NYE Take Two

Here are the stragglers left over from the New Years Eve Deals & Events post. It is nothing to be ashamed of if you are still on the fence, given the conditions. I do not have a destination locked down yet either.

An unhealthy debate to be having this time of year

Q: Should I go skiing or golfing?

A: Well… I could travel south. However, I do not imagine starting the ‘07 Long-shanks campaign off by hitting stingers in raw chilly air with the stud stick as a pleasurable thing.

Winner: Skiing!

photo from Jay Peak Resort taken on 12/28/06

New England conditions are improving with good snowmaking temperatures and some natural snow. Keep an eye on the snow reports and you will see terrain expanding. LINK
The Plan: Bust out Friday night (late to avoid traffic). Take down a new pair of boots on Saturday (shopping for boots can be an all day event – I have already spent a few hours trying on pairs this season). Once in possession of the new hard gear go out and break them in a little on Sunday morning Groomies.
Yes, say it ~ Grrooooommeeees
Linking carved turns – So smooth!
Mine as well grow a mustache with handlebars.
Actually the machine groomed trails are the best way test out a new pair of boots. (Also currently the best conditions in NE) That snow surface allows a skier to really feel what the boots can give for performance. Unlike a new car you can throttle them (and anything below your knee if not fitted properly) the first day without down the road/slope repercussions.
Push them a little. Think Control.
Slicing and Dicing the corduroy.
The Guru’s optimism is at an all time low. I think it is going to “Rrrrr” – Not Quite there yet. (This is that reverse psychology thing they are always talking about on cable television)
POWDER FLASH: If you really want some get on a plane and head west. Colorado is going to get nailed again with a second major holiday snow storm in as many weeks. That reminds me of the 02/03 season in New England.
Check this link to stay updated on what is happening in CO and see some great pictures. LINK
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Here the folks with a NYE tardy slip back home in New England.
Jiminy Peak, MA
Jiminy Peak will hold the annual New Year’s Eve celebration on Sunday, December 31st. Festivities will include a torchlight parade that will commence shortly after the close of the lifts at 10:30 pm. The parade will be on the 360 and 180 trails and will include Jiminy Peak employees skiing down the mountain lighting up the night with torchlights.
The parade will be visible from the base area of Jiminy Peak. Immediately following the parade will be a fireworks display by Alonzo Fireworks. Lifts will operate from 8:30 am – 10:30 pm on New Year’s Eve.
Other activities around the mountain that evening include a special, fixed price, dinner at John Harvard’s Restaurant & Brewery during the evening. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (413) 738-5500 ext. 3780.
Christiansen’s Tavern will host their annual New Year’s Eve celebration featuring live music (no cover charge required.)
The Bethel Inn Resort (Sunday River, ME local)
NYE Packages start at $130 pp/pn and include: Country elegant resort accommodations, a five course dinner in the Main Dining Room, full country breakfast and full use of resort activities including an health club with an outdoor heated pool, whirlpool, saunas, fitness center with NEW Spa services available.
Plus, live entertainment at two venues… A five piece rhythm and blues band at the Conference Center or live entertainment with our in-house entertainer Rob Robbins at the piano bar at The Millbrook Tavern. Kids’ party, complimentary sleigh rides and family activities and events on the Bethel Common.
Smuggler’s Notch, VT (bring the kids and ride the lifts w/o them)
Celebrating New Year’s Eve at Smuggs is awesome! The whole Village comes alive and there are multiple venues for kids, teens, families, and couples to enjoy, all within walking distance of the condo lodging – or within a free (on-demand) shuttle ride!
Here’s the lineup:
4:00 pm Smuggs Winter Games “Ski Boot Toss,” on the Village Green. All ages invited
5:00 – 9:00 pm Sir Henry’s Tube Sliding. All ages. Children under 12 need an adult to come along
7:00 pm FunZone Party: Fun for all ages – kids, make sure to bring your parents! (An indoor family play center with obstacle course, mini-golf, climbing wall, inflated super slide, and lots of other games.)
9:00 pm Adult Karaoke – Sing in the New Year at Bootleggers’ Lounge. Ages 21 and older please
9:00 – 11:50 pm New Year’s Eve Party in the FunZone
9:00 pm – 11:45 pm Goodtime Charlie’s Musical Time Machine in the Meeting House.
Also live music (for 21 and older) and dancing, sumptuous buffets at restaurants on-site in the Resort Village and in the area, and Fireworks display and bonfire at midnight.
Whooohooo! Call 800-451-8752 to reserve lodging and the Gala New Year’s Eve Party
More from the Stowe, VT region
Stowe Realty Rentals still has last minute homes & condos available for NYE. www.StoweRealtyRentals.com
Jay Peak, VT (probably going to get the most snow)
$299 pp/do for 2-night stay in a luxury 2-bedroom Village Condo + 2 days skiing/riding and (free) access to all our New Year’s events including a fireworks display & performance by Rick Reddington & the Luv Machine (all ages welcome).
Important! This is why I love the snow capital of the East…
To get the Deal hit this LINK and then enter the following.
*Date of Arrival must be either December 29th, 30th, or 31st.
*Nights of Stay must be 2
*Adults per Unit must be at least 2
*Type SkiGuru (all one word) in the Special Offers Code box.
or call 1.800.451.4449 to book by phone.
Last, but most certainly not the first to turn in this Sunday night…
Killington, VT
Buy one, get one FREE Airfare to Killington.
To celebrate ski season, CommutAir is offering buy one, get one free airfare from Boston to Rutland, Vermont – only 30 minutes from Killington Resort.
This will save you up to $198 in getting to/from Rutland and Killington. All you need to do is connect to another flight in Boston. There are hundreds of flights to/from Boston every day and it’s easy to get great non-stop fares such as:
Sample fares to/from Boston:
Baltimore: from $119* per person round trip
Florida: from $179* per person round trip
The buy one, get one free deal is also available for passengers traveling from/to the following cities served by CommutAir:
Wilkes-Barre / Scranton, PA and Allentown, PA: If you are coming from one of those cities, one person can fly for just $272 round trip to Rutland and the other person flies free.
Combine this deal with a Ski and Stay Package , including lodging, lift tickets and transportation through Killington Central Reservations for greater vacation savings.
Offer is valid through April 15, 2007. For reservations or information, call 1-802-747-9963.
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Thats all for now folks! Hope it help you get north this weekend for the kickoff of 2007. Start the year off on the snow.
Giddy Up,
S.G.