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Be Flexible to Score Great Ski Vacation Deals
It's never too early to start thinking about where you want to spend your ski and snowboard vacation. Resorts are offering all kinds of discounts, from complimentary nights and lessons to free companion airfare. Many have set pre-season and early-season deadlines to get the best deals. The more flexible you are, the better the deal you'll snag.
Here are just a few vacation packages that have caught my eye:
Smugglers' Notch Resort, Vt.
Adult beginners choose the popular Club Smugglers' Vacation Package at Smugglers' Notch because it includes free daily ski or snowboard group lessons for each adult on this package at the beginner level. New for Winter 2009/2010, adults in levels 3–9 will enjoy one free group lesson the day after arrival, perfect for fine tuning existing skills. And to support further skill development, additional adult group lessons can be purchased at a 50-percent reduced price. The group lessons are offered at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. for 1.5 hours by Smugglers' Snow Sport University instructors. This offer is good all season long.
A Learn-to-Ski Week with free rental equipment debuts this winter for guests staying three nights or longer on the Club Smugglers' Vacation Package. Adult beginner level skiers or riders are invited to stay and learn to ski or ride for $99 per day; the price for children ages 3–17 years old is $79 per day. The package includes condominium lodging, daily lift tickets and beginner ski or snowboard lessons, and free rental equipment, plus apres ski activities, pool and hot tubs, and nightly entertainment from Jan. 8–15, 2010.
For information and reservations, call Smugglers' Notch Resort toll-free (800) 419-4615 or go to www.smuggs.com.
Jackson Hole Resort, Wyo.
Looking for the ultimate ski vacation deal this winter? Jackson Hole has it. How about some free airfare? Here are two offers that must be booked by Jan. 1, 2010:
Buy three plane tickets to Jackson Hole and the resort will throw in the fourth ticket for free. The fine print: Buy three plane tickets and get the fourth ticket free to Jackson Hole. Maximum travel credit of $500 per airline ticket. Minimum five-night stay and purchase of lift tickets. Availability is limited and restrictions apply. New reservations only. Must be booked by Jan. 1, 2010. Valid dates of travel: Nov. 28–Dec. 18, 2009, and Jan. 3–April 4, 2010. Not combinable with any other package.
Book your travel for Jan. 3–31, 2010, and you're eligible for two free airline tickets. The fine print: Buy two plane tickets and get two additional tickets free. Maximum travel credit of $500 per airline ticket. Minimum five-night stay and purchase of lift tickets. Availability is limited and restrictions apply. New reservations only. Must be booked by Jan. 1, 2010. Valid dates of travel: Jan. 3–31, 2010. Not combinable with any other package.
For more information and reservations, call Jackson Hole toll-free at (888) 838-6660 or visit www.jacksonhole.com.
Whitefish Mountain Resort, Mont.
If you like to ski and snowboard at Whitefish Mountain Resort more than once each season, here's a deal that gives you a free Frequent Skier Card as part of your package that you can use for the rest of the season. The Frequent Skier Card entitles the bearer to $40 adult lift tickets (and less for other age categories) all season long, with no blackout dates.
Your first stay must be between Dec. 4 and Dec. 24, 2009, and a two-night minimum stay is required. Eligible lodging is in the Mountain Village: you can choose to stay in either the Hibernation House for $70 per person, per day, or in an Edelweiss Condo for $99 per person, per day. The package includes lift tickets and lodging, plus the free Frequent Skier Card. The offer is based on availability and is not valid with other promotions, offers or specials. For more information and reservations, call Whitefish Mountain Resort Lodging at (877) 754-3474 or visit the website at skiwhitefish.com.
Ski the Four Resorts of Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is celebrating its Olympic ties this season by offering complimentary lodging and skiing. Book a four-day, four-night vacation at any of the participating properties—some are in the city, some are slopeside—and your fourth day of skiing/riding and your fourth night of lodging are absolutely free. This package includes purchasing the Ski Salt Lake Super Pass lift ticket, a discounted multi-day pass that allows you to ski at Snowbird, Alta, Solitude and Brighton (one resort per day). The deal covers trips during the entire season, but you must book the package by Dec. 15, 2009. For more information and reservations, go to www.visitsaltlake.com.