The continuing rise in the cost of airline jet fuel has forced air carriers to scrutinize the profit margin on all scheduled routes. It is sure to follow that they will be cutting back the number of flights that have not been, at least marginally, profitable and of course they'll be raising ticket prices on the flights remaining.

This projected action by airlines has our major ski destination resorts doing some summer squirming to guarantee enough seats are available to accommodate vacationing skiers. In the past, all it took for resorts to make sure these seats will be there was to pony up a subsidy that would guarantee the airlines at least broke a little better than even. Now, the cost of this subsidized guarantee will probably double or triple - if in fact, the airlines will even consider taking the bait.

It's not too early for ski resorts, especially remote areas, to start thinking outside the box as far as getting early reservation from skiers. Well, Crested Butte is the first out of the box on this one and their efforts are sure to coach the vacation skiers attention with these offers:

• The option to fly direct to Crested Butte from new markets that include Salt Lake City, Chicago, and Atlanta. This guarantees an additional 6,000 seats available for travel into the Gunnison/Crested Butte Regional Airport

• The "Friends and Family Fly Free" offer can save a family of four an average of $700 per trip when booking early and booking their ski vacation through Crested Butte Vacations.

• Also, the ski area is issuing $30 baggage credits - $15 per way - for the first bag checked by each traveler in and out of Gunnison/Crested Butte Regional Airport.

There are some booking deadline restrictions as to combining the Fly Free offer and the baggage credit. However, it is a pretty sure bet that Crested Butte getting out front with a great offer like this those new markets will be filling most if not all of those extra airline seats.

And, if you think that's me sitting next to you on the way to Crested Butte be sure to say "Hello!"

_{Family at Crested Butte © Crested Butte Mountain Resort}