National pride will be on the line, as the Canadian team competes against athletes from more than 20 countries in these global events. Blue Mountain is one of 19 locations on the FIS World Cup Tour, including stops in Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and Norway, among other countries.  Blue Mountain is one of only two stops in Canada for both FIS World Cup events.

“We are proud to host both World Cup events at Blue Mountain and showcase this beautiful region to the world,” said Paul Pinchbeck, Director of Marketing for Blue Mountain Resort.  “Blue Mountain has been a leader in embracing both freestyle disciplines, and we look forward to challenging these athletes with our world-class terrain.”

The event organizers, headed by event co-chairs Chris Robinson and Mark Kristofic, have planned a spectacular event, featuring world-class Ski Cross and Snowboardcross courses that will challenge the world’s best athletes.

“We are bringing in the best course builders in the world and look forward to again delivering a top-notch event,” said Robinson, President of the World Snowsports Events Group.  “The last two years were incredible events and we look forward to adding Snowboardcross to this year’s event card.”

Racing on home soil is also something that Canadian athletes look forward to.  “I thrived off the crowd at Blue Mountain,” said Chris Del Bosco, current World Champion and winner of the 2011 World Cup at Blue Mountain.  “We visited local schools beforehand and all the kids were yelling and cheering at the race.  The crowd at Blue was amazing.”

Event Details

2012 Audi FIS World Cup Ski Cross presented by Rockstar

When:   Wednesday, February 1^st through Friday, February 3^rd

Where:  Blue Mountain Resort

Who:    Male and female competitors from over 20 countries

2012 LG Snowboardcross FIS World Cup presented by Rockstar

When:   Monday, February 6^th through Wednesday, February 8^th

Where:  Blue Mountain Resort

Who:    Male and female competitors from over 20 countries

Please visit www.bluemountainworldcup.ca  or   www.bluemountain.ca for more information. 

Media are invited to attend the FIS World Cup Press Conference on January 22 at 4 p.m. at Blue Mountain.  World Cup athletes will be joined by Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Georgian Triangle to officially launch the FIS World Cup Tour at Blue Mountain.

Collin Matanowitsch

Blue Mountain Resort

705.445.0231 ext. 6052

cmatanowitsch@bluemountain.ca

Stay Active this Winter with programs geared for local residents. One of the best things about living in the Georgian Bay region is that you can embrace winter by staying active and taking advantage of the ski and snowboard capital of Ontario. 

Skiing and snowboarding are great ways to keep active with friends and family and have tremendous health benefits.  The sports can improve balance, flexibility, agility, and leg and core strength.  It’s estimated that the average person can burn approximately 360-570 calories per hour while skiing or snowboarding.  

You have Ontario’s best terrain right in your back yard.  The Blue Mountain Snow School has 9-Week Adult Programs that are designed for local skiers and snowboarders who are looking to get outdoors, on the slopes and have a great social experience.

Choose from a number of 9-Week Adult Programs that run Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Wednesdays.  A popular choice for local residents is the new Wednesday night program.  Sessions focus on developing your skills in a casual, social environment and include video assessments. The focus of the programs is having fun, and après-ski just steps from the mountain!  Programs start at $249 + taxes and run January 7^th to March 7^th, 2012.

To learn more about the Blue Mountain Snow School or to sign up for a 9-Week Adult Program visit http://www.bluemountain.ca/9week.htm

By Collin Matanowitsch

Enter Now at http://www.mycollingwood.info

Do you find you’ve come to a spot in your skiing or riding where the only way to get your rocks off is to go so fast or so big that any mishap would be a season ender?

Are you too old to be acting like this?

Well then I have the answer. Jump the fence and try the evil OTHER side. 

I started snowboarding (because tobogganing was no longer cool) in grade 9, which for me was a very long time ago.  After spending several years working on the mountains in BC, I returned to find Blue a little flatter than when I left. The only way to feel that once familiar adrenalin rush was to push beyond where I should be riding day after day.

A couple years ago I started skiing.  It was awesome to feel an obvious progression again.  The first couple times out, my friend hooked me up with high pro demo’s.  Every day I’d return the skis and he’d ask me how I liked that specific ski.  Well every ski I returned was “SO much better than the last one”.  It didn’t occur to me until later that it wasn’t the ski that was so much better; rather I was so much better with each new day on the hill.  After years on a board I’d forgotten how quick the progression is when you’re starting.

It’s also cool to see the terrain in a different way.  I’ll often use the knuckle on Elevator Shaft to catch a little air, but the first time I slid up to the pitch on skis I looked down, stomach spinning, and thought CRAP!!  it’s steep.

Let me be clear about my intention, I’m not trying to turn everyone off the sport they love.

In fact, I find I’m more stoked to board after a day on skis.  It’s all fun, and that’s the point.

Feeling stale?   Get some silly looking pants and see how the other half slides.

A bit about Cory - I started working at Blue full time in the rental shop the season of 93/94.  From the windows of Central rentals I noticed a group of people who seemed to just “hang around” and go ride whenever they wanted.   So I got my level 1 snowboard instructors and started teaching the following winter.  As it turns out, the job is a little different than what it appeared thru the central rental window, but I’ve never looked back.  Teaching snowboarding is a passion that has taken me to Whistler for a season and Fernie for 4.  In 2000 I returned to Ontario to get a “real job”, but as it turns out snowboarding is way better than working as an electrical apprentice.  I defiantly consider myself a snowboarder but have recently started dabbling on the double planks.  I really don’t care what’s under your feet; it’s what you do with the terrain that impresses me.   So long as 20c’s or more puts a snow eating grin on your chops, then we’ll get along just fine.

The holiday countdown is on! If you’re stumped on gift ideas, let us help you! Our annual

Holiday Gift Guide is back. Give the gift of winter with limited time holiday deals on lift tickets, tennis, golf, ski equipment, stylish and comfy clothing, lodging, Snow School lessons and dining!  Some conditions apply. All pricing and details available at: bluemountain.ca

Gift ideas all available from Blue Mountain:

1) Treat the golf lover on your list for next season, with 2 midweek rounds with cart rental at Monterra Golf on special.

2) Monterra Tennis Memberships are available at the Early Bird prices once again.

3) Cash for Clunkers continues, but there are a limited number of pairs left! Bring in your clunkers to Badlands or Red Devil for an incredible credit toward a brand new pair of Salomon Aeromax skis.

4) Enjoy a Ski & Stay Package midweek for one of the best lodging rates of the season!

5) Save on food credits on amazing menu items at The Pottery Restaurant.

6) The Discover Skiing & Snowboarding package is available at the night price for the holidays. It’s a flexible circuit for beginners and those looking for some pointers!

7) The Full Mountain Experience package is offered at the night price for the holidays! These one hour group lesson packages are for those looking to take their first trip to the top of the mountain and fine tune their skills on some intermediate terrain.

Find complete Holiday Gift Guide pricing and details online at: bluemountain.ca

Have a safe and happy holiday season from your friends at Blue Mountain. Think snow!

There is really nothing as exciting as opening day.  It’s crazy to say, but even a 30 cm day doesn’t measure up.  Think about it, when else do you get seasoned skiers and snowboarders whooping and yelling over groomers?  It’s a full release of so many months of pent up energy.  All those days in the shop weighing your wallet against the gear you want to rock; all the ski swaps trying to sell enough stuff so you can take home that somethin somethin you just can’t do without; all those extended washroom breaks flipping thru mags;  all those nights p-texing, waxing, trying on, adjusting and just holding equipment.  It all escalates to one day. 

Opening day is awesome.

To say “take it easy” would be like asking the devil to “cool down”.  It’s not going to happen.  However try to keep 3 things in mind.

• 1. You’re probably on new gear.  It will work very differently than the punched out stuff you used the last time you were out.  Opening day 4 years ago I was on my brand new board which was way stiffer than my previous board (went from an un inc to a custom x).  I caught my edge during a (stupid) butter competition and broke my collar bone.  The worst part was that it happened on the beginner run. 6 weeks till day 2.  RATS!!!  
• 2. Your brain is in the same spot it was at the end of last season (some exceptions), but your body is not even close to where it was last season.  Test yourself.  Start small and move up.  In Ontario we have this rotten time called November where there is really nothing to do but wait for winter.  Even biking is done.  My body uses this time to completely undo a whole summer of biking.
• 3. The limited open terrain is like a kicked bees nets.  Everyone is going crazy.  Watch your back.  A good friend tore her ACL when she was taken out from behind on opening day 8 years ago.  A season ender before it really started.

I really hate sounding like my mother, and I really don’t want opening day to be any less fun than it I know it will be.  It’s just such a rotten time to get hurt.  So rock opening day like you’re being chased, just remember there’s a whole season behind it.

A bit about Cory: I started working at Blue full time in the rental shop the season of 93/94.  From the windows of Central rentals I noticed a group of people who seemed to just “hang around” and go ride whenever they wanted.   So I got my level 1 snowboard instructors and started teaching the following winter.  As it turns out, the job is a little different than what it appeared thru the central rental window, but I’ve never looked back.  Teaching snowboarding is a passion that has taken me to Whistler for a season and Fernie for 4.  In 2000 I returned to Ontario to get a “real job”, but as it turns out snowboarding is way better than working as an electrical apprentice.  I defiantly consider myself a snowboarder but have recently started dabbling on the double planks.  I really don’t care what’s under your feet; it’s what you do with the terrain that impresses me.   So long as 20c’s or more puts a snow eating grin on your chops, then we’ll get along just fine.

Without a doubt, right around this time every year people start getting antsy. To be honest, we do to! The question on everyone's minds - "when will you be open?" - is the hot topic of conversation every day, if not, every hour!

There are a lot of factors that play into our opening day; snow being the greatest of them all! While we're just as keen to hit the white stuff as you are, we also pride ourselves on providing a quality product, year after year.

You may have already heard the good word through the grapevine that this is our first year to announce opening day in advance – and we’re glad we did! Since we announced December 9^th, 2010 as our opening day for the 2010/11 winter season, it has been snowing non-stop. Maybe the snow-gods were waiting for our cue?!  In any case, if you live in the Georgian Bay region you’ve probably been experiencing the sudden onset of old man winter on the roads, in your driveways and just about everywhere you go! The best way to experience the season and truly embrace all this fluffy white stuff is on the slopes. So mark it in your calendars, book some time off and we’ll see you this Friday for opening day at Blue Mountain!

A bit about Julie – Here at Blue Mountain, we measure our seniority in “winters”. This will be my 4^th winter and first not on the slopes. While I will miss shredding over the lunch hour and getting a taste of powder on the odd occasion, I’m looking forward to teaching a new little person how to ski, ride and generally appreciate winter once they arrive next April. My husband and I are half convinced he or she will arrive with a snowboard strapped to their feet!

Stay connected with me and brag about how great it is out there through our email communication, Facebook page and Twitter account.