Lift-Ticket Deals at Mammoth
The purchase of a three-day lift ticket at Mammoth, California (tel. 800/626-6684; www.mammothmountain.com) now yields a fourth day free -- seven days a week. Additionally, Costco members can purchase a two-day midweek lift pass for $126 ($63 per day) or a three-day pass valid any day of the week for $169 ($56.33 per day) at stores in southern California and Nevada.
$5 Friday Nights at Big White
Most of us don't live in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley from which it is convenient to take advantage of $5 lift ticket and $10 equipment rentals at Big White (tel. 250/765-3101; www.bigwhite.com), but the offer is a model for other resorts with night skiing. From 5-8 p.m. through April 12, the resort runs two chairs (and a third, weather permitting).
Bargain Slopeside Lodging at Kirkwood
Kirkwood CA (tel. 800/967-7500; www.kirkwood.com) is regarded as the Tahoe area's powder pocket, making it convenient for guests staying at slopeside to get out early and snare first tracks. Hotel-style units start at just $99 per night, and two-bedroom units sleeping up to six come in at $299 nightly. For further savings, multi-day lift tickets range from $108 for two days $275 for six days per adult.
Hunter Mountain's Cheap Spring Season Pass
With legendary snowmaking might, Hunter Mountain, New York (tel. 800-486-8376; www.huntermtn.com) generally has excellent spring conditions. The "March Into Spring" pass is good from March 1 through the end of the 2008-09 and costs just $149.
Dining Deals at Tamarack
Vacationers head for the on-site eateries at Idaho's Tamarack Resort (tel. 866/649-6903; www.tmarackidaho.com) for après-ski and dinner specials on weeknights: Monday Wing Night at the Seven Devils Pub (tel. 208/325-1344), 15-dent wings and $3 pints of Snake River TamBrew stet; Taco Tuesdays at Seven Devils with $1 beef or chicken tacos and $3 well drinks; a $35 three-course Chef's Tasting Menu every Wednesday at Morel's Restaurant (tel. 208/325-1013) and value-priced Thursday Sushi Night at Morels Lounge.
Sacramento to Squaw the Easy Way
Free shuttle bus service from Sacramento to Squaw Valley (tel. 866/366-7261; www.squaw.com) is available every Saturday, providing capital area and even Bay Area skiers an easy, environmentally friendly way to reach the slopes. Roundtrip bus transport and a full-day adult lift ticket is $79. Non-skiers and season pass holders can ride the bus for $40. Reservations are required by calling 866/769-4653 or clicking on at www.squaw.com/squaw-valley-usa-sacramento-ski-bus.
Good Grooming at Stowe
Ever wonder how Stowe (tel. 800/253-4754, 802/253-3000; www.stowe.com) manages to groom its legendary steeps? The northern Vermont resort is New England's first and thus far only resort with a fleet of PistenBully stet snowcats, including the monster PistenBully 600-W winch-cat. It's kind of a shame that grooming is done at night, because watching these beasts farm snow on what feel like near-vertical slopes is one of the best shows in skidom.
Free Lessons at Sugar Bowl
Sugar Bowl in California (tel. 530/426-9000; www.sugarbowl.com) has sweetened its weekday all-mountain lift ticket by throwing in a free equipment rentals and a free two-hour group ski or snowboard lesson. It's great for beginners or for skiers or riders who want to try "the other" sport. The cost is $66 for ages 12 to 59, $56 for youth aged 13 to 22 and seniors aged 60 to 69, and $56 for kids aged 4 to 12 (a significant discount off the regular $90 Bear Den rate).
New Eco-Hotel at Tahoe
The newly renovated 968 Park Spa Resort (tel. 877/544-0968; www.968parksparesort.com) is Lake Tahoe's first eco-friendly hotel, built with reclaimed and recycled materials used in the building reconstruction and furnishings. Among other sustainable features are dual-flush toilets, memory-foam mattresses, and hypoallergenic bed and bath linens. The three-story hotel is located less than 100 yards from the Heavenly Gondola and within walking distance the casinos in Stateline, entertainment, shopping and fine dining, enabling guests to be as green as the hotel itself.
Chic New Hotel in Tignes
The sleekly elegant and super contemporary Les Suites du Névada (tel. +33(0) 4 50 33 1096; www.les-suites-du-nevada.com) is the first urban-style hotel in Tignes, France, the resort next to Val d'Isère, which just hosted the thrilling 2009 World Alpine Ski Championships. Its 24 suites are equipped with high-tech touches rain-curtain showers, whirlpool baths and flat-screen LCD TVs.
