(MONEY Magazine) – Experienced skiers eager for bargains have long known a simple fact: The spring's the thing. At many resorts, lodging and lift prices drop by 30% to 40% around the third week of March, although the most popular resorts tend not to discount until after Easter (April 11 this year). And lift lines grow shorter as the days get longer and temperatures rise. Here are six great bargains (prices are per person, double occupancy, unless otherwise noted):

-- NEW ENGLAND. Vermont's Killington (800-372-2007), the king of spring skiing, didn't close until June 14 last year. Starting March 15, $704 buys a five-day, midweek stay -- including lift tickets -- for two adults and two children 12 or younger at the Comfort Inn in Rutland, 16 miles west. Sunday River in Bethel, Maine (800-543-2754) welcomes spring skiers beginning March 21 with a $59-a-night midweek special that includes lodging at the Snow Cap Inn and a ski pass.

-- CANADA. The Laurentian Mountains sport 26 alpine centers within a 40-mile radius, all less than an hour-and-a-half drive from Montreal. Mont Tremblant is the focal point, and spring prices at Club Tremblant (800-363-2413), 90 miles north of Montreal, kick in March 19. For about $510 (U.S.), you'll get five nights in a suite, three meals daily, six days of lift tickets and 16 hours of instruction. Whistler/Blackcomb (800-944-7853), in British Columbia, has become one of North America's hottest ski destinations, and the skiing is usually terrific through April. A five-night, four-day April package for about $360 at one of the 27 mid-price condos, hotels and bed and breakfasts gives you a room in Whistler village, lift tickets and transfers by bus from Vancouver, 2 1/2 hours away.

-- THE WEST. At Snowbird (800-453-3000), just 25 miles west of Salt Lake City, a three-night midweek package including air fare via American or Continental, lift tickets and a room at The Inn costs $499 from Los Angeles and $617 from New York City. Snowbird's spring season starts March 21. If you've always wanted to ski Vail or its sophisticated sister resort, Beaver Creek, spring is the perfect time. From April 3 to 18, Vail/Beaver Creek (800-525-2257) offers a five-night package, including lift tickets and ground transfers by van from Denver's Stapleton Airport, two hours away. Prices start at $561 at the Vail Village Inn or the Vail Racquet Club, $647 in Beaver Creek at the Centennial.