MONTPELIER, Vvermont — Skiing/riding encourages a lifestyle that’s physically challenging and cultivates a bond with nature. These snowsports open the door to winter fun — bringing people together for family adventures that satisfy the mildest of carvers to the heartiest of dare-devils. Go alone, or go with friends and family ??“ your well spent time will yield priceless memories.

Along the way, it’s nice to save a buck too. Here’s Ski Vermont’s Value Roster:

Ascutney Mountain Resort
Ascutney Mountain Resort has a well-deserved reputation as a family resort stemming from its family-friendly terrain and exceptional children’s programs. Not as well known, is Ascutney’s reputation for offering exceptional family value. There are season pass programs to fit any budget including the Sunday – Friday “Advantage Pass.” This pass offers access 6 days a week with only a handful of blackout dates for the amazing Early Bird price of $199 for a Jr./Sr. Pass. That adds up to a full season of great skiing and riding for pennies per day.

Bolton Valley
Many Vermonters make their home resort Bolton Valley because it is a great mountain value. A family of four can ski/ride Bolton Valley all season – day and night – for as little as $362 per person. An individual all access alpine pass is $549, with all access youth passes just $269. New this year, Bolton Valley season pass holders will receive a special package of savings, including 20% off rentals and other programs and services.

“We have more than 1,700 feet of vertical, the only night skiing/riding in Vermont and three incredible terrain parks, so it’s a safe bet to say Bolton Valley defines the word ???value’ when it comes to Vermont skiing and riding,” said Bolton Valley President George B. Potter. Visit http://winter.boltonvalley.com/tickets_passes/season_passes/.

Bromley Mountain
Bromley’s Sun Mountain Club Card was created to reward skiers and riders who visit often but not often enough to justify the purchase of a season pass. The card costs $69 for adults, $59 for teens and seniors (65-69), and $49 for juniors and super seniors (70+). It comes loaded with one free day of skiing, $10 off every all-day lift ticket, weekends and holidays included plus, if purchased by 10/10/09, $20 off one purchase at the Bromley Shop. Purchase at www.bromley.com or at the ticket booth.

Burke Mountain
Ski and Ride NEK Style 10 Seasons strong: After 10 seasons, Burke Mountain is proud to again offer Ski & Ride NEK Style on Sunday afternoons. With $18 lift tickets, $18 rentals, and $18 lessons starting at 12:15p.m., skiers and riders of all ages, and all abilities gather on the slopes for an affordable afternoon of skiing and riding NEK style.

Burke Mountain offers the Vermonter Ticket: Burke also offers a Vermonter lift ticket to all residents of Vermont, and Coos and Grafton Counties of New Hampshire. Tickets are $41 for adults and $31 for students and seniors. The Vermonter Ticket is offered Sunday through Friday during non-holiday periods.

Kindergarten to College, Ski Burke with the Kingdom Pass: The Kingdom Pass is available to all students 6 to 24 years old attending schools in Caledonia, Orleans, or Essex Counties of Vermont, or Coos and Grafton Counties of New Hampshire. This pass is also available to full-time students attending school outside of the Northeast Kingdom, but whose primary address is within the listed counties.

Jay Peak
At Jay Peak, Vermonters get discounts every day of the week. Jay Peak is the only resort in the state to offer lodging and ticket discounts every day of the season-including holiday periods. “Vermonters make up a disproportionally large percentage of our skiers and riders. As a result, we offer deals and discounts every day of the season. It’s something we’ve done for seasons and our in-state growth, in large part, is a result of that commitment,” said Steve Wright, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Along with ticket discounts, the resort offers in-state discounts on season passes when purchased by the early deadline and lodging deals to help Vermonters, traditionally a day-tripping crowd, spend the night. “Vermonters who pay attention to weather forecasts can line up their schedules to take advantage of our storms. We have one-night lift and lodging packages that allow locals to come up when the forecast looks right, stay the night, then drop into the snow the next morning; we see Vermonters doing that all the time,” said Bill Stenger, President and Co-owner.

Jay Peak also offers the Triple Major College Season Pass that includes unlimited access to both Bolton Valley and Mad River Glen. The Triple Major is available to full-time college students from just $289 and along with Jay’s season passes, can be purchased at www.jaypeakresort.com. Early season rates are valid through October 12th.

Killington
Killington Deal Grabbers are the hottest thing on snow. Deal Grabber lift ticket deals for as little as $35 provide access to the largest ski and snowboard resort in the East.

Killington Express Card: For those that plan to ski/ride three to eight days this season at Killington, the Killington Express Card is a great option and provides direct to lift access and savings of at least $10 off daily ticket rates. The Killington Express Card provides “pay-as-you-ski” flexibility. The card works like a season pass (with the skier/rider’s picture on it), and is linked to a credit card. The first time each day the Express Card is scanned at the lift, the credit card is automatically charged the discounted rate.

Mad River Glen
Mad River Glen offers one of the best ski values in New England. The best and easiest way to ski cheap is to come midweek when tickets are $39 a day – no coupon, no specials, no hoops to jump through. There are great preseason deals such as the Free Kids Pass Program, the Mad Card and a variety of season pass options to suit every skier. Once the season begins look out for specials discount days like; Roll Back the Clock Day when you ski for the original 1948 price of only $3.50, St. Patrick’s Day when if you wear green you ski for only $17 and Town Meeting Day when all kids ski free. Visit www.madriverglen.com/deals/ to see all the details.

Magic Mountain
Magic Mountain is home to some superb steals and deals. Not only does Magic Mountain offer some of the lowest rates for access to high quality terrain, it also offers the discount savvy skier or rider a multitude of options for further discounts.

Car Pool Wednesdays: On non-holiday Wednesdays throughout the season guests to Magic Mountain can car pool (at least 4 people per car) with friends and family and receive lift tickets for $80 per car.
Midweek Mini Groups: Ski and ride with friends and family and save midweek. Skiers and riders who come to the slopes of Magic Mountain with at least 3 of their friends or family midweek can take advantage of $25 lift tickets all season long. Simply load the car up with at least 3 people midweek, non-holiday, all season and everyone in the party receives $25 lift tickets per person.
Magic Mountain Season Pass: Ski or ride all season long with no restrictions for only $379.00 if purchased before 10/1/09 and $419.00 if purchased after 10/1/09.
Magic Card: Discounted skiing and riding all season long. The $39 Magic Card offers discounts on lift tickets all season; featuring $25 midweek lift tickets and $10 off all weekends and holidays.

Middlebury Snow Bowl
Our best deal is our midweek season pass. For $225 passholders have weekday access except 12/28/09-1/1/10 and 2/22-2/26/10 and can ski or ride 7 days a week from 3/1/10 through the end of the season. Guests can also buy weekend/holiday day tickets at the half day rate by presenting their weekday pass.

Mount Snow
The Nor’Easter pass gives you exclusive access to all Peak Resorts ski areas in the Northeast, including Mount Snow. The Nor’Easter has no blackout dates and it offers 20% off at all retail outlets and access to first tracks early lift access. The Classic Pass provides access to all of Mount Snow’s 107 trails, with the same discounts and First Tracks privileges, at a discounted rate. The Higher Education pass is offered to all full-time college students at a deeply discounted rate, and it’s valid at all Nor’Easter resorts. For those lucky enough to get to the slopes on weekdays, the Midweek pass is the way to go. As always, kids 5 and under ski free.

Don’t forget about our $99 FANfare card, which offers 50% off midweek non-holiday lift tickets, 25% off weekend non-holiday tickets and 10% off holiday tickets, all season.

Okemo Mountain Resort
There are so many ways to save, Okemo is taking it online for 2009. Facebook Friends and Twitter Followers take note. Some of the standard steals-and-deals that Okemo fans have come to know and love, are going to be available online only. And Okemo is introducing a new lineup of great pop-up deals with print-at-home coupons. The resort is making strides to keep connected with its skiing and riding guests through social media outlets, and value is the best reason to “follow” or “friend” Okemo. Some online specials for friends and followers during the season are: Lift and Free Lunch, Buy One Win Two, Kids Rock Free, Multi Day Motivator, and more. Check out more rates and deals.

New for 2009-2010, Okemo is introducing a Sunday-only season pass. This perfect “starter” pass is priced right at $299 for adults (when purchased prior to Oct. 12). Get more details at Sunday Only.

Pico Mountain
Enjoy discounts of up to $16 per day off regular ticket window prices with the Pico Card. Pico cards are available for just $24 and are valid everyday of the 2009-10 season.

Smugglers’ Notch Resort
In addition to offering free daily group instruction for adult beginners, the popular Club Smugglers’ Advantage Vacation Package at Smugglers’ Notch Resort this season includes one free group lesson for adults at levels 3-9 with stays of four nights or longer. Additional group lessons may be purchased at a 50% reduced price. Group lessons are offered at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. for one and one-half hours by Smugglers’ Snow Sport University instructors. This offer is valid all season long.

A Learn-to-Ski Week with free rental equipment debuts this winter for guests staying three nights or longer on the Club Smugglers’ Advantage Package. First-time and beginner level skiers or riders are invited to stay and learn to ski or ride for $99 per day. The Package includes condominium lodging, daily lift tickets and lessons, and free rental equipment, plus apr??s ski activities, pool and hot tubs, and nightly entertainment from January 8 ??“ 15, 2010. For package info, visit www.smuggs.com/winter/packages.php

Stowe Mountain Resort
One of the premier 36-hole golf destinations and ski areas in New England, Stowe Mountain Resort has modified its customer loyalty program to provide savings and rewards to guests on a year round base. The Stowe Points Card now offers discounted lift tickets in the winter, along with discounts on summer attractions packages and greens fees at the Stowe Country Club.

In addition to discounted skiing, snowboarding and golf, the Stowe Points Card allows guests to earn points for every dollar spent at the resort towards free lift tickets and golf rounds. Points are accumulated point-per-dollar* (*pre tax) on purchases made for lift tickets, golf, attraction packages, retail goods, rentals, golf lessons and food at resort restaurants. Points never expire and every 450 points can be redeemed for a complimentary lift ticket, golf round with cart or summer attractions package.

Stowe Points Cards can be purchased for $75 or earned for free through many year-round lodging promotions, the Church Street Market Fest and other ???added value’ resort programs. For additional information and Stowe Points Card details please call 800-253-4754 or visit www.stowe.com.

Stratton Mountain
There is no disputing the value of fresh tracks on a powder day or new ways to ski, ride and save at Stratton Mountain this season:

Family Sunday 4-Pack: Mom, dad and two children can now ski Sunday afternoons for just $99 (except holiday black-out dates). Cap off an awesome afternoon on the slopes with a complimentary apr??s ski pizza at Grizzly’s.
X2 Card: For less than the price of a single lift ticket, X2 holders get a free day and save every time they ski or ride with a Stratton X2 card. $30 Off Monday to Friday (non-holidays), $20 off weekends (non-holidays), $10 off holidays plus one free day (valid daily except holiday black-outs).
Monday’s on Us Package: Book Friday to Sunday night at any Stratton lodging property and ski free on Monday (non-holiday).
Season Passes: Sunday Pass for $229. Midweek Super Pass (valid at Stratton, Okemo, and Sunapee) for $359. Value Pass: $579. Best prices until October 12. Visit www.stratton.com/deals for more info on deals and Stratton vacation savings.

Trapp Family Lodge
Looking for a romantic getaway package? A variety of deals are available though out the season at www.trappfamily.com/accommodations/specials-packages.