XIX-th Moscow International Ski Salon was held in Moscow’s Gostiny Dvor, November 02-04, 2012
The largest exhibition in Eastern Europe, dedicated toskiing,has long beenan integral partof the youth subcultureof snowboarding, skiing andalternative sports.Among more than200 participants: CVBs (more than10), theinternationalski resorthotels, tour operators offering winter holidaysin the mountains(more than 8specializingin the skiresorts ofthe U.S.), manufacturersof skiingand snowboardingequipmentas well ascompanies specializing in theconstruction and operation ofthe infrastructure.
Ski Salon’s schedule of events was rich in various sports activities, such as the Cup of Russia on climbing and competitions in cross-country skiing.
According to the organizers, about 40 thousand people attended the salon for three days.
For the third consecutive year at the Ski Salon Non-profit Partnership VISIT USA RUSSIA organized a joint booth.
Active members of the Committee worked at the booth: U.S. tour operators Agency 001, AmericaTravel, American Travel Company, American Best Getaways, Visa Concord, Karlson Tourism, Roza Vetrov Mir, UNEX, airlines SINGAPORE AIRLINES, TRANSAERO AIRLINES, ski resorts of Colorado VAIL RESORTS and ASPEN/SNOWMASS, annually participating in the Ski Salon, and Utah’s ski resorts: PARKCITY, DEER VALLEY, THE CANYONS and the largest ski resort in California: MAMMOTH LAKES.
Within the framework of the Ski Salon 2012 Visit USA held presentations of American ski resorts for the Russian travel agencies (over 60) and the media. The presentations gave a full-scale picture of the possibilities of ski holidays in the U.S., in Colorado, Utah and California, as well as information about changes of the visa requirements for Russians.
The representative of the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow Ms. Vanessa Acker reminded that since September 9, 2012 the visa regime for Russians has been greatly simplified. Now, multi-entry visas are issued for one year and three years, instead of two as it was before. Thus, the cost of visas has decreased (a visa for a year - $ 160, a three-year surcharge for a visa - $ 20).
Ski resorts were presented by:
Mr. Percy Stevens - a representative of the ski resorts of Colorado and California VAIL RESORTS
Mr. Max Orishko - Russian-speaking representative from ASPEN / SNOWMASS
Ms. Cathy Miller - Director of Sales from Park City Chamber / Convention & Visitors Bureau presented Utah resorts PARK CITY, DEER VALLEY, THE CANYONS
Daryana Boyarintseva - representative from VISIT USA RUSSIA spoke about the skiing opportunities at MAMMOTH LAKES resort, California.
In addition to participation in the presentations at the Ski Salon, representatives from VISIT USA and VAIL RESORTS conducted a series of workshops in Moscow and St. Petersburg for representatives of about 30 companies (in each city), interested in expanding its range of ski programs.