Snow vs. Football - When Patriots Win, Skier Numbers Tend to Thin

[AlpineZone News]

BARTLETT, NH — All the lifts are open, snowmaking has been charging for months and the trails are groomed perfectly smooth every night. What's missing? When the New England Patriots go deep into the playoffs, which has been the norm lately, many skiers and snowboarders choose couch over mountains. Attitash, in the Mount Washington Valley of New Hampshire, is offering up a wide range of ticket and lodging deals to lure skiers, riders and football fans to the slopes.

"I'm as big a Pats fan as the next guy," said John Urdi, vice president of brand management for Attitash. "I must admit that it's easier to root for the Red Sox because they don't keep people off the slopes. By the way, I'd like to mention that the Red Sox are world champions as well. There's such a nice ring to that."

Recently announced lift ticket deals include a free 1-Day lift ticket valid Feb. 28 through April 3, 2005 when guests purchase a 3-Day ticket for the Martin Luther King Weekend either at the window or online at attitash.com/etickets. The weekends of Jan. 22 and Feb. 5 Attitash is offering a 2-Day Touchdown Ticket online for $69 or at the window for $79.

"There's no reason that folks can't ski and catch the games. The mountain is in great shape and our new ticket deals make it an even better value," said Urdi.

Guests can also take advantage of a Kids Ski, Stay and Learn Free offer that is valid through the month of January with the exception of the Martin Luther King Weekend. Families reserving a 3-5 day Ski and Stay Package will, in addition to free lodging for kids, receive a free 3-5 day lift ticket for kids ages 6-12 per adult and one half-day kids Perfect Turn Program per adult. More information is available at attitash.com/kidsskifree.

Kicking off Jan. 26 is Attitash's 40th Anniversary celebration, which will continue the streak of skier and rider friendly deals all the way into March. A concert by local rockers Five Day 40 will serve as the kick-off of the 40-day festivities to be capped off by the All Star Aerial Show on the weekend of March 5-6.

More information is available on the company's website, www.attitash.com.

 

[riverc0il]

while i am sure the pats doing well has some effect on ski day decision making, i doubt it is that influential. especially this year, the reason skiers are "thin" is cause so are the conditions! or even for ski areas such as okemo and crotched that do such a fantastic job with snow making and grooming, if skiers don't see snow storms hitting the mountain they are less likely to go.

regardless, i think skiers know their priorities and are also aware they can catch the game on the slopes if it's that important to them. i think that would only be a draw for a skiing weekend actually, skiing and football and apres ski and beer, it all goes so well together for most people.

then again, i'm biased because i gave up on pro sports.