Press Releases

CRESTED BUTTE MOUNTAIN RESORT HOSTS NEW GAY SKI WEEK
CBMR hosts the only springtime Gay Ski Week in Colorado, March 19 – 26, 2011
Complimentary party pass with lodging reservation available until Feb. 28, 2011
 
CRESTED BUTTE, Colo. – Feb. 7 – Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR), in conjunction with StraightOut Media & Marketing and the Matthew Shepard Foundation, is gearing up to host its inaugural gay skiing event: “Butte 11: Matthew Shepard Foundation Gay Ski Week,” March 19 – 26, 2011 – the only spring event of its kind in Colorado. The weeklong celebration features an incredibly comprehensive itinerary, including après ski tubing, a “Shoot the Butte” pub crawl, the Splash Pool Party, ski hook ups, opportunities to learn more about the education, advocacy and awareness work of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, and the chance to check out O.A.R. at the inaugural FestEVOL (pronounced Fest-ee-vuhl) event on March. 26.
 
“We are all looking forward to this event,” said Daren Cole, vice president of sales and marketing for CBMR. “The timing is perfect for a sunny spring getaway and we hope our event guests will be awed by all that Crested Butte has to offer.”
 
In addition to a well-rounded event schedule, Butte 11 also allows participants to give back to the Matthew Shepard Foundation; a percentage of lodging and lift revenue generated through the event will be donated to the Foundation.
 
“This new event provides the perfect vehicle for communicating the education, advocacy and awareness work of the Foundation,” said Jason Marsden, executive director of the Mathew Shepard Foundation. “This is a large scale opportunity to bring attention to our mission.”
 
Production of Butte 11 will be led by StraightOut Media & Marketing (SOMM), a seasoned team with incredible experience creating GLBT-focused events and programs in Colorado.
 
“We look forward to creating a signature event for the Matthew Shepard Foundation that raises not only awareness but also contributions to the organization,” said Scott Barretto, co-founder of SOMM. “Crested Butte is known for its superb spring skiing so the sun and the snow will make for a unique gay ski week experience like no other”.
 
 Lodging, lift and “Gay Card” party pass packages are available starting at $800.25 per person at the Grand Lodge, including five nights’ accommodations, three days of lift tickets and the Gay Card, which provides access to all official Butte 11 events. Luxury lodging and lift packages are available at The Elevation Hotel & Spa, Mt. Crested Butte’s hip, contemporary alternative. And, Butte 11 Gay Cards can be purchased for $150 per person.
 
For a limited time, CBMR is offering a complimentary Gay Card to guests booking a minimum of four nights’ lodging for Butte 11. Offer valid until Feb. 28, 2011.
 
For more information or event details, or to register for Butte 11, please visit the website at www.matthewshepardgayskiweek.comor call 800-334-4862.
 
Nestled in the heart of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, Crested Butte is committed to preserving the pristine landscape and mountain lifestyle. With vibrant Victorian store-fronts and expressive local characters, the small historic town remains true to its heritage and radiates an unparalleled welcoming and inviting spirit that celebrates a simpler life and time. Thanks to a widely diverse landscape, whether beginner or burgeoning national champion, outdoor enthusiasts of all levels will find a new challenge with each visit. From world-class mountain biking, to legendary skiing and snowboarding, to a secluded fly-fishing experience, Crested Butte is one of Colorado’s best-kept secrets. This season, Crested Butte celebrates 50 years of skiing and riding with a year-long celebration, Crested Butte-style.
 
For more information about Crested Butte's lodging, conference, meeting facilities, and special packages, call Crested Butte Vacations, (800) 600-2803 or visit the web site at www.skicb.com.For information on ski area real estate opportunities call (970) 349-4999 or (877) 805-6109 or visit the website at www.cbliving.com.
 
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About StraightOut Media & Marketing
StraightOut Media & Marketing (SOMM) is a Dallas-based company with more than 40 years of combined agency and client side experience; including, national and global public relations, media relations, corporate communications, branding and strategic marketing.  SOMM brings demonstrated expertise in a range of markets and industries from retail, non-profit organizations, diversity marketing, restaurants, hotels and destination marketing to mobile communications, broadcast media, print media, motion pictures, financial communications and residential and multi-family housing. In addition to solid mainstream experience, SOMM has developed a strong reputation as one of the very few “go to” agencies when clients are looking for expertise in marketing to the GLBT community.  For more information, visit www.straightoutmedia.com
 
About the Matthew Shepard Foundation
The Matthew Shepard Foundation was founded by Dennis and Judy Shepard in memory of their 21-year old son, Matthew, who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in Wyoming in October 1998. Created to honor Matthew in a manner that was appropriate to his dreams, beliefs and aspirations, the Foundation seeks to "Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion & Acceptance" through its varied educational, outreach and advocacy programs and by continuing to tell Matthew's story. In addition to dozens of visits to public and private high schools and colleges by Judy Shepard and Foundation staff each year, the Foundation also provides a youth-oriented LGBT resource directory, MatthewsPlace.com, which has been visited by more than 250,000 unique visitors since inception, and which will be expanded next year with live chat, news and educational video and other interactive features.
 
Media Contacts:
Emily McCormack
emccormack@cbmr.com
970-331-6145
 
Erica Reiter
ereiter@cbmr.com
970-349-2205

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