Counting today, you have just four shopping days to find the right gift for that skier on your list. For many of us the big gift has already arrived in the form of lower prices for gas and heating oil. The latter frees up more money for skiing and lower gas prices will make the trip to the mountains more affordable.

While the ski areas can’t pinpoint exactly how everything has contributed, most are reporting increases in season pass sales. One area operator I talked with at the Boston Ski Show said one skier on purchasing his pass remarked that he might get laid off so he was making sure he could ski. And many destination areas are reporting increases in advance reservations.

There are a number of factors, and the cost of oil is at the base of many. One is the higher prices for air fares and extra charges for luggage. Many skiers, who normally take a Western vacation, are choosing to ski close to home instead. Others who might take a cruise, which requires flying to their port of departure, are choosing to stay closer to home and skiing. Those air fares may be dropping with the price of fuel, but for skiers who have made their decisions it’s too late. This could be a real bonus for eastern ski resorts and day areas.

Melissa Rock at Shawnee Peak reported that season-pass sales are up, and with most reserved already she expected all of the condos to be booked for the vacation. She also said that gift card sales were busy with 90 percent being purchased on line. They also sell discount ski passes on line.

This is certainly an easy way out for Christmas gifts. All ski areas sell gift cards or certificates, either on-line or by phone, so you can make these purchases with a click or a call without leaving home.

At Lost Valley, Connie King said pass sales were at least even with last year and early sign ups for the various lesson programs were strong. The new pump allowed the area to make a lot more snow during the cold periods so there is plenty of skiing for the holiday period. She also expressed optimism that the two week vacation this year should be good for business during this important period.

The condos are full at Saddleback for the vacation, and Joanne Taylor said season pass sales were up 17 percent. Last weekend saw more skiers than last year and the new quad is running to enthusiastic reviews. Not only is it an easier ride than the old T-bar, but up off the ground the skiers are enjoying great views on the way up.

Mt. Abram had all kinds of activities for their grand opening this weekend and plans more for the extended vacation period. Their increase in snowmaking capacity also improves prospects for more skiing for the holidays.

Both Sunday River and Sugarloaf reported strong pass sales. Sunday River’s Darcy Liberty said reservations had been off but had picked up as the holidays got closer, and marketing vice president Jim Costello noted a big jump by midweek. The resorts have a number of promotions, one of which is the Twelve days of Christmas that started on the 14th. This involves gifts for guests and the details can be found on their Web sites. I learned from Ethan Austin at Sugarloaf that they were expecting at least 75 to 80 trails for this weekend and 10 or more lifts, with more to come depending on how much snow falls and how well temperatures stay low for snowmaking. And, don’t forget that new Chondola at Sunday River, which had its grand opening last night and promises that skiers will move much more quickly out of South Ridge during the busy weeks ahead. We’ll have a full report on that next week.

The best way to learn of all the various specials is to go to www.skimaine.com and click onto the various ski areas. Up-to-date ski reports are also available.

Last weekend, we traveled over to Vermont and the trip over was made more interesting by the ice storm. We saw plenty of results and a couple of detours but on the way home we were able to use our normal route. The damage could still be seen, but the roads had been cleared and crews were working to restore power. Fortunately, all of Maine’s ski areas and most of Vermont and New Hampshire’s escaped unscathed, at least as far as power losses were concerned.

The warm weather cost the areas some snow cover and the freezing rain left skiing surfaces in tough shape. That was Friday morning. By Friday night, the snowguns were going on some trails and the groomers were working on others. By Saturday morning, skiing surfaces were in good shape, firm, but easy skiing.

The rapid recovery, going from freezing rain and ice to machine groomed surfaces in 48 hours, tells us how our ski areas have progressed in recent seasons, and we can look forward to plenty of skiing the next two weeks. If the series of snowstorms in the forecasts materialize, it will be that much better, but the snowmakers and groomers are our insurance that there will be plenty of snow under those new Christmas skis.

So get out there and enjoy it. Merry Christmas.

Dave Irons is a freelance writer who lives in Westbrook.