Pacific Group Resorts, Inc.

Known for receiving some of the highest snowfall in the eastern U.S., Jay Peak Resort benefits from a unique microclimate affectionately known as the Jay Cloud. That frequent and abundant snowfall ranks Jay Peak as No. 7 in North America for powder days. You read that right – a resort in northern Vermont beat out Mammoth and Fernie and came in right behind Vail and Mt. Bachelor! Jay Peak's strategic location near the Canadian border allows it to capture cold air masses that generate consistent and high-quality powder, making it a popular destination for those seeking excellent snow conditions in the East.

A time honored tradition for many students is picking a college with proximity to the slopes, but it doesn't have to be the usual suspects. West Virginia University won't put you near a big mountain skiing mecca, but it's a quick drive from Wisp Resort. Wintergreen Resort is less than an hour from the University of Virginia while Ragged Mountain Resort is about 30-minutes from nearby Colby-Sawyer College. Up-and-coming Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction is only 45-minutes west of Powderhorn Mountain Resort where 'Mavs Takeover the Mountain' for a weekend every February. With $299 Mission Affordable College Passes for students with 12+ credit hours, there's no excuse not to hit the slopes after class or design your schedule to maximize time on the hill.

A couple weeks ago, Jay Peak Resort and Ragged Mountain Resort – both managed by Pacific Group Resorts – announced an initiative to freeze or cut the price of many of their offerings, including the popular four-pack of transferable lift tickets at each place. The trend in skiing has not been kind to nomads who refuse to be tied to one of the two major passes for the entire season with walk-up rates regularly surpassing $150 and even $200. But far more reasonable rates are available for those who are willing to put the money down now and get a transferable multi-day pack of passes or a nontransferable pass with no blackout dates.

Now in its ninth year, Jay Peak Resort's Jeezum Crow Festival has steadily become one of the more beloved music festivals in Vermont, gathering topnotch roots and jam-based artists to its remote yet inviting locale and its surprisingly intimate Stateside Amphitheater. This year’s affair, happening Friday night and all day and night Saturday, July 20, once again serves up a compelling lineup that includes the likes of legendary bluegrass group The Del McCoury Band, celebrated newgrass band The Infamous Stringdusters and funky jam band Pigeons Playing Ping Pong to northeastern Vermont. More details: https://lnkd.in/gGTkXkMe

Escape the summer heat with a getaway to Deep Creek Lake, MD. Temperatures are typically ten degrees cooler than Washington DC thanks to the area’s 2,400-foot-plus elevation. In addition to paddling, rafting, and boating, you can mountain-bike along its edges and zipline through the surrounding forests. Families gravitate toward Wisp Resort which has tons of activities, such as a Mountain Coaster, two 18-hole golf courses, and the only mountaintop re-circulating whitewater rafting course in the world.

Big hopes ride on the tiny backs of captive-bred Vancouver Island marmots as researchers continue to rebuild the fragile population of one of the world’s most endangered mammals. This year’s release of captive-bred yearlings will be around the Mount Washington Alpine Resort area and in colonies on both sides of Buttle Lake in Strathcona Park. Some of the releases in hard-to-access areas will be done via helicopter, with specialists hiking up to meet aircraft full of marmot boxes. The Island’s unique marmot species hit a low point of fewer than 30 animals in 2003. Breeding programs and habitat-protection projects have helped to bring populations back from the brink of extinction to 303 animals living at 30 sites. The recovery effort was initiated in 1997 by a group of partners including the Marmot Recovery Foundation, the province of B.C., the Toronto Zoo, Calgary Zoo, Mount Washington, and timber companies like Mosaic Forest Management. Learn more >> https://lnkd.in/gyDwfcHD

The roster of mountains that accept the Indy Pass in New England is increasing with the addition of Ragged Mountain Resort. With 57 trails, 250 skiable acres, and a vertical drop of 1,250 feet in Danbury, N.H., Ragged is the last of the mountains that Pacific Group Resorts operates to join Indy Pass. PGRI also runs Vermont’s Jay Peak Resort, Wisp Resort in Maryland, Wintergreen Resort in Virginia, Mount Washington Alpine Resort in British Columbia, and Powderhorn Mountain Resort in Colorado. “We are excited to become part of the Indy family for the 24-25 season. This opportunity will give the Indy Pass holders exposure to the community vibe, which makes Ragged Mountain so special in New Hampshire.” – Erik Barnes, Ragged Mountain GM

At Jay Peak Resort, the lifts are lifeless and the snow guns silent. Most of the slopes are green, but hidden near the Stateside part of the resort, a smattering of snow was hidden under hay to keep it cool since being harvested in late April. Jay Peak earned some bragging rights as the only ski area in Vermont open this past weekend, if only for a day. Why do it? “Because it’s fun, that’s the bottom line. We sell fun here at Jay Peak," according to special events manager Ted Fleischer.

Ragged Mountain Resort, in conjunction with its PGRI sister properties, has announced a deep freeze on price increases for this upcoming ski season. The popular Mission Affordable 4-Pack, which provides four transferable lift tickets at Ragged to use any day of the season, will be reduced. Lift ticket pricing will be reduced or held to what they were last season. For season passes, the Mission Affordable College Pass has been reduced by $100, and Military Passes will remain at $299. Free first-timer lessons through the Bebe Woods Learn to Ski/Ride program will be expanded to include Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Lastly, affordable menu options will be introduced at their various eateries.

Wintergreen Resort is hiring for a Director of Group Sales & Conference Services. The ideal candidate will be an overall team player among peer resort managers, unafraid to test new ideas, speak to new clients, and looks for ways make it better than it was before. This role will involve the ability to acquire and maintain a thorough knowledge and understanding of resort amenities and operational areas available to groups, contributing to group revenue growth. Apply now: https://lnkd.in/eUDYPhQ4 As a four-season mountain resort located in central Virginia along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Wintergreen Resort offers wonderful associate benefits including recreation perks (free skiing, golf, racquet sports, and lake access), discounts in spa, retail and restaurants, medical insurance plan options, PTO, 401k, and more. Plus, fresh mountain air and amazing views - leave behind the city traffic and join us on the mountain!