SAM Magazine--New York, February 1, 2007--With state-owned ski areas already exempt from sales taxes on equipment and energy purchases, the time may have come for private ski areas in New York to reap some tax benefits of their own. Under a bill proposed by State Senator Elizabeth Little, private resorts could see tax relief from sales and use taxes paid on energy used to operate snowmaking equipment. Little has proposed the legislation for the past eight years, but warmer temperatures this season coupled with dismal natural snowfall has brought new economic pressures on the state's ski industry. And the savings could be substantial. West Mountain Ski Center in Queensbury estimates their annual savings, should the bill pass, would be approximately $15,000. \