Burleson among those accepting Learn to Ski Challenge
Jamie Shell / (jamie.shell@averyjournal.com)
Practically everyone remembers the first time they attempted
something different and new. Whether it was riding a bicycle, learning to swim or sitting behind a
steering wheel learning to drive, the memory of the event is indelibly marked within
us.
Beech Mountain Resort offered another first for patrons and special guests recently through its Learn to Ski Challenge. Local personalities who have previously never skied or snowboarded were afforded the opportunity to learn the necessary skills to begin developing a love for the activity.
The program, as part of the celebration of Learn to Ski Month held throughout January, was a chance to showcase snowsports at the local level and share what BMR has to offer both veteran snowsports enthusiasts and first-timers alike.
“I realized in looking over our marketing efforts that we really needed to target new customers. As a native to the area, I know that many people do not ski and do not perceive it as an affordable activity,” said BMR Director of Marketing and Sales Talia Freeman. “I believe our resort provides an enjoyable experience, which has proved to provide great retention with our customer base. Skiing drives the local economy in the winter and is a large part of the tourism industry for the state, making it crucial that we start introducing people to the sport, especially our local community.”
As part of the process of showcasing the joy of snowsports, BMR challenged a number of local personalities who agreed to take part in a four-hour program that included fundamentals like starting and stopping on skis and proper safety on slopes.
“We decided that it would be beneficial to find influential members of society to take our ski challenge, people that have a vocal presence with a media outlet or in the community,” Freeman added. “We wanted these people to vocalize their experience on our blog and with their media outlets. The individuals came to ski at the resort, and we took care of their entire trip and provided them with lessons. In turn, those who took on the challenge vocalized their experience, helping drive people to the sport.”
Among those who agreed to try skiing or snowboarding for the first time were Chris Wilcox, radio disc jockey and talk show host, and his family, as well as country music radio talk show host Paul Shadt and family, Daytime Tri-Cities host Amy Lynn and Avery County Schools Superintendent David Burleson.
“Growing up here when I did, skiing was something that locals didn’t do. Things have changed a bit now, but when the slopes first opened it was something that rich people did and not local folks, and I’d never skied before,” Burleson said of the experience. “When this opportunity presented itself, I figured I was back in the area now and it would be a great idea to support our local industries, especially ski tourism.”
Along with supporting local business, Burleson explained how learning the sport could be a beneficial lifetime decision, as well as an opportunity to share a common love with members of his family.
“Skiing is an activity my daughters enjoy. My daughter Heather took skiing as a class at UNC-Chapel Hill, and the class spent some time at our local ski mountains,” Burleson said. “Besides helping the community, I felt it was important to learn a lifetime sport that I could share with my family and hopefully not hurt myself.”
Burleson was impressed with the instructor, and the level of excellence with which BMR staff helped visitors and operated the mountain.
“Lee Bailey was a great instructor. He was really patient and didn’t push me beyond what I was capable of,” Burleson added. “He taught me the things I needed to know, especially how to stop. But he did a great job getting me comfortable with the skis and helping me prevent from falling too much. He explained what I needed to do and then demonstrated how to do it and why.”
At the end of the four-hour period of lesson and practice, Burleson came away from the experience with a greater understanding and appreciation for the sport, and a desire to pass along the love of the activity to others.
“I urge people to take advantage of what we have as far as snowsports in our backyard. I had never taken advantage of the amenities we have because my thinking was that it was expensive and dangerous, which neither is true,” Burleson said. “I think Beech Mountain Resort does a great job with minimizing cost, especially for groups who visit. The cost of the food was not that expensive and was delicious. The people take good care of you, and I’d recommend taking a lesson if someone goes to the mountain for the first time.
“Visiting the slopes does two things: You are supporting Avery County industry, and secondly, you’re learning a lifelong skills that people use in their 70s or 80s. It’s also a great source of exercise.”
Beech Mountain Resort offered another first for patrons and special guests recently through its Learn to Ski Challenge. Local personalities who have previously never skied or snowboarded were afforded the opportunity to learn the necessary skills to begin developing a love for the activity.
The program, as part of the celebration of Learn to Ski Month held throughout January, was a chance to showcase snowsports at the local level and share what BMR has to offer both veteran snowsports enthusiasts and first-timers alike.
“I realized in looking over our marketing efforts that we really needed to target new customers. As a native to the area, I know that many people do not ski and do not perceive it as an affordable activity,” said BMR Director of Marketing and Sales Talia Freeman. “I believe our resort provides an enjoyable experience, which has proved to provide great retention with our customer base. Skiing drives the local economy in the winter and is a large part of the tourism industry for the state, making it crucial that we start introducing people to the sport, especially our local community.”
As part of the process of showcasing the joy of snowsports, BMR challenged a number of local personalities who agreed to take part in a four-hour program that included fundamentals like starting and stopping on skis and proper safety on slopes.
“We decided that it would be beneficial to find influential members of society to take our ski challenge, people that have a vocal presence with a media outlet or in the community,” Freeman added. “We wanted these people to vocalize their experience on our blog and with their media outlets. The individuals came to ski at the resort, and we took care of their entire trip and provided them with lessons. In turn, those who took on the challenge vocalized their experience, helping drive people to the sport.”
Among those who agreed to try skiing or snowboarding for the first time were Chris Wilcox, radio disc jockey and talk show host, and his family, as well as country music radio talk show host Paul Shadt and family, Daytime Tri-Cities host Amy Lynn and Avery County Schools Superintendent David Burleson.
“Growing up here when I did, skiing was something that locals didn’t do. Things have changed a bit now, but when the slopes first opened it was something that rich people did and not local folks, and I’d never skied before,” Burleson said of the experience. “When this opportunity presented itself, I figured I was back in the area now and it would be a great idea to support our local industries, especially ski tourism.”
Along with supporting local business, Burleson explained how learning the sport could be a beneficial lifetime decision, as well as an opportunity to share a common love with members of his family.
“Skiing is an activity my daughters enjoy. My daughter Heather took skiing as a class at UNC-Chapel Hill, and the class spent some time at our local ski mountains,” Burleson said. “Besides helping the community, I felt it was important to learn a lifetime sport that I could share with my family and hopefully not hurt myself.”
Burleson was impressed with the instructor, and the level of excellence with which BMR staff helped visitors and operated the mountain.
“Lee Bailey was a great instructor. He was really patient and didn’t push me beyond what I was capable of,” Burleson added. “He taught me the things I needed to know, especially how to stop. But he did a great job getting me comfortable with the skis and helping me prevent from falling too much. He explained what I needed to do and then demonstrated how to do it and why.”
At the end of the four-hour period of lesson and practice, Burleson came away from the experience with a greater understanding and appreciation for the sport, and a desire to pass along the love of the activity to others.
“I urge people to take advantage of what we have as far as snowsports in our backyard. I had never taken advantage of the amenities we have because my thinking was that it was expensive and dangerous, which neither is true,” Burleson said. “I think Beech Mountain Resort does a great job with minimizing cost, especially for groups who visit. The cost of the food was not that expensive and was delicious. The people take good care of you, and I’d recommend taking a lesson if someone goes to the mountain for the first time.
“Visiting the slopes does two things: You are supporting Avery County industry, and secondly, you’re learning a lifelong skills that people use in their 70s or 80s. It’s also a great source of exercise.”