Mount Snow Opening with Five Top to Bottom Runs

WEST DOVER, Vermont (November 18, 2008) – Mount Snow will open its slopes to skiers and riders on Saturday, Nov. 22. Thanks to a solid week of snowmaking and a little help from natural accumulation, Vermont’s southernmost ski resort will start the season with five top-to-bottom runs on three mountain faces, including two full terrain parks and three high speed lifts.

4:00 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16 marked the beginning of an intensive weeklong snowmaking effort. Mount Snow’s fan guns blanketed trails on the Main Face including Canyon, Standard, Deer Run and Long John, in addition to The Gulch and Nitro on the Carinthia face. Chute, on the North Face, will receive enough attention late in the week to be ready by opening day. Learning terrain will also be open near the Discovery Center.

“We’re very excited to have terrain available for everyone on opening day – from the just-learning beginner, to the hardcore freestyle skier or rider, to the expert looking for a black diamond. It’s all here, on day one,” said Mount Snow’s general manager Kelly Pawlak.

Mountain operations director Dave Moulton said that six to seven lifts will be spinning all weekend, including three high-speed detachable quads and a “magic carpet” learning lift. The Carinthia Base Lodge and Main Base Lodge, as well as the Summit Lodge, will be open with full food service and amenities.

Mountain manager Elia Hamilton reported that a variety of over 20 rails and boxes will be set up on Carinthia for freestyle enjoyment, with a full top to bottom park on Nitro and a smaller park on The Gulch.

Moulton pointed out that he’ll suspend snowmaking operations on open trails while guests are skiing and riding, but snowmaking will continue on other trails. Weekend snowmaking plans include Snowdance on the Main Face and Mineshaft and Inferno on Carinthia.

Opening weekend lift tickets will be set at Mount Snow’s midweek rate of $69 for adults and $56 for young adults. Tickets will be available for purchase at the Clocktower building and Carinthia Base lodge.

For updated information as opening day nears, visit the snow report at www.mountsnow.com.

The Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce held it’s annual installation dinner on November 13, 2008 at the newly reopened Hermitage Inn in Dover. Over 125 people came out for this yearly function.

Laura Sibilia, Executive Director of the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce welcomed attendees and introduced long time valley resident Cheryl Rothman as the newest member of it’s Board of Directors. Rothman joins Lisa Sullivan of Bartleby’s Books, Laurie Newton of Mount Snow Resort, Magnus Thorrson of the Gray Ghost Inn, Chris Cooke of Valley Cab, Randy Terk of Accupay Payroll, Bruce Korb of the Nordic Hills Lodge, Joe Krusewski of the Matterhorn Inn, Randy Capitani of the Deerfield Valley News, Sarah Shippee of Scott’s Clean Sweep, John Redd of SkiHome Realty and Tom Consolino of Wilmington. Outgoing board member, Karen Gallivan was thanked for her time and dedication on the board.

Sibilia spoke at length about progress in the valley over the past year, highlighting the Blueberry Festival and the Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival as well as the communities commitment to economic development.

The ten day long Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival in August combined events at businesses throughout the Deerfield Valley with “blue” themed activities. This festival was named one of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce Top 10 Events for the Summer of 2009.

The Chamber awarded Janet Boyd of Boyd Farm with the Chamber Person of the year award for her efforts and initiative with the Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival, and noted her continued involvement with the Deerfield Valley’s annual Make-A-Wish duck race Memorial Day weekend.

The Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival, held during the last weekend of September, showcased Vermont wineries & cheese makers, food vendors, local crafters & artists, and featured a number of wine pairing events. This well attended first year event also received the award as one of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce Top 10 Fall Events.

Arlene Palmiter presented the Ralph and Vern Howe Community Service Award came to Bruce Mullen of Wilmington. Mullen’s involvement in the Deerfield Valley Rotary, the chamber, the Tri-Town Economic Development Committee, his new election to the Wilmington Board of Selectman and his success in securing municipal parking in downtown Wilmington were cited as critical factors for his selection by the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce as the 2008 award winner. Mullen spoke about what a tremendous honor it was to receive this award after being in the valley for a few years.