JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) - Snow King Resort, Teton County's most affordable ski resort, got a little less expensive by offering an unlimited number of $99 season passes on sale from Aug. 1 through Labor Day.

Snow King Ski Area Manager Jim Sullivan said the discounted passes will allow skiers and snowboarders unlimited access to the ski area seven days and five nights per week, with no blackouts or restrictions.

"We're the community ski area and we're trying to promote that," Sullivan said. "We want it to be affordable for everyone and we want to show people that skiing doesn't have to be expensive."

Sullivan said Snow King decided to slash season pass prices after reviewing the success of a group discount program that Snow King has offered for the past two winters. That program, which the resort did not advertise, offered skiers the option of purchasing passes in groups of 10 at a discounted rate of $99.

"Word of mouth just made that program a huge success," he said. "We sold 400 more passes last year than we did the previous season and we decided that $99 is the number that people are looking for to get a real value."

Last year, Snow King opened for the season on Nov. 19 and offered 138 days of skiing. In addition to ski privileges, passholders are entitled to downhill rides on the Snow King scenic chairlift and half-price rides on the Alpine Slide for the remainder of the summer and a $2 discount at King Tubes tubing park.

After the sale ends Sept. 6, season passes will increase to $150 for adults and $125 for juniors until Nov. 1. After Nov. 1, pass prices will be $199 for adults and $149 for juniors.

Unrestricted season passes to Grand Targhee Ski and Summer Resort are now on sale and cost $399 for adults, $299 for high school students ages 15-18 and $169 for juniors 14 and younger and seniors 62 and older.

Restricted season passes, which are blacked out on Saturdays and holiday periods, cost $199 for adults, $179 for high school students and $149 for juniors and seniors. After Labor Day, Grand Targhee's prices increase by $50 per pass.

Season pass prices for the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort are still being finalized, according to resort spokeswoman Anna Olson.

On the Net: Snow King Ski Area: http://www.snowking.com

AP-WS-07-25-04 1251EDT