Sierra Resort will kick off the 2009-2010 winter season this coming Dec. 5. Sierra Resort was recently ranked as a top 10 Resort in the 2010 TransWorld SNOWboarding Readers Guide.

Easy Rider Express and Rock Garden chairlifts will open to the public at 9am, accessing three beginner trails – Broadway, Lower Sleighride and Echo. There will be five terrain park features on Broadway including new and improved boxes and a corrugated pipe for jibbing.

“We definitely have early season conditions on the mountain,” John Rice, general manager, said in a press release. “But we know our skiers and riders are hungry to get those first couple of runs in and take a few laps through the Broadway terrain park. This weekend is just a teaser for things to come this winter.”

Early season lift tickets are available for $35 for adults, $25 for young adults, $15 for children and seniors 70+, and $35 for seniors 65-69. Sierra Resort will offer beginner group and private lessons, daycare, ski and snowboard rentals and dining in Mama’s Kitchen and the Sierra Pub & Deli. Sierra Mountain Sports will also be open for those who want to start their holiday shopping – or their holiday wish lists.

New this season, Sierra Resort has taken a direct shot at the price barrier to learning a new sport in a tough economy with a $35 beginner package that includes a limited access lift ticket, rental equipment and a 2½ hour lesson. Friends and families can now spend an entire day on the slopes, learning a new sport, for less than the cost of going out to dinner and a movie together. The $35 Learn to Ski/Snowboard package is valid for adults age 13+, Sunday through Friday, non-holiday and excluding restricted dates. It is available in limited quantities and only online at SierraAtTahoe.com.

For the latest snow and weather updates, please go to www.SierraAtTahoe.com or call the Snow Phone at (530) 659.7475.