FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW FACES, NEW DIRECTION for SkiSoutheast.com and SkiNC.com!
This is the time of year when all ski and snowboard lovers across the southeast and mid-Atlantic begin to feel the effects of the fast-approaching 2008-2009 ski and snow season! The season’s first cold air initiates the vibrant colors of Autumn in the mountains from northern Maryland into North Carolina. It is at about that same time that we begin experiencing vastly more interest from you guys on the dual websites of SkiNC and SkiSoutheast.com.
We’re very excited about the upcoming season and like all snow lovers, we’re all hoping for a cold and snowy one! We are beginning our 13th season of covering all the ski areas within the region and we’re feeling very lucky to announce that we have two new staffers who will be handling all of the day to day operations of the website this year.
Ashley Huffman (pictured top left) and Lisa Herring (top right) join our staff this season and they will be handling everything from posting the morning slope conditions and photos of the day to informing our visitors of all that is happening across the area’s ski resorts.
"Probably one of the best things about having Ashley and Lisa on board is that for the first time since we started these websites back in 1996, we will be able to be pro-active about staying in regular contact with all of our ski area’s owners, managers and marketing directors", says website creator Mike Doble.
Up until now the websites have always operated on an "information IN, is information OUT" basis and due to the huge popularity and growth of the websites we are now able to do even more in the way of talking with the area’s resorts operators and getting their take on how the season progresses.
Joe Stevens will be back for his 4th season with his "Joe Knows Snow" column. We look forward to increased input from our "resident" meteorologists Brad Panovich (who is now the Chief Meteorologist for WNCN TV in Charlotte) and News 14 Carolina Meteorologist Matthew East.
Mike will still be involved on a daily basis and you can expect more in-depth stories and features than ever before.
We’re also looking forward to more input from YOU, our visitors this season! The more reports and photos that we can get from you guys, the better. If you’ve been an On Snow Reporter for us in the past, be sure to stay on board as we continue to grow. If you’re at any of our covered ski areas with any regularity – become a SkiSoutheast.com On Snow Reporter! It’s easy, and we’ll make you famous!
About Lisa:
Lisa Herring is from Columbia, South Carolina and grew up skiing in the North Carolina Mountains at Sugar and Beech. She added, "When I moved to Banner Elk, NC for college I began snowboarding, which is my preference today. I have been snowboarding for five years and currently ride a Burton Feelgood ES."
Lisa shared that she has not had many opportunities to ride out west but lists her favorite ski resort as Alpine Meadows at Lake Tahoe. In Western North Carolina she prefers Sugar Mountain due to the longer runs and because it is so convenient. (She lives nearly within walking distance!)
Lisa is employed by AppNet.com in Banner Elk and was able to attend the 1st Annual SkiSoutheast.com Summit held at Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia. She reported, "I enjoyed the challenges at Snowshoe but was unable to ride in the fresh powder we had for the last day due to a cleaning accident resulting in a broken toe (my great luck). I look forward to going back to Snowshoe this season for the summit. Like the rest of you, I hope it is a good season and I’m ready to get back on the mountain!"
About Ashley:
Born in Winter Park, Florida, Ashley Huffman grew up on a Central Florida lake knee boarding, skiing, wakeboarding…you name it, with her older sister Anik. Ashley was a competitive gymnast throughout childhood and found her love of skiing while at a gymnastics meet in Keystone, Colorado.
"I was 14 when I first learned to ski and have since skied Breckenridge, Steamboat, Arapahoe Basin, Big Sky, and Zermatt, Switzerland", she reports.
She moved to the High Country in July and serves as a copywriter (in addition to wearing other hats) for AppNet.com. She adds, "I am greatly looking forward to skiing my heart out on the High Country slopes. I am especially looking forward to taking a run down Tom Terrific, White Lightning and Shays Revenge with boyfriend Grant Brigham, grandson of Dr. Tom Brigham*, or more affectionately, Dr. B."
Ashley added, "My dad is my favorite person to ski with. He and I have a similar need for speed and are prone to racing frequently. I am looking forward to showing my family around the High Country and its slopes."
* Editor’s Note: Dr. Tom Brigham is known as the ‘father of southeast skiing’ since we have him to thank for founding Sugar and Beech ski areas in North Carolina – and Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia!
Look for more exciting news soon!