Schussing on a Seat

A series of seniors-only winter snowmobile tours out of Jackson Hole, Wyo., and Yellowstone National Park has proved so popular in recent years that half of the winter 1994-95 tours are already sold out. Designed for travelers over 50, each five- and six-day tour is limited to 18 physically fit seniors. Participants are assigned their own snowmobiles and given instruction, which, according to the operators, requires only 15 minutes for novices.

Lodging is in the Togwotee Mountain Lodge at an elevation of 8,500 feet, and facilities include hot tubs, sauna and gourmet dining plus two nights accommodations in Yellowstone National Park. All outer winter clothing, cross-country ski equipment if desired, lodging and meals are included.

Prices vary based on the dates. The five-day package ranges from $899 to $1,049 and the six-day package from $1,139 to $1,249 per person, double occupancy. Transportation between Jackson Hole airport and the lodge is provided, but the price does not include air fare to and from Jackson Hole. Some dates are still available in December, January, February and March. Call Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at (616) 676-5885 or write to Senior World Tours, 3701 Buttrick Road, S.E., Ada, Mich. 49301-9221.

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A special Christmas tour to New Mexico, offered by Main Street Tours, takes guests on a seven-day luminaria tour in Albuquerque. Luminaria is the traditional Spanish custom of placing candles in sand-weighted paper bags and lighting them on Christmas Eve to light the way for the Christ Child. The air-conditioned motor coach with restroom is led by a police escort through the city’s neighborhoods where local citizens have placed their luminarias in front of their homes, on rooftops and on window ledges.

The tour originates in the Los Angeles area and proceeds to Las Vegas, Nev., for an overnight stop. Then it’s on to the quaint Arizona community of Sedona for an overnight before reaching Albuquerque for a two-night stay including Christmas Eve dinner and a Christmas Day banquet. Heading for home, the tour overnights at Flagstaff, Ariz., and then to the final overnight stay in Nevada’s newest senior-friendly gaming community, Laughlin.

Additional sightseeing stops are made throughout the tour, which runs Dec. 22-28, and includes transportation, six nights hotel, four dinners and one lunch. The price is $525 per person, double occupancy. Call Main Street Tours, (800) 300-6246.

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Giovanni Tours, which has been serving the senior travel community in Southern California for more than 25 years, has published its free 1995 trips and tours schedule.

Tours are highly personalized and include theme parties held several days before departure highlighting the destination, plus post-tour reunion parties for passengers, their friends and families.

All Giovanni Tours include full breakfast each day plus one lunch or dinner daily. Tips and entrance fees are included, hotels are first class and quoted tour prices are guaranteed for all of 1995.

Tour programs vary in length and price and include the following choices:

* Australia/New Zealand (15 days).

* African Wildlife Safari (13 days).

* Canada--Great Canadian Cities (11 days) Canadian Rockies (eight days).

* Europe--choice of four tours.

* U.S.--Six tours to popular destinations.

* Cruises--Choice of six cruises.

For a free copy of Giovanni Trips & Tours Schedule, call (818) 889-3156, or write to Giovanni Tours ‘95, 5308 Derry Ave., Suite N, Agoura Hills, Calif. 91301.