Mt Hood Meadows: Night Skiing NWAC Fundraiser 2/21

Late notice but I just got the flier, FYI:


MEDIA RELEASE - February 11, 2011
Contact: Dave Tragethon Executive Director Communications 503.659.1256 x1190 | M: 503.680.2685

MT. HOOD MEADOWS HOLDS FUNDRAISING EVENING FOR FRIENDS OF THE NORTHWEST WEATHER AND AVALANCHE CENTER (FOAC)

Special fundraiser $10 night lift ticket from 3 – 9 PM Monday, February 21
Proceeds to benefit Friends of the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center

MT. HOOD, OR (Immediate Release) – Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort is adding a special night to its operating schedule Monday, February 21, to raise money for the Friends of the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center, a critical support group for the NWAC and based in Seattle, WA. The resort is offering a special $10 lift ticket good from 3 – 9 PM Monday, February 21.

The special night is being held on the President’s Monday Holiday, when lifts traditionally have closed at 4 PM. Resort officials hope the holiday, the special lift ticket price of $10 (normally $29) and the significant services provided by NWAC will create a good turnout. Proceeds from the evening will be donated to Friends of the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center.

MEADOWS IS OFFERING A SPECIAL $10 TICKET FOR THE EVENINGONLINE. ALL $10 OF THIS TICKET WILL BE DONATED DIRECTLY TO FRIENDS OF THE NORTHWEST WEATHER AND AVALANCHE CENTER.

The ticket will also be available for sale at the ski resort Monday, and proceeds from the sales of this ticket will be donated over theoperational costs of the evening.

The Friends of the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center (FOAC) was formed in 1998 as a coalition of individuals and groups working to support the Avalanche Center and to provide public education and awareness about avalanches and avalanche safety. Through its efforts dedicated towardavalanche education and NWAC operations, the FOAC helps promote safety by helping reduce the impacts of avalanches and adverse mountain weather on recreation, industry and transportation in Washington, and northern Oregon.This support helps NWAC achieve its mission of:
·       assisting a variety of NW snow safety and highway maintenance programs by providing andanalyzing useful weather, snow and avalanche data, and by producing and distributing a variety of mountain weather and avalanche forecast products.
·       assisting back country travelers by providing current information on snowpack structure and avalanche danger, and by forecasting expected changes in snow and avalancheconditions.

The current economy has created increasing funding issues for the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center, and the Friends group is considered an important cooperator to help ensure the future viability of NWAC and its important services. For example, the telemetry used by many ski resorts in the Northwest, including Mt. Hood Meadows, is collected and reported by NWAC. It is also believed that avalanche education and forecasts have resulted in a significant reduction in both avalanche accidents and resulting rescueefforts and costs despite major increases in winter back country use and recreation. During this past year NWAC and FOAC  educational programs reached well over 1000 attendees, and during the last 10 years, over 15,000 people have attended avalanche and weather presentations by NWAC forecast staff and FOAC volunteers. For more information on NWAC, visit www.nwac.us .

In addition to the special $10 lift ticket price, Tony Smiley will perform live at the Vertical Restaurant and Sports Bar that evening.

Since this is an extension beyond Meadows’ regularly scheduled lift operations, anyone riding the lift after 4 PM Monday will need the special fundraising ticket, including season pass holders and pre-purchased ticket holders.

For more information, visit the resort web site www.SkiHood.com .
           
###
Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort and the Mt. Hood National Forest - a natural partnership.
Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort Sales and Marketing
Phone: (503) 659.1256  FAX: (503) 652-1257  e-mail: dave.tragethon@skihood.com