If it snows, they will come.

That's the cross-your-fingers forecast for Tahoe ski areas during a season that will see many snow-sports enthusiasts tightening their belts along with their boots and bindings.

"Historically, good snow helps a lot, because as opposed to our colleagues in Colorado, 85 percent of our business is drive-up," says Bob Roberts, executive director of the California Snow Industry Association, a trade group.

Gloomy economic times or no, there might be no better cure for the wintertime blues than a day of hard exercise in the snow zone. And it doesn't have to break the bank: Those who own their own gear will pay anywhere from $29 (selected days at Homewood) to about $85 (the projected holiday rate at Heavenly) to spend a day riding up and sliding down the mountains that make Tahoe one of the nation's premier winter destinations.

Add three-quarters of a tank of gas for the trip up the hill, and you can be looking at a memorable day of fresh-air fun for under $100.

Visitors who strategize can realize substantial savings through season passes, multiday tickets, loyalty programs, tie-ins with other businesses and Internet-only deals. Buy that Heavenly lift ticket at Save Mart, for example, and you'll knock $15 off the ticket-window price. Check into the Bear Valley Lodge midweek, and you can sleep in a bed and ride the lifts for just $70 per person.

For those who recognize the value of instruction, Sugar Bowl offers what is perhaps the best deal at the lake: Its midweek "general admission" promotion includes rentals and a two-hour lesson at any level with purchase of a $66 lift ticket.

"Frankly, it's a good year to live in Northern California, because we have so many activities at our fingertips," says Rachel Woods, spokeswoman for Alpine Meadows and Homewood Mountain Resort. "All the mountains are offering some very good deals to make sure their products are accessible and affordable."

'Bang for the dollar'

"There's obvious concern that the numbers are going to dip unless we deliver more bang for the dollar," says Sugar Bowl spokesman John Monson. "We're focusing on a very value-driven message."

Last season, Sierra ski resorts counted about 7.2 million visitors – up 700,000 from the year before but far below the 8.3 million visits recorded three years ago, when early and late snowstorms extended the season on both ends.

International marketing by high-profile resorts like Heavenly helps plump up the numbers and polish Tahoe's image, regardless of how weather affects the drive-up market.

"We literally get more people from the U.K. than we do from Sacramento," says Heavenly spokesman Russ Pecoraro. "What I think is important for folks in Sacramento to realize is that right in their backyard, they've got the kind of resorts people will get on a plane to visit."

Another advantage of living in the rubber-tire market: Proximity makes it possible to delay plans if the weather turns bad – or to be spontaneous on a powder day. New Internet applications such as an interactive radar feature adopted this year by Northstar and Sierra will make it even easier to pinpoint windows of opportunity.

Resorts also are connecting with consumers through partnerships with other businesses. REI, Costco and Snowbomb.com, for example, all sell lift tickets at a discount.

Don't want to go alone? Go online and find a buddy through a carpool forum, such as those offered by Kirkwood, Squaw Valley, Sugar Bowl and Alpine Meadows. Another option: Join a club or take advantage of shuttle-bus service offered through Sacramento-based Alpine Adventures (www.alpineadventures.com).

Feeling left out? If your friend snowboards and you've been wondering what all the fuss is about, check out bargain deals for first-timers. Nine Tahoe-area resorts are participating in Learn to Ski and Board Weekend on Dec. 13-14, and several have circled additional dates on their calendars when novices can get a lift ticket, rental equipment and a group lesson for around $25.