SNOWSHOE, W.Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Just months away from a 40th season celebration, Snowshoe Mountain (www.snowshoemtn.com) today announced big changes that will revolutionize how guests will learn to ski and snowboard starting this season. For the 2013-14 winter ski season, the resort will introduce a radical re-design of its teaching terrain intended to make learning to ski and ride simpler, more intuitive and enjoyable. In combination with new amenities off the slopes, and new savings incentives for travel shoppers, the resort hopes these enhancements will entice new guests, and in particular families, to make Snowshoe their destination of choice this winter.
SNOWSHOE IS JOINING THE SKI AND RIDE REVOLUTION:
Gone are the days of sending your children to ski school and watching them cry after being sent down a small hill in a wedge, hoping that they’ll learn to stop without falling. The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) has reported that 85% of first time skiers and snowboarders will never return for a resort’s second visit. The staggering statistic is something Snowshoe expects to change. The resort has hired the developer of the trademarked Terrain Based Learning™ program to design and create two new terrain-based teaching parks.
“The first time I put my own daughter into ski lessons (at a Resort to remain nameless), they pointed her down-hill, told her to ‘make a slice of pizza’, and let her go…she spent the whole day terrified that she’d lose control and slide off into the trees,” explains Frank DeBerry, President and COO, Snowshoe. “With Terrain Based Learning™, we’re going to change that.”
This new style of teaching will have beginners learning to link turns in small park-like stations. The snow has been shaped to create gentle rolling terrain, which naturally controls the student’s speed. The mini courses are natural progressions that are all stationed in order to provide the best and most fun learning environment.
“Terrain Based Learning™ is much more than just shaping snow. It's an entirely new teaching methodology compiled with a specially designed on-snow experience. It's a full cultural shift for a resort that focuses on removing the anxiety and fear around first-time skiing and boarding, and leaves the learner with the fun and excitement of snow-play,” DeBerry explains. “It's why Snowshoe went out and hired the primary designer of the TBL™ program, to make sure we create the best learning playground for our guests.”
“We have done years of research finding the key sensations that are memorable for first time skiers and boarders,” states Joseph Hession, CEO, Snow Operating. “We design our features for the Terrain Based Learning™ to give high level sensations to beginner level guests. This coupled with a disciplined program designed for first time guests, creates proven results that lead to a higher return of beginner skiers and boarders.”
THE FAMILY VACATIONER:
The Snowshoe Village offers a similarly unique sensory experience, with its ski-in/ski-out condo properties, retail, specialty shopping and dining all being located at the top rather than the base of the ski mountain. The resort offers a wide variety of reasonably priced family restaurants and plenty of night time entertainment. New this season, will be the Teen Center – 20 Below that will offer live music, games, movies, sports, dance parties, social media centers and a generally cool area for those guests ages 20 and younger to hang with their friends.
For kids, the après action centers around the Split Rock swimming pools and water slide. There is also The Big Top with a climbing wall, an arcade and inflatables. Combined with the tubing hill and night skiing, these are just some of the activities on offer to keep kids busy. Other family friendly winter activities at Snowshoe include evening snowmobile tours, and the popular nighttime snow cat tour that gives guests a close-up look at the resort’s grooming and snowmaking operations and also a chance to look for Bigfoot.
FOR THE TIRED PARENT - THE GREAT RELAXER:
Snowshoe will also open its brand new 3,600 sq. ft. Spa at Snowshoe this December. It will pamper tired moms and dads with skin and body treatments, a salon, a top of the line fitness center, and well-appointed men’s and women’s locker rooms.
MORE BACKGROUND
With 1,500 vertical feet, 250 acres of terrain and 100% snowmaking, Snowshoe is a solid intermediate mountain, perfect for adventurous families who are learning to ski or ride. The resort has 15 lifts and 60 trails as well as four terrain parks with a full arsenal of features. It also promises to deliver the best snow in the region with its Best Snow Guarantee! The resort has made significant new investment in its powerful snowmaking system to ensure that it can forever guarantee the most terrain open with the best conditions or your next day is free.
VALUE AND PRICING:
- This year, Snowshoe will celebrate its 40th Anniversary with a season-long celebration that will include special events, special throwback pricing, and a 70’s twist to some of the long-time events and animation around the Snowshoe Village.
- Snowshoe has introduced variable pricing discounts to lift ticket purchases online. The model offers the biggest savings guaranteed on advance purchases with early-commitment—savings up to 56%. The Snowshoe lift ticket store is easily accessed from the front page of the website at www.snowshoemtn.com, and includes lift ticket plus rental equipment bundles.
- Mountain of Youth Pass – for $279 (purchased before November 3rd) those 29 and younger can ski and board unlimited, all-season long.
- Kids lift tickets start at $49 a day and those 6 and younger ski for free
SNOWSHOE INFO:
| WEBSITE | ||||
| @snowshoemtn | ||||
| PHONE | 877-441-4386 | |||
| SEASON | December 6, 2013 – March 30, 2014 (tentative; early/late if conditions allow) | |||
| LIFT HOURS | 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM | |||
| NIGHT SKIING | 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM |
MOUNTAIN STATS
Three Different Ski Areas On One Mountain: Snowshoe Basin, Silver Creek
& Western Territory
SUMMIT ELEVATION 4848 feet
VERTICAL
DROP 1500 feet
AVERAGE ANNUAL SNOWFALL: 180+ inches
57 TRAILS:
42% beginner, 30% intermediate, 28% advanced
LIFTS: 14 lifts
including 3 high-speed detachable quads
SNOWMAKING CAPABILITIES:
100% of mountain
LIFT TICKET PRICES
ADULT: Ages 18-74: FULL DAY $59-$89 depending on time of season
TEEN:
Ages 13 -17: FULL DAY $52-$79 depending on time of season
JUNIOR:
Ages 7-12: FULL DAY $49-$74 depending on time of season
SENIOR:
Ages 75+ Seniors and Children 6 and under Ski Free
SEASON PASS
ADULT: $449 ($299 before September 2, 2013)
UNDER-30 MOUNTAIN OF
YOUTH PASS: $249
ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PATRIOT SEASON PASS: $199
The
above lift ticket prices are Walk-Up Rates. For guaranteed best prices,
visit our online store http://ticketsale.snowshoemtn.com.
These tickets are non-refundable and must be purchased in advance.
Snowshoe Mountain plans to open Wednesday, November 27 just in time for Thanksgiving!
For more details about Snowshoe Mountain, visit www.snowshoemtn.com or call 877-441-4386.
About Snowshoe Mountain Resort
Snowshoe Mountain is the perfect year round destination for adventure filled vacations in West Virginia. Snowshoe covers a total area of 11,000 acres in the Appalachian Mountain Range, and includes the second highest point in the state at 4,848’ elevation. Snowshoe was named #1 Overall Ski Resort and #1 for Nightlife in the Southeast by OnTheSnow.com in 2012. In addition to terrific outdoor winter recreation, Snowshoe offers extensive lodging options, fully developed mountain biking trails, a popular golf course designed by Gary Player, wedding and convention areas, and a wide variety of summer outdoor activities. Snowshoe Mountain Resort is part of the family of Intrawest Resorts.
