Sugar Bowl Offers Sweet Lift, Lesson, Rental Package

Looking to improve your skiing and/or snowboarding skills?

Thinking about trying out some different gear?

Want to do both?

At a great price?

Then head to Sugar Bowl, where Monday through Friday during the non-holiday portion of the season, riders between the ages of 13 and 69 can get a two-hour, any-ability group lesson - either morning or afternoon - and ski or snowboard rentals for the price of a lift ticket.

This General Admission package costs $66 for adult riders and $56 for young adults (13-22 years old and seniors 60-69). CORE program members can take an additional $10 off, available only at the Mt. Judah Portal.

Season-pass holders also can get in on the General Admission program: They qualify for an upgrade package for lessons and rental for $50, a $65 savings off the regular price.

The program, which was inaugurated last season, appears, on the surface, typically suited to entry-level riders, but nearly one-third of the people who took advantage of the General Admission package during  the 2007-08 winter, were upper-level skiers and snowboarders.

The program does come with some restrictions: It's not being offered from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, on Jan. 19, or from Feb. 16-20, and you only get one ski or snowboard rental per all-day lift ticket.