Frontier Floats Amazing Air/Lodging Deal
Book a five-night or longer lift/lodging/air package to Aspen or Snowmass utilizing Frontier Airlines and get a free second airline ticket and one free day and night at the resort. That's a two-for-the-price-of-one airfare and five-for-four lodging and lift tickets. There are no blackout dates, but don't expect to be able to travel on weekends. The offer is not available on-line and can only be booked by calling tel. 888/649-5982.
Steamboat's New Two-Night Getaway Packages Also Include Kids Free
The new two-day, two-night Breakaway Package at Steamboat (tel. 877/237-2628; www.steamboat.com/breakaway) starts at $98 per person, per night for double-occupancy lodging and lifts. Steamboat has also departed from its long-standing Kids Ski Free policy requiring at least a five-night stay. Kids 12 and under now ski and stay free on this short Breakaway package on a one-on-one basis with parents.
Copper Mountain Promotes Value Offerings
Copper Mountain (tel. 866/534-7444; www.coppercolorado.com) introduces a lift/lodging package starting at $96 per person, per night that features Beeline Advantage lift access -- kind of like an express lane to shortcut lift waits. The resort's Tucker Mountain snowcats transport skiers and riders to more than 1,200 vertical feet of expert terrain on Tucker Mountain. The first-come, first-served ride is free and offered between 10am and 1:30pm, weather and snow conditions permitting.
Sun Valley Shines with Sensational Family Deals
Children to age 11 fly free in conjunction with Mar. 1-31 packages booked on Horizon Air Getaways (tel. 877/359-4674; www.horizonairgetaways.com) via non-stop flights from Los Angeles (LAX) and Seattle (SEA) to Sun Valley/Ketchum (SUN) Airport in conjunction with lodging packages, with off-peak adult fares Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. Youngsters 15 and under also ski and stay free at participating Wood River Valley lodging properties and even eat free at participating restaurants. Tickets can be purchased up until the end of the promotional period.
Crested Butte Visitors Can Accrue Points for Free Flights
Visitors who book a five-night or longer stay at the newly renovate slopeside Elevation Hotel & Spa through Crested Butte Vacations (tel. 800/810-7669) begin accruing points for additional activities and services. These include equipment rental, group ski lessons, guided snowmobile tours, massages, airport transfers, and Nordic skiing (1 point each); skiing (3 points for a four-day lift), private lessons (6 points), and more. Once the vacation is selected, the points are tallied, and two free round-trip airline tickets are rewarded for every 18 points accrued. Availability is limited and only via phone reservations.
Grand Targhee Enhances 'Cat Skiing Program
Grand Targhee (tel. 800/827-4433; www.grandtarghee.com), the vest-pocket Wyoming resort that is road-accessed via Idaho, has added 10 new routes on Peaked Mountain that are reached only by snowcat. The resort has begun grooming two tracks in its snowcat-served terrain to enable intermediate skiers and snowboarders to enjoy the backcountry-style experience without struggling in deep, ungroomed snow. Groups average 10 to 12 runs (14,000 to 20,000 vertical feet). A full day of guided skiing/riding is $399 (half-day, $299), including snacks, lunch, beverages and a souvenir mug -- a great deal in comparison with comparable terrain via helicopter. Reservations required; visit the Activity Center at the resort or call tel. 800/827-4433, Ext. 1355. Fat skis are available for rent.
Family-Owned Aspen Lodge Upgraded But Still Traditional
Aspen's Limelight Lodge (tel. 800/433-0832; www.limelightlodge.com) celebrated its 50th anniversary at the start of the 2008-09 ski season. Various expansions and renovations have increased the family-owned lodge to the current 128 rooms. It is pet-friendly and also maintains such ski traditions as expanded complimentary continental breakfast and après-ski wine, hot drinks and hors d'oeuvres, plus inter-mountain ski transfer, courtesy of Four Mountain Sports.
