Friday, Dec. 12, 2008

Breaking in skis doesn't have to break budget

Stretching all ski, snowboard or cross country dollars to the max isn't just practical as the economy worsens.

It's virtually mandatory.

Still, there are financial shortcuts out there for those who plan ahead, scour the Web sites and do their homework. Some of the easiest answers include buying lift tickets online, carpooling and packing food.

The following list of potential cost-savers also will help:

• The Dodge Ridge SnowCruiser, the bus that picks up customers in Tracy, Manteca, Modesto, Merced, Turlock and Oakdale, will run on Saturdays and Sunday holidays. The transportation-and-lift-ticket package costs only $69 for ages 13 to 61 and $39 for ages 6 to 12. Storer Coachways and Save Mart sponsor the program. Visit dodgeridge.com.

• Several hotels in Oakdale present winter rates starting at $79.99 for those on the way to Dodge Ridge. The properties include Holiday Inn Express, Quality Inn, Best Western-Rama Inn and Holiday Motel. Visit oakdalechamber.com.

• Bear Valley offers a lift ticket and hotel room for $65 on Sunday through Thursday. Visit bearvalley.com.

• Badger Pass's Stay-N-Play packages bring discounts in lodging, lift tickets, rentals and lessons. Visit badgerpass.com.

• Squaw Valley USA will join other open North Lake Tahoe resorts this weekend in offering $25 beginner packages for Learn to Ski & Ride Weekend. It's available for first-time skiers and snowboarders.

• Frequent rider clubs are available at Alpine Meadows, Sugar Bowl and Squaw Valley. Club members get reduced lift ticket rates or a free lift ticket, all for a $10-to-$20 fee. Visit skialpine.com, sugarbowl.com or squaw.com.

• Every third day of skiing or snowboarding is free if you sign up online for Boreal's iRide program on borealski.com.

• Two tickets to Diamond Peak go for only $72.99 at participating Costco stores.

• Heavenly sells good-anytime lift tickets at $70 for adults, $60 for teens and $40 for children at Save Mart and Lucky stores. The famed resort on Tahoe's southern shore also has begun an adult 3-Pack plan for $179 (three lift tickets, no blackout dates). Visit skiheavenly.com.

• On non-holiday Mondays through Fridays, Sugar Bowl holds its general admission days: A lift ticket, any-ability group lesson and basic rental gear for the price of a lift ticket ($66 for adults and $56 for ages 13-22). Visit sugarbowl.com.

• Other Web sites are filled with various discounts and bargains at resorts throughout the Sierra. Check out snowbomb.com, skicalifornia.com, slidingonthecheap.com or californiasnow.com.