White Gold

Need a change of pace from the bustle of Boston for a weekend or even a day? A number of local companies that offer inexpensive, all-inclusive ski packages targeted to college students said the season’s increased snowfall has peaked interest and business the past few weeks. And it’s not too late to get in on the action.

Thanks to a steady snowfall and, most recently, the ‘Blizzard of 2003,’ this winter has been one of the Northeast’s best in terms of local ski conditions. According to John Dinga, a representative for the South Hadley-based ski trip service SnoSearch, most area ski resorts are enjoying increased ticket sales and high skier turnout, especially from group sales.

‘Sales have increased significantly from previous years,’ Dinga said. ‘With much more snowfall in the Northeast this year than in previous years, there is a much greater demand for ski day trips.’

SnoSearch offers weekend day trip packages that leave from the Ski Market at 860 Commonwealth Ave. and a few that leave during the week. Buses depart at 6 a.m. and return to campus at 7:30 p.m. Packages include a round-trip bus ticket and daily lift pass to selected New England ski areas, including Killington and Mount Snow in Vermont and Sunday River and Sugarloaf in Maine.

Dinga said SnoSearch’s trips offer ranging in price from $49 to $54 per person are significantly cheaper than the price of a regular adult lift ticket at many area mountains, which does not include transportation. However, many resorts themselves said they are noticing a recent increase in business as well.

‘This season’s profits are significantly greater,’ said Kim Jackson, a representative for Killington Ski Resort. ‘Group and individual ticket sales are up about 15 percent.’

In addition to Killington’s recent increase in the marketing of ticket sales, Jackson said the weather provided an obvious boost.

‘Business has increased this season with the main reason being that the weather conditions are much more conducive to skiing,’ Jackson said.

‘There is a lot more natural snow this year than there has been within the past five or so years, and, because of the colder temperatures, there is an increased snowmaking capacity to optimize conditions.’

And with the close proximity of myriad different slopes including Killington’s 200 trails, Mount Snow’s 132 trails and the East’s largest snowboard park ‘Un Blanco Gulch,’ Sunday River’s 126 trails and glades and Sugarloaf’s 2,820 foot vertical drop the college demand is also being met through specialty packages and events.

This year, Killington is running a special Mogul Challenge weekend from April 4 through April 6 starting at $129 per person. The same weekend, Sugarbush is holding a Reggae Party starting at $119 per person.

Grant Garcia, a School of Management freshman, said he frequently takes advantage of such offers.

‘The weekend ski trips are great for BU students,’ he said. ‘It’s something different to do on the weekends that’s not here on campus and is a great break from the typical weekend routine.’

Meanwhile, the BU Ski and Board club has been using SnoSearch to coordinate their weekend trips throughout the duration of their season, according to club officer Phil McMannis, a College of Arts and Sciences freshman.

The club is also sponsoring a spring break trip to Quebec City, which includes seven nights lodging at the Quebec City Hilton Hotel, four days of skiing or boarding at Mont Sainte Anne or Le Massif, plus transportation costs. The price of the trip is $475 for quad occupancy, $515 for triple occupancy, and $595 for double occupancy. Buses will depart from the GSU on Saturday, March 8 and return on Sunday, March 15.

‘The easiest way to do day trips is through Ski Market and SnoSearch,’ McMannis said. ‘Trips are relatively inexpensive at about $50 for transportation and lifts.’