Discount Utah Lift Tickets Benefit Avalanche Center

Check out backcountry.com for a few bucks off lift tickets to Utah ski areas.

Eight Utah resorts, Ski Utah, and backcountry.com have teamed up to sell discounted lift tickets this year, with 100 percent of the sales proceeds going to the Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center. After taxes, it's not the best deal in the world, but you can still shave a few bucks off the price of a lift ticket and support a worthy cause. The organizations are trying to close the gap created by the plummeting state and county budgets for avalanche forecasting and education. The tickets are limited so act quickly.

Shipping's free. The Utah Avalanche Center provides daily, spot-on snow total predictions, world-class forecasts, and avalanche preparedness.

Tickets for specific resorts will be given away at the last minute (like the night before) so check frequently and claim them before they're gone.  These will post 1- 3 times weekly for the rest of the season. You must be a member of Snowlist to nab the tix. There will be a limit of four per person for the season and you will need to meet a Snowlist representative at a given spot at the mountain or other location to collect your pass.

It works like this: Check the Web page to see if you want a pass. At the site you'll see something like:

Two tickets available for Saturday Dec. 13 in Big Cottonwood Canyon for the morning only (until noon).

Snowbird Dec. 14 ticket available at 12.30 p.m. Very last minute call 847-767-5455 of this one.

One half day ticket to Solitude for Monday Dec. 15 in the AM and one half-day ticket to Solitude in the PM for the same day.

Check back regularly online if you don't mind operating last minute on for free half day lift tickets.

If you're game, send a photo of yourself, details of why you need a free pass, and why you love Snowlist.  You will be notified with a "Congratulations" e-mail if you were the lucky pick. You also will be notified with a "Sorry, better luck next time," e-mail if you weren't. Up to five people (the first to respond) will be notified. Be mindful and committed. If you win a ticket but blow it off, you will only have one chance to claim tickets again.

Snowlist reserves the right to publish your photo and story on their site along with your name.