Recent reports  (Politico here, the Hill here) say that lobbyist sponsored holiday parties for members of Congress will be modest this year, thanks to the recession, and, some say, tougher ethics rules. However, our Party Time database nevertheless documents more than 135 congressional fundraising parties this month–and counting–several with holiday themes.

While an ethics law passed in 2007 placed new restrictions lobbyist-sponsored bashes for lawmakers, these do not apply to fundraising events. Lobbyists may host or attend fundraisers with no restrictions other than the campaign contribution limits and reporting requirements under federal campaign finance law.

Upcoming holiday-themed fundraising parties include:

• a holiday breakfast next Tuesday for Rep. Mazie Hirono at the Democratic Club townhouse;
• a holiday reception yesterday evening for Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid at the Hotel George;
• A holiday weekend in New York December 11-13 benefiting Rep. Carolyn Maloney, featuring several meals, two tickets to the Broadway production of South Pacific, and entre to “two issues breakfasts during 2010 in Washington, DC.” (Perhaps they meant 2011?) Cost is $5,000 per PAC, given or raised, or $4,800 per individual, the legal maximum.

Party Time’s database shows only 38 congressional fundraisers held in December 2008. It is difficult to say whether this year’s increase is because there is more partying, or because we’re a year away from an election instead of one month after one, or–another possiblity–because our anonymous lobbyist sources have given us more invitations this holiday season than last.

If an email could shout, the one I received this morning from a vacation lodging company would do it. “The snow is falling! Aspen/Snowmass has already received 2 feet of snow and more is on the way.” Yes, this is the time of year when we Denverites start to fantasize about how much snow is falling where and how we can manage to dodge traffic on I-70 to get to the mountains and start skiing on it.

And according to our Party Time database, at least five lawmakers have dreams of white fluffy stuff too–although to attend you or your PAC would have to chip in anywhere from $2,300 to $5,000 attend.

Here in Colorado, my own representative Colorado Democrat Rep. Diana Degette is planning a Vail ski weekend from Jan. 2 through Jan. 5.  The following week, Jan. 8 -11, Rep. Carolyn B Maloney (D-NY) is also planning a Vail get away. The same weekend, Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) is planning to ski in nearby Beaver Creek in an event to benefit his leadership PAC, First State PAC.

Not that everybody skis in Colorado. Over in Idaho there are some big hills too. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) is planning his annual ski fest in Sun Valley for February 6 – 8. And then there’s of course Alaska. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) plans to celebrate the 37th Iditarod with some skiing at the Aleyeska ski resort.

Perhaps there are other skiing fundraising events planned that we don’t know about. If you have heard about them, please send the information our way.