N. America’s Ski Areas Have Lost Their Snow but Not Their Appeal

Summer might be the slow season for ski resorts, but North America’s mountain villages don’t hibernate during the warm months. Instead of schussing, visitors mountain bike, hike, go white-water rafting or play golf and tennis. Many of the resorts and ski towns host festivals and concerts in summer and offer discounted packages to make a visit even more tempting.

Here’s a sampling:

* Salt Lake City: Utah’s leading city hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics, but what impressed people were the mountains many miles away, where the bulk of the outdoor events took place. To attract visitors to Utah before and after the Games, ski resorts offered discounts of $20.02. A similar program is in effect this summer, with many of the state’s hotels, motels, condominiums and inns offering 20.02% discounts to those staying two nights or more. The discount is valid throughout the state, so if you are going to a ski town or anywhere else in Utah this summer or fall, inquire about it. For details and a list of participating accommodations, call (866) 733-8824 or visit www.utah.com. Reservations should be made directly with your chosen accommodation.

* Canada’s Whistler Area: The Whistler-Blackcomb Resort in British Columbia is one of the biggest ski resorts in North America. Thanks primarily to a favorable exchange rate for the Canadian dollar, prices are lower than you might expect, in both winter and summer. This summer, the resort is offering an array of special packages combining two nights’ double-occupancy lodging with activities such as guided mountain-bike rides, back-country tours in a Hummer, white-water rafting, fishing with an expert, ATV rides and mini-golf. Rates for the packages range between $99 and $179 per person. Call (888) 403-4727 or go online at www.whistler-blackcomb.com to find out more.

* Vermont’s Resort Star: The biggest ski resort in the East is offering some attractive summer packages. Killington Resort, really a collection of several mountains and villages in central Vermont, somehow managed to keep its ski slopes open through June 1 this year. And when the skiing ended, the summer specials began. Stay at least two midweek nights in Killington during the summer, and you’ll pay as little as $41 per person per night, based on two people sharing a standard hotel room or four in a one-bedroom condo with kitchen. Some packages include a Killington adventure pass, which allows you to take advantage of many activities, including a gondola to a mountain peak, going mountain biking, riding an alpine slide or water slide, or spending an afternoon at a skateboard park. For reservations, call (877) 458-4637 or visit www.killington.com.

* Montana’s Big Mountain: It’s found in the northwest corner of the state, just a few miles from Glacier National Park, and it combines a spectacular natural setting with low summer prices. The best offer, good through Sept. 29, is a three-night special at Hibernation House. Package rates start at $199 per person, double occupancy, including breakfast, gondola ride, a half-day hike with a guide, and a half-day mountain bike rental. Call (800) 858-5439 or visit www.bigmtn.com.

* Copper Mountain, Colo.: In the heart of the Rockies two hours from Denver, this Summit County resort offers a golfer’s special all summer: $109 per person, double occupancy, for one night’s lodging and one round at the Copper Creek Golf Course. Call (888) 219-2441 or go to www.coppersummer.com.

* Colorado’s Winter Park Resort: Within another easy drive from Denver you have a variety of options for combining lodging and outdoor activities. A sample: four nights’ double-occupancy hotel accommodations, an all-day rafting trip on the Colorado River and a half-day activity pass starts at $260 all summer. Winter Park offers free concerts every Saturday in July.

There also will be a jazz festival the weekend of July 13 with Average White Band and Lee Ritenour. A rock festival is planned the weekend of July 20 with Sheryl Crow, Ziggy Marley, the Indigo Girls and the B-52’s. For more details, call (800) 979-0332 or visit www.winterparkresort.com.