Sloping Toward A Snow Break

A seniors Winter Adventure package is in store for ski buffs at the Montecito-Sequoia Lodge, located in the Sequoia National Forest at an elevation of 7,500 feet. Driving time from Los Angeles is about five hours. Special rates have been set aside for seniors on two dates in 1997: Feb. 23 to 28 and March 9 to 14. Regular rates are $395 for four nights. The senior package is $395 for five nights, per person, double occupancy. It includes: a lodge room with private bath; 14 buffet meals--breakfast, lunch and dinner daily; 24-hour hospitality bar for hot and cold drinks, snacks and social hour treats, excluding alcohol; daily cross-country ski lesson, instructional tour, a snowshoe tour or a guided winter hike; and a variety of afternoon and evening recreational programs.

All package arrivals are scheduled on a Sunday. A series of entertainment programs will include a slide show about the area, introduction to staff members, casino night and auction, snowshoe photo tour, musical entertainment, ski “football,” an evening lecture by a park ranger, ski demonstrations, races, awards and a variety show.

Skis and snowshoes are not included in the package price, but equipment rentals are available.

In additional to the winter ski programs, there are three- or five-day national park tour packages in fall or spring, which run from April 15 to Nov. 15. For brochures on these or the Winter Adventure package, call (800) 227-9900.

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For those who want to slow down the passing scenery when they travel abroad, bicycle tours are a good option. Holland Bicycling Tours (HBT) provides such tours, which are not limited to just Holland--or just seniors. HTB’s 1997 programs also include Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Portugal and Switzerland.

Travel is via small country roads and bike paths with sparse automobile traffic. Daily distances are 25 to 35 miles. Bikers are accompanied by vans, which will transport those who want to ride for a while.

All tours include breakfast and dinner each day, hotel accommodations and 21-speed bicycles. Prices listed are per person on a double occupancy basis. Single occupancy lodging is available at additional cost. Air fare is not included.

Among the scheduled destinations for 1997:

* The Alentejo region of Portugal--10 days, April 8 to 18. Cycling through rolling hills covered with cork oaks, olive trees and wheat fields in spring, when temperatures are ideal for bicycling. Spas, ancient castle ruins, market towns and villages with Moorish and Arabic influences are on the itinerary. Price $1,850.

* Romantic Road and Bavaria--12 days, June 17 to 29. Through southern Germany’s wine country via historical and medieval towns surrounded by walls and ancient towers. Participants will see rolling terrain, onion-dome churches, carved balconies and homes with fairy tales painted on them. Includes Wittenburg monastery, Regensburg and other stops. Price $1,950.

In addition, there is a Swiss Lakes Tour Aug. 1 to 13 priced at $2,050, and four bicycle tours in various areas of Holland, which are described in the free HBT catalog. For a copy, call Holland Bicycling Tours at (800) 852-3258.