It's close to mid ski season and while the resorts are enjoying peak season, there are still deals out there to entice you into a snow-filled getaway. With more than 25 individual ski resorts, Colorado is a skiing mecca, attracting experts to beginners, traditional down-hillers to snowboard hounds and everything in between. Specials and discounts are aplenty at Colorado resorts.
If you're the type of skier that wants to get out on the slopes the minute you arrive, then Beaver Creek (tel. 800/503-8748; www.beavercreek.snow.com/winterhome.asp) has a deal for you with its Fly In/Ski Free promotion. Fly direct to Vail/ Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) from cities like Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas/ Ft. Worth and Denver and ski for free the day of arrival. Show your boarding pass and Beaver Creek lodging confirmation at any ticket window and ski for free with a complimentary same-day lift ticket. If you are traveling with kids, the flight over can also cost less. Children aged two to 12 who fly into Vail/Eagle County Airport, accompanied by a paying adult (18+) can fly for free (one child free per adult). Reservations must include lodging to redeem this special offer. This offer is valid for both non-stop and connecting jet service into EGE. A two-night minimum stay is required. American Airlines' promotion is valid until February 15, 2008, for travel to EGE Sunday through Wednesday, and departing from EGE Tuesday to Friday. United Airlines' promotion is valid until February 14, 2008, for travel to EGE Sunday to Thursday, and departing from EGE Tuesday to Friday. For more information about children flying free, visit the Beaver Creek website (www.beavercreek.com) or telephone 800/587-4560.
In Beaver Creek, stay at Creekside (www.creekside-beavercreek.com) and take advantage of its Ski In/Ski Out package where you pay for three nights and get the fourth night accommodation and fourth day of skiing free. Prices start at $749 per person for stays from February 25 to March 1, 2008. At Arrowhead Village Condominiums, when you buy two nights lodging and two days skiing/riding, you will receive you an extra night and day in either a two or four bedroom condo. Prices start from $305 per person. Stay in a one or two bedroom condominium at Townsend Place (www.vbcrp.com/vbcrp/info/townsend_place_beaver_creek.aspx) between January 2 and February 9, February 21 to March 13 or March 23 to April 12, 2008 and save 30% off regular accommodation prices (up to $175 saving per night). Prices start from $243 per night but minimum night stays apply on weekends and during the month of March.
Perhaps not as well known as other Colorado resort villages, Arapahoe Basin (tel. 888/ARAPAHOE; www.arapahoebasin.com) also commonly referred to as "A-Basin," is less than 70 miles west of Denver in Summit County and boasts one of the longest ski seasons in North America (October through to June). Stay at the Mountain Vista Bed and Breakfast (tel. 800/333-5165; www.colorado-mtnvista.com) in nearby Silverthorne and ski A-Basin from $149 per room which includes bed and breakfast for two and two one day lift tickets. There is a two night minimum required for this rate which is available until February 14, 2008. Or stay in Keystone (tel. 800/248-1942; www.keytotherockies.com) and ski A-Basin from $65 to $85 per person per night based on a quad share. This package includes accommodation and one lift ticket per person per day exclusive of tax/surcharge. A two-night minimum stay is required and some black-out dates apply
Eldora Boulder Ski Escape (www.boulderskiescape.com) deems itself "Colorado's Most Affordable Ski Vacation" with great deals on Boulder lodging and Eldora lift ticket packages from as low as $64.50 per person for a one night stay. Eldora Mountain Resort is only a 30-minute drive from Boulder so you get the combination of a city lifestyle by night and perfect skiing by day. The Boulder Mountain Lodge (tel. 800/458-0882) offers a Ski Escape Package that includes two adult lift tickets to Eldora Ski Resort and a kitchenette room for one night for $126 (a saving of over $50). Their Deluxe Ski Package includes dinner for two at the Red Lion Inn, (a fifty dollar coupon), complimentary flaming dessert for two and champagne, two adult lift tickets to Eldora Ski Resort, and a Suite for one night at the Boulder Mountain Lodge, for $223 (a saving of over $75). These deals are valid until March 31, 2008. A National Register Landmark and member of the National Trust's Historic Hotels of America, the elegant Hotel Boulderado (tel. 800/433-4344; www.boulderado.com) has a Ski Escape package that includes guest room accommodation, two Eldora lift tickets, a $25 voucher for breakfast in bed or at Q's restaurant and valet parking. Prices start at $209 based on double occupancy.
Breckenridge (www.breckenridge.com) is offering its Ski Free Stay Free package where skiers and snowboarders can ski for three days and stay for three nights and get the fourth night of lodging and day of skiing for free. Packages start as low as $301 per person, based on double occupancy in a hotel room, representing a saving of 25% off regular rates. This deal is valid all ski season until April 20, 2008 with some blackout dates and restrictions.
Sunlight Mountain Resort (www.sunlightmtn.com) is located at northern end of the Elk Mountains between Aspen and Glenwood Springs. It offers a Ski, Swim and Stay package that lets you ski the resort, swim at the world's largest hot springs pool, and stay the night in beautiful Glenwood Springs for less than the cost of a single day lift ticket at most Colorado ski resorts. Package prices start at $90 per person depending on your choice of motel/hotel accommodation. Stay in a self-contained cabin at Glenwood Canyon Resort (tel. 800/970-6737; www.glenwoodcanyonresort.com), two miles from the hot springs and the Ski, Swim and Stay package is priced from $98 per person based on double occupancy with a free shuttle service to the resort and the hot springs included.
Winter Park (tel. 800/979-0332; www.skiwinterpark.com) offers several free night and lift ticket package options for multi-night stays. Spend the night on the slopes at the Zephyr Mountain Lodge (www.zephyrmountainlodge.com) for four nights and receive three free day lift tickets with rates starting at $635 per person. Or stay at the Vintage Hotel (www.vintagehotel.com), located near the entrance to Winter Park Resort for four nights and receive three day lift tickets with rates starting at $448 per person.
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