SAM Magazine-Boyne Falls, Mich., Jan. 22, 2010-After the devastating earthquake in Haiti last week, winter resorts joined the worldwide response by staging a variety of charitable fundraising events over the Martin Luther King Holiday weekend. More than 15 resorts across North America set up donation funds to help aid the people of Haiti.

Boyne Resorts-which includes Crystal Mountain (Wash.), The Summit at Snoqualmie, Cypress Mountain, Big Sky, Brighton, Boyne Highlands, Boyne Mountain, Loon Mountain, Sugarloaf and Sunday River-committed to matching $1 for every lift ticket sold on Saturday, January 16th. The resorts' combined contribution to the American Red Cross and Canadian Red Cross totaled $30,528.

"We are saddened by the devastation and suffering in Haiti," said Steve Kircher, president of Boyne Resorts' eastern operations. "We are also grateful for the loyalty and generosity shown by our resort patrons during this time."

Pat's Peak Ski Area, N.H., hosted "Ski for Haiti" over the MLK weekend, collecting donations from resort guests at all ticket and cashier locations to support disaster relief through the American Red Cross. A total of $2,500 was raised.

Kris Blomback, general manager of Pats Peak, said, "We felt we had a unique opportunity this holiday weekend to help those in Haiti. We had many skiers/riders who wanted to help the relief efforts and this gave them a way to do that."

Gunstock Mountain Resort, N.H., also accepted guest donations throughout the holiday weekend, donating more than $1,200 to the American Red Cross Haitian Relief Fund.

Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, Mass., donated $5 for every online ticket sold, and placed drop buckets around the lodge. The weekend total came to $5,000, which was donated to the American Red Cross.

Tom Meyers, marketing director of Wachusett, said, "We saw a huge boost in online ticket sales that weekend after we announced our donation plans. It was a really great thing to see how many people participated."

King Pine Ski Area, N.H., matched $2,000 in donations from ticket sales over the weekend, with proceeds going to the Partners With Haiti organization through the Madison Church.

Hunter Mountain, N.Y., donated a portion of lift ticket sales, held raffles, and partnered with tour bus operator OvRide for visitors coming from New Jersey-$10 was donated for each bus rider visiting Hunter Mountain. Hunter estimated about 15,000 total visits for the holiday, final dollar totals were not available.