By Bill Fink

This winter at Lake Tahoe ski resorts marks the latest progression in merger mania. The Vail Corp. now owns Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood, while KSL Capital Partners is investing in acquisitions Squaw and Alpine Meadows. Even independent Sugar Bowl is getting into the act with a recently inked agreement to operate the Royal Gorge Cross Country Resort.

While some decry the corporatization of Tahoe skiing — as powder runs merely become another “product” in a portfolio and free-spirited skiers are reduced to blips in profit centers — others are glad that the influx of deep-pocketed corporations has brought overdue investment in on-mountain facilities and the overall ski experience, from lifts to snowmaking and grooming, dining and ski schools.

But the improvements come at a price, with companies pressuring consumers to pay more in advance for season passes and tickets to avoid ludicrous on-mountain pricing (expect to pay more than $100 for daily tickets at big-resort lift kiosks). The remaining independent mountain resorts (including Homewood, Sugar Bowl, Sierra-at-Tahoe and Mt. Rose) are working to upgrade their ski experiences as well.

Meanwhile, everyone continues to do his or her best snow dance, in the hope that the early-season snowfall will continue, to better enjoy the best of what’s new at Lake Tahoe, outlined below. With Boreal already open, Northstar and Heavenly promoting a Friday opening day, and Squaw shooting for Nov. 21, it could be a good long season.

Alpine Meadows: Alpine has increased its snowmaking capabilities and expanded its medium- and large-terrain parks — from Terry’s Return to Dancefloor — to create a mile-long park (the longest in Tahoe) with more than 60 jib features. A beginner’s progression park on Subway will be added with lessons available. www.skialpine.com

Heavenly Mountain: Three intermediate runs introduced last year by the Galaxy “trail pod” will gain fans, and kids will like the new adventure zone. Heavenly’s Peak Performance Academy offers new clinics, helping boarders manage the reintroduction of Heavenly’s 18-foot half-pipe. Heavenly will also expand its après party scene at Unbuckle at Tamarack, complete with go-go dancers. www.skiheavenly.com

Homewood Mountain: The great lake views and underrated runs at this west shore resort can be accessed for prices as low as $44 per day (and $44 beginner packages in January include rentals and a lesson). The new “Ski it to believe it” lesson program guarantees that every skier will be able to do the Homeward Bound run at the end of three days — or they’ll continue to teach you for free until you can. www.skihomewood.com

Kirkwood: The Expedition Kirkwood program will offer new courses in the classroom and on the mountain, including avalanche certification, beacon training and backcountry awareness. Then use the training in the powder cat tours and ski and board clinics accessing Kirkwood’s advanced in-bounds and out-of-bounds terrain. www.kirkwood.com

Mt. Rose: Since skiing always is a gamble anyway, Mt. Rose has partnered with at least 10 Reno casinos for stay-and-ski packages beginning at $79 per person for lift ticket and lodging. Shuttle service also available. www.skirose.com

Northstar: Last season’s new Promised Land ski area has been expanded to add more gladed tree skiing. For shredding tots up to 6 years, the new Burton Riglet Park will provide a learning area. Snowcats will be offering rides for the first time on Sawtooth Ridge, giving better access to side-country slopes. Guided backcountry tours will bring skiers and boarders to new terrain beyond the Sawtooth Ridge boundary. www.northstarattahoe.com

Sierra-at-Tahoe: This year, Sierra Snowcat Tours will convey skiers to the top of Huckleberry Canyon to access Sierra’s backcountry. At the new Yoda’s Riglet Park, children ages 3-6 can practice their moves amid wood carvings of R2-D2, C-3P0 and friends. www.sierraattahoe.com

Squaw Valley: This season, in addition to expanded snowmaking and grooming, Squaw will introduce Big Blue Express, a high-speed six-person chairlift to replace High Camp, running to the top of the Shirley Lake ridgeline — providing better access to the Shirley Lake, Solitude and Granite Chief chairs and additional intermediate terrain. A new Park Pulley telecord (a fancy tow-rope), will drag skiers and boarders to the Belmont terrain park, while Links will be replaced with a triple chair (Mountain Meadow), to the ridgeline above Solitude and Silverado, improving access to beginner terrain. New ski shops will be added to the village, and the Olympic Plaza Bar has been remodeled with table-service dining. www.squaw.com

Sugar Bowl: Sugar Bowl has signed an agreement to operate and improve neighboring Royal Gorge Cross Country Resort (recently purchased out of bankruptcy by conservation groups). Sugar Bowl also is expanding its backcountry programs with guides and training from Alpine Skills Center, and is continuing with its budget “general admission days” with free lessons and rentals. www.sugarbowl.com

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