Steamboat Opens 2008/2009 Season With Scholarship Day This Wednesday

Steamboat Springs, CO – The Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation kicks off the 2008/2009 season Wednesday, November 26, 2008 with Scholarship Day, offering specially priced $20 lift tickets. Scholarship Day is the traditional opening day benefit for the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club’s (SSWSC) Scholarship Fund.

“The start of the season is always a special time in a resort community such as Steamboat and a great reason to celebrate the opportunities and possibilities of the coming winter,” said Chris Diamond, president and chief operating officer of the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation.

Specially-priced $20 lift tickets will be offered ONLY on Wednesday, November 26, 2008. No season passes or value passes will be valid that day. Scholarship Day tickets may be purchased at the Main Ticket Office, open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are available in advance beginning Monday, November 24th.

“The Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club has played an integral role in the development of young athletes by providing the support they need in order to achieve their personal and Olympic dreams,” commented Diamond. “I encourage everyone to come out, make a few turns, kick off the season and support a very worthwhile organization.”

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 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.

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.

“Mountain crews have done a tremendous job taking advantage of variable conditions over the past two weeks,” said Doug Allen, vice president of mountain operations. “Forecasts are calling for additional snow and colder temperatures this week and crews will work to provide the best experience and most terrain possible. Winter always arrives in Ski Town, U.S.A.® and weather forecasters are calling for a La Nina winter, which bodes very well for Steamboat. So be ready for things to change quickly.”

As crews and machinery work in preparation for opening day, resort officials are asking that no vehicles be parked at slope maintenance and for the public safety, suggest waiting until Wednesday to access the mountain. Remember trails and lifts are subject to change without notice as conditions change.

“Everyone needs to ski and ride with care, within their ability levels, and remember, unmarked obstacles and other natural terrain features may be encountered at any time,” said John Kohnke, ski patrol director. “Skiers and riders should keep in mind that even though Wednesday is Scholarship Day and their season pass is not valid; if they are caught on a closed trail or skiing/riding in an unsafe manner, we will pull their season pass.”

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.

“We have made some improvements in the base area since last season, especially when it comes to what people are used to in terms of parking at the Meadows lot,” said Mike DeGroff, vice president of resort services. “With the new designated passenger zones, expanded capacity and improved vehicle flow, I believe folks will quickly learn how to navigate this area and ultimately the enhancements will provide a better overall experience.”

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.

Experience Steamboat this season with a variety of winter vacation packages like Ski Free at Steamboat, which offers free skiing from Opening Day to Christmas Day when powderhounds book a minimum 3 nights lodging through Steamboat Central Reservations®. Steamboat Central Reservations, which represents the majority of the lodging properties in the area, offers a variety of packages and specials throughout the season. Call toll-free 800-922-2722 or visit steamboat.com for more information.

To stay up to date on Steamboat’s snow conditions visit steamboat.com, view the Mountain Cam, photo-of-the-day, movie archives and register to receive the Straight Talk Mountain Report. Snow conditions will be updated as conditions change and can be accessed by calling 970.879.7300 or steamboat.com.