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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
   
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Summary
Financial Data," "Selected Financial Data," and "Experts" and to the use of our
reports dated January 16, 1998, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of Booth Creek Ski Holdings, Inc., dated September 30, 1997, with
respect to the combined financial statements of The Resort Group of Fibreboard
Corporation (wholly-owned subsidiaries of Fibreboard Corporation), dated January
25, 1997 and September 30, 1997, with respect to the combined financial
statements of Waterville Valley Ski Area., Ltd., dated May 15, 1997, with
respect to the combined financial statements of Ski Lifts, Inc., and dated June
27, 1997, with respect to the combined financial statements of Grand Targhee
Incorporated, included in Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form
S-4 and related Prospectus of Booth Creek Ski Holdings, Inc. for the
registration of $17,500,000 of its 12.5% Series B Senior Notes due 2007.
    
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Sacramento, California
   
May 4, 1998