Wednesday, 5 February 2014

Winter Games Snowboarding at Blue Mountain, February 8 & 9


With the Winter Games kicking off this week, interest in Alpine Sports is at an all-time high. Blue Mountain celebrates the Games by paying tribute to homegrown snowboard talent with the Volcom Stone Peanut Butter and Rail Jam on Saturday, February 8, and Youth Ride Along Day on Sunday, February 9. 



Volcom Stone Peanut Butter and Rail Jam - February 8th

Volcom Stone’s Peanut Butter and Rail Jam is Ontario’s largest rail jam and a staple event on the Ontario snowboard scene. Back at Blue Mountain for its 11th year, over 150 riders from across the province are expected to throw down their signature moves in an effort to qualify for the 2014 PBRJ World Championships and win $15,000. This is a free, full day event in Blue Mountain’s Badlands Terrain Park. Registration begins at 8am.  



Youth Ride Along Day (YRAD) February 9th
 
Blue Mountain continues to provide access to Alpine Sports by hosting Youth Ride Along Day. YRAD gives seven underprivileged children access to snowboarding by gifting them with all new hard goods, outerwear and one on one coaching. The group spends the day on-hill learning the basics of boarding including balancing, edging and control. YRAD is run in conjunction with Big Brothers and will arrive at Blue Mountain by 8:30am. 



 Off-hill, Blue Mountain Village pays tribute to the Olympic Spirit with games-themed ice sculptures placed throughout the pedestrian village. Arriving Thursday February 5, the ice sculptures include a Ski Racer, Freestyle Snowboarder, Figure Skater, the Olympic Torch and a 6 foot wide carving of the Olympic Rings, located in the Events Plaza at Blue Mountain Village. Additionally, Village restaurants will have all available television screens tuned to the Winter Games.
 

Mascot in the Making Contest



Blue Mountain Resort (BMR) and the Blue Mountain Village Association (BMVA) are pleased to announce the winner of their Mascot in the Making Contest. “Frost the Fox,” designed by 19 year old Tina Buttineau of Owen Sound, Ontario, is slated to become the official mascot as of March 2014.

Chosen from over 50 contest entries, “Frost” stood out to the selection committee as the perfect mascot-like rendering of local wildlife seen in the forests of Blue Mountain. “It was important to us that our new mascot be representational of Blue Mountain’s indigenous wildlife,” stated Patti Kendall, Director Marketing and Events, BMVA. “On any given day, it’s not uncommon to spot a number of foxes in and around the Mountain area. Tina’s illustration showed thoughtful consideration to this point while also designing the fox to appear friendly and approachable – two very important qualities to have in a mascot.” In its final iteration, Frost will have the ability to ski or snowboard and will be outfitted in seasonal accessories that are suitable for winter and summer.

As the grand prize winner, production of Tina’s design will be implemented immediately. Tina has also won an all-inclusive weekend at Blue Mountain, as well as a Super Season Pass to be used during the 2014/2015 season. Second prize was awarded to “Blizzard the Husky,” designed by 14 year old Hannah Tripp of Port Perry, Ontario. Hannah’s illustration earned her a 2014/2015 5x7 Season Pass. Lastly, “Eddie the Yeti,” designed by 37 year old Travis Hopkins of Toronto, Ontario, captured third place and a 2014/2015 Double Down Ski Card.

Mascot in the Making was launched in December 2013 and was open to all ages. To enter, templates could be downloaded on bluemountain.ca and bluemountainvillage.ca with contest entries accepted via email and Canada Post. Submissions were judged by a panel of experts who decided a winner based on the artist’s ability to combine form and functionality with artistic flair, recognizing that Blue Mountain is a true four season destination.

Friday, 10 January 2014

Blue Mountain Focusses On Creating Lifelong Skiers and Boarders



This season, Blue Mountain Resort has focused their efforts on growing the world of alpine sports in Ontario.  With a goal to create lifelong skiers and snowboarders in mind, Blue Mountain is pleased to announce a weekend of events that focus on ski and snowboard skills development occurring January 17-19, 2014.

January 17, 2014
The Orchard Grand Opening
Celebrate Blue Mountain’s terrain expansion with the grand prize winner of The Ultimate Orchard Experience.  One lucky winner and four friends will receive 60 minutes of private access to The Orchard Trails prior to resort open, plus all new skis or snowboards for the group.  Join us at 7am as we open the slopes and invite the group to enjoy a money can’t buy experience at Blue Mountain Resort.

January 18, 2014
Women’s Snowboard Federation Park Day
Blue Mountain hosts an all-girl coaching tour that focusses on progressing park and all mountain snowboard skills for female riders.  Pre-register at parkdays.ca for access to private snowboard lessons with elite female coaches.

Salomon’s Don’t Get Lost Snowshoe Raid
Participate in a team-based snowshoe race combined with navigation by map and compass.  Competitors will travel on and off-trail to checkpoints located throughout The Blue Mountains stunning forests and parklands.  Teams of two will have up to 3-hours to collect as many checkpoints as possible.

January 19, 2014
World Snow Day
Blue Mountain makes it easy to become a skier or snowboarder with their Newbie Circuit offered for one day only at $19.  The Newbie Circuit includes rentals, beginner lessons and a beginner lift ticket for children aged 13 and older. 

The Ontario All Aboard Demo Tour
While at Blue Mountain, snowboarders can check out the latest in snowboard technology with the All Aboard Demo Tour which brings the 2013/2014 demo fleet to the base of the Silver Bullet Chair.  Guests can demo their choice of board from brands like Burton, Salomon, Gnu, Capita and more.
About Blue Mountain Resort
Blue Mountain, Ontario’s largest mountain resort is nestled on the shores of Georgian Bay, located 90 minutes north of Toronto. Blue Mountain has become the four-season destination of the North, visited by more than 1.5 million guests a year. Winter at the resort boasts 42 ski and snowboard trails enhanced by a world-class snowmaking system.  Summer months offer the largest downhill mountain biking facility in Ontario, Monterra Golf course, Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster, Cascade Putting Course, Timber Challenge Ropes Course, Wind Rider Triple Zips and a private beach property among other seasonal attractions. Year-round the resort attracts visitors to more than 1,000 luxury accommodation units and 45 unique concept restaurants, bars and retail stores in our pedestrian Village. 37,500 square feet of state-of-the-art conference space caters year-round to corporate meeting groups. Blue Mountain is 50% owned by Intrawest ULC.  Visit www.bluemountain.ca for more information. 

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Media Contact:
Ashley Boland
Manager, Public Relations
Blue Mountain Resort
Tel: 705-445-0231 ext: 6052