Organizers of the January Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month are offering more incentives for newcomers to learn how to ski or snowboard this winter. The national “Bring a Friend Challenge” start date has been moved forward to Dec. 1, 2012; it ends on March 17, 2013. Challenge rules have also been expanded to be more inclusive.
Taking the Challenge simply means introducing and helping enroll newcomers to a lesson or lessons provided by a professional instructor. Sponsors are offering prizes for anyone who motivates newcomers whether they are current skiers and snowboarders or newcomers themselves. The Challenge is online at bringafriend.org. In short,
Current skiers or snowboarders are encouraged to “Take the Challenge” by introducing newcomers to a lesson or lessons from professional instructors.
Newcomers who invite friends or family members to a venue for a beginner lesson or lessons package now can “Take the Challenge” as well.
Lessons can be taken at any venue in the U.S. as long as a professional instructor provides them. The entire Bring a Friend Challenge program is hosted on the Bring a Friend website and is not connected directly to a specific ski or snowboard area.
Product Prizes include skis from HEAD, Rossignol and Salomon (from skis.com); snowboards from Rossignol, RAMP and Firefly (from snowboards.org); outfits from Boulder Gear, gloves and mittens from SWANY, snowboard boots from Celsius, subscriptions from SKI and Transworld magazines. Grand prizes include trips to Idaho (Sun Valley), Utah (Deer Valley, Park City and The Canyons) and Vermont (Smugglers’ Notch). Details can be found here.
Newcomers to skiing and snowboarding are encouraged to view www.skiandsnowboardmonth.org for basic information on how to prepare for their snow experience. Bring a Friend Challenge participants should register at www.bringafriend.org.
Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month is an industry initiative organized by state and regional ski associations, leading snow sports media outlets, rep and retailer associations, the Professional Ski Instructors of America, the American Association of Snowboard Instructors, United States Ski and Snowboard Association, National Ski Patrol, SnoCountry, SnowSports Industries America, and National Ski Areas Association.
