It costs a pretty penny to check a bag with an airline (most charge $15 for the first; $25 for a second).

Packing in one carry-on bag is a breeze for summer trips with nothing heavier than sandals. But how to manage this winter when you're headed to the slopes with sweaters, long undies, woolly socks and ski gear?

What looks promising is a promotion for the winter season at a popular Colorado ski area. And if it works there, watch for other resorts to roll out similar plans. The Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp. is working with American Express to give customers a pre-loaded card to present to an airline for baggage costs. Watch for details on the possible paid-baggage deal and for details on Steamboat's ever-popular "kids fly free" promo in the September issue of Skiing Magazine (www.skinet.com). The baggage plan could be extended to other Intrawest resorts such as Copper Mountain and Winter Park in Colorado; Snowshoe, W.Va.; Stratton, Vt.; or Whistler-Blackcomb, British Columbia.

Ski trips are pricey when you factor in a cost of about $70 per person per day. So having a resort company pick up the tab for checked luggage may not be such a huge deal. But every $50 saved is, well, $50 saved for a lift ticket or a lesson. And the more dollars saved can mean the difference between staying home or getting away. For instance, flying directly into Steamboat's Yampa Valley (airport code HDN) eliminates the need of a rental car — a huge savings compared with starting and ending trips from Denver.

Buy lift tickets early

Never buy regularly priced ski lift tickets at a mountain ticket window. Buy them in advance (at least seven days) with your lodging or at special local outlets. For instance, Utah-bound skiers and boarders should check the deals from Canyon Sports. The ski and board rental company offers discounts at its four outlets in greater Salt Lake City, www.canyonsports.com.

New and quite exciting for the 2008-09 ski season is the Epic Pass, an online-purchased season pass for unlimited, unrestricted and no-blackout-date skiing at Arapahoe Basin, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Vail Resorts in Colorado, and the Heavenly Resort in Lake Tahoe (on the California/Nevada border). This pass is ideal for visitors looking to ski seven or more days (otherwise, a more traditional four-day ticket may be more affordable). The Epic Pass is $579 for adults; $279 for children ages 5-12. Passes must be purchased by Nov. 15 at snow.com/epicpass/ (pay $49 today with the balance charged in September). Once purchased, the pass is nontransferable and nonrefundable.

Airfares to ski areas

Pay attention to airfares this winter. American Airlines has brought out a round-trip winter rate for Steamboat of $580 inclusive of tax, fees and fuel surcharges. Compare that rate with Delta's $710. The savings add up to paying for several meals, ski rental equipment or a night's lodging.

The bargain spot out West will remain Denver, with sale prices of about $280 round trip offered frequently by the four airlines with nonstop flight service — AirTran, Delta, Frontier and United. Regular or nonsale rates start from $339.

If Denver is your destination, skip the rental car and instead head to Winter Park Resort on the Ski Train. Service runs Saturdays and Sundays from early January through March 30; Friday service begins Feb. 1 and on Thursdays from early March. Adult price tickets of $49 are for same day, round-trip schedules. A separate ticket is required for different return dates. This 2-hour, 15-minute scenic ride departs from lower downtown Denver (20 miles from Denver Airport) and drops off passengers at the base of the resort.

When booking the Ski Train, book your ski lift tickets at the same time at special savings. For the 2007-08 season, the rates were $55 for adults and $25 for children ages 6-12. Watch the Web site in late summer for updates, www.skitrain.com

Early bookers will save on the Free 4 All winter package, from $409 per person, which includes a four-night stay in a one-bedroom condo in downtown Winter Park.

Rates start from $571 for accommodations at the brand new Village at the Resort. Either package, based on double occupancy, includes a four-day lift ticket per person. Book by Oct. 12, www.skiwinterpark.com, 1-866-239-3994.