Hitting the Slopes (from the WSJ)

Hitting the Slopes
By AJA CARMICHAEL
October 24, 2006; Page D4

Amid several strong ski seasons, a number of airlines are pairing with hotel resorts to offer discounted deals in unlikely areas to nudge travelers to swish down slopes.

Last year's huge snowfall and 3.5% increase in ski visitors for the 2005-to-2006 ski season are leading to predictions of jam-packed resorts. A rush of deals offered by airlines and some resorts, however, demonstrates there's still room left for travelers.

According to the National Ski Areas Association in Lakewood, Colo., the low-cost deals are an effort to fill vacancies at the start of the season and between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. "Reservations are through the roof," says Michael Berry, president of the National Ski Areas Association. "Travelers will have to work very hard to find deals during the [Christmas] holiday weekend."

Some ski analysts say deals in the Northeast region are more likely as the area plans to rebound from a bad snow season, while the Pacific region begins to taper out deals as it recovered from bad weather in the 2004-to-2005 season.

Delta Air Lines is pairing with ski resorts in Canada and four major U.S. ski-tourism states. Among the promotions, SkyMiles members can earn 20% off lodging for a minimum five-night stay at the Big Sky Resort in Big Sky, Mont., plus one full day of skiing at the half-day rate. Stay Aspen Snowmass in Aspen is offering an extra day of skiing, riding or a third night free for travelers reserving two-day lodging and lift trips before Dec 1.

UAL Corp.'s United Airlines is promoting round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations and ski-lift tickets. Savings on vacation packages range from $50 on a trip totaling from $850 to $1,600 to $350 off reservations amounting to $5,000 or more.

AMR Corp.'s American Airlines cut ski-trip prices for the Lodge at Vail in Vail, Colo., Inn at Keystone in Keystone, Colo., and other resorts. For $1,620, two adults flying round-trip from Chicago can reserve a lodge for a five-night stay at the Lodge at Vail. At Keystone, two adults flying round-trip from Dallas can book a five-night stay in a suite for $1,408.