JOTTINGS IN A JOURNAL; GLIDING THE WIDE BLUE SKY OVER VAIL.

If you've always envied the daredevils who ski the trees but had too much fear - or sense - to try it yourself, Vail, Colo., has a lift ticket for you. The Colorado ski behemoth has stretched farther into the Rockies with the opening this month of the 520-acre Blue Sky Basin. The new area has ``groomed glades'' on the north-facing slopes of two bowls, designed to give intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders a chance to glide among groves of fir. Powder hounds will find ungroomed terrain as well.

The area is part of a planned 885-acre expansion that stirred controversy among environmentalists, whose concerns included the potential disruption of lynx habitat. Arson fires, still under investigation, damaged several buildings and chairlifts in 1998, including two buildings housing slopeside restaurants. The structures have been rebuilt and the restaurants - Two Elk and Buffalo's - are open this season.

Three new high-speed quad lifts serve Blue Sky Basin, which increases Vail's skiable terrain to 5,160 acres. Information: [phone]. Web: www.vail.com.

UNDERGROUND SKI TRAINS TO ALPS 

Eurostar, the passenger train service through the English Channel Tunnel, started with a simple London-Paris route but periodically expands service between London and elsewhere on the Continent.

The latest twist: ski trains between London and the French Alps. The service started recently and is to continue through April, running twice a week from London and Ashford, England, to Moutiers, Aime le Plagne and Bourg-St.-Maurice and back.

Fares start at $172 standard class. Information: [phone]. Web: www.raileurope.com.

FUTURE HOLDS MORE CRUISES

Travel agencies around the country expect this to be another good year for selling cruises, according to a study conducted by the Cruise Lines International Association. Eighty-five percent of the agencies surveyed said they expect bookings to increase this year over last, when sales were strong, and one in four expected ``substantial'' gains.

The survey also showed that 40 percent of cruise passengers were first- timers. That's good news for the industry, which is trying to tap into the vast number of Americans who never have taken a cruise.

According to the survey, seven-day cruises are most popular, and three- and four-day cruises are bought almost twice as often as cruises of 10 or more days.

The agencies said referrals were the primary source for cruise business, cited by 92 percent of respondents. That was followed by direct mail, noted by 68 percent of the agencies - which explains why those cruise notices keep showing up in the mailbox.

IT WON'T COST AND ARM AND A LEG

Having difficulty finding a San Francisco hotel room under three figures? Hotel Reservations Network - www.hoteldiscount.com - is offering low rates for several properties through March 31, including the Clarion Bedford ($89), Ramada Airport ($79) and the Wyndham Pickwick ($99).

The online company is also offering several low rates for lodging near Disneyland over the same dates, including the Doubletree Anaheim ($89) and the Radisson Maingate ($79).

BRAZIL TO HEAT UP TORONTO FESTIVAL

This year's winter festival in Toronto will feature the hot music, food and dancing of Brazil, plus free pancakes and two world-class ice shows.

The 20th annual Winterfest will be held Feb. 11-13 in two locations, Mel Lastman and Nathan Phillips squares.

The festival will also feature stunt shows, ski and snowboard demonstrations on the trampoline, and various midways.

For information, call (416)-338-0338. Web: www.city.toronto.on.ca.

- Staff and Wire Services