News, Tips & Bargains : The Long, Hot Ski Season

Ah, merry, sunny May is at hand. Trout fishing has begun in the Sierra Nevada. The golf links are green; wildflowers sprout. And the ski season just keeps going and going and going--for another five weeks, in fact, at places such as Mammoth Mountain and Lake Tahoe.

At Squaw Valley, overlooking Lake Tahoe, ski and then spend the rest of the day swimming and sunning at the open-air pool at High Camp or skating at the High Camp rink. At Mammoth, morning skiers can go trout fishing in the afternoon at nearby Lake Crowley, get a mountain bike, go for a horseback ride or hike through the snow-free lower elevation meadows alongside creeks rushing with snowmelt.

At the beginning of last week, snow depths at some California resorts still ranged up to 25 feet. Tahoe’s Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, and Mammoth planned to remain open through July 4. In most cases, not all lifts and trails were operating, but a considerable variety of skiing still was possible.

Most of the big Colorado and Utah destination resorts already have closed. But up north, Mt. Bachelor in Oregon still had lots of snow and planned to operate until mid-June.

Daily lift ticket prices, which range up to $43 in mid-season, have been slashed to lure customers. Beginning Monday, the Squaw Valley ticket will be $28 and include free use of the High Camp pool and skating rink and night skiing. Lift prices are $24.50 at Mt. Bachelor.

Lodging rates are low, as well. Mammoth Mountain Inn is offering a room and lift tickets for two people at $118 a night with a minimum three-night stay, although the Memorial Day holiday is excluded.