Salt Lake City, UT – January has arrived, designated as the fourth annual Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month (LSSM) by the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA). With specials ranging from free lessons to deals for experienced skiers who bring along a never-ever friend, there’s really no excuse for letting another winter season pass you by.

The event is now in full swing with free and reasonably priced learning programs for newcomers during January. Ski and snowboard areas and Nordic centers from coast to coast are participating. Details are listed on www.skiandsnowboardmonth.org. The LSSM initiative encourages children and adults to learn how to ski and/or snowboard by taking lessons from professional instructors.

Governors Mark Dayton of Minnesota, Tom Corbett of Pennsylvania, Susana Martinez of New Mexico and John Kitzhuber of Oregon all have declared January Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month in their states and more are expected. The International Ski Federation (FIS), based in Switzerland, has designated January 22 as World Snow Day. The FIS is the official governing body for ski and snowboard racing.

Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month supports the First Lady’s Let’s Move and Let’s Move Outside campaigns. The LSSM initiative includes an opportunity for children and adults to earn a Presidential Lifestyle Achievement Award from the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition by going skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing or cross country skiing. A 130-pound adult can burn 350 calories or more per hour skiing or snowboarding at a moderate pace.

New for 2012, organizers of Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month are partnering with the U.S. Forest Service. There are 122 ski and snowboard areas located on Forest Service land. Alpine skiing is the second most popular recreational activity on Forest Service land after hiking.

In addition to a wide selection of learning programs, organizers are offering numerous products from snow sports suppliers including HEAD Wintersports, Boulder Gear, Snow Dragons, Hotronic, Icelantic, Icebreaker, Polarmax, Seirus, Snowboards.net and Gearing to Go. All are part of the “Great Products Drawing” located on the LSSM website.

Online retailers, Skis.com and Snowboards.net, will give individuals who take a lesson during January a gift card good for up to $50 based on the cost of the lesson. Ski Utah and SKI magazine are sponsoring a Bring a Friend promotion for current participants who introduce a newcomer via lessons during January. If the newcomer sends in a valid receipt from the lesson, both parties are eligible to win a four-day trip to Utah including a day with an editor from SKI.

Resorts belonging to Ski Utah have a host of learning programs for locals during January. In fact, Utah has served as a leader in the creation of this campaign as Ski Utah Marketing Director Raelene Davis currently serves as the chairman of the LSSM board of directors.

“Utah resorts have really made huge strides to better accommodate beginner skiers,” said Davis. “These programs in conjunction with slope and infrastructure improvements at many resorts have made it easier and more comfortable to learn to ski or snowboard in Utah.”

Deals in Utah include offers from 12 of the state’s 14 alpine resorts and range from $39 lift/lesson/rental packages at Brian Head, Canyons, Deer Valley and Wolf Mountain, to a four-pack of lifts, lessons and rentals at Alta Ski Area for $179.

Two New England states – Maine and New Hampshire – are offering free lessons the second week of January. Maine’s program hosted by nine ski resorts — Bigrock, Black, Camden Snow Bowl, Lost Valley, Mt Abram, Saddleback, Shawnee Peak, Sugarloaf, and Sunday River — kicks off this Sunday and runs through Friday, Jan. 13.

According to Bo Bigelow, Project Director at Ski Maine, “this Learn to Ski and Snowboard Week continues to grow. The participating ski areas have donated a total of 141 learn to ski and snowboard packages, which sets a new record for Maine. Registration for the lessons is available on the home page of the Ski Maine web site.”

The number of lessons is limited at each ski area and the lessons are filled on a first come, first served basis. As soon as the registration process is complete, the participant receives a confirmation email from Ski Maine containing specific details of their package including lessons, ski or snowboard equipment and a limited beginner lift pass. In the last two seasons, all packages have been reserved within days of the announcement.

Vermont is offering first-timers 10,000 beginner packages for as little as $29. To spread the love of winter to new enthusiasts, 13 Vermont resorts are offering beginner lessons for the entire month of January, excluding holiday periods for $29. The beginner lesson will include a full day beginner lift ticket, full day ski or snowboard equipment rental, and a lesson with a professional instructor. Due to the deeply discounted price, the offer is limited to one beginner package per person.

“In a state that welcomes seven times its population in skier visits annually, we’ve truly earned our reputation as being the premiere learn to ski and ride destination,” Ski Vermont President Parker Riehle said. “Newcomers to these sports can appreciate Vermont’s iconic landscape, its esteemed ski heritage and highly certified professional instructors.”

Across Lake Champlain in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York, Whiteface Mountain near Lake Placid is offering a mid-week lower mountain lift/lesson/rental special for $59 for participants ages 13 and older.

“No matter what your age, January is a great time to get outside, hit the slopes and enjoy this fun and healthy outdoor activity,” remarked Aleks Smith, Whiteface Mountain’s snowsports director.  “Whether it’s your first time ever on skis, or you haven’t skied in a few years, or maybe you’re just looking to improve your skiing or riding, here’s your chance to take an affordable lesson. Skiing and riding are sports to enjoy for a lifetime.”

In California, both Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows are celebrating, Jan. 8 through 29 by offering affordable beginner learn-to-ski and ride packages for $39, including a half-day lesson (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.), lift ticket and equipment rentals.  Both resorts lie along the north shore of Lake Tahoe.

“Whether you’re a first-time skier or rider or simply looking to advance your skills, this is a great time to get out on the hill when the crowds have died down after the holidays,” said Dee Byrne, director of snow sports at Alpine and Squaw. “Our experienced instructors will provide the foundation you need to develop proper technique and will have you falling in love with the sport.”

And the deals aren’t limited to the Lower 48, either. South of Anchorage in Alaska, Alyeska Resort officially joins the effort this winter with an introductory package that includes three lessons, lower mountain lift ticket and rental equipment for $99 per person, a savings of $110 off regular lesson package rates. The three group lessons are valid through January 31. Those interested in a ski package must be age five or older; those preferring a snowboard package must be age eight or older. Packages can be purchased in person at the Mountain Learning Center Desk located in the Daylodge, online at AlyeskaResort.com or by phone at (907) 754-2280.

Keep in mind that this is just a sampling of deals during Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month. All offers for LSSM are posted daily on the LSSM web site www.skiandsnowboardmonth.org in the “LSSM Special Features” section and “News and Info.”