Fresh powder is Heavenly

The First Major Tahoe-Area Snowstorm of the Season Hits Heavenly with More Than a Foot of Snow

• In Colorado, Vail and Beaver Creek are on track to break December snowfall records with more than 4 feet of snow this month and a winter storm advisory in effect through tomorrow
• Falling snow brings falling prices on lodging deals and flights into Reno for Heavenly and Eagle/Vail for Vail and Beaver Creek

Winter doesn't officially arrive until Dec. 22, but try telling that to skiers and snowboarders who are enjoying the first powder turns of the season at Heavenly Mountain Resort (www.skiheavenly.com). The first major Tahoe-area snowstorm of the season delivered lots of fresh powder on the Heavenly slopes.

Thanks to the new snow, the Heavenly mountain operations team has opened lots of new terrain. The same storm that's hitting Heavenly is expected to move into Colorado.

Over the weekend, the Colorado resorts of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone were hit with up to two feet of fresh powder and are bracing for another winter storm. Since Dec. 1, Vail (www.vail.com) and Beaver Creek (www.beavercreek.com) have tallied more than four feet of snow and Beaver Creek is on track to break its December snowfall record.

Deep Snow, Deep Savings

Now is the time to book your last-minute holiday stay or January ski vacation. Airfares have dropped significantly in the past few weeks and Vail Resorts vacation planning experts recommend skiers and snowboarders take advantage of the falling prices and falling snow. The best bets:

• Last-minute holiday stays. A $149 Christmas vacation. Stay for $149 per night through Dec. 25 in the heart of the Vail Village at the Austria Haus Hotel. www.VailAllTheLove.com
• A post-holiday getaway. Look for deals the first full week of January (anytime after Jan. 4) - like the January Ski and Stay Package at Heavenly for just $85 per person, per night. www.skiheavenly.com
• Mid-January rates like the $99 room rates at Breckenridge and Keystone are a sure bet. www.snow.com for more information and restrictions.