WINTER FESTIVAL DOUBLE WHAMMY: IN TRAVERSE CITY, FEB 13-16 PROMISES TO BE A VERY BUSY WEEKEND!
TRAVERSE CITY, MI – Even during an ordinary season, February is a busy time in this northern Michigan resort community of skiers, snowmobilers and snowboarders. But thanks to a rare conjunction of events, the 2009 President’s Day weekend (Feb. 13-16) promises to take things to an entirely new level. For the first time, Traverse City’s annual February winter carnival -- the Cherry Capital Winter WonderFest -- coincides with the North American Vasa Festival of Races, which draws hundreds of cross-country skiers and fans to the area each year. Winter WonderFest has grown rapidly in size and scope since its 2007 startup, with more than 50 indoor and outdoor events scheduled between Friday evening and Monday afternoon. And the North American Vasa is a perfect complement to its atmosphere of casual merrymaking.

Now in its 33rd year, the Vasa is a hugely popular event among Midwestern ski racers – thanks largely to the beauty of the course, which snakes through the pines and hardwoods of the Pere Marquette State Forest. The main competition, which features 12K, 27K and 50K races in both freestyle and classic modes, will take place on Saturday, Feb. 14, while its companion event – the Gran Travers Classic (6K and 16K) is scheduled for Sunday. This winter, those skiers and their supporters won’t have to look far for opportunities to entertain themselves between races. The Third Annual Cherry Capital Winter WonderFest encompass a rich menu of concerts, competitions, films, fireworks, food tastings and children’s activities -- most of them concentrated on the scenic 900-acre grounds of the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, just a snowball’s throw from the Vasa racecourse.
 
“The Winter WonderFest has grown into a community-wide celebration in just a couple of years, and we see it continuing to grow thanks to the multiple venues we’ve created,” said Resort general manager Grant Channing. “They provide variety for the weekend’s activities and show a strong commitment from our partners.” The centerpiece of the festival is a “Winter Fun Zone” with ice skating, pony rides, inflatable play structures, rides on ponies, dogsleds, snowmobiles and horse-drawn sleighs, sledding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing and a selection of competitive events that range from the familiar (the Running Fit Frosty 5K foot race and a kid’s snowshoe race) to the unlikely (a “frozen fish toss” and a “Polar Plunge” event where daring swimmers jump into an icy pond to raise money for charity). There are bonfires, films, live music, fireworks, and lots of festive food and beverages. But the festival has spread to other venues, including the nearby Mt. Holiday Ski Area – where there’ll be such offbeat competitions as a snowboarding “rail jam” event, a mountain bike race down the ski hill and a “Cardboard Bobsled-o-Rama” in which competitors must use sleds made only with cardboard, tape and paint.
“How could we not get involved?” asked Mt. Holiday general manager Rick Van Tongeren. “Everybody who’s heard about this thing is just extremely excited. I went into the bank the other day and the clerks all came running up asking me how many sleds they could enter.”

A full schedule is also in place in Traverse City’s charming 19th century downtown shopping district, where there’ll be a “Save the Bees” dessert reception (with local honey and live entertainment by Grammy Award winning vocal troupe Sweet Honey in the Rock) in the elegantly-restored City Opera House , ice carving and snow sculpture displays, a “frozen bed race” through the streets and the popular “Soup r’ Bowl” competition in which participants slurp up soups created by local chefs and cast ballots for their favorites. “Winter WonderFest truly demonstrates the four-season nature of our destination,” said Brad Van Dommelen, president of the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Traverse City is much more than just the great beach town many people think of, and this event is a great way for visitors to be introduced to a different side of our community.” A portion of the Winter WonderFest proceeds support the programs of Special Olympics Michigan.

Detailed information about the 2009 Cherry Capital Winter WonderFest can be obtained at the festival web site: www.winterwonderfest.org.  For information about the 2009 Vasa try www.vasa.org.  For information about other winter adventures, activities and attractions in the Traverse City area, visit www.VisitTraverseCity.com

(Top)

11/11/08 -Wakefield, Mich -Indianhead Mountain Enterprises announced today that the merger of Indianhead, Big Powderhorn Mountain and Blackjack Mountain resorts will not be completed as announced on September 2, 2008, and all closing activities and discussions have been terminated.

Indianhead had intended to acquire Big Powderhorn and Blackjack in a transaction that was scheduled to close on or before December 31, 2008; however Bruce Noren and Mary Segalin, who are associated with Big Powderhorn Lodging Association, and Donna Greener, an association home owner, filed a lawsuit in Gogebic County Circuit Court on September 15, 2008, alleging that Big Powderhorn Mountain initially agreed to sell the ski facility to them . The lawsuit asks that Big Powderhorn be required to follow through with the sale of the ski facility to the three individuals and includes the filing of a lis pendens with the County, which would encumber the property until the lawsuit is resolved.

Barry Bolich, General Manager of Indianhead, said, "Our determination to realize our vision of a combined resort, with better economics and more attractive features and amenities, has been blocked by this lawsuit. We feel that the ultimate success of our business and the ski resort industry in the Western Peninsula as a whole have been potentially impaired by this lawsuit." Michael Henn, representing The Roger and Lilah Stangeland Trust, the owner of Indianhead Mountain Ski Resort, pledged, "We are committed to doing everything we possibly can to minimize any and all adverse impacts to the resorts and the community as a whole, created by this lawsuit."

As a result of this failed merger, Blackjack has announced it will not open this season. Read what they said on their website.
 

BOYNE’s 08-09 Winter Season Celebrates 60 Years and New Offerings
Boyne Falls, Mich. (September 16, 2008) - BOYNE’s 2008/09 winter season marks 60 years of winter fun at Boyne Mountain and nearly $2 million in on-hill improvements; Boyne Highlands expands its one-of-a-kind mountaintop dinner and offers new family adventures with a lighted cross country trail and bonfire and cocoa on the snowshoe trail.

What’s New at Boyne Mountain Resort, Boyne Falls, MI? 60 Years of Winter Fun -- The Mountain that started it all for Boyne Resorts, now North America’s largest family-owned resort network, is celebrating 60 years of family fun in 2009! Amazing to think what started as two runs and one chairlift by U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame inductee, Everett Kircher, has grown to become the Mecca of Midwest winter sports and a leader among resort destinations boasting Michigan’s largest indoor waterpark and spa facility. Mark January 9-11 on the calendar for a celebratory weekend filled with fireworks, social gatherings and special offers.

New Meadows Chairlift-- Brand spanking new and faster than ever, the replacement for the Meadows chairlift at Boyne Mountain is a Doppelmayr quad, fixed grip, conveyor loaded lift, and the only one of its kind in the Midwest. The Meadows lift now offers the second fastest ride on the Mountain, second only to America’s first high speed six-place chairlift, the Mountain Express. Meadows riders can reach the top in about four minutes flat. That timely journey is courtesy of the conveyor belt system that provides a seamless transition from snow to seat. The new lift also extends further down the slope requiring less traversing from the south end of the mountain.

More Snow Equals More Fun -- BOYNE introduced its Low-E fan gun technology last year and the commitment for low energy, high-output snowmaking continues stronger than ever. The ability to make greater quantities of snow with less compressed air not only reduces energy consumption while increasing output but it also allows the best possible surface conditions. Boyne Mountain’s fleet includes 60 additional converted and new Low-E guns that are 40% more efficient than previous models.

New Home for Junior SnowSports Academy -- Saved from demolition, a former Boyne City restaurant has been moved to Boyne Mountain to become the new center for Junior SnowSports Academy. After intensive renovations, the 8,000 square foot building will open its doors this winter as Helga’s House. The new House provides parents with a convenient location to facilitate sign-up of junior lessons, pick-up/drop-off, and select rental equipment. Helga’s House will also be the hub for Playcare, the resort’s daycare center, entertaining little ones too young to hit the slopes.
 
What’s New at Boyne Highlands Resort, Harbor Springs, MI?

The Midwest’s Only Mountaintop Dinner Experience Expands -- The Aonach Mor Moonlight Dinner was launched two seasons ago and has quickly become an up-north favorite. Formerly only available on Saturday nights, the popular Moonlight Dinner is expanding to include Fridays after a sold out season. The Aonach Mor Moonlight Dinner begins at the Slopeside Lounge where passengers are loaded into a sleigh pulled by a groomer to North Peak, a mountain top day lodge with soaring pine ceilings and wall-to-wall windows. Guests are greeted by a crackling bonfire, the faraway lights of the Mackinac Bridge and the warm glow of candlelight. Pre-selected wines are poured and served with assorted breads and kettles of French onion soup while a live acoustic guitarist strums favorite tunes. Family style garlic roasted mashed potatoes and a medley of vegetables follow along with plated dinners of roast tenderloin au poivre. A delicious homemade dessert of Michigan apple and raspberry crisp topped with vanilla whipped cream caps the night.

Low-E Fan Guns Dominate Fleet at Boyne Highlands Resort --Boyne Highlands has converted an additional 91 of their fan guns to Boyne Low-E models. The low energy, high-output snowmakers are poised to add even more snow on the top of Leslie’s Quest, a popular scenic trail, and will continue to enable Boyne Highlands to open more terrain earlier in the season.

Lights Add Nighttime Enjoyment to Cross Country Trail -- A two mile all-level cross country loop is opening this winter for evening enjoyment. The lighted loop is open for skiers to hit the trail each Friday and Saturday and daily during holidays. An evening trail pass starting at 4 p.m. is available and as with all snowsports activities, children ages 8 and under can enjoy the trails for free. Boyne Highlands offers 35 km of cross country trails and day passes include unlimited access to lower trails and one chairlift ride to the challenging upper trails.

Warm Treat for Snowshoers -- Each Saturday, snowshoers can take in a warm treat with a bonfire and complimentary hot cocoa along the lower trail. Boyne Highlands has over 7 km of exclusive snowshoeing trails.

For additional information, please visit www.BOYNE.com  or call 800.GO.BOYNE (462-6963).

 

NUB'S NOB ADDS CHAIR TO PINTAIL PEAK
Another chairlift on Pintail Peak! – The big news this summer centers around Pintail Peak as we add another chairlift to this very popular area. Fabricated in Washington state and installed by our own talented Crew, this new fixed grip triple seater is located just south of the existing Black four place chairlift and increases our uphill capacity in the Pintail Peak area by two thirds. Loading a little further downhill and running up the Hot Flash slope, the new lift unloads almost in front of the Pintail warming house. Scheduled to operate on busy weekends and holidays, this lift makes it easier and quicker than ever to enjoy the great skiing and snowboarding Pintail Peak has to offer. The color? It's Gray!
More Snowmaking Power - Continuing our tradition of the "Midwest's Best Snow!" we once again expanded our world class snowmaking system. 12 additional Nub's Nob snowguns were built this summer bringing our total gun count to 262. This system, in the hands of the Midwest’s most decorated and experienced snowmaking and grooming team, was once again unmatched in delivering the best conditions possible last season.
All new rental snowboards, bindings and boots – This season you will see new children and adult snowboards, boots and bindings in our rental fleet. No other northern Michigan area offers rental fleet newer than Nub’s!