The organizers of the Learn to Ski and Snowboard/Bring a Friend initiative have updated and re-launched the initiatives website with new features that make it easier for newcomers to find where they can learn how to ski, snowboard and participate in other snow sports.

The new URL is www.learntoskiandsnowboard.org.

The new LSS site is the most consumer friendly site weve ever had, said Samantha Rufo, president of nxtConcepts, developers of the site and long-time supporters of the initiative. We are providing customized and unique experiences for consumers and especially newcomers to snow sports.

The industry-supported site originally focused specifically on January – Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month. Initiative partners wanted the flexibility to better promote learning programs that take place at other times since lessons from professional instructors are available all winter long.

Our goal is to encourage taking lessons from professional instructors, said Raelene Davis, VP of marketing for Ski Utah and chair of the initiative. January still will be ‘Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month because many ski and snowboard areas like to offer their best learning deals then. Its a great PR hook that enables us to focus the publics attention and the industrys attention on a specific time frame. However, since lessons are available all winter and we want to make sure that we are getting that message across to newcomers as well.

The website continues to provide practical tips and basic information that a newcomer should know before, during and after taking lessons. It also includes updated information on consumer shows and special kids programs and a tab that will exclusively feature special January deals as they become available. The skiandsnowboardmonth.org URL still will go directly to the January offers on the new site.

Bringafriend.org will be more closely aligned with learntoskiandsnowboard.org to provide partners crafting a bring a friend message with option. It primarily hosts the Bring a Friend Challenge. Initiative partners are encouraged to use the Challenge as an incentive for current skiers and snowboarders who help newcomers sign up for lessons from professionals.

Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month is an industry initiative organized by numerous state and regional ski associations, the leading snow sports media outlets, snow sports rep associations, the Professional Ski Instructors of America, the American Association of Snowboard Instructors, SnowSports Industries America, the National Ski Patrol, and the National Ski Areas Association.