DENVER, Colo. August 7, 2007 - Those who ski and live in Colorado have long known winter sports are some of the best ways to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle, and now the proof is in the powder. A recently released Harvard study shows the top seven U.S. counties with the greatest average life expectancy, 81.3 years, are all in Colorado - Clear Creek, Eagle, Gilpin, Grand, Jackson, Park and Summit. Coincidentally, these mountain communities are also home to 10 ski resorts, further proof that skiing and snowboarding help people live a long and healthy life.

It’s with this in mind that Colorado Ski Country USA is making its own New Year’s resolution. The organization is resolving to help more people achieve their 2008 fitness goals by making it affordable and easy to get on the slopes and off the couch. January is officially “Learn to Ski and Ride” month in the Colorado high country, and resorts are offering numerous packages designed with beginners in mind.

The following are just a few of the sample packages offered for January 2007 by resorts during Learn-to-Ski/Ride month:

Steamboat guarantees guests will learn to ski or ride or they won’t stop trying. The new Guaranteed Learn to Ski & Ride Package offers three full days of instruction (with the same instructor), equipment rental with “In-Room” fitting, and lift tickets for $295. Guests are guaranteed to ski or ride comfortably on green runs by the end of the third day or the next lessons are free until a quality comfort level is achieved.

Winter Park’s Easy Start First Timer program is for guests looking to learn the easy way. Those 14 and older receive a half-day lesson, lift ticket and rentals for $49.89.

SolVista offers an incredible $99 beginner package that includes lift tickets, full-day lessons and rentals for two days. Upon completion of the two-day program, guests receive free skiing the remainder of the season!

For those looking to learn park skiing and riding, Echo Mountain is the place to learn. The Echo Mountain Academy has coaches and programs that make park riding fun for guests both young and young-at-heart. For $150 (ticket not included), coaches customize a three-hour private lesson by listening to the guest’s request, breaking the lesson down into simple skills and movements, and creating an environment that makes it fun and easy to stomp out goals in the park.

Not many skiers can say they started skiing at age three. Durango Mountain Resort’s Powder Pigs program helps kids do just that. For $79, Durango Mountain provides a full day of instruction, lift tickets, and skis for the little ones.

Find more information on learning to ski and ride including beginner tips, deals, what to wear, and what to bring, visit www.ColoradoSki.com/learn. For snow totals, current conditions and a complete listing of Colorado’s ski resorts, log on to www.ColoradoSki.com.

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Colorado Ski Country USA is the not-for-profit trade association representing Colorado’s 26 ski & snowboard resorts. Information about the organization and its members can be found at www.coloradoski.com