SKI Deals 2002: West

ARAPAHOE BASIN, COLO.,

has its steeps but also welcomes beginners. Tickets for the Molly Hogan lift and beginner run are just $5. And kids ages 6-14 get a free all-mountain lift ticket with the purchase of a full-price adult lift ticket. Call 888-272-7246, or visit www.arapahoebasin.com.

BIG SKY, MONT., and all other East West Partners property locations (throughout Utah and Colorado), offers free gear usage. If you stay for at least a week in an East West property, you can demo a pair of Dynaster “Agyl Sup” skis, an Original Sin Numeric snowboard or a pair of Tubbs snowshoes. Reservations must be made at least 60 days in advance, and blackout dates may apply at certain locations. Call 800-763-5045, or visit www.eastwestresorts.com.

BRECKENRIDGE, COLO., has created special deals for SKI Magazine’s readers. The “We Pay for You to Stay” package for two people includes three nights’ lodging for $399 in the Great Divide Lodge or The Village at Breckenridge Resort, plus $100 in “Chow Dough” to use at Village restaurants and two vouchers for a half-day bumps class. (Total value $990.)

The “Dinner for a Dollar” package for two people includes three nights’ lodging at The Village at Breckenridge Resort, dinner for a dollar at the Breckenridge Cattle and Fish company and two vouchers for a half-day bumps class. (Total value $990.) Blackout dates are Dec. 26-31, Jan. 18-20, and Feb. 15-17. Call 888-268-0628 for reservations, or visit www.snow.com.

THE CANYONS, UTAH, hosts a Children’s Festival, Jan. 21-27, when kids get 50 percent off ski and snowboard instruction, plus free rentals and lift tickets when they stay at The Canyons properties with their parents for three nights or more. Kids must be 12 years or younger. Lodging and lift packages start at $187 per night at the Sundial and the Grand Summit Resort Hotel. Call 888-226-9667, or visit www.thecanyons.com.

CRESTED BUTTE, COLO., is planning a season-long 40th anniversary celebration. Beginning Dec. 15, lift-ticket prices roll back to $6-their cost on opening day in 1962-and group lessons are $5. Throughout the season, stay four or more nights and you get a free night of lodging. Ski-school prices will also be rolled back Dec. 15-22, Jan. 6-Feb. 2 and April 1-14, to $25 for a three-hour lesson, including lift ticket. During value season, Feb. 2-March 7, four nights in a condo and a three-day lift ticket start at $254 per person. Packages with air start at $634. Call 800-544-8448, or visit www.skicb.com.

COPPER MOUNTAIN, COLO., dares you to cut the liftline. Guests who book lodging and lift tickets through Copper Reservations receive the new BeeLine Advantage-a key to access new gated liftlines (that open 15 minutes before the other lines for first tracks), VIP rental lines and more. For example, buy two nights’ lodging and two days’ lifts and get a third day and night free, starting at $186 from April 1-21. Or call and design your own package deal by asking for the Beeline Advantage. Call 800-458-8386, or visit www.coppercolorado.com.

DEER VALLEY, UTAH, gives you the fourth night on the house in a resort-owned condominium from Jan. 20-Feb. 6. Call 800-424-3337 for details. Throughout the season (except Dec. 26-Jan. 1), call 888-754-8477 and ask for the SKI Magazine lesson special. You’ll get a three-hour group lesson and ski-rental package for $100, instead of the regular $134 rate. Visit www.deervalley.com for general information.

GRAND TARGHEE, WYO., offers free snowcat skiing. Book a three-day package from Nov. 16-Dec. 21, and you get a free day of catskiing. Book a seven-day package and get two days free. (Weather permitting.) Sample rate for three-day and three-night lift-and-lodging packages is $224. The regular snowcat skiing day rate alone is $265. Call 800-827-4433, or visit www.grandtarghee.com.

JACKSON HOLE, WYO., comes at a great price midwinter when you round up five powder-hungryy friends. Cost for skiing and lodging in a one-bedroom (with loft) condominium at the Jackson Hole Racquet Club is $266 per person per week, Jan. 3-Feb. 8. And free shuttle service is available to the slopes 5 miles away. (First-come/first-serve, availability limited.) Call 800-443-8613 and ask for the Powder Package, or visit www.jhresortlodging.com.

KEYSTONE RESORT, COLO., offers all sorts of freebies when you stay in the Forest Neighborhood-including free lift tickets and the Mountain Passport, which includes ice skating, yoga classes, hockey clinics and more. Packages start at $65, quad occupancy in a two-bedroom condo Jan. 2-Feb. 13. Call 800-468-5004, or visit www.keystoneresort.com.

SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN, IDAHO, teams up with the Selkirk Lodge. Pay full fare for five consecutive nights at the Lodge, and you get a season pass for the 2001-02 season. Guests will receive the pass at the beginning of their visit (maximum two passes per room). Standard rooms start at $129 and deluxe at $149. Offer not valid during holiday periods. For more information, call 800-831-8810 or visit www.schweitzer.com.

SKI COOPER, COLO., presents a $35 Learn to Ski package for anyone over age 11. It includes a two-hour group lesson, ski rentals and a beginner lift ticket. For $10 more, you get all that, plus an all-mountain lift ticket. Call 719-486-3684, or visitwww.skicooper.com.

SKI UTAH’S $20.02 Celebration is the answer to value ski packages throughout the state. Guests who visit Utah this season and stay a minimum of three nights at a participating lodging property will receive vouchers for $20.02 per night toward adult lift tickets at participating Utah resorts. Thirteen resorts are in on the deal, as are lodging properties in Salt Lake City and nearby resorts. Call 888-957-8824, or visit www.skiutah.com.

STEAMBOAT, COLO., presents a Vintage Value Package, reducing prices throughout the winter. The package, featuring four nights’ motel accommodations and three days of lift tickets, starts at $240 (Nov. 22-Dec. 20). Other prices will vary based on dates. Packages must be booked and paid in full by Nov. 10. If you have young ones, don’t forget the Kids Ski Free program: children 6-12 ski free when an accompanying adult purchases a lift ticket for five or more days. For more information, call 800-922-2722, or visit www.steamboat.com.

VAIL AND BEAVER CREEK, COLO., present a special deal for beginners, ages 15 or older: three for the price of one. Pay $135 at Vail, or $145 at Beaver Creek, for a three-day lesson, beginner lift ticket and rentals. The offer is available opening day until Dec. 13, Jan. 15-Feb. 12 and April 7-14. Days must be used consecutively. Participants who complete the program will be given a coupon good for three more lessons for the price of one at the next ability level. For more information, call 800-404-3535, or visit www.snow.com.

WINTER PARK, COLO., loves the Free 4 All. If you purchase a package to ski three days and stay three nights, the fourth day and night are free-anytime throughout the season. The catch: You must book this through Winter Park Central Reservations by Dec. 15. For a quick and cheap technique tip ($5), ski down the video lane to get some one-on-one with an instructor who views the tape and gives pointers. Call 800-729-5813, or visit www.winterparkresort.com.