Fun Freetime: Learn to Sky and Snowboard Month

January 2015 marks the seventh annual Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month. Right after New Year’s, during the entire month, ski and snowboard areas throughout the country offer their best deals for newcomers wanting to try one or both of these winter sports in the most affordable way.

“Cost and convenience often are top of mind for people considering taking up skiing or snowboarding,” said Mary Jo Tarallo, executive director for the snow sports industry’s national initiative. “Like anything else, making the sports affordable and accessible requires a little research and smart shopping.” 

The learntoskiandsnowboard.org web site not only provides access to resorts and their learning offers, it also provides a list of snow sports retail shops, tips for newcomers ranging from “How to Save Money”, “How to Dress” (starting with clothes from one’s closet), “Dealing with Children” and “How to Pack for a Ski/Snowboard Trip”. 

Newcomers who take lessons during January have a couple of ways to make skiing and snowboarding more affordable. Online retailer skis.com/snowboards.com is giving a $50 gift voucher to anyone who takes a beginner lesson and sends in the receipt.

A free subscription through learntoskiandsnowboard.org to the Mountain Sports Club paves the way for discounts and savings. Numerous “Passport” programs for kids offers parents substantial savings on lessons and lift tickets for elementary level school children. Discounted lift ticket/learning programs are available during January and beyond from specialized web sites Liftopia.com and GetSkiTickets.com. Details and links to all of these opportunities are available through learntoskiandsnowboard.org. Snowlink.com is another good source for information. 

Beginners who bring other beginners for lessons can win substantial prizes for doing so including skis from Head and Ramp, a snowboard from Ride or a $500 gift voucher from Krimson Klover. The key is to take the Bring a Friend Challenge.

Newcomers who enter the First Day Faces campaign (#firstdayfaces) are eligible to win a four-day trip to Utah including airfare from a major city.

About Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month: January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month. Ski areas and resorts in over 30 states celebrate with special offers to get children and adults out on the snow and taking lessons from a professional instructor. Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month is an industry initiative organized by the National Ski Areas Association, the Professional Ski Instructors of America-American/Association of Snowboard Instructors, the National Ski Patrol, SnowSports Industries America, numerous state and regional resort associations, industry partners and the snow sports media. Program media partners include: Freeskier Magazine, Mountain magazine, OnTheSnow.com, Outside magazine, Powder Magazine, SAM Ski Area Management, Ski Channel, SKI Magazine, Skiing magazine, Skier News, SnoCountry.com, Snow industry letter, Snowboard Magazine and TransWorld SNOWboarding Magazine. Industry partners include Brice & Associates Marketing Communications, Cultivator Advertising & Design, Liftopia, nxtConcepts Interactive Marketing & Media, Ryan Solutions, sitour, Ski Dazzle, Ski & Snowboard Expos, Snow Monsters and Snowboard Colorado. .