Despite the alarming economy, and contrary to expectations, the region's ski resort operators are predicting a normal to very good season regarding the number of skiers and snowboarders they expect to see on their slopes this winter.

With Taos Ski Valley opening today to both snowboards and skiers and snow expected this weekend, operators are optimistic.

"Things are looking very good — early season reservations are actually up over last year's," said Angel Fire's Christy Germscheid. "Last year's excellent conditions really help, but we are also closer to our Texas and Oklahoma markets than Colorado resorts, meaning less cost to get here, and we're less expensive to begin with. Historically, this holds true; after 9/11, we had one of our better seasons when people did not want to travel far from home."

But Dave Dekema, Angel Fire's marketing director, acknowledges the severe financial crunch facing the public, and like most resorts, it is offering a series of bargains and early season special events to help sweeten the deal for skiers and boarders.

"We understand that many families will be forced to take a hard look at their vacation travel plans for this season. We hope to deliver unbeatable value to families, combined with the opportunity to get out from under it all — to disconnect from the bad news on television and to reconnect with family and friends. There's nothing like bluebird skies and first tracks in fresh powder to help someone regain perspective."

Through this weekend, Angel Fire is offering a pre-season discount on its unrestricted season passes. The adult pass is going for $299, a savings of $200 off the regular full season pass price. Student, military and junior season passes run $199, a savings of $100 off the regular price. In addition, Angel Fire Resort is offering savings up to 20 percent off hotel lodging and vacation condo rentals based on availability.

"We'd be silly not to be concerned about the economy," said Roseanne Haidorfer-Pitcher of Wolf Creek in southern Colorado. "The economy will have some effect, but we don't know how much. More importantly, if we don't have snow, it's guaranteed to hurt. So first we face the natural hurdles, then the man-made ones."

To combat the latter, Wolf Creek has a few new initiatives to help shave costs. "We put up a carpool link on our Web site to help customers save on gas," Haidorfer-Pitcher said. "We're calling it, 'Share the Ride, Share the Fun.' People driving in from Texas, or even just up from Pagosa Springs, (Colo.) can hook up with other parties headed this way."

Wolf Creek also will be hosting some 15 "locals' days" this winter, offering up $31 lift tickets for adults and $18 for kids. The convenient thing is, everyone is considered a "local" at this mountain, which typically is one of the earliest ski resorts in the nation to open and last to close.

Closer to home, Ski Santa Fe spokesperson Candy DeJoia says, "The bad economic news does not seem to be affecting us negatively. We had very strong early sales on our passes." But that could be attributed to some smart moves on the Ski Santa Fe's part.

The price of a Ski Santa Fe season pass has been cut to $569 from last year's $700 (it is also good at Sandia Peak). The resort also is selling three new passes. The Bronze Pass, good for weekday use only (except the week after Christmas) costs $399. A new pass for kids (ages 12 and younger) is going for $219. And the Freedom Pass (good for skiers over 72 years of age or under 46 inches in height) provides skiing for $49 per day and allows skiers to bypass the lift ticket windows. Also returning is the Silver Pass (for skiers age 62-71), which is going for $449, and the Skiers Plus Card, which knocks $12 off the price of a daily ticket.

Taos Ski Valley also is experiencing a good preseason buzz. "It's kind of weird," says Adrianna Blake, granddaughter of the resort's founder, the late Ernie Blake. "Because of opening to snowboarders (at the end of last season), our preseason pass sales are way up, and lodging reservations are up. We expect more people will be driving this winter to ski versus flying off to Whistler or Utah or wherever, so that should help us, too."

But that's not to say they aren't working to cut costs further. Taos Ski Valley is offering a $54 daily lift ticket at REI locations all season. It also will have its usual early season rates in place through Dec. 19, with $40 adult lift tickets ($30 for teens and $25 for kids), and discounted lodging (three nights and two lift tickets for $250 per person). Also discounted will be the children's ski school, with a day rate of $62 (includes rentals, lesson, lunch and lift ticket).

Perhaps the best deal at Taos is the season-long College Pass, going for $249. The Senior Pass runs $675, while the adult pass is $975 — both include exchange dates with other Colorado resorts.

Taos also boasts the first new major run in decades — North America. The series of linked glades, running parallel to Al's, drops 1,400 vertical feet from its start next to Longhorn. Taos also has a new beginners area called The Burroughs just east of Lift 1, with the resort's easiest terrain ever created — a boon to those fearing its tough reputation.

Red River is throwing down half-price lift tickets, lessons and rentals for the first two weeks of the season and has a 2-for-1 lift ticket promotion under way with Creamland Dairies (look for coupons). But the big buzz here is the pending 50th anniversary celebration for this humble but endearing resort. A big gala will be held Jan. 30. Last May also saw the death of long-time director/owner Drew Judycki and the transition to new management this season is under way.

Spokesperson Andi Barkis says the resort also has improved its terrain park and will host weekly rail jams at the foot of the main lift all season long. It also will lead nightly snow mobile tours to the restaurant atop the mountain, where refreshments will be served.

The draw at Durango Mountain Resort this season is not slashed prices, though there are packages for families available, but rather the new facilities awaiting guests. Durango has completed its $30 million base area reconstruction, creating new lodging, retail shops, restaurants and a spa, with improved access and signage. On the mountain, snowmaking has expanded in scope and efficiency.

Contact Daniel Gibson at dbgibson@newmexico.com.

IF YOU GO

Open ski areas: Taos Ski Valley, Lifts 1 and 3 with a special $40 ticket price until Dec. 19; Ski Apache with chairs 3 & 5; Red River Ski Area and Sipapu Resort.

Opening soon: Pajarito on Dec. 12; Sandia Peak and Angel Fire on Dec. 19; no opening has been set for Ski Santa Fe.

For more information: Visit skinewmexico.com.