Here's a ski trip with two e's: easy and economical

Every year when the white stuff starts piling up at my door, my plans start to go downhill. Usually, it doesn't happen until early February. But this year, with the economy going in that direction, I thought I would do the same. So right out of the box on New Year's Day, I'll be on the edge. It's not that I'm heading for a deep depression. I'm heading for deep snow in Park City, Utah.

It started during the 1970s. My old flying partner and I discovered you could fly into Salt Lake City and be skiing at a world-class resort a couple of hours later. Every winter we bid flights to Utah with 15-hour layovers and hoped we wouldn't break a leg before we had to work the last leg home.

Thirty years later, I'm still making annual treks to Park City. And it's not because I'm in a rut. Or that I'm obsessed with skiing in snow that feels like baby powder. Or that I'm in love with the quirky, old mining town. It's because I'm lazy. I can fly into Salt Lake City on a morning flight and be on the lifts thirty minutes later.

"It beats golf for a business meeting," said frequent flier Gary Gutterman, who sets up meetings with his Utah clients during ski season. Gary arrives on a morning flight, meets his clients at one of 11 resorts and catches a flight home the same day.

But it's not just easy this winter. It's a bargain. Air fares are coming down. I found round-trip tickets from Chicago to Salt Lake City for under $200 for the first week in January.

Because of the economy, there aren't as many tourists. And condos and ski houses are renting for as much as 50 percent under last year's prices.

"We've still got space over Christmas," said Kerry Cunningham, owner of Alpine Ski Properties (800 771-1505), a company that rents condos and ski houses in the Park City area. Lodging rates are lower than they've been in years. You can rent some units for 50 percent less than the advertised price.

Ski rental is also down as much 20 percent. Some have agreements with the lodging rental companies. Instead of requiring you to line up at the shop and wait for a fitting, they'll send the fitting to you. You can try on the equipment in the comfort of your condo.

And if you do arrive in the morning, you can ski free that same day at any of the Park City resorts - Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain Resort, The Canyons Resort.

You need to print the Quick Start voucher off the Web site, www.parkcityinfo.com. Bring it, along with your airline boarding pass and a picture I.D., to a ticket window at any of the three resorts.

If you're out there the first week in January, watch for me. I'll be on the bunny hill with my three-year-old grandchild. One way or another, it's going to give me a lift in this sagging economy.

Gail Todd, a free-lance writer,worked as a flight attendant for more than 30years. She can be reached via e-mail at gailtodd@aol.com.