Giving the gift of a powder day just got a whole lot easier this holiday season as Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) and its member resorts offer wintery stocking stuffer ideas for skiers and snowboarders, both naughty and nice. If you’re still looking for items for the skier or rider on your list, we’ve got everything from gift cards to beanies to heli trips. Below is a round-up of Colorado Ski Country’s goodies, as well as one unique idea from each resort for the special someone in your life.
CSCUSA Lost Resorts Poster
Colorado Ski Country USA
Start bandying around ideas for your gift list at www.ShopColoradoSki.com. The CSCUSA Shop features quick, easy and useful items including Silly Bandz for kids, retro beanies, Gems cards, posters and the suave looking Colorado Ski Country travel mug.
Arapahoe Basin
For those that are learning how to ski, Arapahoe Basins 4 Lessons 4U is a deal that features four fully transferrable lessons which can be used individually or in combination with family members, and is available for all ages and levels. The package is $280, and for further information guests can call 888-272-7246.
Aspen/Snowmass
Dinner at Lynn Britt Cabin on Snowmass is an experience few will forget. For $95 per adult, guests can enjoy an exquisite western mountain dinner prepared by Aspens executive chef, while musicians perform live entertainment throughout the evening. As part of the evening, guests also travel to and from the cabin in snowcats, which pick them up slopeside at Base Village outside of Sneaky’s Tavern. This unique stocking stuffer is available on Tuesday and Thursday nights, and more information about times and availability can be found by calling Aspens Concierge Services Department at 1-800-525-6200 x4715. The price is $55 for children ages 3 to 11 and free for children ages 2 and under. Prices do not include beverages, tax or gratuity. Reservations are required for dinner and can be made at 970-923-8715. For more information, visit http://www.aspensnowmass.com/onmountain/dining/default.cfm?id=1386.
Copper
Guests can enhance their visit to Copper Mountain this holiday season and try something different. Those who find a tubing ticket in their stockings can head to the Tubing Hill for hours of fun on one of the mountains coolest features. By pre-purchasing a day in advance, guests can save 20 percent of the hourly rate. Visit http://www.coppercolorado.com/winter/plan_and_buy/tubing for more information and rates.
Crested Butte
Crested Butte recently opened its year round Zipline Tour, developing a whole new on-mountain experience for guests. For the outdoor enthusiast, a reservation to take this approximately two hour tour is a one-of-a-kind type of gift. The tour includes a practice area and five zip lines ranging in length from 200 300 feet connected by features or events such as suspended wood bridges and towering platforms. For more information or to make a reservation, visit http://www.skicb.com/cbmr/info/mountain/zipline.aspx.
Crested Butte Zipline
Echo Mountain
Echo Mountains 4-Pack contains four lift tickets that can be used until January 31, and are fully transferable between friends and family members, for only $119. Blackout dates apply from December 26 January 2, 2012. The 4-Pack is available both online and at select offsite events. Visit http://www.echomtnpark.com/ for more information.
Eldora
Eldora Alpine 3-packs are available at Front Range Costco location for $99. These 3-packs are non-transferable, but at $33 per day, this deal is one of the best options out there for those who will be skiing Eldora this season. Guests can purchase online at http://www.eldora.com/tickets.ten.html, or by calling 303-440-8700.
Howelsen Hill
In the spirit of the season of giving, Howelsen Hill offers a season pass, which includes the use of its terrain park and Nordic for $175 if purchased before December 31, 2011. For college students, the pass is only $95. More information can be found at http://steamboatsprings.net/departments/parks_recreation/facilities/howelsen_hill_ski_area.
Loveland
A great lesson value for beginners this holiday season, Loveland offers its 3 Class Pass. By buying three beginner lesson packages, the individual receives a free season pass valid for the remainder of the season upon the completion of the third lesson. Guests can pre-purchase the three lesson packages and get the season pass right away. 3 Class Pass products are also available for first time adults and children. Intermediate 3 Class Passes are available for adults with certain restrictions. For more information, visit http://www.skiloveland.com/skischool/3_class_pass.aspx.
Monarch
For the powderhound in your life, snowcat skiing at Monarch Mountain is the perfect solution for their extreme cravings. A normal snowcat tour at Monarch averages 10 to 12 runs per day at an average of 900 vertical feet per run, taking place just on the backside of Monarch Mountain. This is steep, expert terrain with varying conditions to be expected. For more information and pricing, visit http://skimonarch.com/index.php/generalinfo/snowcat-tours.
Powderhorn
The Daily Sentinel Learn to Ride Series 2012 is a must have for beginners that visit this Western Slope resort. Three sessions for beginners, including lift tickets and rental, is $249, and on completion, the individual receives a free season pass for the remainder of the season. Register by calling the ski and ride center at 970-268-5700 ext. 2080, or find out more at http://www.powderhorn.com/special-programs. Powderhorn is also celebrating its 45th anniversary with its 45th anniversary card. Guests pay $45 for their first lift ticket of the season, and then receive 25 percent off daily lift tickets for the rest of the season.
Durango
New this year, and perfect for children in the household, is Durango Mountain Resorts Snow PACK (Purgatory Adventure Camp for Kids). This exciting, fun day camp is for children ages 7-12 who love outdoor winter adventures, are ready to participate in activities that expand the mind and body, and cant wait to make new friends. Activities such as tubing, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, scavenger hunts, building snow sculptures, forts and igloos, all take place during winter break from February 20 24 at Purgatory. For more information visit http://www.durangomountainresort.com/snowpack/.
Silverton
For those searching for something for the extreme skier who already has it all, invest in a Heli trip at Silverton Mountain. For $159 (plus the price of a lift ticket), guests can find the powder of a lifetime via a helicopter ride to the top. Visit http://www.silvertonmountain.com/page/experience/heli for more information.
Ski Cooper
Beautiful snowcat skiing takes place at Ski Cooper, where guests can join the Chicago Ridge Snowcat Tours and experience the adventure and excitement of backcountry powder skiing and snowboarding. An ideal gift for advanced skiers and riders, the company operates on 2,460 acres of terrain on the San Isabel and White River National Forests. For more information, visit http://www.skicooper.com/snow-cat-skiing
SolVista
Night skiing and night tubing at SolVista Basin at Granby Ranch are unique thrillers not found at many other resorts, and a great way to say to your stocking recipient that they have been good all year long. Designated slopes are fully-lit for an evening of family fun for all ages, and include three terrain parks. For ticketing information and more, visit http://www.granbyranch.com/night-skiing.html.
Steamboat
This holiday season, tour Steamboat Ski Resort on snowshoe with a specially guided tour that ends with a gourmet lunch. Daily tours begin at 10 a.m. include a one mile hike on the Vista Nature Trail with lunch at Hazies. On Mondays throughout the season there are a special tours starting at 9:45 am that follows Duster Trail for two miles, where guests can enjoy lunch at Ragnars. Reservations are required. Visit http://www.steamboat.com/plan-vacation/activities/details/index.aspx?id=45 for more information.
Sunlight
For those that love the winter activity of snowmobiling, Sunlight Resort has an ideal opportunity. Take one of two tours that start just a couple of miles away from the base of the resort, with views that take in the White River National Forest, 360-degrees of Mt. Sopris, the West Elk Mountains and the Flattop Wilderness. Prices start at $99 for riders, and kids 12 and under ride for free. For more information, visit https://sunlight.secure.force.com/.
Telluride
Give the gift of a snowshoe tour at Telluride this winter. An expert naturalist guide accompanies guests to the Top A Ten Lift, to gather at a warming Tee Pee and strap on snowshoes. For the next two to three hours, the group then explores both on and off piste, searching for signs of wildlife and learning about the natural world surrounding Southwest Colorado. All tours include lift ticket, guide, snack and equipment. For more information visit www.TellurideSkiResort.com.
Telluride
Winter Park
The Winter Park Resort Gift Card is an all-inclusive gift that individuals will be sure to love. This gift fits any persons interests in Winter Park, as the card may be used towards lodging, restaurants, shopping, lift tickets, lessons, rentals, snowshoe tours, snowcat tours and more. The gift card is redeemable at all Winter Park Resort owned businesses. Visit http://www.winterparkresort.com/tickets/giftcertificates/index.htm, or call 303.316.1564 for more information.
Wolf Creek
Wolf Creek Ski Area is offering Gift Cards this season that make for the ideal present. They are especially great as Christmas stocking stuffers because they can be used for lift tickets, lessons and rentals as well as a shopping spree in Treasure and Noel Sports. Gift cards can be purchased by calling 970-264-5639.
Grandparents and parents can also buy a four week children’s package for their little ones. Ages 5 through 8 belong to the program called “Camp Robbers,” while skiers ages 9 through 12 belong to the “Blizzard” program and snowboarders the “Wolf Riders” program. Details about these programs can be found at http://www.wolfcreekski.com/.
