On and off the slopes, savings for skiers and non-skiers alike

By Richard P. Carpenter, Globe Staff, 11/10/02

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First, a confession: I don't ski. Never have and never will. As a lover of warmth, I quiver and shiver at the mere thought of schussing down a slope.

Nevertheless, I understand the passion many people have for skiing, and I myself have enjoyed staying at ski resorts, warming myself by the fireplace in the evening while those who have spent their day on the slopes amble (or hobble) by, talking a strange language filled with words like "moguls" and "halfpipes." So, for those who love to ski and those who love the ambience of winter resorts, here are some deals. Note that if you can get away midweek or when no holiday is in sight, the savings can be considerable.

Skiing and lodging

You get free skiing when you stay in Jamaica — Jamaica, Vt., that is. The Three Mountain Inn, an award-winning 1790s property 10 minutes from Stratton Mountain, has a Ski for Free offer for $195 per couple per night. The package, for a minimum of two nights, includes lodging Sunday through Thursday, with a Vermont country breakfast daily; four adult lift tickets to Stratton; afternoon refreshments; and access to the 772-acre Jamaica Park, which is near the inn and has cross-country ski and snowshoe trails.

(The fine print: The offer begins Dec. 1. Excluded dates are Dec. 22-31, and Feb. 16-20.)

Call 800-532-9399, e-mail threemtn@sover.net, or visit www.threemountaininn.com.

For young or old

All ages can save at Cannon Mountain in Franconia Notch, N.H. The Mature Traveler newsletter notes that Tuesdays and Thursdays are "twofer" days at Cannon. Bring a friend and pay $40 for two lift tickets. On weekdays, skiers 65 and older pay $23; if you ski the next day, show that ticket and you'll get a $5 rebate, for a net $18 cost for the second day. Cannon has also teamed up with Gunstock and Mount Sunappe Resort to offer the season-long College Pass for $229. Cannon also offers the Bold & Beautiful Pass for $199. This one is valid Monday through Fridays (non-holidays) at Cannon and Bretton Woods.

Visit www.cannonmt.com or call 603-823-8800. For a copy of the annual Senior Ski Report, which lists age-based discounts at nearly 300 ski areas, send $8 to The Mature Traveler, PO Box 1543, Widowmar, CA 92595.

Hostel stays

Hosteling International-American Youth Hostels has 35 ski hostels in 17 states, including such biggies as Breckenridge, Crested Butte, and Killington, offering decent accommodations for $10 to $35 per person a night. While members get the best rates, all guests get discounts and services at many hostels, including lift tickets and shuttle buses to the resorts.

(The fine print: Some hostels are near the resorts but others can be nearly two hours away. Hostels offer dormitory-style accommodations with separate quarters for men and women, although there are sometimes accommodations for families or couples.)

Visit www.hiayh.org/hostels. For hostels near resorts in Canada, visit www.hihostels.ca/ski.

Super Pass

The Ski Salt Lake Super Pass is good for day passes at Alta, Brighton, Solitude, and Snowbird, all in Utah. The price is $38; by contrast, the average cost for daily tickets bought at the four resorts is $46.50. All four mountains are within 35 minutes of Salt Lake City.

Call 800-541-4055.

$10 lift tickets

Lift tickets are just $10 a day during the five-day Winter Fest 2003, Jan. 27-31, at Belleayre Mountain in New York's Catskills. Belleayre is the region's highest peak, with a top elevation of 3,325 feet. There are 35 trails, seven lifts, and two ski lodges.

Call 800-942-6904 or visit www.belleayre.com. (Be sure to spell the Web site correctly or you may call up a page advertising "longevity crystals" and such.)

"Ski Free"

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming has a Ski Free package beginning at $51-$61 per person per night, including those lift tickets. The Powder Package, from $284 a person includes five nights' lodging at the Jackson Hole Racquet Club and a four-day lift ticket. Available dates are Jan. 2-Feb. 7. The same deal Feb. 8-March 17 acquires the name Cowboy Package and begins at $333. Finally, the Adventure Package, good for two adults and two children and beginning at $625 a person, offers seven nights' lodging with four-day lift tickets, a dinner sleigh ride, and a snowmobiling trip to Yellowstone. Dates are Jan. 3-April 6.

Call 877-544-9101 or visit www.jhrl.com.

Midweek package

At New Hampshire's Bretton Woods, the Midweek Winter Escape includes daily snowshoe rentals and unlimited access to 100 kilometers of groomed trails at the Bretton Woods Nordic Ski Area, an hour per day rental of ice skates and use of the rink, an hour per day rental of snow tubes and use of the tubing hill, a sleigh ride around the resort's grounds, and daily use of the Bretton Woods Sports Club. At the Mount Washington Hotel — a grand hotel that I love to visit without ever setting foot on the snow — rates begin at $155 a person per night and also include a four-course dinner nightly and a full breakfast daily. At the Bretton Arms Country Inn, the price is $75 per person and includes a full breakfast.

(The fine print: Those packages are available Sunday-Thursday during non-holiday periods.)

Call 800-258-0330 or visit www.brettonwoods.com.

Family fun

Skiing can be a favorite family activity, and Smugglers' Notch in Vermont has a variety of offers catering to families. One of them is the Club Smugglers' Package, including slopeside Resort Village lodging, alpine lift tickets and cross-country trail passes, daily 1-hour snow sport lessons during non-holiday periods, daily hot chocolate around the bonfire, tubing, ice skating, access to the pool and hot tubs, use of the Outer Limits Teen Center, and a variety of family and adult evening and game nights. The price for a family of four for a week is $109 per adult and $95 per youth per night. Smugglers' Notch calls these SuperSaver rates because no weekend premium is charged.

(The fine print: These three weeks are exempted: Dec. 26-31, Feb. 14-20, and March 7-13.)

Park City offers

"Stay & Ski in 2003" is a Park City, Utah, promotion offering free lift tickets from participating area resorts Skiers or snowboarders booking at least four nights at participating lodging places will receive up to two free lift tickets valid at Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain Resort, or The Canyons Resort. Lodging prices vary.

Also, a Silver Passport lets you ski at those three resorts, which hosted some of the events of the 2002 Winter Olympics. The passport is available with advance purchase of at least three nights at participating properties. Passport prices are $186 for adults and $93 for children for a three-out-of-four-day pass. Passports for longer stays are also available.

Call 800-424-DEER (Deer Valley), 800-22-PARK (Park City Mountain Resort) or 888-CANYONS (you can probably guess which resort that number is for).