Most mountains offer discounted multi-day and group tickets, so skiers and riders on extended travels or traveling with large families or clubs should book or purchase ahead of time. Groups of ten or more can ski for as little as $33 per day at Diamond Peak Ski Resort overlooking Lake Tahoe in Incline Village, Nev.
Squaw Valley USA continues to offer it popular Frequent Skier Program, where skiers and riders can hit the slopes any four days and get the fifth day free. There’s a $5 fee to join the program, and once a member, guests can purchase $69 lift tickets Tuesdays through Thursdays that count toward the fifth free ticket, which can be used any day, even when holiday rates apply. Kids 12 and under ski for $10 at Squaw everyday, and a new women’s ski and snowboard clinic, Women of Winter on Wednesdays, is only $49 when booked in advance and $59 day-of (offered Wednesdays throughout the winter) and features special guest coaches, such as Olympic gold medalist Jonny Moseley.
The Alpine Club at Alpine Meadows Ski Resort is an online benefits program through which members receive a variety of deals throughout the season. Once a membership is purchased for $15 at www.skialpine.com, skiers and riders can purchase their first ticket for a reduced rate of $59. Additional savings and benefits include $44 tickets on randomly selected days, purchase five tickets in advance (for $59) and the sixth is free, save up to $15 on midweek tickets, save 20 percent on four packs and discounts on demo equipment, repairs, lessons, parking and food and beverage.
Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe on scenic Highway 431 between Reno and Lake Tahoe offers a deal almost every day of the season. Value days include the Weekend X-tender (three consecutive day lift tickets for $130), Bonus Mondays ($29 lift ticket when a previous Saturday ticket is presented), 2 ‘fer Tuesdays (two tickets for the price of one), Student Wednesdays ($35 lift tickets with student ID) and Ladies Day Thursdays ($35 tickets for women).
New skiers and riders can save big with Learn to Ski or Ride December 12-13 at Alpine Meadows, Boreal Mountain Resort, Diamond Peak, Granlibakken, Homewood Mountain Resort, Mt. Rose, Northstar-at-Tahoe, Squaw Valley or Sugar Bowl. The $25 deal includes group lesson, beginner lift ticket and rental equipment. Northstar extends its Learn to Ski or Ride deal, midweek December 1-18, while Diamond Peak offers Learn to Ski & Ride Weeks January 11-15, 2010 and March 8-12, 2010 for $29.
Diamond Peak also offers discounts to military, fire and police personnel and Nevada State Government employees. And in addition to selling two-day tickets at regional Costco stores for $79.99, the Mini Pass will be available. Working like a gift card, the Mini Pass allows guests to purchase days ahead of time. The more days purchased, the bigger the savings. Skiers and riders flying into the Reno-Tahoe International Airport can also save 50 percent on rentals with an airline-boarding pass.
Savvy skiers will realize that purchasing a $49 Tahoe Card membership pays for itself from the get-go with a free Sugar Bowl Ski Resort lift ticket. The card then allows member-only lift ticket discounts from $5 to $14 at Alpine Meadows, Boreal, Diamond Peak, Homewood, Mt. Rose, Northstar, Squaw Valley and Sugar Bowl. A free trail pass to Royal Gorge and Tahoe Cross-Country, as well as lodging, dining and other discounts are also included. The Tahoe Card is available at www.snowbomb.com or Northern California Costco warehouses.
