AUBURN — Lost Valley has partnered with Sunday River and Sugarloaf ski areas to offer a learn-to-ski/snowboard discount.

The partnership is the first between Lost Valley and Maine's largest ski areas, and came about after the idea was floated by the big mountains.

"They approached us," said Connie King, one of Lost Valley's two owners. "We're very excited about working with Sunday River and Sugarloaf. It's the first time we've ever done anything like this. I don't know why we never thought of this before."

The discount offers a day of skiing or snowboarding, equipment rental and a lesson at Lost Valley, and then two more days of skiing and rentals, one at Lost Valley and one at either Sugarloaf or Sunday River. The package is $89 and is available at Lost Valley.

King said Lost Valley is also partnering with three other ski areas in Maine — Black Mountain in Rumford, Titcomb Mountain in Farmington and the Camden Snow Bowl. A season pass holder at any one of the four ski areas can use their pass to get two-for-one skiing at any of the three other hills throughout the season, she said.

King cited the slow economy as one reason for the affiliations. "We decided it's time we all worked together — not that we were working against each other," she said.

Lost Valley is hosting its annual Fall Festival and Season Pass Madness from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 4, featuring a day of music, demonstrations, paintball and extreme sports simulators, including Bungee jumping and rock wall climbing.