BLANDFORD, Massachusetts — During the weekend of January 26-28, 2007, the Springfield Ski Club’s Blandford Ski Area is proud to offer complimentary lift tickets to all active-duty and reserve personnel in all branches of the military. In addition, immediate family members living in the same household are also eligible for free lift tickets. All that’s needed is to show your military ID at the Military Weekend Ticket Window.

“We feel it’s the least we can do for those that give so much to protect what many of us take for granted” says club vice president Jay Pagluica. “Since Blandford has always been a family oriented ski area, we wanted to extend the free lift ticket offer to military families as well. It’s not always easy having a family member in the military. It’s just our way of saying ‘thanks’.”

This year’s Military Appreciation Weekend is dedicated to the memory of Colonel William T. Whitman who passed away on Oct. 3, 2006. “Bill was the first to suggest that the ski area host some kind of event to honor those that serve our country and worked hard to spread the word. He was well respected in all he did and will be missed on the mountain” according to Pagluica.

Military Appreciation Weekend will run Friday, Jan. 26, 0830-2100, Saturday Jan. 27 0830-2100 and Sunday Jan. 28 0830-1600. Ski or snowboard rentals and lessons are available at the mountain’s regular rates. More information and a list of events for the weekend can be found at www.skiblandford.org or by calling the Blandford Ski Area at 413.848.2860.