It's never too early to think about next year's ski and snowboard season, especially in light of the inspiring powder dumping that took place last week (and is slated to continue this weekend).

Tahoe area resorts are already offering deals on 2012-13 season passes.

The best deals are the packages offered by the three Vail Resorts holdings of Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood. Put $49 down before April 15, and you are guaranteed the current going rate of $419 for the Tahoe Local Pass, which gets you seven-days-a-week access to all three resorts with some holiday restrictions. The Tahoe Value Pass goes for $379, which is good every day at Heavenly and Sunday through Friday at Northstar and Kirkwood (but carries full holiday restrictions). The remainder of the balance on either pass option is due by mid-September. Detailed information is available at epicpass.com.

Mount Rose-Ski Lake Tahoe is selling its Spring Pass, which goes for $469 for skiers and riders between the ages of 23 and 64 and $319 for seniors (65+) and youth (13-22).  That may seem like a lot of dough until you consider the Spring Pass is good not only for the remainder of this season but also for all of next. Details available here.

And Sugar Bowl has a variety of Core Passes for next season -- ranging from $299 to $849, depending on age and range of restrictions -- that if you buy now you can use for the remainder of this season. Log on to Sugarbowl's site for details.