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.
With Keystone and Copper Mountain joining Arapahoe Basin and Loveland in Colorado (as well as Killington in Vermont and Mt. Washington in British Columbia) when they open tomorrow (November 4), the nascent ski/ride season is just getting started. In a mere month, most of the big ski areas will be open.
After early snow in the Northern Rockies helped get the season off to an early start nearly a month ago, the pattern continued with two recent snowstorms in some of North America's best ski regions.
The early snow is a good omen for the La Niña weather pattern to deliver above-average snowfall the second straight season. With that in mind, book one of these great ski and snowboarding travel deals before the blizzard.
Vermont
Killington Resort has an early season special for a "5-Day Killington Ski Week" arriving Sunday and departing Friday starting at $76 per person per night. During regular season, the nightly rate starts at $84 per person.
Topnotch Resort and Spa near Stowe Mountain Resort is offering a ski-and-stay package starting at $270 for lodging for two and two lift tickets.
Colorado
Steamboat is offering a "ski free" deal when you book three or more nights of lodging from Nov. 23 through Dec. 16.
Fly to Telluride with American Airlines and receive 10% off your flight from numerous U.S. cities when you book with lodging.
Utah
The Best Western Landmark Inn in Park City has some excellent ski-and-stay packages, with a Canyons package starting at $100 per person per night and a four-night package with tickets for any of the three Park City resorts (Canyons, Park City Mountain Resort, and Deer Valley) for $599 for two.
Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park is another great winter destination with numerous opportunities to cross-country ski, snowshoe, and see wildlife. Yellowstone National Park Lodges is offering a special on rooms from Dec. 20-23 starting at $59 for a shared bath at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and $159 for rooms with private bathrooms at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge (which requires a snowcat ride in the $100-$150 ballpark round-trip).
Montana
Whitefish Mountain Resort has an "Experience the Freedom" package where you get one or two free nights of lodging if you buy three to five; lift tickets are not included. Book by Nov. 15. The deal includes lodging at the Hibernation House, breakfast, and lift tickets for just $79 per person per night.
California
At South Lake Tahoe, Heavenly Mountain Resort is offering a great opening week special dubbed Winter Ignite,including two full-day lift tickets and three nights' lodging starting at $325 per person from Nov. 17-26.
Sierra-at-Tahoe has an early season "Double Down" special from opening day (Nov. 24) until Dec. 16 with a two-for-one deal on both lift tickets and lodging at South Lake Tahoe's Montbleu Resort Casino and Spa, starting at $117 per person for the two nights.
In the southern Sierra, Mammoth Mountain has an early season ski-and-stay special running from Nov. 10-23 starting at $119 per person per night (or from $238 for the required two-night minimum stay). Later in the season, the day rate increases to a starting price of $139 per person.
Alberta, Canada
Lake Louise has one of the best deals in the ski world with a $99 ski-and-stay deal at the Great Divide Lodge (10 miles west of the resort) that includes a ski shuttle; add $30 for breakfast and dinner. Lodging for two at the landmark Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and two lift tickets runs $299.
