I'd Rather Be Skiing.

Looking for that perfect holiday gift for the skiers on your list? Ski NH has made it easy by giving you the links to all NH resort online gift cards pages. Just click your favorite mountain (or, should I say…their favorite mountain), select amount, then hit the slopes yourself, and avoid the mall!

I was just asking for an app like this to pop up in New England!...

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:20:38 -0500

I was just asking for an app like this to pop up in New England! Download ‘Sugarloaf Replay’ today!

I am a big fan of ‘To Do’ lists so when I came...

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 15:45:05 -0500

I am a big fan of ‘To Do’ lists so when I came across this recent article on Boston.com, I knew I had to share it.

What is on your ski bag packing list? Here’s mine…

ski boots
ski socks
helmet
mittens
goggles
extra layer for those freezing days!
ski pants and jacket
season pass
hand/toe warmers (just in case)
cell phone
wallet
water bottle
“McDavid” knee braces
Apre ski hat

Skiing & Social Media done right.

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 11:10:05 -0500

Skiing & Social Media done right.:

35 Million social impressions resulted from Vail Resorts EpicMix mobile campaign.

Vail Resorts Goes Social on the Slopes

“In 2010-11,Vail Resorts wanted to push the envelope to combine the outdoor lifestyle Rocky Mountain skiers crave with the frontier of social networks. The result: EpicMix, a one-of-a-kind online and mobile app that connects skiers with their friends and family on the mountain, allowing them to share stories and achievements without interrupting their ski day. Sounds great on paper, but how could Vail get its visitors to start sharing their experiences this way?

EpicMix builds word of mouth three ways. RFID technology embedded into season passes and lift tickets allows passive check-ins so riders can learn where they rode, when they rode and how many vertical feet they travelled. Second, by allowing riders to earn “pins” for a variety of achievements, EpicMix becomes a game to motivate and challenge riders to push themselves. The final step is sharing. EpicMix is a free web and mobile application, so users can log on or use a smartphone to access their accounts, see their stats, add friends from Facebook, create an EpicMix family, send messages and see where friends are on the mountain.

EpicMix went live in December 2010 and nearly 100,000 guests activated their account, equal to about 15 percent of the total eligible guests. Of those, 38,000 used the free EpicMix Android and iPhone app. Through automated social posts, EpicMix generated more than 35 million social impressions, helping Vail Resorts reach people around the world it never had an opportunity to touch before.”

I remember when Vail first launched EpicMix a few years ago, I was so excited that an app such as this could enhance my experience skiing. Unfortunately, I haven’t been to a resort associated with the app since the launch. I did get the chance however last season to use a similar app at Mammoth, “Mammoth2Go.” I loved it! I hope to see similar apps popping up in New England soon.

Is there a gps tracking ski app that you use in New England?

Social Media & Skiing

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 10:07:05 -0500

Social Media & Skiing:

David Amirault (@ozskier), Aspen Snowmass’ interactive marketing manager and formerly the online editor at Freeskier Magazine discusses the current state of social media and skiing.

Do you use social media to keep up with your favorite resort and it’s snow report?

"Gravity is love and every turn is a leap of faith.” - Warren Miller"

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:38:05 -0500

““Gravity is love and every turn is a leap of faith.” - Warren Miller”

Have you done a snow dance this season yet?

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:58:06 -0500

Have you done a snow dance this season yet?

Snow guns are out in full force in New England...

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 12:44:00 -0500

Snow guns are out in full force in New England today.

Let’s hope for colder temps this weekend to keep this snow in place!

(Sunday River, Loon Mountain, Sugarloaf and Cannon Mountain.)

Attn: College Students! TODAY is your last day to save on the...

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:08:42 -0500

Attn: College Students!

TODAY is your last day to save on the Bold & Beautiful NH season pass and the New England College pass! Don’t forget to get yours!

Last day to get $57 tickets at Killington for the 2011-2012...

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 11:44:07 -0400

Last day to get $57 tickets at Killington for the 2011-2012 season!

Lately, I have taken an interest in trying to find fun and...

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:40:00 -0400

Lately, I have taken an interest in trying to find fun and different retro ski gear. Although, I’m interested in picking up anything from vintage pompom hats to vintage skiing tee shirts, I recently stumbled upon Neve long sleeve shirts.

I thought these shirts were definitely unique and had a fun vintage feel to them, although they are somewhat pricey ($137 online, however I saw them for $109 in stores) they are definitely an addition I am looking forward to adding to my ski attire.

Ski Magazine recently released their list of the ‘Top Ten...

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:11:00 -0400

Ski Magazine recently released their list of the ‘Top Ten East Coast Resorts’ for 2011-2012. There are only 2 resorts on the list that I have not been to and I have to say that I cannot agree with their rankings.

I am personally partial to Sunday River and certainly believe they should have stolen the #2 spot.

For best all around East Coast resort? My vote goes for Killington. Killington has enough lifts, parking lots and lodges so that the mountain never feels over crowded. The terrain is diverse enough to please the expert skier and the skiing family. Killington has an awesome terrain park and a plethora of tree skiing. And of course Killington has the best apre ski nightlife on the East Coast hands down.

I can’t argue to much about the #1 pick, Tremblant, because it is one of the two resorts I have yet to attend (more the reason to get there this season!), but Stowe for #2? Really?

Early season predictions report that ‘above normal’...

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 09:48:00 -0400

Early season predictions report that ‘above normal’ snow fall will be likely this winter for the East Coast.

Remember last winter, unusual snow in London and Paris, snow well into the double digits in feet for snow out West and numerous blizzards that dropped over a foot of snow on New England. By the end of January 2011, Massachusetts had already received over 60 inches of snow. Meteorologist credited La Nina for this abnormal weather pattern, what will La Nina do this year?

While a weaker La Nina this year will bring milder winters across the country, New England is an expectation to this forecast. Above normal snowfall has been predicted to hit the East Coast hard once again and while most residents cringe, skiers rejoice.

Most resorts here on the East coast are lucky to get 200 inches of snow -167 inches in Maine, 250 inches in Vermont, 150 inches in New Hampshire (This just shows why East coast skiers are such better skiers – they are accustomed to skiing in much more difficult terrain) but last winter resorts recorded above average numbers, way above. A skier can only hope more records will be broken for this season but only time will tell, until then let’s hope ski resorts across New England have their snow guns ready.

The count down to ski season is on… when will the first...

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 16:29:10 -0400

The count down to ski season is on… when will the first resort open in New England? 1 month?