The 4 or so inches of snow that fell on the Laurel Highlands in late October was just enough to allow a few cross-country skiers to stretch their legs on leaf-slick trails.

It reminded ski areas they don't have much time to get ready for the season. And it served as the perfect backdrop for the 50th anniversary dinner of the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau at Seven Springs Mountain Resort on Oct. 30, a fact duly noted by the Rev. Paul R. Taylor of St. Vincent College during his invocation.

"It never hurts to pray for snow," a smiling Ron Aldom, executive director of the Somerset County Chamber of Commerce, whispered to a reporter.

The visitors bureau, composed of members from Westmoreland, Somerset and Fayette counties, promotes the highlands as a tourist destination. Such businesses in the region depend on natural and machine-made snow to attract visitors to local resorts from Thanksgiving to Easter.

Snowshoe in West Virginia, the highest resort in the region, has averaged 131 days of skiing each season for several years. Last year it received 132.5 inches of snow, more than the year before, although that is down from 186 inches in 2003-04.

Here's a description of the 18 regional resorts and what they're charging for lift tickets, rental equipment and group lessons. Each area has learn-to-ski and/or learn-to-snowboard packages but may restrict them to weekdays, when the slopes are less crowded.

Each area offers group and private lessons for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and abilities. Ask for an instructor certified by the Professional Ski Instructors of America.

If you're skiing or snowboarding for a weekend or a week, ask about packages that include lift tickets, rental equipment and lessons. The savings can be considerable. Many areas also offer night skiing with lower-priced lift tickets and rental equipment. Most areas offer child-care facilities.

Some resorts also offer cross-country skiing, snowtubing, snowshoeing, snowblading, ice-skating, sleigh rides and snowcat rides.

WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA

Blue Knob

Adult weekend lift ticket, $50; weekdays, $38. Junior (12 and under), active members of the military and seniors (65-69) weekends, $40; weekdays, $33. Seniors (70 and older) weekend $20; weekday $16.50. Children 5 and younger ski free when accompanied by a parent with a valid lift ticket. Group lesson for four to eight people: $100. Ski rental: $28. Snowboard rental (includes boots): $39. Cross-country rental: adult $12, child $10. Cross country group lesson (minimum five people) $15. Weekend trail fee: adult $10, junior/senior $5; weekdays free. Snowshoe rental: $10.

Lifts: Two triple chairlifts, two doubles, one handle tow.

Slopes and trails: 34.

Vertical drop: 1,025 feet.

Address: Box 247, Claysburg, PA 16625; 1-800-458-3403; 1-814-239-5111.

Web site: www.blueknob.com.

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Boyce Park

Adult weekend lift ticket (Friday day through Sunday night), $13; Monday afternoon through Thursday night, $9. Junior (13-17) and youth (6-12), Friday daytime through Sunday night $11; Monday afternoon through Thursday night, $7. Seniors (60 and older) Friday day through Sunday night, $10; Monday afternoon through Thursday night, $6. Children (5 and younger) $4 any time. Group lesson: $10. Ski rental: $8.75. Snowboard rental (includes boots): $25. Ski runners: $8.

Lifts: One chairlift, one Poma, one handle tow.

Slopes and trails: 9.

Vertical drop: 180 feet.

Address: 675 Old Frankstown Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15239; 724-733-4656; 724-733-4665 (recorded snow conditions).

Web site: www.alleghenycounty.us/parks/bpfac.aspx.

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Hidden Valley

Early season specials: Free in November, weather permitting; adults and children $20 from Dec. 1-23. After that, the rates will be:

Adult Saturday lift ticket, $45; Sunday $40; Friday, $30; Monday through Thursday. $20. Junior (6-17) and seniors (65- 69) Saturday, $35; Sunday, $30; Friday, $30; Monday through Thursday $20. Children 5 and younger, free. Seniors 70 and older, $15 any time. Group lesson: $24. Ski rental: $22. Snowboard rental (includes boots): $28.

Lifts: Two quad chairlifts, two triples, one double, three surface lifts.

Slopes and trails: 28.

Vertical drop: 340 feet front; 430 feet North Summit area.

Address: 1 Craighead Drive, Hidden Valley, PA 15502; 1-814-443-8000.

Web site: www.hiddenvalleyresort.com.

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Mount Pleasant of Edinboro

Previously known as Mountain View at Mount Pleasant.

Adult weekend lift ticket, $22; weekdays $20. Student (6-21) weekends, $19; weekdays $18. Child (5-8) weekends, $13; weekdays, $10; child (5 and under) free when accompanied by a parent who skis; seniors (70 and older) free. Group ski and snowboard lessons: $40 and $60 on weekends; $30 and $50 on weekdays. Adult weekend ski and ski blade rental: $20; weekdays, $15; student weekend $15, weekdays $10. Snowboard rental: $25.

Lifts: One T-bar and one Poma lift.

Slopes and trails: 10.

Vertical drop: 320 feet.

Address: Box 447, Edinboro, PA 16412; 1-814-734-1641.

Web site: www.skimountpleasant.com.

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Mystic Mountain

Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays through Mondays. Adult lift ticket $38; child (6-11), $30. Group lesson (maximum of three people): $105. Adult rental: $29; child $25. Snowboard rental (includes boots): adult $29, child $25. Snowshoe rental: $20. Cross-country rental (includes trail fee): $20.

Lifts: One regular quad chairlift and one handle tow.

Slopes and trails: 8.

Vertical drop: 300 feet.

Address: 1001 Lafayette Drive, Farmington, PA 15437; 1-800-422-2736; 724-329-8555.

Web site: www.nemacolin.com.

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Seven Springs

Adult weekend lift ticket: $52; weekdays, $41. Child (11 and under) weekends: $41; weekdays $33. Children 5 and under ski free when accompanied by an adult with a lift ticket. Seniors 70 to 79 pay half price; seniors 80 and older ski free but need a lift ticket. Group lesson: $31 weekend, $29 weekday. Rental: adult, $27; child, $21. Adult snowboard rental (includes boots): $34; child $30. Telemark rental equipment and helmets also are available.

Lifts: Two six-person; three quad chairlifts, five triples, three surface lifts and two Magic Carpets.

Slopes and trails: 31.

Vertical drop: 360 feet front, 750 feet back.

Address: Champion, PA 15622; 1-800-452-2223, 1-800-523-7777 (recorded snow conditions), 1-814-352-7777.

Web site: www.7springs.com.

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Ski Denton

Adult lift ticket, Fridays through Sundays, $39; Mondays through Thursdays, $25. Youth (6-11) and seniors (65-69) Fridays Sundays, $26; Mondays through Thursdays, $19. Child (5 and under) free any time when accompanied by an adult. Seniors (70 and older) free. Group lesson: $18. Rental: adults, $22; youth, $19. Snowboard and snowblade rental (includes boots): adult $29; youth 26. Cross-country rental: $15. Sled Dog Boot Skis: $4 per hour; $7 for two hours.

Lifts: One triple chairlift, one double and two Pomas.

Slopes and trails: 22.

Vertical drop: 650 feet.

Address: Box 367, Coudersport, PA 16915; 1-814-435-2115.

Web site: www.skidenton.com.

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Ski Sawmill Family Resort

Adult weekend lift ticket (Fridays through Sundays), $32; weekdays (Mondays through Thursdays), $20. Youth (11 and under) weekends, $25; weekdays, $17. Seniors (70 and older), free. Child 45 inches or shorter gets a free lift ticket when accompanied by an adult who buys a full-price lift ticket. Group lesson: $18. Rental: $20 weekends; $17 weekdays. Snowboard and snow blade rental (includes boots): $29 weekends; $19 weekdays.

Lifts: One double chairlift, two T-bars.

Slopes and trails: 12.

Vertical drop: 515 feet.

Address: 383 Oregon Hill, Morris, PA 16938; 1-800-532-7669.

Web site: www.skisawmill.com.

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Whitetail

Adult weekend lift ticket, $57; weekdays, $47. Junior (6-12) weekends, $51; weekdays $41. Children (5 and under) receive free lift ticket with the purchase of an adult lift ticket. Seniors (65 and older), weekends, $57; weekdays, $28.50. Group lesson: $36. Ski rental: $38. Snowboard rental (includes boots): $44.

Lifts: One high-speed quad chairlift, three regular quads, one double, one Alpine Conveyor.

Slopes and trails: 20.

Vertical drop: 935 feet.

Address: 13805 Blairs Valley Road, Mercersburg, PA 17236; 1-717-328-9400.

Web site: www.skiwhitetail.com.

WEST VIRGINIA

Canaan Valley

Adult any day lift ticket, $49. Child (12 and under) and seniors any day, $44. Note: Lift tickets are less expensive during Value Season -- Dec. 12-25 and March 9-22. Children 5 and under ski free when accompanied by a parent who skis. Group lesson: $30. Rental: adult, $28; child, $25. Snowboard rental (includes boots): adult, $37; child $30. Cross country rental: adult $18, junior $16. Snowshoe rental: adult $18, junior $16.

Lifts: One quad chairlift, two triples.

Slopes and trails: 39.

Vertical drop: 850 feet.

Address: HC 70, Box 330, Davis, WV 26260; 1-800-622-4121; 1-304-866-4121.

Web site: www.canaanresort.com.

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Oglebay

Adult lift tickets: $26 Fridays through Sundays and holidays; $18 Mondays through Thursdays. Youth (6-17), $19 Fridays through Sundays and holidays; $13 Mondays through Thursdays. Child (5 and under) skis free when accompanied by an adult with a valid lift ticket. Lessons (includes rental equipment): $50 per person per hour, $30 for each additional person. Reservations required. Adult rental: $26 Fridays through Sundays and holidays; $18 Mondays through Thursdays. Youth rental: $19 Fridays through Sundays and holidays; $13 Mondays through Thursdays. Adult snowboard rental: $31 and $24, respectively; youth $26 and $18, respectively.

Lifts: One triple chairlift.

Slopes: One.

Vertical drop: 168 feet.

Address: Route 88 North, Wheeling, WV, 26003; 1-800-624-6988; 1-304-243-4177 for snow conditions.

Web site: www.oglebay-resort.com.

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Snowshoe

Adult any day lift ticket, $75. Student (high school or college) and seniors (60-69), any day, $72. Note: Lift tickets are less expensive during Value Season -- before Dec. 14 and after March 1. Children 5 and under ski free when accompanied by a parent or guardian who skis. Group lesson: $55. Rental: adult, student and senior $36; junior (12 and under) $32. Snowboard rental (includes boots): $36.

Lifts: Three high-speed quad chairlifts, three triples, one surface lift at Snowshoe; one quad, four triples, two surface lifts at Silver Creek.

Slopes and trails: 42 at Snowshoe; 18 at Silver Creek.

Vertical drop: 748 feet front and 1,500 feet back at Snowshoe; 663 feet at Silver Creek.

Address: Box 10, Snowshoe, WV 26209; 1-304-572-1000; 1-304-572-5252 (reservations).

Web site: www.snowshoemtn.com.

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Timberline

Adult weekend lift ticket, $55; weekdays, $37. Child (6-12), weekends, $37; weekdays, $26. Child (5 and under) ski free when accompanied by a parent who skis. Group lesson: $30. Rental: adult, $29; junior (6-12) $24. Child (5 and under) $12. Snowboard rental: $36.

Lifts: One triple chairlift, two doubles, one surface lift.

Slopes and trails: 37.

Vertical drop: 1,000 feet.

Address: HC 70, Box 488, 488 Timberline Road, Davis, WV 26260; 1-304-866-4801; 1-800-766-9464 (general information); 1-304-866-4828 (snow reports).

Web site: www.timberlineresort.com.

WESTERN MARYLAND

Wisp

Adult weekend lift ticket, $59; weekdays, $39. Child (12 and under), weekends, $39; weekdays, $34. All tickets include night skiing Tuesdays through Saturdays. Group lesson: $35. Rental: skis and snowboards (includes boots): $36. Helmet rental: $10.

Lifts: Two quad chairlifts, five triples, four conveyor carpets, one surface tow and one loading carpet.

Slopes and trails: 32.

Vertical drop: 700 feet.

Address: Box 629, McHenry, MD 21541; 1-301-387-4911.

Web site: www.skiwisp.com.

WESTERN NEW YORK

Cockaigne

Adult weekend lift ticket, $34; weekdays, $24. Child (12 and under), weekends, $26; weekdays, $18. Children ages 6-12 pay half-price with a parent with a full-price lift ticket. Children 5 and younger ski free when accompanied by a parent who skis. College and military lift ticket discount: $5 any time. Group lesson: $20. Rental: adult weekends, $21; weekdays, $17. Child: weekends, $17; weekdays, $14. Snowboard rental (includes boots): weekends, $26; weekdays, $21.

Lifts: Three double chairlifts, one J-bar.

Slopes and trails: 15.

Vertical drop: 430 feet.

Address: 1493 Thornton Road (CR66), Cherry Creek, NY 14723; 1-716-287-3223; 1-888-287-3545 (snow reports).

Web site: www.cockaigne.com.

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Holiday Valley

Adult weekend lift ticket for any eight hours, $54; weekdays, $47. Junior (6-11) weekend lift ticket for any eight hours, $41; weekdays, $37. Children (5 and under) free. Group lesson: $30. Downhill rental: adult, $26; junior, $21. Cross-country rental: $15. Snowboard rental (includes boots): adult, $31; junior, $27. Cross country skis: $17. Snowshoes: $17.

Lifts: Two high-speed quad chairlifts, eight standard quads, one double, one handle tow, one Magic Carpet.

Slopes and trails: 56.

Vertical drop: 750 feet.

Address: Box 370, Ellicottville, NY 14731; 1-716-699-2345; 1-716-699-2644 (ski reports).

Web site: www.holidayvalley.com.

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Kissing Bridge

Adult weekend lift ticket: $50 for any eight hours; $46 for any four hours. Junior (13 and under): $36 for any eight hours; $34 for any four hours. Adult weekday lift ticket: $38 for any eight hours; $35 for any four hours. Junior weekday lift ticket: $28 for any eight hours; $26 for any four hours. Children 5 and younger are free when accompanied by an adult ticket holder. Group lesson: $25. Rental: adult, $24; child, $19. Snowboard (includes boots): $30.

Lifts: Two quad chairlifts, one triple, three doubles, two handle tows.

Slopes and trails: 38.

Vertical drop: 575 feet.

Address: Route 240, Glenwood, NY 14069; 1-716-592-4963; 1-716-592-4961 (ski reports).

Web site: www.kbski.com.

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Peek'n Peak

Adult weekend lift ticket: $51 for any eight hours; $48 for any four hours. Weekdays: $44 for any eight hours; $41 for any four hours. Junior (6 to 11) weekends: $38 for any eight hours; $35 for any four hours. Junior weekdays: $34 for any eight hours; $31 for any four hours. Seniors 65 and older and juniors 6-11: $33 every day. Five-year-olds ski free when accompanied by an adult with a valid lift ticket. Group lesson: $24. Rental: adult $25, child $20 for any eight hours on a weekend; adult $23, child $18 for any four hours on a weekend. Snowboard rental: adult $30, child $25 for any eight hours on a weekend; adult $28, child $23 for any four hours on a weekend. Cross-country rental: $9. Trail fee: $8.

Lifts: Six triple chairlifts, two doubles, two Magic Carpets.

Slopes and trails: 27.

Vertical drop: 400 feet.

Address: 1405 Olde Road, Box 360, Findley Lake, NY 14736; 1-716-355-4141.

Web site: www.pknpk.com.