North American Ski Report: Early-Season Packages

Squaw Valley Turns 60 With Great Early-Season Packages

Squaw Valley, Calif. (tel. 866/366-7261; www.squaw.com), which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this winter, launches the season an Early Season Ski-N-Stay specials from the Nov. 21 season opening through Dec. 17 at the Village at Squaw Valley USA starting at $102 nightly per person, double occupancy, including a free lesson. This is the midweek rate for three days of skiing and three nights of lodging in a slopeside studio -- including a free lesson. The weekend rate is $136 nightly per person.

4 for 3 When Staying in Salt Lake City

Book a four-day, four-night vacation and lodging at any participating property in Salt Lake City (tel. 801/534-4900 or 800/541-4955; www.visitsaltlake.com) before Dec. 15, and get four days of skiing/riding for the price of three. The package includes the multi-mountain Salt Lake Super Pass.

Family Offers at Waterville Valley

Waterville Valley, N.H. (tel. 800/GO-VALLEY; www.waterville.com) introduces a host of deals, including a new $12 Sunday kid's ticket on non-holiday weekends ($1 goes to the New Hampshire Food Bank), kids ski free on selected January weekends, family ski lessons, 3pm family checkout privileges on Sundays, and assorted value packed ski-and-stay deals. All overnight stays now include ice skating at Waterville's indoor arena along with access to the White Mountain Athletic Club and the free ski shuttle to the mountain. Also, check the resort's website for last-minute lodging and package deals throughout the season.

Upgrades and Additions at Ski Beech

Ski Beech, North Carolina (tel. 800/438-2093; www.skibeech.com) reopens the popular Oz slope, named for its proximity to the old Land of Oz theme park, after a season hiatus for a chairlift upgrade. New padded quad chairs take the place of outdated double chairs. Also, airless electrical snowmaking hookups have been installed along the run so the slope can be blown in within 24 hours, and a second terrain park will debut with rails, boxes and jumps for intermediate to advanced freestyle riders -- and full-time staff to maintain the features and ensure safety.

New York-to-Tremblant Air Service

Continental Airlines (www.continental.com) is again offering seasonal non-stops between Newark Airport (EWR) and Mont-Tremblant International Airport (YTM). From Dec. 17-31 and again Feb. 6-Mar. 28, there will be four weekly flights; Jan 1-Feb 5, three a week. For visitors who like casino action in addition to on-snow action, Tremblant's ski-to casino beckons. A new beginner trail on the "casino side" of the mountain eases access for all.

Early Booking Discount (and Gondola Work) at Mont Ste.-Anne

Book a lift/lodging package at Mont Ste.-Anne, Qubec (tel. 888/827-4579 or 418/827-4561; www.mont-sainte-anne.com/1/) before Dec. 1 for a 20% discount, including on the popular three-day, three-night offers. This year, the resort has begun upgrading and restoring the base-to-summit gondola, with a complete overhaul of the mechanical system. Next: refreshing the gondola cabins themselves. When completed, the improvements will total $1.5 million.

The Canyons Lures Visitors with Oodles of Extras

The Winter Playland Package at The Canyons, Utah (tel. 888/CANYONS or 435/649-5400; www.thecanyons.com) with accommodations at the Grand Summit Hotel, Escala Lodges, Sundial Lodge, or Silverado Lodge nets more than $500 in special resort gifts. These include a three-day adult lift ticket to the resort's 3,700 acres terrain, a pair of First Tracks Passes explore the mountain a full hour before it opens to the general public, a three-day sport rental package, a full-day adult or child group ski or snowboard lesson, $150 resort dining credit at more than a dozen restaurants in the Resort Village and on the mountain or a 50-Minute Massage at the Grand Summit Spa.

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