PORTLAND – Maine’s ski mountains are gearing up for the second year of the expanded Tin Mountain Round-Up. The program, sponsored by Ski Maine Association, allows skiers and snowboarders to hit the trails at discounted rates and help out area food pantries and nonprofits during the winter.

“The Tin Mountain Round-Up is a tradition that was started by Sugarloaf USA in 1985. Ski Maine has the opportunity to broaden the scope and help out those in our communities in ways we never imagined possible,” said Ski Maine Association Executive Director Greg Sweetser.

Skiers and snowboarders bring three cans of food in exchange for discounted lift tickets at their favorite ski mountain. Since 1985, Sugarloaf USA has collected more than 25,000 cans of food to benefit local food banks.

Ski Maine Association, a nonprofit organization that represents Maine’s 18 ski mountains, helped expand the program last year to seven other locations statewide. During the 2003/2004 Tin Mountain Round-up, 6,600 cans of food were collected by participating mountains.

The first event is scheduled at Sunday River on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 13 and 14. Skiers and snowboarders can purchase $20 lift tickets with their contribution. Proceeds benefit the Bethel Food Pantry.

Sugarloaf USA’s 18th Tin Mountain Round-Up will take place on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 20 and 21. Skiers and riders contribute three cans of food for a $21 lift ticket: all proceeds will benefit the United Methodist Economic Ministry of Salem.

Below is a list of participating mountains and the charities that will benefit from Tin Mountain Round-up. For more information, contact Sweetser or Heather Veitch at Ski Maine Association at 761-3774. A complete listing can be found at www.skimaine.com.

New Hermon: Dec. 10 and 11; Shawnee Peak: Dec. 11 and 12, Bridgton Food Pantry; Lost Valley in Auburn, Dec. 17 to 19; Saddleback in Rangeley, Dec. 18 to 25; Black Mountain, Dec. 20 to 22; Seacoast SnowPark, Jan. 7 to 9; Mount Abram, Jan. 29 and 30; Camden Snowbowl, to be scheduled.