Alaska.com: Alaska's Travel Website

Disgusted by the grudging start of our gray, wet spring?

Alyeska Resort suggests thinking of winter -- next winter, specifically.

Even though Alaska's largest ski resort expects to host weekend skiers for another five weeks, Thursday it began pumping season passes for next winter by offering discounts to anyone buying next month.

"We're basically trying to get folks to buy passes in May," said Amy Quesenberry, Alyeska's marketing manager. "If we get a nice sunny day and people are coming down to ski, they can buy one and save a little more."

That's because skiers or boarders who buy early can use the pass during weekends in May and on Memorial Day -- as well as gain access to Alyeska's tram all summer. That's an especially valuable perk since Alyeska opened its 2.2-mile North Face Hiking Trail last fall. The picturesque and well-constructed trail switchbacks to the Upper Tram Terminal as well as the Tramway Cafe and Seven Glaciers restaurant. The ride back down is a pleasant reward.

Season ticket prices range from $1,000 for adults to $800 for students to a mere $200 for seniors at least 70 years old if purchased in May. Seniors who ski twice a week from Dec. 1 till May 1 would pay about $5 a visit.

Rates climb as opening day of the 2010-11 season approaches -- $1,150 for adults if purchased June 1 through Oct. 30, and $1,250 afterward.

Altered for next season is something Alyeska calls a buddy discount -- $25 to $50 off when two or more passes are purchased at the same time. The pass used to be restricted to family members.

Regular but occasional skiers could benefit from a Ten X Powder Pass for $450 for 10 days of skiing. That's a $15 saving off the single-day lift ticket of $60. They're both transferable and reloadable -- and can roll over to the following season if not used up.

Reach reporter Mike Campbell at mcampbell@adn.com or 257-4329.