Vail is taking many eco-sensitve measures in the ongoing construction of its $1 billion Ever Vail project at the base of Vail Mountain. Among them are using water from snowmelt rather than potable water for toilets, covering roofs with soil and grasses to reduce solar heat accumulation and installing small turbines in Gore Creek to power street lighting.

Another trend at winter resorts is a gravitation to upscale.

"Luxury is booming, and it often the first to sell out," said Dan Sherman of ski.com, which says it is the largest seller of ski packages in America.

Opening in January will be Vail's first new luxury resort in 25 years, The Arrabelle at Vail Square. It will have 36 luxury hotel rooms, 50 condos, 67 residences and penthouses and a spa. Snowbird has a new residence club with private condos. Crested Butte has spent $25 million to turn the Elevation Hotel into a four-star luxury ski-in, ski-out property. In Mammoth, the 230-condo Westin Monache Resort opens this month, becoming what the company says is the first upper-upscale resort at that venue.

But luxury isn't just about new lodgings. Vail and Beaver Creek rent out part of the mountain before opening hours to well-heeled skiers. Steamboat offers private sleigh rides. Keystone serves gourmet meals prepared by award-winning chefs in a new yurt miles from any lifts or restaurants. And SnoDaisy Snowboarding offers four-night luxury snowboarding trips for women at Park City starting at $3,500 per person.

Technology is invading the slopes as well. This season, Alta is implementing a new radio-frequency identification ticketing system. No more showing a pass at every lift, no more stopping at the ticket office every morning. Skiers get an Alta Card loaded electronically with all necessary information, put it in a pocket and leave it there the whole day. Antennas do the rest.

And then there's ski fashion. What's in this year, what's not?

"You won't believe this, but snowboarders are wearing one-piece suits. That used to be a real "faux pas" for them," said Joan Christensen, who represents Specialty Sports Venture, operator of a number of ski shops.

Fabrics are moving toward lighter and warmer, she said, but the most prevailing trend, she said, is technology. "New outfits are wired to MP3 and cell phones, in jackets and helmets," said Christensen.

How times have changed. Now a skier can hurtle down a slope listening to the Beatles or Beethoven, or chat with a friend a thousand miles away. All, as Christensen puts it, because they're "wireless wired."

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