Gathering Slope – Meetings + Events

For activities in the colder months, a venue that is seasonally appropriate and offers fun outdoor activities becomes crucial; luckily, the Northeast’s countless mountains mean there are plenty of ski resorts and centers available for planners. The term “ski destination” is something of a misnomer – it doesn’t quite capture the range of services these venues have to offer beyond just skiing around the mountain. These ski resorts throughout the region thrive on year-round activities and have something for everyone.

Event planners will find many facilities and spaces at Northeastern mountain resorts to accommodate groups of all sizes. Most even call themselves “one-stop shops” and offer on-site accommodation, but not all hotels offer accommodation. Thanks to shuttle service and strong relationships with local businesses, Ski Destinations allows event attendees to travel to any of these snow-centric locations without missing a step of their plans or feeling too far away even without lodging. Their team is too far away – location.

“We try to understand our customers’ needs, see what we have here, and offer customized packages,” said Emily Forloines, conference sales manager at Jay Peak Resort in Vermont. With this kind of activity flexibility and holistic approach, ski destinations can be an attractive option for planners looking for groups of skiers and non-skiers to spend some leisure time in a beautiful natural environment.

Belleayre Mountain Ski Center in Highmount, New York, offers city-dwelling participants a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life (90 minutes from Albany). It is the first ski center to open and the last to close each season in the Catskill Mountains. With an elevation of 3,500 feet and 51 trails, including several cross-country trails, the center accommodates skiers of all skill levels. It’s also the only ski center in the area with a lift, allowing you to enjoy an ultra-comfortable skiing experience. Fire pits and outdoor bars help create a festive atmosphere. “We work with each client and customize each event,” said Loronda Murphy-Cartolaro, event planner at Bel Air Mountain Ski Center. She noted that her clients have turned to planners for groups looking for a bleisure experience.

Belleayre Mountain Ski Center’s multipurpose space can easily accommodate 300 people. The expansion project will be completed for the upcoming ski season and will add space for an additional 300 participants. There is no accommodation within the centre, but a shuttle service is available to local hotels and B&Bs.

In Vermont, Stowe Mountain Resort offers a variety of packages for large groups of 20 or more. “We offer special offers on lift tickets, rental equipment and group ski lessons based on availability,” said Emily Martin, communications director for Vail Resorts in Broomfield, Colo. (parent company of Stowe Mountain Resort). Other outdoor activities for groups at Stowe Mountain Resort may include curated on-mountain lunches and après-ski experiences; ski and snowboard competitions with awards dinners; and guided ski and snowboard tours to explore the fresh produce on the mountain. A well-known hidden gem; and a private dinner at the Cliff House. For the latter experience, a gondola cabin equipped with lanterns and blankets transports guests to the top of the mountain for an unforgettable meal and views.

Family-friendly amenities are another important consideration for planners, as bringing spouses and children to events has become an increasingly popular trend among event attendees. In addition to great skiing and snowboarding opportunities, Jay Peak Resort offers a lot of fun for the kids. The ski resort features an indoor water park, an ice rink, a movie theater and a climbing wall for adventure lovers.

That family-friendly appeal is one of the reasons the New England Shoulder and Elbow Society (NESES) has held its annual conference at the resort for more than 20 years. Another is the staff’s top notch customer service and attention to detail. “The staff did a great job taking care of all the little details,” said Karen Myrick, NESES nurse practitioner and meeting planner. “They are very good at customizing things for each individual.” Myrick, NESES Continuing Medical Education (CME) officer, appreciated the flexibility of the venue layout because she needed to meet certain specifications for CME compliance. “You have to have separate doors for exhibitors to enter – you can’t force any attendees into your exhibitor area,” she explains. She also noted that Jay Peak Resort staff have been flexible with conference start and end times, allowing attendees to take a break at noon to spend time with accompanying family members.

Convenience and flexibility are hallmarks of Jay Peak Resort (90 minutes from the nearest airport in Burlington, Vermont). On-site accommodation options include guest cabins and three hotels, including the Hotel Jay & Conference Center.

In addition to its ski and snowboard programs, Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Macungie, Pa., hosts what resort marketing and guest experience director Gary Kline calls “corporate enhancements,” breakout groups focused on team building and networking. Meeting. “We have a class called ‘Sharp Objects,’ which includes things like axe-throwing, archery, a bartending class, or a bike-building class. These are more fun social activities that a group of people can do together,” Klein said. Planners may Incorporate other activities into their itinerary such as group yoga, guided hikes, lawn games, and outdoor activities like disc golf. With 26,000 square feet of meeting space, an on-site audio-visual equipment team, three restaurants and a 116-room hotel, Bear Creek Mountain Resort offers planners a variety of options.

bcmountainresort.com
Belial website
jaypeakresort.com