Burton often gets a bad rap for being the big kid on the playground, but their leadership in the field of snowboard education is unparalleled; they really get it. The Keystone Super Clinics were well designed to create two-way communication, Burton was getting feedback from us, and at the same time, feeding us information about their LTR program. For me, this was a great opportunity to get inside the LTR world, ride the equipment, and see what’s on the plate for the big B; thanks to Shaun and Hillary for setting it all up.

Hearing about the Burton Academy at Northstar at Tahoe was one of the highlights for me. Burton has worked closely with Northstar to create a snowboard-centric learning center based on bringing new students into the culture, and making them snowboarders, rather than just teaching them to snowboard. The program starts with the snowboard culture education, and then works through teaching progressions with terrain designed to complement learning to snowboard. The Burton Academy at Northstar is the first of its kind, but I expect we’ll see more popping up over the next few years, just like the Stash (speaking of which, there’s even a mini-stash at the Academy). I’d really like to get out to Northstar and check this out myself at some point this winter.

Shaun from Burton explaining some of the differences when tuning an LTR board

Having taught a couple of young kids on LTR boards with base bevels last year, getting on snow with a base-beveled adult LTR board was a pretty satisfying experience. It’s a soft board, and as tempting as it was to get jibtastic, I took it slow for the first few turns, and made some basic switch skidded turns to get a feel for how it performs. Noticeable right away is the smooth roll from edge to edge: where a flat-based board goes from edge to flat to edge, the LTR board rolls across the base to the new edge, making for a much easier learning process. The bevel does lead to a bit of instability at high speeds, but obviously that’s not what this board is designed for.

I was also really interested to learn more about the Go Snowboarding and Get Lifted programs. At a time when consumers are spending less, and many companies are cutting costs, Burton has worked with a slew of resorts to offer these two programs designed to get people out and riding. Go Snowboarding is a program that includes a free snowboard LTR lesson and lift ticket at a participating resort, with the purchase of a price-point Burton snowboard. Get Lifted is a program that includes a free lift ticket at one of more than 80 participation resorts, with the purchase of any Burton snowboard with a MSRP over $350.

All-in-all it was a great couple of days on snow. Big thanks to Burton for the invite and the opportunity to learn more about their LTR program.

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“30 Days on the Road” is a blog series tracking my travel for thirty days in October and November; from leaving Alaska on October 27th until Steamboat opens on November 25th. Due to a series of cool opportunities I don’t have to be back at a “real job” until 11/26th, and after a summer that seemed way too long, I’ll be making the most of my free month with as much snow and snow industry fun as I can cram in. The goal is two-fold, first to get you pumped about the upcoming season, and two to help keep track of time as I wander aimlessly for a month.

I’ll also be posting updates on Facebook and Twitter, so make sure and check out the action there too.

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.

After a day on the slopes, guests are invited to enjoy a free concert with food and beverages sold a la carte and free children’s activities in the Kids’ Game Zone. Also, guests receive a free t-shirt with the purchase of $30 or more from a River Run merchant. Funkiphino goes on stage at 4 p.m. and The Samples begin playing at 6 p.m. The Kids’ Game Zone will be entertaining the youngsters from 4-7 p.m.

Guests can stay for the night or weekend for just $99 in a studio, $149 in a one-bedroom condo, and $189 in a two-bedroom condo. More lodging packages are found on www.KeystoneResort.com.

Also, guests who purchase more than $25 worth of on-mountain product will receive a Keystone Scratch Ticket. New this year, Keystone is giving away $70,000 in prizes with the Keystone Scratch Game including a chance to win unlimited use of a River Run two-bedroom condo and other instant prizes like hotel stays, lifts tickets, K2 skis, Ski & Ride School lessons, snow tubing, Epic Burgers and more. For more information visit www.KeystoneScratchGame.com.

Free parking is available for the event in Keystone’s Montezuma Lot located off Highway 6 on Gondola Road.

River Run Rocks is sponsored by River Run Village Merchants, KCMV, Comcast, Keystone Neighbourhood Company and Keystone Resort.

For more information, visit www.KeystoneResort.com.

Cars to the left

Cars to the right

More than a few people had Thursday off

The last few minutes of the ride gave a great view of the park layout. Keystone’s park crew was hard at work keeping more than 20 features, including a 25′ step-down table, in good riding condition. This was no easy task, as the park was swarming with hundreds of skiers and snowboarders getting their early season park on. Keystone has really stepped up it’s game in the last couple of years, and this year is no exception. There are a couple of new features, and a whole bunch of oldie-but-goodies. The angled mini-ramp shaped box is awesome, although it claimed about half of the people I saw attempt it (very nearly including me the first time I hit it), and the quarter-pipe/ramp box to tree pole is pretty incredible too. The park’s flow is still a little rough, with lots of snaking, cutting, and zig-zagging, but some of that is thanks to front-range etiquette as well…

Stall on the QP Box

Opening Day Tindy Tweak

Bonkers

You can check out the Keystone opening day photo gallery here: Keystone Opening Day 2009

I was testing two products today, the Sandbox helmet and the Spider Holster camera belt clip. Both were awesome today, bonus I ran into someone else with a Sandbox lid, didn’t know they were available in the states yet. The Spider Holster is an innovative piece of hardware that mounts to the tripod threads on the base of the camera, with a locking clip that goes on your belt.

—

“30 Days on the Road” is a blog series tracking my travel for thirty days in October and November; from leaving Alaska on October 27th until Steamboat opens on November 25th. Due to a series of cool opportunities I don’t have to be back at a “real job” until 11/26th, and after a summer that seemed way too long, I’ll be making the most of my free month with as much snow and snow industry fun as I can cram in. The goal is two-fold, first to get you pumped about the upcoming season, and two to help keep track of time as I wander aimlessly for a month.

I’ll also be posting updates on Facebook and Twitter, so make sure and check out the action there too.

Park was going off, more than 20 features plus the 25′ jump. Blog post here: Keystone Opening | Day 10 of 30 Days on the Road

Keystone fffers a little of it all for the boarder in search of the top to the bottom expeirence.

Keystone has a little of it all – Steep, Deep, Fast, and Terrain – I want to talk about the back bowls.

If you want to take a couple of lifts and find yourself lost less then 45 minutes from the time you sit on the chair, then Keystone is your place.  Take a total of 3 lifts and be at the entrance to one of the best kept secerets of the rockies.  The back bowls of Keystone hold endless potential and powder, trees, exploring inbounds.

An example of the consistancy of this area: On the 14th of April 2 years in a row now we have managed to ride 12-16" of powder with hardly a single line.  On the right day, you may ride 1/2 mile of crust and end up in 24" of powder  when no snow has fallen.  I discovered by accident where that place is hidden.  I am not going to say where, but if you take the right wrong turn after a little of hiking, then you will find it too.

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.

Good mountain, great beginner terrain

I just spent three days learning to snowboard at Keystone. The snow was decent, but the mountain atmosphere was great. It was very laid back and low-key, I didn't feel totally out of place while falling all the time.

Keystone is a fun mountain, and a great place to learn how to ride. Their instructors are wonderful, and I will definitelly be coming back for more.

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).