Ski and Snowboard News, Deals, and Events

Most experts refer to the time of year around the vernal equinox as late winter/early spring.

But the people over at Mt. Ashland have another name for it: Skiesta.

They are offering huge deals in lift pass and rental rates as part of their celebration of sunshine and snow.

First off, there's Skiesta pass, which gets the holder unlimited daily riding (except on Tuesdays, when the resort is closed) until the lifts stop spinning for the season April 12. The adult Skiesta pass (for those 18 and older) goes for $89 and the junior pass goes for $79.

You can always take advantage of the resort's low daily lift-ticket rate, if you don't think you'll ride Ashland often enough to get a Skiesta pass. Weekday tickets are $29 for adults (18-64) and $23 for juniors and seniors, and weekend rates for the same two categories are $34 and $28, respectively.

Ski rentals are $20 for adults (13 and older) and $12 for kids and snowboard rentals are $22 and $14, respectively. If you want to know how to ride them properly beginner lessons (including gear) are $34 for anyone older than 13; if you want to expand your abilities the Next Step program (also including gear) goes for $46.