Colorado Ski Country USA

Press Room

DENVER, Colo. - January 6, 2010 - Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) and its 22 member resorts are celebrating January as Learn to Ski and Ride month. To mark the month, resorts around the state are offering lessons taught by industry professionals at reduced prices and are hosting special programs for skiers and riders wanting to improve their skills, whether beginner or advanced. Additionally, CSCUSA is giving away hundreds of dollars worth of prizes in honor of January Learn to Ski and Ride Month.

Ski areas are announcing January learn-to-ski deals that cater to both children and adults. Echo Mountain, for instance, is offering a discount on its Mountaineers lessons and park instruction in its Progression Sessions throughout January, as well as a special lesson offer just for CSCUSA 5th and 6th grade passholders. Monarch Mountain is also offering a major discount on two packages that include lift tickets, lessons, and rentals.

CSCUSA is celebrating Learn to Ski and Ride Month by sending a pair of lucky learners off with the complete learn-to-ski-and-ride package, including Columbia outerwear for two, beginner lessons, lift tickets, and equipment rentals. Anyone, from a first-time downhiller to a seasoned ski veteran, is welcomed to enter the Learn to Ski and Ride Sweepstakes at www.ColoradoSki.com. Skiers and riders also have the chance to win a free Chipotle burrito every day in January by submitting a photo to CSCUSA of themselves or their friends and family learning to ski or snowboard at a CSCUSA member resort.

For the past several years, CSCUSA has designated January as Learn to Ski and Ride Month because January is prime time in Colorado to learn to ski or snowboard. The snow is often plentiful in January, and the holiday crowds have gone home. Fewer people on the beginner slopes means more wide-open space for learners to practice their turns.



Beginner Skier on a 'Magic Carpet' at Telluride Ski Resort (Credit: Casey Day)

"There is more to January Learn-to-Ski-and-Ride Month than taking a lesson or learning new skills," explains Melanie Mills, president and CEO of CSCUSA. "It's about getting outside, recreating in the state's beautiful Rocky Mountains and spending quality time with friends and family." "In a winter Olympic year," says Mills, "learning to ski or ride is especially exciting. It's more fun to watch the world's best athletes competing in a sport that you know how to do yourself."

Buoyed by strong lesson bookings over the holidays and a steady string of snow storms this season, resorts are poised to carry their forward momentum through January. The best skiers recognize the lasting value of lessons, and Colorado consistently attracts some of the top instructors in the world. Resorts are hopeful that this winning combination of world-class snow pros, a significant base of powder, and special lesson deals will encourage people to take advantage and learn to ski or ride in January.


Beginner Skier Gets Instruction at Powderhorn Resort (Credit: Casey Day)

For a complete listing of January-Learn-to-Ski-and-Ride-Month special events and deals at CSCUSA member resorts, please visit www.ColoradoSki.com.