Of all the months in a ski season, it's tough to beat March. Ski trails have deep snow bases, temperatures are warmer, days are longer and there's still plenty of natural snow still falling. In fact, March is the snowiest month of the year in Vermont, sometimes even in Connecticut.

While some resorts will stay open longer until Easter (April 12 this year), good ski conditions then often last just a few hours before snow turns into heavy thigh-burning slush. Late season skiing and snowboarding also has a more relaxed party atmosphere with outdoor barbecues, kicking back on the lodge's deck, maybe taking in some runs in shorts.

But those days are still a few weeks away; it's still mid-winter conditions with most trails open with a sweet packed powder surface. And in this recession, there's even better news: lower prices on lift tickets and lodging.

Unlike the past, most of the best deals found today pop up on resorts' Web pages. An example: Killington in Vermont has offered a limited number of online, discounted tickets to help celebrate its 50th birthday. Some tickets went as low as $42 -- $35 off the normal rate. Although the cheap tickets were scooped up quickly, expect more "Web only" deals to show up. The trick here is visiting your favorite area's Web site often and act quickly when the deals pop up like spring flowers.

In a couple of weeks, look for many ticket prices to fall about 20 percent to pre-season levels. Prices can change daily

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based on open terrain.

BARGAIN DAYS

Check out skivermont.com for late-season updates and links to resorts and lodging.

Okemo in Vermont has $39 tickets on select Thursdays including March 12, 19, 26; women also get $39 tickets on these Tuesdays: March 10, 17, 24 and 31.

This Sunday at Mount Snow in southern Vermont, youths ages 6 to 18 pay the same number as their age for a lift ticket.

Bromley, also in southern Vermont, resumes its Family Friday deal on March 6, 13, 20 and 27 when mom and dad can take their two kids and one of their friends for only $75 total.

Wear green on St. Patrick's Day at Mad River Glen in Vermont and pay just $17.

The folks at Ski New Hampshire have made it easier for all of us to save big bucks during the late season, including 2-for-1 deals and even free lift tickets. They've put together an impressive list, often updated, of all the deals at Granite State ski areas at this site: http://skinh.com/greatdeals.cfm

Jiminy Peak in northwestern Massachusetts has plenty of e-deals on its Web site, but you must print out a coupon. Among the specials are passes for $23 this Monday, $39 on Sunday, March 15; and $17 on St. Patrick's Day. The lowest price is six bucks on Monday, March 23, but there is a 3,000 limit.

Butternut in Great Barrington, Mass., will be selling tickets for $20 (its regular Monday-Thursday price) everyday starting March 16.

CREDIT CARDS

Increase your savings on discount packages by using an American Express card. Details at www.onthesnow.com/american-express/travel.html

ONLINE DEALS

A resort's own Web site is the best place to find last-minute deals. Even Connecticut's Mount Southington offers online discount coupons of up to $15 off the price of a lift ticket.

Another site -- www.lifttopia.com --sells online discounted passes up to 60 percent off or two-for-one tickets. While it may not include your favorite area, the savings are steep enough to steer you to a different mountain. You buy the tickets online, get a purchase confirmation number via e-mail, print it out and bring it to the ticket window. Specials can change daily, so check back often.

Spring skiing tips

Ignore the weather reports of Connecticut's snow-hating meteorologists and go to online sites like old standbys the National Weather Service, accuweather.com, wunderground or intellicast.com, or better yet, an impressive weather section at madriverglen.com ... be in the lift line when it opens since the best conditions of the day will be before noon ... make sure boards are waxed to eliminate annoying grabbing on wet snow ... wear sunscreen since reflection from snow can increase the UV intensity by 85 percent and don't forget lip protection ... wear layers so you can remove clothing as temperatures rise ... at the end of the day toast the snow gods for an epic ski season in New England.