The BrewCentralNY.com Beer Garden has tastings from regional breweries for only $5 for five samples. (Mitch Wojnarowicz/Brew Central)

After more than five decades of bringing together skiers and riders with mountain resorts and snowsports retailers, the Northeast Ski & Craft Beer Showcase returns Nov. 4-6 to Albany at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center.

It's Discover NY Ski Day, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015. This program allows individuals to purchase a discount lift ticket voucher or a value-priced learn to ski/snowboard voucher valid that day only at most mountains around New York state.

Ski and snowboard areas across the Northeast are gearing up with special deals for those who want to learn this winter. Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month in January is a time when the snow sports industry offers attractive and affordable beginner programs for children and adults who can learn from a pro.

Resorts across the eastern seaboard settle in for the season with a variety of learning programs to entice newcomers to the sport. With aggressive packages that include equipment, lessons and, in some cases, lodging, this is the time to get off the fence and dive into the snow: It's National Learn To Ski/Snowboard Month.