years of age or older. It comes with a full price lift & rental purchase. After completing “It Pays to Learn”, participants are entered to win a Free Ski or Snowboard Equipment Package. January 8 is one of Afton Alps’ Family Value Days starting 2pm until close when the resort offers 2 FOR $52 LIFT TICKETS ($22/additional family member. Must have a parent or guardian and purchase all tickets at once.) with half off rentals and a $4 one hour beginner lesson offered during group lesson time for skiers ages 6 and up and boarders ages 8 and up

MInnesota's Wild Mountain has a wide variety of offers during January. Wild Mountain's Press Release previews these. Check it out.

ROCKY MOUNTAINS. 

In Colorado, Breckenridge’s First-Tmers Discovery Series include beginner lifts, lessons and rentals. The cost is $300 and registration is non-refundable. Reservations are required. Check www.breckinridge.com for details. Other Vail Resorts properties in Colorado include Vail, Beaver Creek and Keystone. All are participating in Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month

Colorado Ski Country USA resorts are offering Easy 1-2-3 Deals in January. Nearly all of the associations members are involved with a variety of programs. Check the Easy 1-2-3 press release for details.

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Brundage Mountain Resort in Idaho is building on the success of its ‘Learn to Ski Guarantee’ lesson program by making it even more affordable to learn! For a single package price of $99, prospective skiers and snowboarders aged 12 and up can take as many beginner group lessons as they choose during the month and the remainder of the 2011/2012 Winter season. Two full days of rental gear and lift tickets are included at no additional charge

Pebble Creek in Idaho,·is offering $10 off itbeginner·lift , lesson, rental package Christmas week and every Saturday and Sunday in January. The reduced cost is $25. ·The program is available for those 10 years old and up. Details in Press Release.

Also in Idaho, Pomerelle Mt is offering a free learn to ski and snowboard day on January 8. Check the press release for details. Lookout Mountain is unique in that it lies in two states.

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Ski New Mexico is teaming with KOAT-7 TV to offer youths ages six to 12 a beginner lift, lesson, rental package for $30 during January at eight Alpine areas and one Nordic venue. See their Press Release for details.   

Ski Utah is teaming with SKI magazine on an offer that  enables a newcomer and a current skier or snowboarder a chance to win a four-day trip for two to popular Utah resorts. Airfare is included. Check out Bring a Friend for details and check out SKI magazine.

While Ski Utah's LSSM program is targeted to state residents only, Utah resorts that are on Forest Service land are open to all U.S. citizens. Some Utah resorts are on private land. Check the Ski Utah Web site for up to date info on what resorts are offering. 

Utah's Snowbasin is offering a three step program called Learn to Earn. Upon completion participants cant get a season's pass good starting January 28, 2012. Snowbasin was the location for the Downhill races in the 2002 Olympics.

Snowbird, in Utah, introduced the Learner's Permit for First-Timers. The permit offers incentive for return visits.

 nce you have taken your initial beginner lessons, consider retailer Ski ‘N See’s 25% Off Ski and Board Rentals. There are no deposits, blackouts or minimums. Ski 'N See * ARCS * Skis On Wheels  locations are in Park City, Deer Valley, and Salt Lake Valley, on-mountain or en route to every major Utah resort.  The promo code is LSSM.

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 PACIFIC WEST

Mt Bachelor is celebrating the fact that Oregon Governor has declared January Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month in Oregon. Also check their press release for details about their Ski and RIde in 5 program designed for those who are "never evers" and want to learn. Mt Bachelor is 20 miles north of Bend.

Elsewhere in Oregon, Mt Hood Meadows has Learnng Programs available for all ages starting at 4 years old Offers range from a one day beginner package to the three day passport. Se their press release for details. .  . 

Sugar Bowl,in California, offers a General Admission program during January. Buy a lift ticket and get rentals and a lesson free. Some restrictions apply.   

California's Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows are offering a beginner learn to ski/ride program January 8 and 29, 2012. The cost is $39 for a package that includes a 2.5 hour lesson, beginner lift ticket and rental equipment. 

Another option during January at the resorts is the Learn to Ski/Ride 3-day Progression Package (L/L/R).  It includes 3 days of lessons, lift tickets, rental equipment, and a “learn to turn guarantee”. Check the press release for full details.. Also see what Big Bear is doing.   

Alaska's  Alyeska Resort officially joins Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month by offering an introductory package that includes three lessons, lower mountain lift ticket and rental equipment for $99 per person. This is the first year that Alyeska has participated in the national initiative to motivate children and adults to take lessons from professional instructors. See the Press Release for details. Near Juneau, Eaglecrest returns this year with a whole host of programs including a women's clinic, an adaptive program and the Triple Play Learners Pack for ages 7 to adult. Check Eaglecrest Press Release #1. Also check Press Release #2.

The Washington (state) Leavenworth Winter Sports Club provide Nordic lessons. Information about the organizations can be found at the LWSC Web site.