Judy Colbert, ASJA, SPJ, AFTRA, SAG

Crisp, brisk days and news of a fresh snowfall are luring you to the mountains. You dream of making the first tracks down the hillside and then sitting by a warm fire apres ski.

Oh, but you have work to do and bills to pay.

If only there were one itty bitty teensy weensy incentive to convince you to hit the road so you can strap on the ski gear.

Well, here are a blizzard of incentives from ski areas in Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia. You just have to decide where you want to go and when.

Maryland's tallest (and only) vertical slope (700 feet) is at Wisp Resort, in Garrett County, which receives more than 100 inches of snow annually. With the purchase of a 2007-2008 Wisp Card, you receive discounts of up to 40 percent on lift tickets, rentals, lessons and snow tubing seven days a week, including holidays. Plus, every Wisp Card holder receives one free lift ticket, valid non-holidays during the 2008 ski season. The Wisp Card is $79 for adults and $59 for children 12 and younger and is available online, over the phone, or in person. Some blackout dates apply.

Wisp Resort offers a variety of midweek ticket promotions. Every non-holiday Tuesday is Student Day and Roy Rogers Day. Every non-holiday Wednesday is Locals Day and everyone is considered a local. Options include a $21 extended-day lift, $15 night ticket, $36 extended-day lift and rental package and $8 snow tubing. Every non-holiday Thursday is Season Pass Swap Day, where you show a valid 2007-2008 season pass from any ski resort and receive a $15 extended-day lift or a $10 night ticket.

Envy the fourth graders

If your fourth-grader has a B average (or better) then you can reward him or her for hitting the books by hitting the slopes, for they're eligible to receive a free unlimited Wisp Resort season pass.

"Studies have shown that this is a crucial age in developing hobbies and interests," says Michael Valach, director of skier/rider services at Wisp. "We strive to make learning snow sports more attainable for hard-working students while promoting an active lifestyle with outdoor recreation."

Students just present their most recent report card to guest services at any time during the season to receive their pass. There is a $25 processing fee.

The Pennsylvania Fourth-Grade Snowpass booklet lets them ski or snowboard at 20 Pennsylvania ski resorts for free when accompanied by a paying adult. They have to submit a report card or school ID that verifies they're in the fourth grade, complete the application, submit a $15 processing fee and a 2-inch-by-1-inch photo. There are some blackout dates.

A "Learn to Turn" promotion sponsored by the Pocono area features packages starting from $83 per child (8 and older for lessons) and $88 per adult. The program invites you to visit during midweek for three consecutive days of lift passes to any of the seven local ski areas, rental equipment and group skiing or boarding lessons. You must book three nights' accommodations at any of 25 participating properties, from resorts to cottages to bed-and-breakfast establishments.

East Shore Lodging has a two-night stay with continental breakfast both mornings, one dinner for two ($50 gift certificate), and one pair of two-day lift tickets at Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain or Tanglwood Ski Area. It's offered for $379 per couple with a queen room or $415 per couple with a queen suite, tax included. The deal is available through March 2.

Guests at Ehrhardt's on stunning Lake Wallenpaupack receive discounted lift tickets at Tanglwood or Ski Big Bear ski areas. Package also includes 10 percent discount at Ehrhardt's Lakeview Restaurant. Rates begin at $58 per night and are available through April 6.

Almost heaven

While many of these ski options are close enough to drive up, ski, and drive home in one day, you might want to consider the heavenly options at Wilson Lodge at Oglebay Resort and Conference Center, Wheeling, W.Va., where they're offering a number of midweek packages. The Winter Escape, for $285, includes accommodations, buffet breakfast, two 30- minute massages, in-room welcome amenity, use of the indoor pool (and Jacuzzi, sauna and fitness center, although the pool will be closed March 2-6), and dinner for two with wine and dessert.

The Homestead in Hot Springs, Va., pioneered southern skiing in 1959. Today, the resort's 45-acre ski area includes a groomed downhill ski slope, seven trails, full snow- making capabilities, ski school and bunny school, a ski shop, hourly instruction and ski and snowboard equipment rentals. Through March 15, the Homestead is offering a special "Fun & Free Kids Ski" package where kids 12 and younger ski free (except some blackout dates). Room rates for the "Fun & Free Kids Ski" package being at $199 per room, per night.

Whitetail Mountain Resort, in Mercersburg, Pa., has 18 trails and eight lifts, with the largest vertical drop and the fastest lifts anywhere near the Baltimore-D.C. area. Special prices include learn-to-ski packages ($52-$78 and included lift, lesson and rental) and an all-day lift ticket at $51 ($59 weekends).

Lehigh Valley, in northeast Pennsylvania, offers "Stay & Ski" packages for skiers, snowboarders or tubers. An example is a day at Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Macungie or Blue Mountain Ski Area in Palmerton and then an overnight in one of 12 local hotels and inns. Rates start at $59.99 per person, per night and include accommodations and an activity voucher at either mountain, through March 31, weather permitting.

The Holiday Inn Conference Center in Breinigsville and Ramada Allentown-Whitehall are offering their own three-day, mid-week "Learn to Turn" package that includes a voucher booklet for three consecutive weekday day visits to any one of seven ski areas, a beginner group lesson and overnight accommodations for three nights. Each visit includes a lift ticket and rentals. You can go to one ski area for all three days or experience a different ski area each day at Alpine Mountain, Big Boulder, Blue Mountain, Camelback, Jack Frost, Shawnee Mountain and Ski Big Bear.

Participating hotels include such brands as Best Western, Holiday Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites and Four Points by Sheraton.

Remember, these are just examples. Many other options are available. Also, ski resorts run out of skiers long before they run out of snow. However, it pays to call ahead or check Web sites to make sure the conditions are good and the area is open for business on the day you want to ski.