Ski and Snowboard News, Deals, and Events

Appalachian's Drew Stanley said, "Burton Snowboards, the world's leading snowboard manufacturer, selected Appalachian Ski Mtn. as the only ski resort in North Carolina and the first ski resort south of Snowshoe, West Virginia, to be named as an official Burton Learn To Ride Center."

He said the Burton program was specifically designed to accelerate learning by utilizing equipment designed specifically for beginners, small classes and appropriate learning terrain.

Jeff Boliba, Burton Snowboards' Global Resort Director, said, "The goal of the Learn To Ride program is to give beginner snowboarders the best initial snowboarding experience possible so they return to the mountain and continue to snowboard. By using proven instruction methods and equipment created specifically for beginners, LTR helps riders enjoy their first day on a snowboard."

Here's how it works: At Burton Learn to Ride Centers, students will find Burton LTR products developed specifically for learning, a 4-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio, appropriate learning terrain, and shops that set riders up right the first time.

Boliba said, "The Learn To Ride board is the foundation of the LTR program. The LTR board has special features specifically designed to make a first day on a snowboard more fun and satisfying. A special bevel on the base edge of the board helps eliminate catching an edge. Soft torsional flex makes the board easier to turn. Convex contact points on the tip and tail make linking first turns smooth and easy. Supportive, comfortable and easy to use Burton Progression boots and bindings are also provided in the LTR program to ensure comfort, a secure fit, and great performance."

Burton Learn To Ride Centers are located at 70 partner ski areas in 23 states and 98 other resorts worldwide, including Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and 13 countries in Europe. Burton is the leading snowboard manufacturer in the world, with more than double the market share of any other snowboard manufacturer.

Appalachian Ski Mtn.'s Alpine Ski Shop is an authorized Burton dealer and carries men, women, and children's snowboard equipment, clothing, helmets, and accessories.