2005 Kicks Off With Winter Snowstorm

VAIL, Colo., Jan. 5, 2005 – The first major snowstorm of the new year brought snow measured in feet to the Colorado High County with Beaver Creek reporting more than 16 inches of snow and Vail reporting more than one foot of light, dry snow as of 10 a.m. this morning. It’s also a powder day at Breckenridge and Keystone with 7 inches already on the ground and the snow still falling.

Check out the links below for the totals from Loveland, Mammoth, Aspen and Durango.

Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek’s Talons Fest gets better with nearly a foot and a half of new snow overnight. As snow continues to fall, guests can win $5,000 in prizes, ski with professional athletes and enjoy a free Blues concert with Kenny Wayne Shepherd at Talons Fest, Jan. 5-9, 2005. America’s top chefs bring their culinary talents to Beaver Creek for the Culinary Classic and Celebrity Chef Ski Race, Jan. 27-30. Visit www.beavercreek.com or call (800) 404-3535.

Take advantage of all the new snow and escape for an intimate getaway in Beaver Creek at The Pines Lodge for $499 per night. The Pines Lodge is a RockResort and member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Package includes a stay in a lodge room, decadent chocolates, champagne, roses, a 30-minute in-room massage for two, plus breakfast in bed for two finished with a bubble bath. Offer is valid now – April 16, 2005. Rate is based on a Sunday – Wednesday night stay. A Thursday – Saturday night stay is offered at $599 per night. Taxes, surcharge and gratuity not included. Other restrictions may apply. Call (888) FOR-ROCK or visit www.rockresorts.com for reservations and more information.

Vail

With more than a foot of snow overnight and 22 inches in the last 7 days, skiers and snowboarders will find fresh tracks all over Vail’s 5,289 acres from the Front Side, the legendary Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin. And, the snow is still falling in Vail.

The new snow has come right in time for Vail’s largest snowboard event, the Honda Session, taking place Jan 14-16, 2005. The world’s best snowboarders get into Vail at the beginning of next week and go to head to head for more than $118,000 in cash and prizes on Friday and Saturday nights, Jan. 14 and 15.

Want to take advantage of all the snow and make an escape to Vail for a mid-winter break? This January skiers and snowboarders can save on lodging during a Vail winter vacation. Vail visitors from now until Feb. 17, 2005 can ski and stay for $242 per person. The Mid Season Mid Week Break package includes three nights of lodging and two days skiing. Restrictions may apply. To book this package and for the latest information on snow and deals, go to www.vail.com.

Breckenridge
The start of Breckenridge’s annual Ullr Fest celebration is just days away and the mythical Norse God of Snow has sent word of his arrival in the form of fluffy, white powder. With more than two feet of new snow blanketing Breckenridge’s upper mountain terrain over the past week, ski patrol has been able to open all terrain served by the resort’s renowned T-Bar lift and 6-Chair, as well as much of Breck’s hiking terrain on Peaks 7 and 8. More than a foot of snow has fallen on lower mountain terrain over the past seven days, kicking off the New Year in winter white style.

Banish the winter blues with a mid-season ski or snowboard trip to Breckenridge. Starting at $132 per night, enjoy lodging at The Village at Breckenridge Resort or the Great Divide Lodge, Breckenridge’s only full-service slopeside hotel, plus daily breakfast at Le Bistro de Paris or Breck’s Lounge. Package price is based upon a hotel room and is valid from Jan. 2 to Feb. 16, 2005, Sunday – Thursday only. For information or to reserve this package visit www.breckenridge.com and go to “Plan and Buy.”

Keystone
With more than 7 inches of snow and the snow still coming down at Keystone, skiers and riders can dig into more than 2,000 aacres of terrain blanketed with the fresh stuff. Keystone has almost 100 percent of the Outback open with hiking access to fresh tracks in North and South Bowls. For some of the best gladed terrain in the state, head to Keystone’s Bullet Glades and The Windows.

And, visitors can ski and ride more this year. Keystone has night skiing/riding until 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and until 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Head to Keystone this January for fresh tracks day and night and find deals on lodging. Keystone announces the return of the Big Deal. This is the real deal. Not a complicated, convoluted package. Here’s the scoop – get a friend and then reserve your room at Keystone for as low as $89 per night at the Inn at Keystone Jan. 2-Feb. 16 and March 27-April 16. (Based on double occupancy in a standard room). Other rates, dates and room types available. Call 800.468.5004 or visit keystoneresort.com for reservations.