It's still cold and still snowy in much of Canada and Colorado, destinations that comprise our focus this week for ski deals.
If you aren't sure where you want to go in Canada, two resources can help. Peruse the information on the ski tourism portal Ski Canadian Rockies (tel. 800/ALBERTA; www.skicanadianrockies.com) for an overview of the six resorts in Alberta, which boasts incredibly dry powder. For example, Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre (tel. 888/729-7343; www.sawridgejasper.com) in Jasper has a "three for two" skiing and snowboarding package, which provides three days of accommodations and lift tickets for Marmot Basin for the price of two, starting from $265 per person for travel through April 20. If you book Sunday through Thursday you can receive a $25 dining credit.
Additionally, SkiCan (tel. 888/4-SKICAN; www.skican.com) provides you with a downloadable PDF of all the possible specials at resorts across western Canada's ski destinations. Departures to Whistler/Blackcomb, British Columbia on April 3-7, for example, are priced at $1315 per person based on roundtrip flights from Toronto and Windsor. The price includes seven nights of accommodations, five lifts, the services of a local SkiCan representative and all taxes, except for the GST. The list of properties is extensive, with details about incentives and discounts for each one. Shorter excursions are possible -- five-day trips departing April 6 are priced at $1,160. Other departure cities are available for additional charges.
The ski tourism site for Banff, Alberta (tel. 877/542-2633; www.skibanff.com) has some promotions running. Right now you can stay at the Sunshine Inn from $139 per night; it's Banff's only ski-in, ski-out property, located at 7,000 feet in the Canadian Rockies. The hotel also offers room-only rates for those who want to come and don't want to ski, but you can also purchase lift tickets at a discounted rate. There is a special spring season overnight rate, from $119 per person, valid March 30 through the end of the season, for mid week (Sunday-Thursday) stays. You will have one night in superior room and receive one day of skiing at Sunshine Village. Other properties are also featured in the spring promo, such as the tucked away Hidden Ridge Resort, nestled in Tunnel Mountain. It is available in spring from $439 per person, including three nights of lodging and three days tri-area ski lift tickets, valid March 30 through the season's end.
Travelocity (tel. 888/TRAVELOCITY; www.travelocity.com) has several ski packages in both Colorado and Canada. First, Winter Park, Colorado's Vintage Resort offers roundtrip flight and three nights of accommodations, including from $321 per person. Or choose the Douglas Fir Resort and Chalets in Banff Alberta, which Travelocity rates at four and a half stars, from $686 for airfare and three nights of accommodations. The property is located on Tunnel Mountain and is about a mile from downtown Banff and within easy driving distance of other skiing spots such as Lake Louise and Banff Norquay. The rooms contain full kitchens, fireplaces, high-speed Internet access; there are no restaurants onsite. Additionally, the Sheraton Mountain Vista, located at the entrance to Beaver Creek Ski Resort, Vail Village and Ski Resort, for example, is available from $392 for flights and three nights' accommodations. These package prices are calculated based on departures from Dallas.
Ski.com (tel. 800/908-5000; www.ski.com) is a great clearinghouse for ski information of all kinds, and it has a number of good offers for spring ski travel. The one for the Wildwood Lodge in Snowmass, Colorado, is priced from $422-$927 per person, depending on travel dates. It includes four nights lodging, three days of skiing, a $50 lunch credit, complimentary airport transfers. The special is valid through April 13. Additionally, the Cascade Lodge in Whistler/Blackcomb area is also running a spring special, priced from $655 per person for travel March 30-April 20, for four nights of lodging in a two-bedroom unit, with three days of skiing and roundtrip airport transfers included. The price reflects mid-week to weekend travel. The property has an outdoor hot tub and pool; some of them have fireplaces and washer/dryers.
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