Waterville discount hotel

ALASKA

Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau

Anchorage offers comfort surrounded by Alaska adventure. The city has 250 miles of groomed trails and endless untouched terrain. After a day of skiing, you can sample gourmet restaurants, four diamond hotels, museums and fine shops. Call 1-800-478-1255 for a free visitors guide or visit us at website www.anchorage.net.

CALIFORNIA

Bear Valley

Discover California's finest XC trail system, Mountain Lodge and Village Resort. Located between scenic Lake Tahoe and Yosemite, Bear Valley features classic Sierra ambiance, a huge world class trail system, impeccable grooming, huts, cafes, great snow and more. 209/753-2834 or 209/753-2327; www.bearvalleyxc.com or www.bearvalleylodge.com.

Kirkwood Cross Country Center

Above all the rest with a base elevation of 7,800 feet and 80 kilometers of machine groomed trails, Kirkwood Cross Country offers the most spectacular scenery and the most exciting terrain in the west. Surrounded by wilderness, trails lead skiers to the top of the high Sierra. The natural alpine setting allows skiers to explore trails which wind downhill, meander through meadows and gently traverse open bowls. 60% of the trails are rated intermediate, allowing most enthusiasts to ski the upper reaches of the trail system. Cross-country day lodge, ski school, ski shop and rental department including standard track skis, skate skis, telemark skis and backcountry as well as snowshoes, kick-sleds and pulks. Kirkwood Resort is a full service destination resort. For lodging services call: 800/967-7248; Cross. Country services call: 209/258-7248; www.kirkwood.com.

Montecito-Sequoia XC Ski & Winter Sports Resort

Ski 85km of groomed trails and miles of marked backcountry trails. PSIA instruction, tours and rentals. Snowshoeing, tubing with handle tow, outdoor spa and children's programs. Comfortable lodging, delicious meals available mid-week, weekends and holidays. Spectacular location between Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parka. 800/227-9900; www.mslodge.com.

Royal Gorge

330km, 90 trails create North America's largest cross-country ski area. Spectacular vistas, 2 interconnect trails, 4 ski lifts, 10 warming huts, 4 trailside cafes and 2 overnight lodges complete this extraordinary resort. P.O. Box 1100 Soda Springs, CA; 800/500-3871; www.royalgorge.com.

COLORADO

Crested Butte Nordic Center

Gorgeous scenery on 50K groomed trails PLUS endless backcountry to explore. Crested Butte Nordic Center for winter fun: cross-country, snowshoeing, ice skating and sledding. Colorado mountains, historic mining town, friendly atmosphere. Thanksgiving through Easter. For info: 970-349-1707; For lodging: 800/215-2226; www.cbnordic.org.

Vista Verde

Romance and adventure await at a secluded Western ranch 25 miles north of Steamboat Springs. 30km of groomed trails, unlimited backcountry in the surrounding National Forest, plus sleigh rides, horseback riding and more. Beautiful cozy log cabins, wood stoves, private hot tubs and fine dining. P.O. Box 770465; Steamboat Springs, CO 80477; 800/526-7433 or 970/879-3828; www.vistaverde.com.

MAINE

Sunday River Inn

Destination area with ski and snowshoe rentals, lessons, outdoor clothing and equipment sales. Professionally designed and groomed ski trails, innovative kids programming, snow terrain park and wooded snowshoe trails--family fun for all. Downhill resort 1/2 mile away. Accommodations available adjacent Sunday River Inn. 23 Skiway Road Newry, ME 04261; 207/824-2410; info@sundayriverinn.com; www.sundayriverinn.com.

MINNESOTA

A Place In The Woods

Quiet, cozy log cabin resort located next to the Chippewa National Forest. Nine km XC and snowshoeing trails accessed from your cabin door. Kids Trivia Trail, Luminaria Trail, sledding, ice fishing, 80 km nordic skiing, downhill. Snowmobiling nearby. Canoe trips, mountain biking, children's activities in summer. For further information, contact us at: 800/676-4547; apltw@paulbunyan.net; www.aplaceinthewoodsresort.com.

Bearskin Lodge Cross Country Ski Resort

Northwoods log cabin accommodations featuring 70km of groomed classical and skate ski trails starting at your door. Adjacent to Boundary Waters Wilderness Area. Main lodge with hot tub, sauna and meals. Nightly or weekly stays with discount midweek packages. Night skiing, snowshoeing, equipment rentals and lessons. 124 E. Bearskin Rd., Grand Marais, MN 55604; 800/338-4170; www.bearskin.com.

Boundary Country Trekking

Gunflint Nordic Trails Ski-in Lodging-Poplar Creek Guesthouse rooms and Cabin, located at the beginning of BWCA Wilderness' longest tracked ski trail--the Banadad; connects with Bearskin/Golden Eagle Trails. All meals or housekeeping, whirlpool, fireplace suite, cabin with sauna, snowshoeing. Other programs offered--Lodge to Lodge and Yurt Skiing, Dog Sled Trips. 173 Little Ollie Road, Grand Marais, MN 55604; 800/322-8327; www.littleollielodging.com.

Giant's Ridge

The new trail system at Giant's Ridge offers almost 70 km of Pisten Bully-groomed trails for both skating and classical. New features include: variety of trail widths-22' for high speed skating down to 14' for classical touring. There are also two trail-side shelters complete with firewood for picnic spots or to take a break to warm-up and reflect in the beautiful Superior National Forest. On-site lodging-ski-in, ski-out access. XC service, rental and repair available. Lighted 3 km trail. Also almost 20 km of snowshoe trails with full rental. P.O. Box 190 Biwabik, MN 55708; 808/688-7669 or 218/865-4143.

Golden Eagle Lodge & Nordic Ski Center

Only resident on the lake! Lakeside cabins w/fireplace and deluxe cabins w/whirlpool tubs. Dependable average snowfall of 120". Nationally renown skiing on 68k of snowcat groomed trails, all level of difficulties. 30k skating lanes. Snowshoe trails, sauna, heated waxing room, ski lessons, ski & snowshoe rentals, ice skating rink. Early and off-season specials. Gunflint Trail, 468 Clearwater Rd., Grand Marais, MN 55604; 800/346-2203; www.golden-eagle.com.

Gunflint Lodge

Cozy lakeside cabins with fireplace, sauna and hot tub. Complimentary full breakfast, and homemade soup and bread for lunch. Candelit gourmet meals in front of the big rock fireplace in the main lodge. Nearly 100km of groomed ski trails, dog sledding, skijoring and snowshoeing. Wolf howling expedition on Thursdays, free one hour dog sled ride on Mondays. Ski and snowshoe rentals. Midweek discount. Women's Life Style Retreats in Jan and March. 143 Gunflint Lake, Grand Marais, MN 55604; 800/328-3325; gunflint@gunflint.com; www.gunflint.com.

Lutsen Resort

Experience the beauty and wonder of Lake Superior in the winter. Nearly 200km XC ski trails nearby. Lakeside lodging includes historic lodge rooms, log cabins, and town homes/condos. In-room fireplaces & whirlpools available, Swimming pool/whirlpool, Lakeside dining, Pub. Downhill skiing nearby also. XC ski & snowshoe rentals. XC ski/snowshoe packages. 800/258-8736; www.lutsenresort.com.

MONTANA

Izaak Walton Inn

A place where time stands still and lets you catch up. Located on the southern tip of Glacier National Park. This year round historic Great Northern Railroad Hotel hosts over 30km of groomed cross-country ski trails. Ski shop, rentals, Finnish sauna, and comfortable rooms. Our friendly staff will help provide a vacation to remember for years to come. Ask about our winter vacation packages and our caboose accommodations. 290 Izaak Walton Inn Rd. Essex, MT 59916; 406/888-5700; Fax: 406/888-5200; info@izaakwaltoninn.com.

Lone Mountain Ranch

Historic guest ranch in the heart of Montana's Yellowstone Country. Cozy, comfortable log cabins, renowned cuisine, 75km ski trails expertly groomed for both skating and striding, packed snowshoe trails, naturalist guided ski tours into Yellowstone Park, sleigh ride dinners, gourmet trail buffet and evening programs. For alpine skiers and snowboarders, Big Sky Ski Resort is just a free, ten-minute shuttle ride away. Great early season snow and most days are "extra blue." P.O. Box 160069, Big Sky, MT 59716; 800/514-4644; Fax: 406/995-4644; lmr@lmranch.com; www.lmranch.com.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Ellis River House

An enchanting four season country inn offering romance and rejuvenation. Our 20 rooms offer romantic fireplaces and Jacuzzis for two. Delicious country breakfast and afternoon refreshments always included. After a ski enjoy our six person whirlpool tub. Cross country ski the Jackson Trails which offer 157km for all abilities. Ski and Stay Packages available. Box 656, Route 16, Jackson, NH 03846; 800/233-8309; innkeeper@erhinn.com; www.ellisriverhouse.com.

The Nordic Center At Waterville Valley