HUNTER, New York — January 10, 2009 is a special day for the staff, management, guests and long-time customers of Hunter Mountain. The family-owned & operated resort, nestled in the Northern Catskills of upstate New York, will be kicking off a year-long celebration of its 50th anniversary.

Hunter’s fame arrived long ago, with frequent visits by celebrities and hundreds of thousands of New York metro dwellers. A mere 2.5 hours from the metro area, Hunter Mountain boasts 55 trails, 11 lifts, 2 terrain parks, a snowtubing park with 9 chutes and 2 tows, a full-service luxury hotel and 100% snowmaking capability. Hunter was the first resort in the world to offer 100% snowmaking coverage.

Various resorts throughout the northeastern United States have celebrated their 50th Anniversaries in past years: Hunter, however, has the distinction of being owned and operated by the same family — the Slutzkys ??“ and one of Hunter’s two founders, Orville Slutzky, is still here to celebrate. Orville’s late brother and Hunter Mountain co-founder, Izzy, died in 2006. The brothers have been honored recently with the National Ski Areas Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and were inducted into the Hunter Mountain Hall of Fame in November 2008.

Hunter’s 50th Anniversary Launch Party, taking place on January 10th, 2009, will include bar promotions, live entertainment, giveaways, fireworks and special lift ticket specials. Party band Nuts in a Blender will be providing live entertainment. ESPN Radio will be on hand with fantastic prizes and giveaways. Fireworks will light up the slopes at 6:30pm.

Hunter will also offer customers the opportunity to purchase a non-holiday lift ticket voucher for $19.59 on Saturday, January 10 and Sunday, January 11, when a full price lift ticket is purchased. Big Lift Card holders can use their discount and still be eligible for this deal; season passholders simply must show their season passes. One voucher can be purchased per day, per customer, and is not redeemable on January 10th or 11th.

The night will also include the showing of vintage Hunter Mountain photos, which will be auctioned off at the 50th Anniversary culmination on January 9, 2010. A number of contests, including a logo design contest, are also active right now: winners will receive season passes. For further information on Hunter’s 50th Anniversary, visit HunterMtn.com or contact Jessica Pezak at 800-HunterMtn x2339 or [email]jpezak@huntermtn.com[/email].