Free Travel Information

For the cost of a stamp or a phone call, in many cases a toll-free one, a wealth of information is available for those in search of destinations for the holidays and the year ahead. These are yours for the asking:

--North Carolina: A 58-page “North Carolina Calendar of Events” lists month-by-month events for 1989. Good food, the sound of mountain dulcimers and arts and crafts are part of most fairs and celebrations. More than 800 events are planned for the first eight months of next year. Free copies from the North Carolina Division of Travel and Tourism, 430 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, N.C. 27611, phone toll-free (800) VISIT NC.

--Pennsylvania: The “Winter Travel Guide” lists hundreds of attractions and events in the state, highlighting ice skating, snowmobiling, old-fashioned sleigh rides and the quiet wonders of ice fishing. For history buffs there’s a special section called “Presidential Footsteps.” Travelers can also request a copy of Ski Pennsylvania, a detailed guide to downhill and cross-country trails, facilities and ski packages across the Commonwealth. Free copies from the Pennsylvania Bureau of Travel Marketing, 453 Forum Building, Dept. SXD, Harrisburg, Pa. 17120, phone toll-free (800) VISIT-PA, Ext. 815.

--Alberta, Canada: The 27-page, four-color “1988-89 Winter Vacationer’s Guide” contains detailed information about accommodations, ski-tour packages and winter activities in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Information on each of the province’s six major ski areas, including heli-skiing and ski tour packages, ice fishing, dog sledding and ice climbing. Accommodations are listed with addresses, phone numbers, descriptions and prices. Write to Travel Alberta, 10025 Jasper Ave., Capital Square, Edmonton, Alta., Canada T5J 3Z3, or phone toll-free (800) 661-8888.

--British Columbia: A free 58-page, full-color guide to both alpine and nordic skiing in the province. Phone toll-free (800) 663-6000.

--Oregon: A free 32-page “Lane County Visitor’s Guide” published by the Eugene-Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau. Features information on attractions, scenic drives, campgrounds, accommodations, tour packages and the annual calendar of events. Write to the Eugene/Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, P.O. Box 10286, Eugene, Ore. 97440, or phone toll-free (800) 547-5445.

--Massachusetts: The “Winter Calendar of Events” lists more than 250 fairs, festivals and celebrations held December through March, including holiday craft fairs and tours of historic homes. Write: Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, 100 Cambridge St., 13th Floor, Boston 02202, phone (617) 727-3201.

--Arizona: The 20-page 1989 “Sunsational Holiday” brochure listing 36 hotels and resorts with packages, including year-round rates, also includes information on sporting events and activities, attractions and historic landmarks. Call the Phoenix & Valley of the Sun Convention & Visitors Bureau toll-free at (800) 528-0483.

--Colorado: An 88-page 2Colorado Ski Guide” contains listings of hotels, attractions, restaurants and shops, as well as complete information about Colorado’s major ski trail maps. Discount coupons included. Write to the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, Dept. S, 225 W. Colfax, Denver 80202, or phone (303) 892-1112.

--New Mexico: A new 16-page ski booklet, “New Mexico Ski Vacation Guide,” not only contains information on the principal ski destinations in the state but also the dates of popular annual events at those destinations. Write: New Mexico Tourism & Travel Division ED&TD;, Room 750, Joseph M. Montoya Building, 1100 St. Frances Drive, Santa Fe, N.M. 87503, or phone (505) 827-0291.

--New York: A picture-packed 52-page guide, “I Love New York Skiing and Winter Adventures,” contains information on a complete range of ski areas, from full-service resorts to community-operated areas. Detailed descriptions of 57 downhill and 70 cross-country ski areas, hundreds of accommodations with rates and mileage from ski areas, plus a coupon for a free learn-to-ski lesson at one of 42 alpine ski areas. Write: SKI, Box 992, Latham, N.Y. 12110, or call toll-free (800) CALL-NYS.

--Illinois: The 86-page “Fall/Winter Dining Guide for Chicago” lists dining, shopping, entertainment and attractions in the Windy City. Write: Chicago Convention and Visitors Bureau, McCormick Place on-the-Lake, Chicago 60616, phone (312) 567-8500.

--Mammoth Lakes, Calif.: A 32-page “Vacation Travel Planner” features mainly winter sports highlighted by skiing, plus summer activities and attractions. Write: Mammoth Lakes Resort Assn., P.O. Box 48T, Mammoth Lakes, Calif. 93546, or call toll-free (800) 367-6572.

--North Lake Tahoe, Calif.: A 40-page “Winter Travel Planner” to North Lake Tahoe lists ski areas, night life, dining, accommodations and transportation information plus special events. Write: Tahoe North, P.O. Box 5578, Tahoe City, Calif. 95730, or phone toll-free (800) TAHOE-4-U.

--Washington, D.C.: A “Dining/Shopping Guide” describes nearly 400 dining and shopping locations in the capital. For this and a variety of other free travel brochures, write to the Washington, D.C. Convention & Visitors Assn., 1212 New York Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005, or call (202) 789-7000.