Olympic champion skier and EpicMix Race pacesetter Lindsey Vonn announced she is awarding six youth ski racers scholarships to local race programs at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly and Northstar.

Even though the lifts are still running for the 2012-13 season, some early-bird deals on season passes for next season can be had.

Vail Resorts’ officials have announced the company is pumping a record $130 million to $140 million in capital improvements into eight of its nine ski resorts in four states. 

Skiers and snowboarders who call Breckenridge their home resort can expect another boost in terrain next season.

Vail Resorts announced Thursday they are expanding into the Heartland with the purchase of Afton Alps, near the Twin Cities, and Mt. Brighton near Detroit. The news caught many Midwest ski industry people by surprise.

Get an early taste of skiing or snowboarding for the 2012/13 season by checking out the following deals. Then, just enjoy. 

There’s an apparent increase in certified ski and snowboard instructors getting paid for lessons outside of normal working hours, a trend that has prompted resorts to take action. 

An expansion at Breckenridge Resort, Colo., to include Peak 6 – in the active pipeline for six years and talked about for decades – has received the green light from U.S. Forest Service. Look to ski or ride it during the 2013-14 season.

There appears to be widespread support among Breckenridge town council members as they near a final vote on approving an 80-unit timeshare development at Peak 8. The site is the now defunct Bergenhof Restaurant, known to locals as the “Bergie.”