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So much to cover in this week’s SnoCast as we dig out from feet of snow in the west, and eye new snow in the Midwest and Northeast—everyone gets something to finish off January.

As the winter ski season gets underway, Square now powers payments, e-commerce, and point of sale at nearly a dozen renowned ski resorts across the U.S. and Canada in partnership with POWDR, owner of Killington Resort, Copper Mountain, Eldora and Mt. Bachelor.

Halloween weekend and first days of November will feature forecast tricks and treats. With a leftover hurricane delivering snow to New England and ski areas opening in the west, this time of year is always a treat to build ski season excitement.

As you’re reflecting on another amazing winter, consider all the green you can save by purchasing next year’s pass now. If Vermont is on your list, check out all of the Green Mountain state 2019-20 season pass options.

A reimagined K-1 base lodge with an expanded footprint is in store for skiers and riders at Vermont’s Killington Resort for the 2020-21 season. The Beast of the East also has plans in the works for a new four-person, fixed grip chairlift for the 2019-20 season to replace the existing North Ridge Triple. And once again, Killington is pumping more resources into their snowmaking systems. All upgrades are pending permit approval.

As the years pass by, mountain visits can blur or even fade from memory. To make a trip stand out, try one of these memorable activities for après time, a day off, or a unique experience.

Although the Beast of the East is known for its snowmaking muscle, the little sister of legendary Killington Resort, Vermont’s Pico Mountain, will see major upgrades to its snowmaking system next season.

Winter weather has no sign of letting up across the Western U.S. and Canada, neither for the Great Lakes region!

Those in the market for 2018-19 season passes at Vermont resorts still have time to save big, thanks to fall deadlines on some of the best deals in the business. 

Looking to have a sweet powder stash or all that fresh corduroy to yourself? Vermont’s Pico Mountain, home to big mountain terrain with small mountain charm, is now offering a private mountain rental option on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the 2018-19 season.

You can now add summer activities to your pass for the longest ski and ride season in the East. (Killington)

The Beast of the East is now making the venerable season pass a plural adventure, with possibly the first mountain resort four-season access pass to their year-round mountain playground for $99 a month.

Green initiatives continue at Killington and Pico with the addition of 45 electric vehicle car chargers. (Killington)

Vermont’s Killington is now New England’s largest electric car charging hub with a total of 45 electric vehicle chargers throughout the resort’s properties.

The K-1 Gondola is just one of many lifts at Killington to get upgraded equipment. (Killington/Facebook)

Carrying the momentum of a commitment to host the Audi FIS Ski World Cup in 2017 and 2018, Vermont’s Killington will offer a number of upgrades this coming season. Killington’s parent company, POWDR, has invested $5.7 million in capital improvements at Killington and Pico across the properties’ year-round attractions. 

Uphiller nears summit of Sunlight (photo Sunlight Mountain Resort)

Be it to stay fit, save money or get some quiet time in the out-of-doors, ”uphill skiing” has become a staple at many U.S. resorts – requiring mountain managers to adopt rules for the activity.

Whistler Blackcomb is going where many winter resorts have so far only touched upon: a completely smoke-free environment.

Officials at the British Columbia resort have decided that tobacco smoking conflicts with what skiing and snowboarding is all about, and have enacted a property-wide smoking ban. Signs are going up this summer, and visitors next season should expect the rules to be tightly enforced.

Pico Mountain Resort in Killington, Vt. will host the 5th Annual Downhill for Diabetes Ski and Snowboard Event Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015.

The 9th edition of World Snowboard Day will bring together riders from across the globe Sunday, Dec. 21– from beginners to experts – to kick off the season, and to celebrate snowboarding and its unique subculture.

An investment of $9.8 million on snowmaking infrastructure, along with the opening of a 15,000-square-foot Peak Lodge at Killington, Vt., is on tap this winter. Meanwhile, just a few miles down Route 4 at Pico, the new $1.3 million Andrea Mead Lawrence Lodge for persons with disabilities and young racers, will debut Nov. 8-9. 

The flurry of western resorts offering joint passes has crossed the Mississippi (actually the Hudson) and moved to New England. College students now have their own deal with the all-new “4.0 College Pass.”