With winter coming, Mountain Creek is ready

Vernon — It has been another busy summer at Mountain Creek, including over $500,000 worth of on-hill improvements, new rental gear and the much-anticipated opening of The Appalachian hotel, the resort’s new premium ski-in/ski-out lodging facility. Mountain Creek has again improved upon their state-of-the-art snow-making system, with new pipes and snow guns on key trails including Half Moon, Zero G and Fox Run More than two miles of old snow-making pipe was removed from the mountain and recycled. Additionally, improvements in trail drainage, the re-grading of Cab Ride and the widening of Fox Run and the Half Moon Intro Park will improve layout and flow, as well as allowing for a larger and more varied beginner terrain park at Vernon peak. At the retail shops, Square One and Mountain Creek Clothing are swapping locations. Look for a new and expanded snowboard shop. Square One will now carry Volcom casual and outerwear, as well as adding Forum snowboards to the Burton, Analog, Quicksilver, Roxy and Bonfire lines. The store will now carry ski hardware from Salomon, Atomic and K2, as well as boots from Nordica and Salomon. Watch for the new accessory shop in the South Rental Shop called Head to Toe 2, which will also rent helmets and wrist guards. As part of the renewed focus on beginner and progression programs, Mountain Creek will debut larger intro-level terrain parks at both South and Vernon peaks, which will provide freestyle riders and skiers a designated area to learn and improve their skills on less intimidating features. These parks will have easier elements geared toward skill progression and the Ride and Ski School will offer freestyle learning programs utilizing these areas. Mountain Creek’s rental department has purchased a new fleet of progression boots and strap bindings for the North Base shop, replacing the older step-in variety, as well as adding smaller snowboards for children, so that lessons can now be offered to riders age 5 and up. The Ride and Ski School will unveil the “Guaranteed to Ride or Ski” promotion this season. For $149, guests will receive three lift tickets, three rentals and three 1¾ hour group clinics, which can be redeemed at any time during the winter season. If you still cannot ski or ride, you will receive free group lessons until you can. Plus, upon completion of the third day on the slopes, you will receive a free Triple Play card to come back and practice your new-found skills during the rest of the season. Additionally, the resort is offering “Learn To” full day packages for just $89, or $69 for a half-day. Both packages include lift ticket, rental equipment and 3½ hours of group instruction (1¾ hours for the half-day). For intermediate or advanced skiers, the Unlimited Lesson Pass is available for just $99, before Dec. 10. This pass, which does not include lift tickets or rentals, provides for unlimited 1¾ hour group lessons once a day for the entire season. Of course, the popular camp-format programs will return, including Kids Kamp, Ride and Ski Camps, Weekend Ski Camp, Weekend Ride Camp: Progression Session and the Buddy Werner Superstars race program. Additional Alpine Racing Development programs will also be offered. Top instructors will again be available for our regular ski and snowboard clinics and private lessons, including a new package “Mom, Dad and Me Private Lesson,” which is a one-hour lesson for the whole family. Specialty programs will include the Ladies Club (which will be held on both Tuesdays and Thursdays this winter), the Women’s Weekday Workshop on Jan. 18 to 19, Girls Learn to Ride clinics, Prime Time (for seniors 65+) and Burton Progression Freestyle. Lastly, this will mark the first winter season for The Appalachian hotel, which officially opened its doors this summer. The first village property, The Appalachian, will be recognized as Mountain Creek’s premier address, offering fantastic accommodations at the foot of the mountain and the first true ski-in/ski-out hotel. The Appalachian boasts a private courtyard with four-season pool and hot tubs, a well-equipped fitness center and details like stone fireplaces, wood beams and underground parking. Featuring studio, one and two bedroom condominium hotel units with fireplaces, fully equipped kitchens or kitchenettes, stunning mountain and valley views and wireless internet, The Appalachian will be the region’s premier mountain resort getaway. The Appalachian also caters to small meetings and conferences, bringing a sense of adventure and natural beauty that ordinary conference centers and hotels cannot duplicate. Visit www.mountaincreek.com for more information.