With the early season price of $649 for adults, the Epic Pass is already a pretty smoking deal (Vail likes to make note of the pass being equal to paying $0.03 per accessible acre), but this offer sweetens the pot a bit more.

Better hurry, the offer is only good for another 9 days. To purchase your pass and enter to win visit www.epicpass.com

Check the full press release for more details.

Verizon Wireless network engineers work year-round to improve service, increase coverage and capacity of Verizon Wireless’ national network, and add new services. Thanks to recent network enhancements, Verizon Wireless customers can enjoy increased coverage at even more popular mountain communities and ski resorts, including:

· Wolf Creek Ski Area in Colorado, with activation of a new cell site in Creede

· Breckenridge Ski Resort in Colorado, where Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) coverage has been enhanced for the upcoming Mountain Dew Tour (Dec. 17-20)

· Aspen Ski Resort in Colorado, where EV-DO coverage has been enhanced

· Sugarloaf Mountain Resort in Maine, with a new cell site in Carrabassett

· Waterville Valley Resort in New Hampshire, with a new cell site in Waterville Valley

· Ski Roundtop in Pennsylvania, with new cell site in Lewisberry

· Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont, with a new cell site in Stowe

· Bluewood Ski Area in Washington state, with a new cell site in Columbia County

Increasing voice capacity at these popular ski resort areas also gives customers an extra safety precaution. For a video report on how Verizon Wireless’ network reach helped in the rescue of two vacationers in Colorado, see “Polly’s Story” at www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6XjF1EC5A0.

In addition to increasing voice capacity, Verizon Wireless’ new cell sites also improve and expand the company’s 3G coverage, enabling powder hounds to use their wireless phones and devices to browse the Web with faster page loading times, quickly download and play music, send e-mails with attachments, watch streaming video, rapidly share files, and download and play 3D games while on the go.

The recent network upgrades are part of Verizon Wireless’ ongoing efforts to expand coverage, increase capacity, and enhance the quality of its wireless voice and data network. Verizon Wireless has invested more than $50 billion to do so since it was formed in 2000. In 2008 alone, Verizon Wireless invested $6.5 billion to expand and advance its network.

See Verizon Wireless’ 3G coverage for yourself; view a map of Verizon Wireless’ 3G coverage compared with competitors’ 3G coverage at http://vzwmap.verizonwireless.com/dotcom/coveragelocator/images/maps/3Gcomparison.pdf. For more information about Verizon Wireless, visit www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving 89 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NASDAQ and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia

Broomfield, Colo. — Nov. 16, 2009 — Another fall storm hit Colorado this past weekend, much to the delight of skiers and snowboarders at Breckenridge and Keystone. The new snow will help Breckenridge and Keystone open more terrain by this weekend and is setting a wintry stage for Vail’s opening day on Friday, Nov. 20 and Beaver Creek’s Nov. 25 opening day.

The new snow is also serving as a reminder for skiers and snowboarders to buy their Vail Resorts season pass. “We’ve been getting phone calls and e-mails from eager Colorado skiers and snowboarders who didn’t buy their Colorado Pass before our Nov. 15 deadline,” said Heidi Kercher-Pratt, chief marketing officer for Vail Resorts. “With the new snow and the kickoff of the season at Breckenridge and Keystone and with Vail and Beaver Creek opening soon, we’re giving our loyal guests one more week to buy a Colorado Pass … or an Epic or Summit pass.”

Vail Resorts is extending the deadline on Colorado Pass sales through Sunday, Nov. 22. Now, all three passes – The Colorado, Summit and Epic passes – will be on sale through Sunday, Nov. 22 at the current pricing:

Colorado Pass: $459 Adult / $339 Teen / $219 Child: Offers unlimited, unrestricted skiing at Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin all season with an additional 10 days at Vail and Beaver Creek.
Summit Pass: $399 Adult / $309 Teen / $199 Child: Offers unlimited, unrestricted skiing at Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin all season.
Epic Pass: $599 Adult / $299 Child: Offers unlimited, unrestricted skiing on 18,000 acres at six resorts: Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly and Arapahoe Basin all season.

Visit www.coloradopass.com or www.epicpass.com for more information or sales locations in Colorado. The Summit and Epic passes are available for purchase online. Online renewals are available for all three passes. To purchase a new Colorado Pass, please visit www.coloradopass.com for sales locations in Colorado.

The following products have also been extended for sale through Sunday, Nov. 22:

$139 Four Pack: Offering four days of skiing and riding at Keystone and Arapahoe Basin for only $139.
$225 Keystone Family Freedom Pack: Once you buy your Vail Resorts season pass, upgrade to the $225 Family Freedom pack and get four days of full-day lessons, free slopeside parking and lodging discounts. While supplies last. (www.coloradopass.com)
$225 Breckenridge Unlimited Lesson Pack: Once you buy your Vail Resorts season pass, add on with a $225 adult Unlimited Lesson pack for unlimited adult lessons at Breckenridge this season. Children’s unlimited lesson packs are available, as well. While supplies last. (www.coloradopass.com)

Visit www.snow.com for snow reports, lodging deals, event information and more all season long.

Other Best Bet for Early Season Deals
FREE LODGING with Three for Free Starting Nov. 1 when you book lodging at a RockResort property in Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge or Keystone receive “three for free”; a value that includes a free night of lodging, $50 resort gift card plus a free helmet cam to capture your experience on the slopes. Visit www.rockresorts.com.

FREE Ski Rentals with Lodging: The Free Skis & Boards package features lift tickets and a free ski and snowboard sports rental package per person for up to seven days at specific retail locations within Vail Resorts. For information and reservations, visit www.snow.com or call 800-404-3535.

50% OFF Holiday Lodging at Keystone: Book by Friday, Nov. 20 for a stay over the holidays (Dec. 19-26). Rooms from $101 a night at valid properties including hotels, as well as 1 and 2 bedroom condos. www.keystoneresort.com

FREE Skiing for 5th and 6th graders in Colorado through School of Shred: Vail Resorts is again offering free skiing to all Colorado 5th and 6th grade students with four unrestricted days of skiing (or snowboarding) at each of its Colorado resorts – Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone – through The “School of Shred” program. The “School of Shred” pass can also be used for four free days at Arapahoe Basin this season. www.coloradopass.com for more information.

Salomon Snowboards’ British darling Jenny Jones took silver with consistent tricks throughout the whole competition followed by Transworld Snowboarding’s Rookie of the Year nominee Bev Veuilleumier. Bev took the bronze for her back to back 3’s and standout frontside 720. Jamie Anderson rounded things out with a 4th place. Burton team rider Spencer O’ Brian took home the gold.

“The weather was super gnarly and everyone was having a hard time with it and it was really good to see our girls handle it and put down runs that would have been good in any other contest. Three girls out of the top 4 is pretty rad,” said team manager Java Fernandez.

For more info on the Salomon team or Salomon products check out www.salomonsnowboards.com

While White secured a spot at the top of the slopestyle point standings on Friday, the 2006 Olympic Gold Medalist isn’t finished for the weekend and still has hopes of earning yet another win. White will compete in the Superpipe prelims on Saturday and, if he advances, the finals on Sunday live on NBC (1 p.m. – 3 p.m. ET).

“I might as well go for it now,” White said. “It was cool to just put my head down and bust through it. I’m excited. I’m doing all the stops so it’s nice to start out right.”

With today’s victory, White now has a chance to become the first summer and winter Dew Cup champion. White won the skateboard vert Dew Cup in 2007 and with his 25-point lead in snowboard slopestyle, he is the favorite to win a Dew Cup on the Winter series.

In a day filled with firsts, Spencer O’Brien won the women’s snowboard slopestyle event and the first win of her career. The Courtenay, Canada native dominated the competition, posting a score of 85.00, more than seven points higher than Jenny Jones, the second place finisher.

Now O’Brien finds herself leading the season long point standings in the slopestyle discipline. A strong finish at the second stop of the Winter Dew Tour at Mt. Snow Resort in Dover, Vt. (Jan. 8-11) and at the third and final event of the 2008-09 season, the Toyota Championships at Northstar-at-Tahoe in Lake Tahoe, Calif. (Feb. 19-22), and the 20-year-old could become the first women’s slopestyle Dew Cup champion.

“The course was just amazingly built and a lot fun,” O’Brien said. “Once I got over my fear it was awesome.”

The action continues on Saturday, with the men’s freeski slopestyle finals and the men’s freeski superpipe finals. Bethel, Maine native Simon Dumont is looking to sweep the freeski disciplines this weekend. He qualified first in the superpipe prelims on Friday and will attempt to duplicate his success in the slopestyle prelims tomorrow morning and the finals held that afternoon.

The complete 2008/09 Winter Dew Tour schedule is as follows:

Event Date Location
Stop 1 Dec. 18-21, 2008 Breckenridge, Colo.—Breckenridge Ski Resort
Stop 2 Jan. 8-11, 2009 West Dover, Vt.—Mount Snow Resort
Stop 3 Feb. 19-22, 2009 Lake Tahoe, Calif.—Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort

NEW YORK – December 3, 2008 – The Winter Dew Tour today announced that multi-platinum rock band The All-American Rejects will headline and hip hop duo 3OH!3 will kick off the night at the Verizon Wireless music stage inside the Riverwalk Amphitheatre on Friday, Dec. 19, at the first stop of the Winter Dew Tour in Breckenridge, Colorado.

The pop, rock band The All-American Rejects was first thrust into the limelight with their hit song “Swing Swing” released in 2002 on their self-titled debut album and then hit superstardom with the smash hit “Move Along” off their 2nd album, of the same name, in 2005. The band’s third album, When the World Comes Down, will be released on December 16. The four-member band, and friends from Oklahoma, recorded their latest album with the desire to show their fans where they are as people, as well as artists.

The All-American Rejects

3OH!3, is comprised of Boulder, Colorado natives Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte. The pair enjoys a cult-like local following and is renowned for their hip hop beats mixed with electronic rhythms and 80’s pop influence. Their live shows are known for hard-edge beats and explosive dancing.

“Excited to be kicking off the Winter Dew Tour this year, these athletes are the best at what they do and we are looking forward to being a part of it,” said Tyson Ritter from The All-American Rejects.

“We love performing in our home state and in front of our hard core fans,” said Nathaniel Motte from 3OH!3. “This is the biggest winter sports event in Denver this year so fired up about playing.”

All music from the Verizon Wireless music stage is free to the general public including the Friday night concert with The All-American Rejects and 3OH!3.

Similar to the Dew Tour’s summer competition structure, the Winter Dew Tour is based on a cumulative points system as the top snow athletes battle it out for a piece of the $1.5 million prize purse and the chance to take home the Dew Cup at the conclusion of the season in February.

The complete 2008/09 Winter Dew Tour schedule is as follows:

Event Date Location
Stop 1 Dec. 18-21, 2008 Breckenridge, Colo.—Breckenridge Ski Resort
Stop 2 Jan. 8-11, 2009 West Dover, Vt.—Mount Snow Resort
Stop 3 Feb. 19-22, 2009 Lake Tahoe, Calif.—Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort

Winter Dew Tour
The Winter Dew Tour consists of three major, multi-sport events spanning across the country, with a cumulative points system, and a $1.5 million competitive purse. Each event features men and women’s snowboard (superpipe and slopestyle), and men’s freeskiing (superpipe and slopestyle). At season’s end, the overall point’s leaders in the six disciplines are crowned year-end champions and awarded the prestigious Dew Cup. As part of an Alli property, key lifestyle elements compliment the competitions at each Tour event including the Festival village, specialty competitions, and live cutting edge music. The Dew Tour is broadcast live on NBC Sports with additional competition and lifestyle broadcasts on MTV, MTV2 and USA. Dew Tour is also distributed on Fuel TV, Universal HD, Rush HD, and internationally on Eurosport, Fox Australia, Extreme Channel and Allarco superchannel. The Dew Tour partners include Mountain Dew (tour title sponsor); Toyota (event title sponsor). Associate partners include Ball Park, Nike 6.0, PlayStation®, Wendy’s, and Verizon Wireless. More information can be found at www.allisports.com.

NBC Universal
NBC Universal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates the No. 1 television network, the fastest-growing Spanish-language network, a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal.

MTV Networks
MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 150 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services – MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, LOGO, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, THE N, VH1 CLASSIC, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 300 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

Keystone fired up its snowmaking system in preparation for its Nov. 7 opening.

Opening daysNov. 7 Breckenridge and Keystone
Nov. 21 Vail and Heavenly
Nov. 26 Beaver Creek

Top 3 EPIC ski deals

Mountains of savings at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly

3. Refer a Friend. Here’s a win-win deal. Get more friends to ski and get $20 per friend from Vail Resorts. Here’s how it works: You refer a friend. That friend buys a Summit or Colorado pass at a $10 discount. You then get $20 in on-mountain cash per friend who buys a pass (unlimited friends = unlimited money). www.coloradopass.com

Cold temperatures and a layer of snow blanketed Beaver Creek overnight.

2. Holidays On Us. Get a free night of lodging on the six most popular holidays (Christmas, New Year’s, etc) when you purchase four consecutive holiday nights at our RockResorts from the Rocky Mountains to the beaches of St. Lucia. www.HolidaysOnUs.com (must book by Dec. 15)

1. Epic Season Pass. Get a full season of unlimited and unrestricted skiing at any of our five resorts and Arapahoe Basin for $579 for adults and $279 for kids, but must be purchased by Nov. 15. After using this pass for six days, your skiing and riding is free the rest of the season! www.epicpass.com

For updated snow reports, terrain openings or lodging deals for Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado and/or for Heavenly in California and Nevada, visit snow.com.

“With the opening of Peak 8, we are able to provide a new experience on opening day to all of our guests,” said Rick Sramek, vice-president of mountain operations for Breckenridge. “We will be able to open more ski runs and lifts earlier, allowing skiers and riders more choices in terrain.”

Breckenridge guests can look forward to an opening weekend packed with events. Breckenridge will celebrate opening weekend with the First Annual Laughs and Lifts Comedy Festival. Taking place at the Village at Breckenridge from November 6 – 8, featured acts include Eddie Gossling (Comedy Central), Chuck Roy (Will and Grace, Last Comic Standing – Semi Finalist), Denver’s Mile High Sci-Fi presents ‘The Terminator’, Wrist Deep Productions (Denver’s hottest underground comedy collective), Hypnotist Rusty-Z, with more to be announced. Visit www.laughsandlifts.com for updates and more information.

“Opening Peak 8 first this year gives our mountain operations team every advantage to prepare the mountain and venue for our largest event ever, the AST Winter Dew Tour. The Winter Dew Tour co-sponsored by the Town of Breckenridge, runs from December 18 – 21, will feature freeskiing and snowboarding disciplines for both men and women with over 10 hours of live coverage on NBC, 6 hours on the USA network and 12 hours on MTV and MTV2,” said Lucy Kay, chief operations officer for Breckenridge Ski Resort.

Breckenridge Ski Resort and the Town of Breckenridge would like to say thank you to the Breckenridge community during the sixth annual Wake Up Breckenridge, Thursday, November 6 at local coffee shops from 7-9 a.m. Members of Breckenridge’s management team and town leaders will be on hand at the following coffee shops in town to distribute 1,500 free mugs and coffee at: Starbucks; Clint’s Bakery & Coffee House; Cool River Coffee House; Helen’s Coffee Cart at City Market; Amazing Grace, Coffee Depot at Main Street Station and Daylight Donuts.

Breckenridge Ski Resort plans to open Peak 9 by Thanksgiving with all skier services available at both the Village and Beaver Run base areas. With early opening of Peak 8 and the Thanksgiving opening of Peak 9, the resort will be able to offer more variety by the Thanksgiving holiday.

Breckenridge Ski Resort would like to thank Vail Resorts Development Company and PCL Construction for their great teamwork and effort in advancing the construction schedules of One Ski Hill Place to accommodate opening plans on Peak 8. Openings dates and terrain are subject to weather conditions and unforeseen construction related issues.

Photo credit: keertmoed

Over the past 10 years more Colorado skiers and snowboarders have been turning their skiing day trip into overnight lodging mini-vacations. This year the peak of the spring break holiday will fall during the last two weeks of March, coinciding with the earlier Easter holiday date. To celebrate the time-off-of-work (or school) and to welcome Daylight Savings Time and the best spring skiing conditions in decades, Vail Resorts is giving Colorado skiers and snowboarders new options to maximize – and extend – their time in the mountains starting this month.

Here are six “Super Sized” tips and tricks to help guests create their own “Super Sized” spring trip to Breckenridge and Keystone in March and April:

1. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO. Check road and weather conditions before making your trip to and from Breckenridge and Keystone. Visit www.cotrip.org for the latest alerts and road restrictions or closures or call the new Vail Resorts SUPER SIZE your ski day hotline for snow conditions and last-minute lodging deals at 877-SUPA-SIZE (877-787-2749). Make sure to pack sunscreen, wear layers, pack your toothbrush and overnight pack and check keystone.snow/info/tips for more ways to enjoy March and April, which are two of the snowiest but sunniest ski season months in the High Country.

2. STAY SUNDAY NIGHT OR VISIT DURING THE WEEK. Take advantage of Breckenridge and Keystone’s new “Super Sized” Sunday lodging package. The $79 per night lodging deal will be offered every Sunday throughout the rest of the ski season and is solely based on availability for select hotels and condominiums in both Breckenridge and Keystone. Book early or risk missing out on this incredible deal. Call 877-SUPA-SIZE (or 877-787-2749) to get the skinny on the best Sunday night rates or visit breckenridge.com or keystoneresort.com for more lodging spring specials.

3. THE INSIDE SCOOP IN UR INBOX. For the up-to-the-minute scoop on snow conditions, events and last-minute deals from Vail Resorts’ insiders, sign up for the free email newsletter at https://www.snow.com/email/profile.asp. You’ll receive the best last-minute lodging deals, details about the coolest weekend events at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone and updates straight from the resorts’ on-the-snow operations teams.

4. APRES, APRES-SKI. Instead of rushing back to the car for the race back to the Front Range after enjoying an “epic” day of skiing, relax and enjoy après-ski and then even après, après-ski. Why not get a table for two or four or more at one of Breckenridge’s restaurants like Relish or The Cellar. Or, sample the new menu at Wolf Rock Brewery in Keystone or visit “Margaritaville” at the tropical-themed, sing-a-long happy hour at Parrot Eyes? For the ultimate in relaxation, book a spa treatment like Keystone’s new ‘Dreaming’ Therapy or a chocolate-filled Suite Surrender couples’ treatment for you and your sweetie.

Got kids? Here are some family-friendly après après-ski options. Take in the sights and shopping on Breckenridge’s historic Main Street, go for a spin down Keystone’s mountaintop snow tubing hill, Adventure Point or splash around the indoor swimming pools at the local Recreation Centers. Visit www.breckenridge.com or www.keystoneresort.com for more ideas and options.

5. SKI UNDER THE LIGHTS. Skip traffic and stay on the slopes for Keystone’s night skiing. Starting March 1, Keystone will add two more evenings of night skiing each week throughout the month of March. The resort usually offers night skiing until 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, but for the month of March Keystone will now offer seven “days” a week of night skiing (9 a.m. – 9 p.m. every night in March. There is no night skiing offered in April).

Here’s your chance to turn an ordinary weekday or weekend night into an evening on the slopes under the stars and night lights at Keystone. With warmer temperatures and longer days thanks to the earlier Daylight Savings Time, Keystone’s sunset and/or night skiing is a “can’t miss” experience this season. If you leave the Front Range by 3 p.m., you’ll be greeted to “first tracks” on Keystone’s freshly afternoon groomed trails.

6. RIDE WITH A BUDDY OR TWO OR MORE. Don’t just ride the powder with a friend on the slopes, ride/drive with two or three or more friends TO the slopes. With a little advance planning, you can make arrangements to pick up an extra friend for your drive to Breckenridge or Keystone this weekend. Not only will this mean more quality time with your friends, but you’ll save money on gas and do something good for the environment, as well. If you’re looking for a ride, visit www.skicarpool.com.

For more tips on how to “SUPER SIZE” your spring ski trip, visit www.snow.com and sign up for the free email newsletters. Or, to book the Breckenridge and Keystone “Super Sized” $79 Sunday deal, call 877-SUPA-SIZE (877-787-2749).

Breckenridge is planning to open Bonanza, an intermediate run accessed by the Beaver Run SuperChair. With this addition, Breckenridge will offers skiers and riders 85 acres of intermediate terrain. Next week, the resort plans to open more trails and lifts on Peak 9 in time for the Thanksgiving weekend.

Keystone will open more terrain Saturday to provide top-to-bottom intermediate skiing that starts with the beginner trail of Schoolmarm and ends with the intermediate trail of River Run. Beginners will be able to ski mid-mountain and then egress the mountain by downloading on the River Run gondola. There will be no beginner skiing to the bottom of the mountain.

In addition, Keystone will offer 21 terrain park features, the intermediate trail of Spring Dipper and a beginner learning area at the top of Dercum Mountain for more than 90 acres of terrain. All Keystone skier services will be at the River Run Village with the expected opening of the resort’s second base area, The Mountain House, by the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

For more information about terrain openings or snow reports for Breckenridge and Keystone, visit snow.com.