Season pass makes a lot of sense

Ever since the Coloado ski resorts began offering season passes at lower rates, the industry has awakened to the fact that season passes are healthy: the resort gets its money up front and makes sure that snowsporters return, buying food and beverage and equipment.

Most recently the standard adult lift pass at Heavely was $299. You figure six outings at $60 a day adds up to more than the $299 price and you're ahead. And ditto even with the boost in prices just announced (and the new pass includes use of the Gondola in the summer, something the old pass did not).

Heavenly's pass prices for the 2005/2006 season, are topped with a $319 pass, valid seven days a week throughout the season, with certain holiday black-out dates. Pick them up at both the Gondola and California Main Lodge.

Blackout periods are Nov. 25-26; Dec. 27-31; and Feb. 18-19. Included are three free days of skiing or riding at four Colorado resorts - Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone or Beaver Creek; summer Gondola access; and season passholder e-mails offering savings on resort purchases, including ski school, food and beverage, and retail. Here's the choices:

Season pass: Adult (19-64) - Valid 7 days/week, with blackout dates, $319; Teen (13-18) - Valid 7 days/week, with blackout dates, $249; Child (5-12) - Valid 7 days/week, with blackout dates, $139; Senior (65 plus) - Valid 7 days/week, with blackout dates, $239.

Unlimited Pass: Adult - Valid 7 days/week with no blackout dates, $518; Teen - Valid 7 days/week with no blackout dates, $398; Child - Valid 7 days/week with no blackout dates, $238; Senior - Valid 7 days/week with no blackout dates, $368.

Midweek Pass: Adult (13 plus) - valid Monday through Friday only, $249.

Questions? Call 775-586-7000

FIREEWORKS AT SQUAW

A spectacular fireworks show at Squaw Valley marks the weekend of July 2-4.

Presented by the Squaw Valley Business Association, the show begins at around 9 p.m. on Sunday, July 3. This year's display will be fired from the lower slopes of KT-22. A pre-fireworks concert with the reggae band Mystafya in the Village Event Plaza starts the celebration. Or ride the Cable Car to High Camp and take in the show from one of High Camp's many outdoor decks.

The bungee jump will be open, if you're into that or would like to try it once in controlled circumstances. It's fun; just remember to push outward so you get a swing out of it, not just an "elevator" plunge straight down, as this writer did.

The Blues Monsters and Curtis Salgado will be singin' the blues on Saturday, July 9 at the annual High Camp Big Blues Party. The Blues Monsters warm up the crowd with their R&B, funk, jazz and Chicago-style blues at noon and then at 2 p.m. Curtis Salgado offers rockabilly and Memphis soul.

Summer concerts at High Camp are all free with a Cable Car ticket. The upper mountain shows take place on Squaw's outdoor summer stage at High Camp with seating on the grass. Blankets and low back beach chairs are permitted. Food and drinks are available on-site but no coolers or alcohol permitted up the mountain. Call (530) 583-6985.

NORTHSTAR OFFERS NIKE GOLF SCHOOL

Northstar-at-Tahoe hosts the Nike Golf School Junior Camp, July 10-14, for golfers ages 10-18. Aiding the development of more than 80,000 golfers since 1994, Nike Golf Schools offer each junior golfer the opportunity to gain new skills.

Directing the camp will be PGA pro Jeff Richter.

Cost for the camp is $995 for resident campers and $895 for extended day campers.

Reservations are required and space is limited. Call (800) NIKE-CAMPS or visit USSportsCamps.com.

Northstar will open its lift-accessed mountain bike terrain for the summer season this Saturday. Offering more than 100 miles of trails, Northstar's park challenges even the most technical riders.

Top-of-the-line equipment such as Kona and Santa Cruz downhill bike rentals available in the Northstar bike shop.

The mountain bike park is open daily from 9:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. June 25 - Sept. 5, and Friday-Sunday only from Sept. 9-Oct. 9. An all-day pass are $34 per adult (13 plus) and $21 per child (9-12). For avid bikers, Northstar offers an unlimited adult season pass for $199, or $169 for winter Double Whammy passholders.

Northstar will host the Thursday evening cross-country mountain bike race series. Races cost $10 per week or $50 for the series. Registration is from 5 to 5:45 p.m. and the races begin promptly at 6. A drawing and results are held after each race and awards are based on cumulative points over the season and are presented at the end of the series. Participants must compete in four of the six races to qualify for prizes. Races will be held every Thursday from July 14-Aug. 18, 2005.

Downhill speed racers will hit the Northstar trails for Team Big Bear's California Downhill Mountain Bike Races hosted by Northstar Saturday July 9-10.