Senior Ski Fest at Mammoth Lakes : A hotel package is available for the March event, which includes two races for skiers over 70.

Experienced skiers-- really experienced skiers--will be in the spotlight at the Sierra Nevada Inn’s third annual 70+ Ski Fest at Mammoth Lakes.

Set for March 7-12, the event includes two competitive races for skiers age 70 and older, plus various activities off the slopes, welcoming receptions and parties, and an awards banquet.

There’s also plenty of open skiing at Mammoth, where skiers 65 and older always get free lift tickets.

The 155-room Sierra Nevada Inn has packages ranging from three to five nights in conjunction with the Ski Fest. Packages include continental breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, plus other events.

Standard room rates are $195 per person, double occupancy, for three nights; $255 for four nights, and $310 for five nights. Packages that include larger rooms and fireplaces are $235, $305 and $375, respectively. Single rates are $277, $362 and $447 for the standard package; $355, $466 and $577 for the larger-room package. The inn will try to match individual singles with roommates, but cannot guarantee a shared room.

For more information, contact the Sierra Nevada Inn, P.O. Box 918, 164 Old Mammoth Road, Mammoth Lakes, Calif. 93546, (800) 824-5132.

Safariworld!, New York-based tour operator of 13- and 17-day safari tours to Kenya and Tanzania, is offering travelers 55 and older $500 off the land portions of its tours for 1993.

There are three basic tours (prices are per person, double occupancy, and include the discount): 17-day Kenya and Tanzania safaris that visit several of the countries’ top game parks, with one night at the posh Mt. Kenya Safari Club and two nights in Nairobi, for $2,995; the 17-day Africa Wing Safari, which covers much of the same area by twin-engine aircraft rather than van, for $3,495, and a 13-day Kenya Explorer tour, for $2,045.

For more information: Safariworld!, 425 Madison Ave., New York 10017, (800) 366-0505.

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An apology and final word on an item that appeared in the Dec. 20 column on senior-discount airline coupon books. First, I really blew it by relying on old data, given the rapidly changing regulations and restrictions in the airline industry today. Here’s the deal: No major carrier now allows companions of any age--even other seniors--to travel by using a coupon belonging to another coupon purchaser. Senior-discount coupon books can be purchased only by travelers age 62 or older, and they are strictly nontransferable.