MN Slopes Sweepstakes Rules

December 15, 2021– March 15, 2022

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS SWEEPSTAKES. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT WILL NOT INCREASE OR IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. INTERNET ACCESS IS REQUIRED TO ENTER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

1. GENERAL. The Explore Minnesota Tourism – "MN Slopes Passport Sweepstakes" is a sweepstakes where two hundred thirteen (213) eligible entrants will win one (1) of the two hundred (213) prizes to be awarded as described in Section 6 below. When entering the Sweepstakes, all eligible entrants will have the opportunity to enter with respect to the two hundred thirteen (213) prizes to be awarded in this Sweepstakes as described in Section 4 below. The foregoing is a general description only of this Sweepstakes and is qualified in its entirety by these Official Rules.

2. ELIGIBILITY. The Sweepstakes is only open to entrants who, as of the entry date, are permanent legal residents of the United States (the "Sweepstakes Territory") physically residing in the contiguous United States, including the District of Columbia, (i.e., excluding the States of Alaska and Hawaii) and where void (excluding the State of New York), and are at least twenty-one (21) years old. Employees, officers and directors of the Sponsor and Partner (each defined in Section 19 below), their respective parents, subsidiaries, members, affiliates, advertising, public relations and promotion agencies, and the immediate families (defined as parents, spouses, children, siblings, grandparents, and their respective spouses) or members of the same household (whether related or not) of each such employee, officer and director, are not eligible to enter. The Sweepstakes, and any website pages and advertisements relating thereto, are intended for viewing only within the Sweepstakes Territory.

3. TIMING. The Sweepstakes "Entry Period" begins at 10:00 a.m. Central Standard Time ("CST") on December 15, 2021 and ends at 11:59 p.m. CDT on March 15, 2022 (the "Entry Period"). The MN Slopes Passport is the official timekeeping device for the entries.

4. HOW TO ENTER.

a. How to Enter; To enter this Sweepstakes, during the Entry Period go to https://go.exploreminnesota.com/checkout/531/explore-minnesota/2756/mn-slopes-passport where participants can create a passport account with the free online MN Slopes Passport registration form and submit it in accordance with the on-screen instructions. Once registered, a passport account link will be emailed and/or texted to the participant. All eligible entries require a passport account and require the entrant to log in to their mobile passport account when visiting the participating ski area locations and to click on the check-in button provided on the screen to confirm their check-in. Each confirmed check-in to a participating ski area location qualifies as one (1) entry to the Sweepstakes. During the Entry Period, entrants using the passport will have the opportunity to submit one (1) entry per person per participating ski area location. No more than one (1) entry per person per participating ski area location will be allowed.

The first two hundred (200) eligible entrants that have a minimum of one (1) confirmed check-in at one (1) participating ski area location during the Entry Period will receive one (1) Minnesota Ski Area gator buff. Eligible entrants with a minimum of three (3) confirmed check-ins at three (3) different participating ski area locations during the Entry Period will be eligible to win one of the twelve (12) prizes in the Drawing 1 Entry Pool as noted in Section 6c.  Eligible entrants with a minimum of five (5) confirmed check-ins at five (5) different participating ski area locations during the Entry Period will be eligible to win the one (1) Grand Prize in the Drawing 2 Entry Pool as noted in Section 6c.

All entries must be received by the Sponsor during the Entry Period as set forth below.

In the event of a dispute as to the identity of an online entrant, the authorized account holder of the email address used to enter will be deemed to be the entrant. Potential winners may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder. The "authorized account holder" is the natural person assigned to an email address by an Internet service provider, online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted email address. All entries will be deemed to have been made by the authorized account holder of the submitted email address. Submitting mass entries or entries generated by a script, macro, robotic, programmed, third party or use of automated devices is prohibited and will result in disqualification.

b. Entries - Generally. LIMIT: One (1) entry per passport account per participating ski area location via the MN Slopes Passport. Entries in excess of one (1) entry per location using the passport will not be allowed. All entries become the exclusive property of Sponsor and none will be acknowledged or returned. Proof of online submission will not be deemed to be proof of receipt of entry by Sponsor. See Section 13 below ("Data Collection; Promotional Materials") regarding data collected in connection with an entrant's entry and an entrant's ability to opt-out of/opt-in to receiving marketing and promotional materials. All entrants and entries subject to verification prior to the awarding of a prize, as are the eligibility, age and other claims of/information provided by a potential prize winner. Sponsor reserves the right to conduct a background check on any or all entrants, and Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any individual based on such background check if Sponsor determines in its sole discretion that awarding a prize to any such individual might reflect negatively on Sponsor or any of its Sweepstakes suppliers or Partners. Entrants will cooperate with Sponsor and its representatives in connection with all verification and background check activities.

5. AGREEMENT TO OFFICIAL RULES AND DECISIONS. By participating in the Sweepstakes, each entrant fully and unconditionally agrees to be bound by and accepts these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor or its designee (including, without limitation, decisions regarding eligibility of entries, the selection of entrants and the winners, and the awarding of prizes), which are final and binding in all respects.

6. DRAWING; ODDS; NOTIFICATION.

a. Prizes - Subject to the terms and conditions of these Official Rules, the Sponsor will award two hundred (200) gator buff prizes to the first two hundred (200) eligible entries and mail them within 30 days. The Sponsor will also conduct a total of two (2) drawings in this Sweepstakes. Drawing 1 will be conducted for the twelve (12) prizes listed under Drawing 1 Entry Pool. Drawing 2 will be conducted for the one (1) Grand Prize listed under Drawing 2 Entry Pool. Each drawing consists of and is limited to the prizes as described in Section 6c below. The total approximate retail value ("ARV") of all two hundred thirteen (213) prizes to be awarded in this Sweepstakes is $7,853. The ARV of each of the individual two hundred thirteen (213) prizes to be awarded in this Sweepstakes is provided below in Section 6.c.

b. Drawing - All eligible entries in this Sweepstakes received by Sponsor as specified in Section 4 during the Entry Period as specified in Section 3, shall constitute the pool of entries for each Drawing Pool. On the Drawing Date, on or about March 16, 2022, the Sponsor will randomly select by computer software one (1) provisional prize winner and three (3) alternates from the pool of eligible entries for each of the prizes within each Drawing Pool. Prizes will be awarded in the order listed in Section 6.c.

The prizes within each Drawing Pool will be awarded within 30 days after the drawing date provided the prizes are validly claimed. If the provisional winner declines or is ineligible, prize will be offered to an eligible alternate. If the eligible alternate is ineligible, a second eligible alternate will be offered the prize and so on. A maximum of three alternates will be contacted. If the potential prize winner and each of the three alternates fail to respond, declines or is ineligible, the prize will not be awarded.

c. Prize Details –

Participation Prize Pool-  The first two hundred (200) eligible entries that have a minimum of one (1) confirmed check-in at one (1) participating ski area location of the MN Slopes Passport will each win one (1) of the prizes 1-200.

 

Prizes for Participation Prize Pool (1-200):

  • Two hundred (200) winners will each receive one (1) Minnesota ski areas gator buff

ARV: $5.00 each

Drawing 1 Entry Pool -  All eligible entries that have a minimum of three (3) confirmed check-ins at three (3) different participating ski area locations of the MN Slopes Passport will constitute one (1) pool of entries for the prize drawings of prizes 201-212. At the Prize Drawing, Sponsor will randomly select by computer software twelve (12) provisional winners and three (3) alternates per prize from among the pool of eligible entries. The twelve (12) prizes listed in the Drawing 1 Entry Pool will be awarded in the order each winner is drawn with the first winner drawn receiving Prize 201 in Drawing Entry Pool 1 and so on. Prizes must be redeemed prior to the expiration date shown below or will be deemed forfeited.

 

Prize 201:  Giants Ridge Slopes Getaway

  • One (1) certificate for a (2) two-night ski & stay package in a one (1) bedroom condo for up to four (4) guests at The Lodge at Giants Ridge  
    (Expires 4/30/23. Subject to availability. Not valid on selected weekends or holidays. Restrictions and blackout dates apply.)

ARV: $1,030.23

 

Prize 202:  Buck Hill Winter Fun Package   

AVR: $482

 

Prize 203:  Mount Kato Slopes Adventure 

  • One (1) certificate for  four (4) lift tickets for Mount Kato Ski Area, Mankato
    (Valid through 2022/23 season)
  • Plus four (4) Mount Kato Ski Area 3-hour session tubing passes 
    (Valid through 2022/23 season)
  • Plus one (1) Eden Prairie SCHEELS Prize Package that  includes one (1) of each: $50 SCHEELS gift card, hat, mug, shirt, pair Ferris wheel socks, Ferris wheel token, coffee coupon & sticker.

ARV: $378

 

Prize 204:  Welch Village Slopes Adventure 

  • One (1) certificate four (4) lift tickets for Welch Village
    (Valid through 2022/23 season)
  • Plus one (1) $100 gift card for the Mall of America, Bloomington

ARV: $376

 

Prize 205:  Detroit Mountain Vacation Package

  • One (1) certificate for a one (1) night stay in a standard room at the Holiday Inn on the Lake, Detroit Lakes
    (Expires 12/1/23. Subject to availability. Blackout dates and other restrictions may apply.)
  • Plus two (2) adult lift tickets and two (2) 2-hour tubing tickets for Detroit Mountain Recreation Area, Detroit Lakes
    (Valid through 2022/23 season)
  • Plus one (1) Lakeshirts Minnesota sweatshirt and stickers
  • Plus one (1) Eden Prairie SCHEELS Prize Package that  includes one (1) of each: $50 SCHEELS gift card, hat, mug, shirt, pair Ferris wheel socks, Ferris wheel token, coffee coupon & sticker.

ARV: $450

 

Prize 206:  Powder Ridge Winter Recreation Area Package 

  • One (1) certificate for a ski /snowboard four-pack punch card which includes four (4) lift tickets, four (4) rentals, four (4) free donuts and four (4) free hot chocolates at Powder Ridge Winter Recreation Area, Kimball
    (Valid through 2022/23 season)
  • Plus one (1) snow tubing four pack punch card includes four (4) tubing tickets for 2 hours, four (4) donuts and four (4) hot chocolates at Powder Ridge Winter Recreation Area
    (Valid through 2022/23 season)
  • Plus one (1) Eden Prairie SCHEELS Prize Package that  includes one (1) of each: $50 SCHEELS gift card, hat, mug, shirt, pair Ferris wheel socks, Ferris wheel token, coffee coupon & sticker.

ARV: $430

 

Prize 207:  Spirit Mountain Ski and Recreation Area VIP Winter Outing

ARV: $562

 

Prize 208:  Buena Vista Ski Area Package

  • One (1) certificate for one (1) all-day lift ticket gift certificate for up to four (4) people at Buena Vista Ski Area, Bemidji
    (Valid through 2022/23 season)
  • Plus one (1) 2-hour tubing session gift certificate at Buena Vista Ski Area for up to four (4) people
    (Valid through 2022/23 season)
  • Plus one (1) Eden Prairie SCHEELS Prize Package that  includes one (1) of each: $50 SCHEELS gift card, hat, mug, shirt, pair Ferris wheel socks, Ferris wheel token, coffee coupon & sticker.

ARV: $390

 

Prize 209: Mount Ski Gull Slopes Package

  • One (1) certificate for four (4) one-day lift ticket day passes at Mount Ski Gull, Nisswa.
    (Valid through 2022/23 season. Restrictions may apply.)
  • Plus four (4) Mount Ski Gull 2-hour tubing tickets
    (Valid through 2022/23 season. Restrictions may apply.)
  • Plus one (1) Eden Prairie SCHEELS Prize Package that  includes one (1) of each: $50 SCHEELS gift card, hat, mug, shirt, pair Ferris wheel socks, Ferris wheel token, coffee coupon & sticker.

AVR: $354

 

Prize 210: Andes Tower Hills Ski Area Prize Pack

ARV: $300

 

Prize 211:  Elm Creek Park Winter Recreation Area Fun Pack

ARV: $236

 

Prize 212:  Hyland Hills Ski Area Package

  • One (1) certificate for eight (8) lift tickets and equipment rental for Hyland Hills Ski Area, Bloomington
    (Valid through 2022/23 season)
  • Plus one (1) $100 gift card for the Mall of America, Bloomington

ARV: $420

 

Drawing 2 Entry Pool – All eligible entries that have a minimum of five (5) confirmed check-ins at five (5) different participating ski area locations of the MN Slopes Passport will constitute one (1) pool of entries for the prize drawing of prize 213.  At the Prize Drawing, Sponsor will randomly select by computer software one (1) provisional winner and three (3) alternates from among the pool of eligible entries for the prize. Prize must be redeemed prior to the expiration date shown below or will be deemed forfeited.

 

Prize for Drawing Entry Pool 2:

Prize 213: GRAND PRIZE Lutsen Mountains Vacation Getaway  

ARV: $1,509

Odds; Notification. Odds of winning a prize depend on the number of eligible entries received by Sponsor in this Sweepstakes and the odds of winner receiving a specific prize depends on the order each winner is selected. Each entrant selected as a potential winner must comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. The potential winners will be notified by email. Potential winners of prizes with an ARV less than $600 will be required to execute and return to Sponsor a Certification of Eligibility and except where prohibited by law, a Liability and Publicity Release, a copy of their driver's license or other government issued identification in order to claim his/her prize. Potential winners of prizes with an ARV of $600 or greater will be required to execute and return a completed W-9 form and a completed and notarized Affidavit of Eligibility and except where prohibited by law, a Liability and Publicity Release (an "Affidavit/Release") in the form(s) provided by Sponsor in order to claim his/her prize.  The required documents must be returned to Sponsor by the date and/or time specified in the Sponsor's e-mail. If the potential winner, including the three alternate winners, cannot be contacted within two (2) business days of the first attempt to contact him/her or if any prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable, or if the potential winner including the three alternate winners (i) fails to return the required documents within the specified time, (ii) the potential winner is found to be ineligible, or (iii) if the potential winner does not comply with the Official Rules, then the potential winner including the three alternate winners may be disqualified and forfeit the prize and another alternate winner may be selected by Sponsor in his/her place at random from among all eligible non-winning entries received for this Sweepstakes for the applicable prize.

8. ALL PRIZES.

a. Prize Information. The prizes may vary from prize pictures and/or advertising used to promote the Sweepstakes. Any depiction of prize is for illustrative purposes only. The prizes are subject to the restrictions and conditions set forth herein. Transportation to and from the destination is not included. The prizes consist of and are limited to the elements stated in the prize description. Each prize redemption is subject to capacity controls, availability, weather conditions. Restrictions, reservations and black-out period/s may apply. Some prizes may be seasonal and subject to weather conditions—no substitution or refund will be made if the prize cannot be used due to weather conditions or before the expiration date provided above in the Prize Details. Lost or stolen awards, gift cards, admission tickets or any other prize certificate will not be replaced.

Guest/s of each winner must be 21 years of age or be the minor child of the winner or as described in each prize within the Prize Details in Section 6.c. Guests will be required (or if a minor, parent/s or legal guardian) will be required to complete and return a Liability and Publicity Release prior to travelling.

b. Prize - Generally. Prize must be accepted as awarded, and prizes are awarded "AS IS" with no warranty, representation, or guarantee, express or implied, in fact or in law, made by Sponsor or Partner or for which Sponsor or Partner may be liable, including, without limitation, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. PRIZES ARE NOT TRANSFERABLE AND MAY NOT BE SOLD. No substitution, assignment, refund or transfer of a prize is permitted, except by Sponsor, who reserves the right to substitute a prize (or a component thereof) with another prize (or component thereof) of greater or equal value if a prize (or component thereof) is not available for any reason as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Winner is solely and fully responsible for any and all costs, fees, taxes, assessments and expenses associated with prize award, receipt and use not expressly specified herein as part of a prize, including, without limitation, transportation costs, lodging/additional lodging, meals, gratuities, insurance, surcharges and other costs and expenses incurred by the winner and winner's guests in accepting and using the prize, including, without limitation, all international, federal, state and local taxes on the prize. A prize winner will be issued an IRS Form 1099 for a prize with an ARV of $600 or more. Entrants waive the right to assert as a cost of winning prize all costs of verification and redemption or travel to redeem or claim any prize in this Sweepstakes. Gift cards, coupons and admission tickets are subject to the terms, conditions, limitations and restrictions thereof, and will not be replaced if lost, stolen or destroyed. All lodging must occur on consecutive nights. If required by Sponsor, each of the winner's guests must execute and deliver to Sponsor a Liability Release and a Publicity Release in the documents provided by Sponsor as a condition to use of any component of the prize; if the guest is a minor in his/her state of residency, the minor's parent or legal guardian must verify and confirm his or her agreement to the Liability Release and Publicity Release in the documents provided by Sponsor on the parent's or legal guardian's behalf and on the minor's behalf in order to attend and participate. Unused portions of a prize shall be forfeited and have no redeemable cash value. LIMIT: One (1) prize per person per Drawing Pool in respect to the thirteen (13) prizes as listed in Section 6c.

9. PUBLICITY. Except where prohibited by law, participation in the Sweepstakes constitutes winner's consent to Sponsor's (and its designees', successors' and assigns') use of winner's name, biography, likeness, voice, photographs, video, opinions, statements, hometown, state and country for promotional purposes in any manner or media (including, without limitation, online), worldwide, in perpetuity, and without further payment, consideration, notice, review or consent.

10. GENERAL CONDITIONS. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes if, in Sponsor's opinion, there is any suspected or actual evidence of electronic or non-electronic tampering with any portion of the Sweepstakes, or if viruses, bugs, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical difficulties or failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor's reasonable control corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Sweepstakes. In such event, Sponsor reserves the right (but does not have the obligation) in its sole discretion to award any or all of the prizes at random from among eligible, non-suspect entries received up to the time of suspected impairment. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately damage any website or undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes is a violation of criminal and civil laws, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages and other remedies from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor's failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other provision of these Official Rules.

11. RELEASE. By entering, each entrant forever and irrevocably releases and holds harmless Sponsor, parents, subsidiaries, divisions and affiliates, and respective agents, advertising and promotion agencies, affiliates, Sweepstakes suppliers and all of their respective employees, officers, directors, managers, members, owners and agents from and against all claims, damages or liabilities arising in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from entrant's participation and/or entry in the Sweepstakes and/or receipt or use of any prize awarded in the Sweepstakes.

12. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY. Sponsor is not responsible for: (a) incorrect or inaccurate transcription of entry information or late, lost, stolen, unintelligible, illegible, damaged, mutilated, altered, incomplete, misdirected entries or entries received through impermissible or illegitimate channels, all of which will be disqualified; (b) technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to the malfunctioning of any telephone, computer online systems, computer equipment, website, server provider, network, hardware or software; (c) the unavailability or inaccessibility of any telephone, mail, website or service; (d) unauthorized intervention in any part of the entry process or the Sweepstakes; (e) printing, typographical, electronic or human errors which may occur in the offer or administration of the Sweepstakes or the processing of entries; or (f) any injury or damage to persons or property, including but not limited to entrant's computer, which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant's participation in the Sweepstakes, or from viewing, playing or downloading any material from Sponsor's website, regardless of whether the material was prepared by Sponsor or a third party, and regardless of whether the material is connected to Sponsor's website by a hypertext link. The Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend or modify the sweepstakes, if necessary, due to any technical problems, hacking, security breaches or other tampering.

13. DISPUTES. Entrant agrees that: (a) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or connected with the Sweepstakes, or any prizes awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and solely and exclusively in a federal or state court located in Ramsey County, Minnesota; entrant submits to sole and exclusive personal jurisdiction to said courts in the State of Minnesota for any such dispute and irrevocably waives any and all rights to object to such jurisdiction; (b) any and all claims, judgments, and awards shall be limited to actual out of pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering the Sweepstakes but in no event attorneys' fees; and (c) under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of entrant or Sponsor in connection with the Sweepstakes shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Minnesota, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules of provisions (whether of the State of Minnesota the United States, or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Minnesota.

14. DATA COLLECTION; PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS. Entrants provide personal information on the entry form when they enter this Sweepstakes. Sponsor collects this information and uses it to (a) administer this Sweepstakes and (b) for market research and for other marketing purposes. Sponsor may share this information with third parties who need access to this information to perform services on Sponsor's behalf. Sponsor may also share this information with Partners and with select third-party marketing partners who may use it to contact you with information and offers they believe will be of interest to you. When you enter the Sweepstakes at Sponsor's website, you will be given an opportunity to "opt-out" of (by un-checking applicable boxes) or "opt-in" to (by checking applicable boxes) receiving marketing or promotional communications from Sponsor, Partners and/or third-party marketing partners on the online entry form. Consenting to receive such emails and information (by not "opting-out" or by "opting in") is optional and is not necessary to enter or win this Sweepstakes, nor will it increase or improve your chances of winning. For more information about the ways Sponsor uses and shares personal information collected through its website, please see the Privacy Policy of Sponsor located at http://www.exploreminnesota.com/privacycopyright/

15. NAME REMOVAL NOTIFICATION SYSTEM. To have your name and address removed from Sponsor's sweepstakes email list, please complete the subscriber preferences at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNEXPLORE/subscriber/new

16. OFFICIAL RULES. These Official Rules are available online at https://www.exploreminnesota.com/mnslopes/rules or by sending a self-addressed postage-stamped envelope to Explore Minnesota "Minnesota Slopes" Sweepstakes" - Rules Request", c/o Explore Minnesota Tourism, 121 East Seventh Place, Suite 360, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101-2144.

17. WINNER'S LIST. To request a list of winners, send a self-addressed postage-stamped envelope to Explore Minnesota "Minnesota Slopes Sweepstakes" - Winners' List Request, c/o Explore Minnesota Tourism, 121 East Seventh Place, Suite 360, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101-2144. Requests must be received prior to April 15, 2022.

19. SPONSOR/PARTNER. The sponsor of the Sweepstakes and the address at which the Sponsor may be contacted is: Explore Minnesota Tourism, 121 East Seventh Place, Suite 360, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101-2144. The Partner of the Sweepstakes and the address at which the Partner may be contacted is:  Minnesota Ski Areas Association, Executive Director, PO Box 3107, Duluth, MN 55803.