Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month in January is a time when the snow sports industry offers attractive and affordable beginner programs for children and adults who can learn from a pro.

Programs vary. Some are even free. Most provide a lesson, lift ticket and rental equipment as a package for a day or multiple days. Information on a variety of programs is available at learntoskiandsnowboard.org on a paged called January Specials. The web site also lists practical and helpful information targeted to newcomers who know little about skiing and snowboarding. Even seasoned aficionados will find valuable information on the site.

Here is a sampling of beginner programs in the eastern half of the U.S. being offered during January and even before and beyond. Shortly, a separate release will be issued for western venues.

All postings are at January Specials on the learntoskiandsnowboard.org web site.

Michigans Boyne Mountain and Boyne Highland are offering cross-country lessons for $20 and ski or snowboard lessons for $35. Lifts and rentals are included. Ski Brule, also in Michigan, has a FREE program going. The states Discover Michigan program includes winter resorts throughout the state.

The Ski Areas of New York (Iskiny.com), through its member resorts, is offering special Learn to Ski and Snowboard and Bring a Friend programs not just for January but all winter. Member resorts such as Greek Peak, Hunter and Holiday Valley are celebrating January with their own special programs.

Ski Vermont will offer a $29 lift, lesson, rentals package for newcomers. Most resorts in the state participate although quantities may be limited at some venues. Ski Vermont also is offering incentives for bringing friends and many individual resorts have their own programs in place. Killington, for example, is featuring a Bring a Friend, Ski Free deal.

Many Ski New Hampshire venues also are offering a $29 package. Several cross- country venues in the state have a $19 lift, lesson rental package.

Ski Maine has pulled together a statewide Bring a Friend effort with details available on their web site. Also in Maine, Sunday River and Sugarloaf have carved out attractive beginner learning programs. For example, Sunday River has a Learn to Ski or Snowboard program for $29. From December 6 to January 31, anyone over the age of 15 can take a three-hour Perfect Turn Clinic, including all rental equipment and a beginner ticket valid for the entire day. The package is not available Dec. 26–Jan. 1 and Jan. 17–18.

In Massachusetts, Wachusset Mountain is bringing back its award-winning Bring a Friend for Fun program. The National Ski Areas Association recognized the resort last year.

Ski PA has a $49 lift, lesson rental package for first time skiers and snowboarders at participating resorts. The offer is available on the SkiPA.com web site and quantities are limited. Ski Roundtop, Whitetail, Liberty, Shawnee, Seven Springs, Blue Mountain and Jack Frost/Big Boulder are just a few of the venues in Pennsylvania hosting January learn to programs.

In the Southeast, North Carolinas Cataloochee and Beech cater to beginners all winter and especially in January. Beech also has been recognized by the National Ski Areas Association for its learn to programs. You can learn to ski or ride free Monday through Thursday with a rental equipment purchase (Offer is winter-long for those 8 and up).

Virginias Massanutten Resort and The Homestead/Omni are teaming with the Virginia Tourism Department to promote their learn to packages. Massanutten is offering its Pathway Program at the discounted rate of $59 during Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month. It is designed specifically for first-time skiers or snowboarders. Minimum age is 7 years old. Participants progress through two this special is valid January 5th-29th, Monday-Thursday only and includes a lift ticket, equipment rentals, and 2 one-hour coaching sessions.

Ski West Virginia is a good resource for programs in the Mountain state and Mountain Creek in New Jersey has a number of learning programs available.

Further west, resorts in Utah, Colorado, Montana, Oregon, Washington state, Wyoming, Idaho, California and New Mexico all are gearing up for January and will be covered in a separate release.