Early 2008-09 Season Pass Purchase Nets Free Skiing Now
Buy a 2008-09 Double Whammy dual-mountain season pass after March 24 for California's Northstar-at-Tahoe (tel. 800/466-6784; www.northstarattahoe.com) and Sierra-at-Tahoe (tel. 530/659-7453; www.sierraattahoe.com) and ski free for the remainder of the season. Northstar has extended its season until the end of April, and while Sierra-at-Tahoe is scheduled to operate into mid to late April, both weather and conditions permitting. This is the only two-mountain pass valid at both North and South Shore resorts. Individual season passes purchased before April 30 reap a $100 savings. Booth Creek Resorts (www.boothcreek.com), the parent company, offers several other pass formats.
"Wine-d" Down with Last Tracks at Diamond Peak
Elsewhere at Lake Tahoe, the Snowflake Lodge at Diamond Peak, NV (tel. 775/832-1177; www.diamondpeak.com) hosts an après-ski event that is especially appealing in spring, when days are longer and temperatures remain kinder even as the sun sets. Guests who sample wines and appetizers at Snowflake Lodge at the end of the day then make their way down freshly groomed trails at twilight. Space is limited, and attendees must be at least 21 years old to participate.
Threedom Pass on Sale at New Hampshire Resorts
The 2008-09 Threedom Pass, valid next season at Waterville Valley (tel 800/GO-VALLEY; www.waterville.com), Cranmore (tel 800/SUN-N-SKI; www.cranmore.com) and for the first time, Bretton Woods (tel 800/314-1752; www.brettonwoods.com) is on sale now. The three resorts between them provide skiing and riding on 195 trails, 12 terrain parks and 893 acres serviced by 28 lifts, and all are easily accessible from I-93 or I-95. Of the several versions of the Threedom Pass, the Limited Edition Pass is the most versatile. It is valid any day of the season both at Cranmore and Waterville and with holiday period blackouts at Bretton Woods. It costs $649 for skiers and riders 18 and over, $389 for teens and $329 for juniors. All passes purchased now are valid for the remainder of this season as well (March 30 at Cranmore, April 6 at Waterville and mid-April for Bretton Woods). These prices are guaranteed through May 31.
Timberline's Long, Long Ski Season
At Timberline (tel. 503/272-3391; www.timberlinelodge.com) on Oregon's might Mt. Hood, "winter" lasts until May 26 and spring season passes go for only $99. The resort likes to point out that anyone who purchased it before March 3 could ski every day for the rest of the season for just $1.15 a day. This past winter, the venerable resort undertook its largest terrain expansion since the 1970s with additional trails in Still Creek Basin between the Pucci and Stormin' Norman chairlifts. Timberline is known as for its freestyle and snowboard-friendly facilities, including three terrain parks, a halfpipe and a boardercross course. In summer, racing and competition camps set up on Timberline's high snowfields.
Well-Maintained, Quality Rental Equipment in France
Ski Republic (www.ski-republic.com/en/) has committed itself to offering quality, well-maintained, clean and affordable ski and snowboard rentals in France. Currently, they have rental locations in Méribel, Val Thorens, Pralognan/La Vanoise, Villandry in the Paradiski domain, Les Arcs, La Plagne (in two villages there), Ste. Foy, Tignes, Val d'Isère, Les Menuires and Courchevel. Ski Republic is currently offering a two-for-one special and includes damage insurance in its rates. On-line bookings include information on each rental shop's location and hours of operation.
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