Many ski areas across New England experienced great snow and record or near-record crowds over the Christmas week.¬ 

However, tough economic times have affected almost every business in the world and the leaders of the ski industry do not think they will be an exception. Each area is trying to capture an increased market share of what is anticipated will be a decreasing market.¬ 

Most areas have already altered their pricing policies or varied their vacation packages. There will be a host of 2-for-1 promotions, special days, and clinics geared to specialty groups. Weekdays should bring some particularly deep discounts. It looks like this could be a great snow year and if you stay alert you should be able to get in your skiing without breaking the bank.¬ 

For example, at Mount Sunapee skiers and riders will be able to take advantage of daily specials and on-line promotions that include a $40 lift ticket on Monday, a 2-for-1 on Wednesday and a January on-line promotion called Family Values where children ages 6-18 can ski or board free Sunday through Friday with each adult full-price ticket. This midweek package is especially attractive to us folks on the North Shore as Sunapee is so close, making it a neat day trip.

Further north, Bretton Woods and the Mount Washington Hotel have some excellent packages.

For example, If you stay at the hotel during non-vacation weeks, you can receive a free ticket for each day booked. If kids are 12 and under, they ski free all of the time. After March 15, you can stay at the hotel for $99 per person per night and get a room, daily breakfast, a free ticket following a night's stay and a 2-for-1 on the day of arrival plus free night skiing on select Friday and Saturday nights.

At Attitash you can take advantage of their midweek Winter White Sale (Sun-Thursday night) for $112. This includes a slope side accommodation at the Grand Summit Hotel, a full breakfast each morning, and a lift ticket each day.

Waterville Valley has a good midweek nordic deal called the Nordic Midweek Getaway.

This $99 per person¬ midweek package is based on double occupancy lodging¬ in a one bedroom condo or lodge. It includes¬ Nordic trail tickets and rental equipment, access to the White Mountain Athletic Club and a $50 dinner voucher¬ good¬ at¬ Town Square Restaurants.¬ 

The getaway is valid Sunday through Thursday nights at the Town Square Condominium,¬ Snowy Owl Inn, Golden Eagle Lodge and Black Bear Lodge with skiing Monday through Friday — non-holidays.

If you are headed to Sugarloaf this winter, you can save money on tickets by buying them on line. If you buy multi-day e-tickets before January 18, you can save up to 20 percent.

Also in Maine, try this midweek special at Sunday River. Called "The Deal of the Century." It offers two days skiing, a free adult Perfect Turns Clinic, one night lodging at the Snow Cap Inn, dinner at one of the on-mountain restaurants, and breakfast. Available Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. They have other combinations that are also pretty reasonable. Contact them at www.sundayriver.com.

In Vermont there are a number of mountains offering good deals. One of our favorites is Smugglers Notch. The Resort's extensive family programs have been recognized by several magazines.

Barbara Thomke of Smuggs, one of the best marketers I know, offers this advice when shopping for a ski resort experience.

"If the kids are happy," she says. "parents will be happy. Look for varied experiences and learning¬  opportunities to keep children engaged. Does the package include ski and snowboard lessons and activities for ski play and entertainment? If not, what are the options and at what cost?

"With teens in the family, make sure the resort you choose can deliver at least one sought-after experience for each teen member. Too satisfy adults look for a good ski hill and a wide variety of service and restaurant choices."

Smuggs offers a Winter Escape package that includes mountainside lodging, free use of indoor pool and hot tubs, a free two-hour winter walking program, the FUNZONE family entertainment center, tube sliding and nightly entertainment.

Okemo Mountain has teamed up with Stratton Mountain to broaden the skiing experience. When skiers and snowboarders purchase a three-day or more, multi-day lift ticket at Okemo Mountain Resort, not only do they save on the daily lift ticket rate, they also get two mountains' worth of skiing and riding for their hard-earned money.

Three-day lift tickets at Okemo start at $180 for adults, and may be purchased alone or as part of a lift ticket and lodging package. Skiers and riders presenting a valid Okemo three-day lift ticket at Stratton's Guest Services desk will receive one complimentary lift ticket for that day.¬ 

All over New England there are bargains to be found.