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Ski and Stay at New England Resorts

January 28, 2009 - I don't think our new president is big on skiing. He hits the gym and plays hoops instead. Since the Obamas are not going to stimulate our country's ski economy directly, that leaves it up to you and me.

Now is a good time to book a ski trip, even if it's a so-called "stay-cation" here at one of Maine's ski resorts. That's no penalty, since some of the best skiing and riding is right here in Maine.

In this downturned economy, some ski resorts are downright scared, to the point of offering some sizable discounts and deals to appeal to you. If you can avoid prime holidays and weekends, you can be King of the Mountain. Book a non-peak midweek stay, and you will have wide-open slopes and get miserly rates to boot.

Here are a few downhill deals I have seen this season that have me thinking it's time for a play-cation:

Sugarloaf offers midweek ski and stay deals in its condos for as little as $69 per night (non-holiday). That is the "stack 'em and pack 'em in" rate, lodging code for maximum occupancy.

Picture four people in a one bedroom, but you are slopeside with your family or your ski buddies enjoying a fun and affordable 'Loaf getaway. The package also includes a Perfect Turn ski lesson so you can get some style pointers essentially for free, leaving you a few bucks for aprs ski at The Bag or The Rack.

Saddleback is a deal every day with $40 lift ticket. Go for an overnight or two at the quaint Rangeley Inn, where ski-and-stay packages start at $75 per person, based on double occupancy.

Stowe in Vermont is a personal favorite of mine – but rarely goes on sale. So I was psyched to see a midweek ski-and-stay deal for as little as $100 per person, offered midweek through Feb. 12.

The promo for lodging at many participating inns in Stowe is $80 to $100 per couple (rates vary), and you get a free Stowe Points card to redeem for a $59 Stowe lift ticket. Normally, an adult lift ticket at Stowe is $84, so putting together a $100 ski-and-stay package is extraordinary. Plus, you keep the Stowe Points card to return and ski for $59 midweek non-holiday all season, and you accumulate points, from any on-mountain purchases, for future Stowe rewards.

If you haven't been to Stowe or it's been a while, you will be awed by the grand alpine architecture at the new slopeside Spruce Peak Village. The Stowe Mountain Lodge looks plucked from Vail or Zermatt.

Stowe's amazing terrain, however, has not changed – still just as steep and scenic as in the 1930s.

The Hotel Mount Washington is one of the grandest century-old lodges in the country. Their "Stay here, ski free, no catch, no kidding" package starts at $74 per person. Enjoy the super-scenic skiing at New Hampshire's biggest ski area, Bretton Woods, by day. Then savor apres ski and Alpenglow in the shadows of The Mount – the Eastern Seaboard's highest peak at 6,288 feet. Evenings are sublime as you dine and dance in the elegant ballroom, or party in the prohibition-inspired Cave.

For a mini-vacation packed with vertical laps and value, bookend two ski days on Sunday River's "Deal of the Century." For $109, you get two days of skiing at the River, with one night lodging at the Snow Cap Inn, including breakfast plus a dinner at one of Sunday River's on-mountain restaurants, and a group ski clinic. You must arrive Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday non-holiday for this sweet two ski-day-cation.

I will just say that skiing Sugarloaf or Sunday River midweek is bliss not to be missed. If you are destined to be a weekend downhiller because of work obligations and school, I can relate. I suggest you sign up for ski resorts' e-mail newsletters. You will find your inbox full of last- minute lift and lodging deals as each weekend approaches.

For day trippers, Mount Abram's carload day on Friday is a steal at $75 for everyone in your vehicle. Same goes for Shawnee Peak on their Carload Monday; you must arrive by 11 a.m. for your car full of friends or family to ski for $75.

As with many specials these days, you have to call and ask for the discount. But you will be doing your part to bail out our ski industry. Resorts have made mountains of snow and invested in your turns, so it's your turn to show up. It's OK if it takes a steal of a deal to lure you there.

I hope to see you out on the slopes.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sugarloaf hosts White World Week Jan 25-29, a wild week of slopes games like the 10th annual Dummy Downhill Jump and aprs ski Disco parties, plus the coronation of the king and queen of Sugarloaf.

January 22, 2009, Portland Press Herald
Heather Burke is a national accredited NASJA/ESWA ski and snowboard journalist from Kennebunk.


Lakes:
Regions: Sebago, Rangeley


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