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VAIL VALUE BIG SKY BARGAINS,

Photo by MARCIA BIGGS

Many condo lodging units are within walking distance of the slopes at Breckenridge, Colo.

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By MARCIA BIGGS

Tribune correspondent

Published: October 30, 2009

Updated: 10/30/2009 09:13 pm

The first snowfall has already blanketed the Rocky Mountains and the forecast for an El Nino winter - typically bringing loads of snow - bodes well for mountain resorts this ski season.

But the faltering economy has affected the ski industry, and there's some nervous tension in the air.

Many Western ski resorts are expecting fewer visitors this season and, as some cut staff and services in anticipation, are looking for ways to bring in more skiers and boarders. A noticeable drop is expected, possibly up to 15 percent, according to a majority of resort managers interviewed in a recent article in Mountain News Corp.'s Industry Report.

"People are scrutinizing every purchase and spending money on things they need, not things they want. It's an entirely different landscape than we were in 12 months ago," David Perry, senior vice president of the Aspen Skiing Co., told the online magazine.

More than ever, resorts will need to rely on providing value and guest service. What does that mean for you?

Look for more discounts and deals than ever before. With most daily lift tickets at major resorts topping $90, look for pricing tied to the terrain and the weather. The more lifts, and thus, terrain, open, the closer to full price customers pay. The fewer lifts and trails open, the greater the discount.

Prices for weeklong trips offered by Tampa Bay's three largest ski clubs remain comparable to last year and generally offer good bang for the buck. Keep in mind, however, that trips usually do not include lift tickets, and baggage fees can add another $60 or more to the cost.

The area's largest club, Tampa Bay Snow Skiers and Boarders, is offering 19 trips, including Breckenridge, Park City, Steamboat, Snowmass, The Canyons, Vail, Big Sky, Jackson Hole, Telluride, Steamboat Springs, Heavenly and Crested Butte.

One European destination is planned for Trois Vallees in France; it's a Florida Ski Council trip in March. Two Canadian excursions are planned, one to Panorama Mountain in British Columbia (heli-skiing, anyone?) and one in late January to Whistler near Vancouver, a site of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Arriving just 10 days before the Games begin, this trip might be a great opportunity to catch the Olympic spirit and get a firsthand look at the venues and preparations for the big event.

The Clearwater/St. Petersburg Ski and Sports Club, aka the SnowSharks, has six trips planned: to Beaver Creek, Telluride, Vail, Taos, Jackson Hole and Trois Vallees. Both clubs hold monthly meetings and other social activities, which is a good way to meet the trip leaders and fellow travelers.

The Tampa Bay Ski Club, organized through Bowen Travel in Tampa, is offering 15 trips. Destinations include Lake Tahoe, Vail, Park City, Breckenridge, Big Sky, Winter Park, Snowmass, Copper Mountain, Steamboat and Jackson Hole. One European trip will take skiers to Kitzbuhel, Austria, in late January.

A final warning: Don't wait to sign up if you are considering a ski club trip. The most popular destinations are nearly full and others are filling rapidly.

If you would rather wait and plan a last-minute trip, however, there's a good chance you'll get lucky on the lodging and lift ticket prices. Finding good deals on last-minute airfare, however, is another story.

BAY AREA SKI CLUBS

Tampa Bay Snow

Skiers and Boarders, www.tampabaysnow skiers.com; 1-888-768-7774

St. Petersburg/Clearwater SnowSharks, www.snowshark.org; (727) 367-1111

Tampa Bay Ski Club, www.tampabayskiclub .com; (813) 289-8344

Marcia Biggs is a freelance writer who lives in Safety Harbor.

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