Snowsports are fully under way

The 2003-04 snowsports season gets fully under way this weekend with most resorts open for business.

Hours, lift prices and open runs are subject to change at the last moment so check with your choice before going out. I'm heading for Mount Rose on today and Heavenly on Saturday - after I get my skis waxed and tuned up, something I have failed to do thus far. That probably meant Thursday night in the garage with the skis on the vises and hot iron and wax at hand.

I'll be wearing my ski boots at the same time, checking to see if any new lumps in the feet have developed or the boots have warped somehow. And of course I will adjust the bindings to last year's DIN setting. No way to check the tension without a boot wrench and tension bar. That'll have to come next week. Meanwhile ...

- Homewood Mountain Resort is checking in with some new programs as well as some good old standbys but no opening day yet. No increase in the adult lift ticket rate, for instance. Adults can ski or ride all day Monday through Thursday, non-holiday for $25. Plus, with Homewood's new multi-day discount program, adults can ski for as low as $39 a day anytime, holidays included. With the purchase of a two or more consecutive day lift ticket, all guests can take $5 off the regular ticket price each day. That means weekend and holiday skiing for as low as $39 a day, and Value Days skiing for as low as $20 a day.

- With the most extensive snowmaking system on the North Shore, Northstar-at-Tahoe's slopes offer early season conditions on a 12- to 24-inch base. Opening day is Saturday. No lift ticket prices announced.

- Following a successful early bird Sneak Peak Weekend, Squaw Valley is opening for the season Saturday with eight lifts in operation and top-to-bottom skiing and snowboarding.

Lifts scheduled to operate this weekend include the Cable Car, Funitel, Siberia Express, Shirley Lake Express, the Gold Coast Express and the entire beginner bowl accessed by Bailey's Beach, Belmont and Links chairlifts. The Belmont Park is also open with a selection of rails and boxes and the 3.2 mile Mountain Run will also open, offering intermediate cruising from the upper mountain to the base village.

Lifts run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and early season reduced rate lift ticket prices in effect this weekend are $44 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under, $29 for juniors and seniors (65-75) and free for all seniors age 76 or older.

- Heavenly will open on Saturday with the gondola the only way up the hill. Hours will probably be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Number of runs open and lift ticket prices have not been announced. The new parking garage next to the gondola is open but it costs.

- Kirkwood will also open Saturday, with chairs 5 (Solitude), 6 (Cornice), 7 (Hole in the Wall), 9 (Bunny) NS 11 (Reut) operating. Lift tickets are $4 for adults, $10 for those 6-12 and $5 for those under 5.

- Alpine Meadows has been open for a week with the Kangaroo lift in operation. The usual ground facilities are open as well. Adult lift tickers are $29, kids 7-12 are $10.

- Sugar Bowl opens today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lift tickets seem to be $56 according to the Wed site. The phone system was impenetrable so can't confirm that.

- Mount Rose opened last week and reduced lift tickets are available.

Incidentally, if you are like me a fan of the Rossignal Bandit skis, be aware that the new name this season is the B ski, 1, 2 or 3.

Sam Bauman is the Nevada Appeal Diversions Editor.