As winter starts to wind down, it's still possible to find some late-season specials, promotions and other incentives to get you to enjoy the last of it in the American west, which has seen an excess of snow all season.
American Airlines (tel. 800/433-7300; www.aa.com) features ski destinations in one of its current Internet fare sales, starting from $229 for a flight from Ft. Smith, Arkansas to either Jackson Hole, Wyoming or Gunnison/Crested Butte Colorado. The sale, which is valid for daily travel, just started several days ago and American routes such as Bloomington Illinois to Jackson Hole are on sale from $249; Chicago O'Hare to Montrose/Telluride is priced from $239; and flights from New York-JFK or New York LaGuardia to most of the destinations (Jackson Hole, Steamboat Springs, Gunnison/Crested Butte) are priced at $269. A one-night minimum stay is required, and you must purchase the tickets at least seven days in advance.
It's possible to find an inexpensive long weekend away in upstate New York, and the Empire State's tourism bureau (tel. 800/CALL-NYS; www.iloveny.com/cozyinns/) is offering a winter getaway sale. Right now, one of the properties, the Adirondack Hotel (tel. 518/624-4700; www.adirondackhotel.com) is available from $75 per night but other inns, hotels and cabins in the region are also part of the special. The Adirondack Hotel overlooks Long Lake and is a short drive from Blue Mountain skiing. The special is available for weekend stays through March 7; you must stay Friday and Saturday night in order to receive Sunday, the third night, for free.
Expedia (tel. 800/EXPEDIA; www.expedia.com) is offering a number of specials to the American west's popular skiing spots. One of them includes airfare and two nights in Breckenridge, starting from $255. It's available at Breckenridge Mountain Lodge for select dates through March but you must book by February 15. The best deals are possible if you can travel in mid-week when it's less crowed and generally less expensive, but you're not precluded from traveling on the weekend by any means. The advertised price reflects travel dates calculated February 25-27 with roundtrip airfare from Albuquerque, but other departures are not much more expensive: Seattle from $277, Chicago from $295 and New York City from $324. They include all taxes and fees, so there's nothing hidden about this.
In Colorado, Vail Cascade Resort and Spa (tel. 800/282-4183; www.vailcascade.com) is offering a $199 ski special for select dates: February 17-19 and 24-27, along with March 2, 9-12 and March 23-April 2. The rate does not include taxes and resort fee, but it is a good price for a four-diamond, luxury property with high-speed Internet access, pillow-top mattresses, and other room niceties. The slopes are of course nearby but on site, the resort has indoor and outdoor tennis courts and two heated indoor pools.
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