Monday, November 24, 2008

Steamboat Ski Resort Opening Day, 11/26/08


The Steamboat Ski Resort opens for the 2008/2009 ski season this Wednesday, November 26, 2008. The first day of the season is known as Scholarship Day on which skiers and riders can purchase specially priced $20 lift tickets which goes to the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club’s (SSWSC) Scholarship Fund. No season passes or value passes will be valid that day. Scholarship Day tickets may be purchased at the Main Steamboat Ticket Office, open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are available in advance beginning Monday, November 24th.
For the past 95 years, the SSWSC has been providing opportunities for young athletes to become successful competitors and to achieve their personal goals through participation in winter sports. The Club’s success is one reason Steamboat Springs enjoys the moniker Ski Town, U.S.A.® The SSWSC is one of the oldest and most recognized ski clubs in the United States and was named the United States Ski & Snowboard Association’s Club of the Year three times in the past decade.
Since the 1991, Scholarship Day has raised more than $525,000 for children participating in SSWSC programs. So, come out and take a few turns in Steamboat and help our future Olympians.
(Don't forget about the "Ski Free in Steamboat Lodging & Lift package...")
Although a final decision about open terrain will not be made until tomorrow due to conditions, the resort anticipates the following trails for Wednesday: Preview, Stampede, See Ya, Sitz, Jess’ Cut-Off and Upper Boulevard to name a few. For those looking to get their jib on, a few rails and features are expected to be available on Lil’ Rodeo. The Christie Peak Express and Preview lifts will operate on Scholarship Day. Please note: no beginner or intermediate terrain will be available above the Christie Peak Express mid-station.
Steamboat will celebrate the start of the 2008/09 season with the new Winter White Wednesday Celebration, which includes specials across the resort’s food & beverage, retail and Ski & Snowboard School outlets. In addition, free Steamboat Opening Day lanyards will be handed out to the first 500 people on Christie Peak Express.

As part of Winter White Wednesday, the Bear River Bar & Grill will feature 2-for-1 White Pizzas, $2 Bud & Bud Light 20oz. drafts and $3 White Out drink specials. Worried Men will perform live in concert from 1-4pm at the Bear. Purchase a snowboard or pair of skis on opening day from RideSports or Steamboat Ski & Sport and receive a free one-hour private lesson. In addition, when you spend $300 or $500, receive $100 and $200 respectively off your purchase. In need of a quick tune-up on your technique, the Ski & Snowboard School is offering season pass holders a special buy one ½-day group ski or snowboard clinic and get one free. Gondola Joe’s will kick-off the season with $3 Thanks-A-Latte White Chocolate Lattes on Wednesday. Finally for the cowboys and cowgirls at heart, $5 mechanical bull rides will run throughout the day in the Coca-Cola Gondola Square Adventure Zone. Additional restrictions may apply to the above programs and specials.

Starting Wednesday, November 26th, free parking will be provided in the Knoll Lot (within walking distance) or Meadows Lot (with shuttle service). From Dec. 1-5, the Meadows lot will be closed with free parking available in the Knoll lot. Otherwise, paid parking will be available starting Nov. 26th in both the Gondola Square and Ski Time Square Parking Garages for $15/day. Guests may drop-off and pick-up family & friends at the “Passenger Unloading Zone” on the right at the entrance to Gondola Transit Center or utilize the Ski Time Square drop-off location. However, no unattended vehicles will be permitted in either location. Additionally, the resort will provide a limited number of free 30-minute spaces reserved on the lower level of the Gondola Square Parking Garage for drop-off/pick-up of children in KVC and Ski School programs.

The Meadows parking lot and shuttle service has been redesigned to improve the overall experience, including a new and expanded vehicle parking orientation and designed shuttle stops. Due to expansion permit conditions, shuttles will now go to the light at Pine Grove and make a left, then enter at the main entrance. To improve shuttle access and turn-around times, designated shuttle waiting areas have been established for loading and unloading