One score, minus seven years ago, Colorado Ski Country USA launched the 5th Grade Passport Program to provide the means to introduce all 5th graders to skiing and snowboarding in Colorado. All you had to do to qualify was be in 5th grade. Simple as that, just make it though the 4th grade, and you were eligible for a full season of skiing on the 5th Grade Passport. Today, CSCUSA has helped introduce more than 200,000 families to Colorado skiing with the popular program, and we are offering it again this year.
We know its coming. It happens every year. And yet it inevitably seems to comes early, or when we least expect it, and I swear it’s always on a Monday. I’m talking about the first snow. It happened this week (Sunday night) and by Monday morning it was official there’s snow on the mountains in Colorado Ski Country. (photo from Arapahoe Basin/Kimberly Trembearth)
The one thing about Colorado Ski Country, we’re not afraid to put ourselves out there.
“Small not-for-profit trade association seeks innovative Colorado ski brand. Must like progression of sport, posses mind blowing graphics, and provide unconditional performance.”
And so it begins, the count down ’till ski season. The summer of 2009 is dead to us. Here at Colorado Ski Country USA, we feel like the New Year started the day after Labor Day, because from now on it’s full speed ahead to Opening Day, but more on that later.
The end is near and there’s nothing we can do about it. For those not yet convinced here are the signs: season pass sales have begun at Colorado Ski Country resorts, sales on last season’s equipment are popping up, ski magazines have come out with their 2009-10 gear reviews, night time temperatures are dipping below 55 degrees, and even lower in the high country, and this weekend is Labor Day, the official unofficial end of summer.
As is customary in Colorado Ski Country, we go out in style, and this year’s end of summer is no different. Resorts everywhere are hosting festivals, concerts and competitions. The question is though, are they celebrating the end of summer or the beginning of winter? Either way, there is a lot happening in Ski Country.
We’ve had a few questions about the GEMS card and just announced that the 2009-10 Colorado GEMS card is now for sale, and have already sold a handful of them. They go for $10 each and the money collected from sales of the card goes right back into the GEMS program. The GEMS is its own unique little program within the Colorado Ski Country USA organization and the GEMS resorts have a somewhat cultish following.
Maybe you’ve caught glimpses of them in the lift lines. Or perhaps you used one once and remember being surprised at feeling the weight of it around your neck. People always ask about it when they see one, “is that one of those passes that works at all the Colorado resorts?” And then they want to touch it and get a close up look at it.
While they are available each year, there are limited numbers of them, and this year is no exception. Colorado Ski Country USA recently announced that the exclusive Colorado Ski Country Gold Pass is available for the 2009-10 ski season. The transferable pass, good for unlimited skiing and riding at member resorts, can be purchased for $2,750. (more…)
SolVista Basin Rolls Out National Cycling Competition
Here in Colorado Ski Country USA, biking is to summer as skiing is to winter. This will be clearly evident later in the month as SolVista Basin at Granby Ranch will host the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships, plus, this will be the first time the event is held in Colorado. Check out some video here.
It’s no secret that the ski industry has a careful eye on the issue of global warming, and a careful eye is probably an understatement. Global warming (or climate change, as it is less dramatically referred to) more than any other issue can have a devastating impact on our business.
Many Colorado Ski Country USA member resorts have taken the issue of global warming, and enveloped it into tactical solutions with regards to environmentalism, (more…)
And The Winners Are…
Colorado Ski Country USA had our 46th Annual Meeting last week and one of the highlights, aside from keynote speaker Dana Perino or the final skier visit announcement, was the unveiling of this year’s industry awards.
This year we had a special guest help us with the awards. Since we were at the University of Colorado, the school’s mascot Chip was on hand to do what he does best and cheer for the winners. (more…)
As is customary in Colorado Ski Country, we go out in style, and this year’s end of summer is no different. Resorts everywhere are hosting festivals, concerts and competitions. The question is though, are they celebrating the end of summer or the beginning of winter? Either way, there is a lot 
Maybe you’ve caught glimpses of them in the lift lines. Or perhaps you used one once and remember being surprised at feeling the weight of it around your neck. People always ask about it when they see one, “is that one of those passes that works at all the Colorado resorts?” And then they want to touch it and get a close up look at it.
This year we had a special guest help us with the awards. Since we were at the University of Colorado, the school’s mascot Chip was on hand to do what he does best and cheer for the winners.