The specific promotions described in this article have now passed, but it remains online so that the resources named will be of future use to travelers.
Ski Free Returns to Crested Butte
The popular early-season "Ski Free" program is reinstituted at Crested Butte, Colo., from Nov. 25 through Dec. 16 with lodging beginning at $84 per person, per night. The package must be booked by phone through Crested Butte Vacations at tel. 800/810-7669.Â
Early Booking Savings at Whistler
Olympic excitement notwithstanding, Whistler, B.C. (tel.. 888/403-4727; www.whistlerblackcomb.com) is enticing visitors with early-booking discounts up to 39% for all but the Christmas-New Year holidays -- though in truth, getting space during the Games themselves will be dicey. The four-night, three-day "Experience Package" for lodging and discounted lift tickets begins at US$79 nightly per person, per night. The "Family Package" begins at US$88 per adult, with one child to age 12 per adult ree for lodging, lift tickets and airport transfer. Family Package must be booked by phone, and all early-booking packages must be done by Nov. 15.
Big Savings at Spring Ranch
Beautiful Spring Creek Ranch (tel. 800/443-6139; www.springcreekranch.com) located on a high mesa between the town of Jackson and the Jackson Hole ski resort has a season-long package starting at $87.50 nightly per person, a 50% saving on lodging and includes free lift tickets and also complimentary shuttle to the lifts or to town.
Luxurious Fairmont Hotels Offer Value Packages
"Fairmont" is Canadian for luxury, and the Toronto-based company's seven ski country hotels in Canada and elsewhere have announced a variety of value packages for 2009-10 (tel. 800/441-1414; www.fairmont.com). Examples? The deadline for the Fairmont Chateau Whistler's 4- or 7-night "Book & Save" package is Nov. 15 to include free skiing through Apr. 15. Stay five nights at the Fairmont Heritage Place Franz Klammer Lodge at Telluride, Colo.'s Mountain Village on a lift/lodging package and get a sixth day and night free -- plus complimentary transportation from Montrose Airport and other extras.
Stay at Aspen's Luxurious Little Nell and Ski Free
The Little Nell (tel. 888/843-6355 or 970/920-4600; www.thelittlenell.com), Aspen's only ski-in, ski-out property, reopens following an $18 million room renovation, with a first-ever "Ski Free" package. Up to two free lift tickets a day are included in the room rate during the 2009-10 ski season. Rates begin at $395 per night.
Sundance Early Bird Package Includes Extras
At Sundance Resort, Utah (tel. 877/831-6224; www.sundanceresort.com), the "Early Bird" ski vacation and enjoy an exquisite room, breakfast, lift tickets, and upgraded amenity bag for post-ski munching starting at $375 nightly for two people. A three-night minimum stay is required, and it must be booked by Oct. 31.
K50 Ticket Shaves Price of Skiing/Riding at Killington
The K50 lift tickets is good for a day of skiing or riding at Killington, Vt. (tel. 802/422-3333; www.killington.com) for just $50 a day. Available for purchase online only, skiers/riders may prepurchase up to four K50 lift tickets for $50 each by the Oct. 15. Regular daily window rates for 2009-10 are $82 on Saturday and peak days, $77 non-peak Sundays through Fridays, non-Peak. There are 17 K50 blackout days, but with a season that lasts from early November through early May, there are plenty of days to use this K50 ticket.
Progressive Savings on Sugarloaf Ski/Stay Packages
Book any "Early Savings" ski/stay package of two nights or longer at Sugarloaf, Me. (tel. 800/THE-LOAF; www.sugarloaf.com) during the 2009-10 season and save $100 if booked before Oct. 15, $75 before Nov. 15 and $50 before Dec. 15. All packages include lift tickets, slopeside lodging and free adult Perfect Turn clinics each day -- plus breakfast daily if staying at the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel.
Tour Operator Books Packages with Free Add-On Day
Rocky Mountain Tours (tel. 800/525-SKIS; www.skithewest.com) is one-stop shopping for packages offering a fifth day/night free when booking four to Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Jackson, or Steamboat. Some have an early-booking deadline.
