Westbound Boarder

Do you remember those little chocolate advent calendars your mom used to give you growing up?  I loved those things, and I think for a lot of kids they really embody the spirit of Christmas (come on, chocolate santas = Christmas, duh!)

PacSun has created a little advent calendar of their own, this time for grown-ups!  It’s called the Pass It On calendar and it can be found here.  I only noticed it this morning so I don’t quite have all the details, but basically, you can head to this virtaul calendar each day to meet a different PacSun team member and “unlock” a different discount, giveaway or sweepstakes!  For example, today you can sign up towin an $100 gift card; pretty cool.

With the barometer outside in SoCal pushing 70 today, it’s nice to find some Christmas cheer online, even if it is only in the form of a calendar :)  Pass it on!

As I mentioned early last week, I caught up with five people from the Vail Resorts crew during their stay in LA last Tuesday.  As a blogger located in sunny Southern California, I don’t often get the opportunity to attend or write about ski resorts in other parts of the US, so it was really nice to be able to meet the staff face-to-face and learn about what the 09/10 ski season will bring.  Wait a minute… “Ski season,” you ask?  “But it’s summer!” Well yes, this is true, but it is never too early to begin thinking about the winter ahead and planning out your trips for… next year.

Typically, each winter Danielle and I take one or two big ski trips a year, and last year we decided to forgo the usual Whistler/Blackcomb trip in favor of something a bit more local… Colorado (read our review here!)  We decided on Vail because our good buddy Kevin just got a job as a ski instructor there, and we thought that a trip to visit him was well in order.  Plus, what a great opportunity to visit a new hill!  Now, I’ve been to several different ski resorts across the country (and if you include Whistler, I can officially say “across the world” ) but Vail was a new one for me.  However, I’m so glad we did go.  The snow was amazing, the people were great, and the resort truly lived up to its “luxury” reputation.  However, Vail is only one mountain in the Vail Resorts family, and I’d highly encourage you to check out all five resorts when planning your next trip East.

To make your research a bit easier, I’ll briefly recap the five resorts in the Vail Resorts family below and highlight a couple of the features that makes each mountain unique from its brother.

Vail Mountain - “Like Nothing on Earth”

Seriously, read our review.  And our second.  And check out their Web site.  Need I say more?

Beaver Creek - “Not Exactly Roughing It”

While Vail is known for its luxury and class, Beaver Creek sways more on the intimate side.  It is a nice, quaint little resort tucked away from the rest of the land, so you truly feel like you’re getting a relaxing vacation.  With several restaurants, museums, shopping, and relaxing spas in three villages and two towns (Avon and Edwards), there is plenty to do; and the town is certainly family-friendly, too (SKI Magazine recently called it “consummate kid-friendly resort”).  But don’t forget about the riding - during the day, Beaver Creek boasts 149 trails, 17 chair lift, and several great terrain parks (4 parks and 1 pipe).

Breckenridge

Hosting events such as the Dew Tour, Breckenridge has slowly grown into its reputation of being the “cool,” more “hip” brother mountain in the Vail Resorts family.  Breckenridge is definitely more well-known as the Colorado snowboarder favorite, and with its five stellar parks and four pipes (all which can be seen on “Breck 1080” - the Resort’s interactive trail map), what’s not to like?  This resort also boasts the Breckenridge Freeride Team, which is a team of both pros and local up-in-coming riders; its nice to see a resort putting time and effort into the newbies of the sport.  So in sum, 155 trails, a good variety of parks, 76 bars, and 20,002 pillows (???), and a fun night life, Breck is the place to be.

Heavenly

If Breckenridge is the cool hip brother, then Heavenly is, well, the other cool, hip brother; maybe even the cooler, hipper brother… okay, wait… the cooler, hipper sister :)  Being the only resort in the Vail family to be located outside of Colorado, Heavenly is the perfect home hill for Nor-Cal residents, and a great “home away from home” for the people like me who are only about six hours away.  Now, there’s plenty to do on the mountain at Heavenly - the California sunshine combined with the 30 lifts, 95 trails and killer terrain parks certainly makes for one great day.  But when night falls… well, let’s just say you better not waste all your energy skiing ;)  Heavenly has quite the reputation for being one of the best party mountains.  The resort even has Vegas-style casinos and an awesome music scene.  Oh, and of course more than 100 bars and night clubs.  Party on, Heavenly!

Keystone - “It’s All Here”

Their tagline says it all.  While most ski resorts claim to have it all, Keystone really does.  Though I haven’t heard too much about this resort and can’t personally speak to many of its differentiators, this resort has everything from dinner sleigh rides (!!!) to guided snowcat skiing and riding.  Oh, and they are the only resort in the Vail family to offer night skiing, which is awesome if your goal is to get as much riding in as possible.

So there you have it.  Five great resorts, one big family.  And in case you can’t decide which resort you’d like to go to (after all, they all sound great!) check out their Epic Pass promo going on so you can attend all five resorts for the price of one.

Think it’s too early to get your season snow pass for next year?  Think again.  With the 2008/2009 ski and snowboard season just coming to a close, most resorts are already starting to gear up for next year by offering great discounts on tickets and passes for next year’s season.  And here’s one awesome deal worth checking out in the SoCal area:

Bear Mountain Resorts (click on the link for our review) is offering a killer deal on 2009/2010 season passes from now until May 31 (translation, you only have a few more days to snag this bad-boy deal!)  2009/2010 “Screamin’ Deal Season Passes” at BBMR are valid for both Bear Mountain and Snow Summit and start at only $199 for children and $299 for adults. Season pass holders can use a single pass to access both Bear Mountain and Snow Summit which includes 26 lifts, 430 developed acres, more than 55 runs, and the #1 Park in the Nation (according to BBMR).  After May 31, prices on BBMR passes will go up roughly about $200, depending on if you purchase a pass good for for just one or both Bear Mountain and Snow Summit Resorts.  A regular-priced pass during the season is $599 for adults, and $399 for children… so I’d say that $300 off is a pretty darn good deal.

Aside from SoCal mouintain resorts, if you haven’t already started thinking about whether or not you want to invest in a pass, you should, because most good deals are pre-season only.  It’s really a matter of taking a moment to sit down and ask yourself, “am I really going to go enough to at least cover the face-value cost of this pass?”  If the answer is yes, go for it!  A good deal is well worth the advance investment.  If your answer if “eh, maybe,” though - no worries, you still got time, even if you don’t catch a good deal this time around

My top reco if you know you definitely do want a season pass this year is to first, decide which resort you’d like to purchase a pass to; and next, call the resort or visit the Web site to check on dates and deadlines for advance purchase deals.  And of course, we’ll continue to keep you posted on good season pass deals at Westbound Boarder as we hear about them!

As I’m sure you’re all well aware, we here at Westbound Boarder love sweet deals, and we love them even more when they involve season passes!!  Vail Resorts (read our review here) is offering their 2nd annual ‘Epic Season Pass‘ deal through Sunday, April 12.  The pass costs $579 for adults and $279 for children, ages 5-12, for skiing and snowboarding at all five Vail Resorts - Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly - as well as at Arapahoe Basin.  While that price might seems a bit steep at first glance, season passes normally run well over a grand, and the Epic Pass grants you access to, not one, but six resorts!  (A day lift ticket to Vail runs nearly $90, for comparison, so six times up and it pays for itself).  

The people at Vail Resorts realize that these are tough times for everyone, so to help even further, they are giving guests the option to lock in these 2008-2009 prices with only a $49 down payment per pass with the remainder of the balance due in September, 2009.

This pass debuted last March and shocked the industry with how great the deal was.  They’ve never offered a pass that included all five of their resorts, so this is really an amazing deal.  Last year they sold 60,000.  While Vail is feeling the shock of the economy a little (sales this year were down around 5% from the same time last year) its great to hear that they can continue to offer these types of deals to the most diehard ski and snowboard fans.  Vail Resorts are truly amazing, so if you live in or near Colorado or NorCal, I’d highly recommend you check this out.  And don’t forget, last day’s Sunday so I suggest you get on it!

I have already told you last week about my new favorite board shop in Portland, Signal Women’s Sports. Well here is another reason to call this shop your fav! Signal just announced their, ‘LAST WINTER BLOWOUT!” That is right, this Saturday & Sunday (April 5th & 6th), is the Final Winter Clearance Special, where you will get 60% off all ski wear, snowboard wear, skis, boots & bindings and 50% off all remaining snowboard hardware. So what are you waiting for? Get to the shop that has the best selection in Portland this weekend, you can’t afford not to go. OH and tell Sig and Al the girls at Westbound Boarder we say wassap!!!

If there is one thing you are sure to find at my new favorite board shop in Portland, it is selection! Signal Sports -for Women is a Ski and Snowboard shop founded almost 4 years ago by Sig and Al, husband and wife. This pair founded Signal on the premise that women need a board shop that they can feel comfortable in. As Sig puts it, “all too often women are cast aside or not taken seriously in this industry.” Well that unfortunate notion stops at Signal!

This shop really invites and encourages all women, of all levels and ages to, “either join in the sport, or to get back into the sport that they lost touch with over the years!” However you have found your way to the sport, Signal should be the first stop for all female ski and snowboard enthusiasts. With the area’s largest selection of women’s hardware and software goods and an extremely knowledgeable staff, you are bound to find all you need at Signal.

On top of the great variety of gear, Signal carries a plethora of items for women. With a great selection of sunglasses, handbags, bathing suits and accessories, there really is something for every girl in this shop. You can feel good about shopping at Signal too, as their prices are extremely competitive and they carry everything from the familiar top brands, to awesome local brands (Such as Holden, Melika & Bonfire) - that you won’t find anywhere else but here.

There is no better time than now to stop on by and check out Signal Sports; their hardware is 40% off and all of their winter gear is 50% off. If you just want to browse for the latest quality gear - or you simply have a question about what board will be best for you - Signal Sports encourages all women to come on in and get their questions answered by their all female staff (other than co-owner / operator Al ). Open every day (except for Tuesdays), you have no reason not to go!

So by now you have all had a chance to check out Whiskey Militia as we told you all last week how rad this Web site is! If you liked what you saw (and we KNOW you did) we’ve discovered a few more hidden gems, offering you even more great deals. Brociety and Dogfunk essentially work the same way as Whiskey Militia (after all, they are sister sites to each other). So stop by and take a look as they have it all - even the underground, emerging brands such as Capita, Holden and Airblaster. Go ahead. Check ‘em out because their products are, ‘stupidly marked down!’

The crappy economy got you down? Is your bank account dwindling as you refuse to give up your boardsport lifestyle during these tuff times? Well worry not - you don’t have to make any sacrifices - you just have to shop at Whiskey Militia.  Until last weekend I had only hear the rumors. Then I stopped by our buddy Dan’s site, Boards and Decks, and the proof was in his blog…

So here is how it works. Whiskey Militia features one item every 30 minutes, marks it down about 75%  and starts the clock. The site provides you with the details, quantities and reviews on the featured product and the buying begins. Don’t like what you see? Worry not, another item will be up shortly!

As most of us don’t have time to sit around and check out the new steal every 30 minutes, that is okay. Whiskey Militia has a variety of plug-ins and alerts so you can custom set the perfect way for to regularly receive the, ‘featured item update.’ Whiskey Militia has great deals and an awesome return policy if you must. So hurry up, go get the current steal and let us know what you got by leaving us a comment! Happy Buying

I’ve needed a new board for quite some time now… and when I was visiting Oregon this past weekend, I finally made the big investment.

If you’re thinking about getting new gear, now is the time to get it.  Many snowboard shops are trying to rid their shelves of the old stuff to make room for the surf.  Joe’s Sports for example has 40% off a lot of their snowboards (I almost got the Ride Solace) and 30% off Burton boards - the downside is that they don’t have many intermediate plus boards to choose from, but they have the best deals on boards and boots I’ve seen so far.  They also have great deals on helmets, outerwear, boots (I got discontinued Ride’s on sale from $169 to $50!) - basically, you name it, it’s probably on sale.

US Outdoor Store also has good end-of-season deals.  25% off most their boards, and they have a larger selection to choose from than Joe’s.  After much deliberation ($200 for the Solace at Joe’s or $300+ for a better board at US Outdoor store) I finally settled on the Burton Blender - the one Danielle and I have both been eyeing all season

If you’re thinking about getting a new board or gear, I’d recommend starting the search now if you want to save a few bucks.  Hurry though, both these places will sell out fast!

Know anywhere else that is having a good sale?  Let us know in the comments, or e-mail us!