The 10 most-affordable ski spots in North America

by Katie Hammel on

Skiing, like polo and yachting, is a rich man’s(or woman’s) sport. The equipment is expensive, and in order to participate, you need to go to a specific place. In the case of skiing, this means paying ski lift fees and traveling to a pricey ski resort. The costs can add up and make it prohibitively expensive for less affluent ski enthusiasts.

But there are some less expensive ski resorts. Ski.com has put together a list of the top ten affordable ski spots in North America.

Keystone, near Denver, makes the list because of the many extras it offers, such as night skiing included with a lift ticket on the day of arrival, plus access to nearby resorts like Vail and Breckenridge. Steamboat in Colorado is on the list thanks to affordable ski-in/ski-out lodging and convenient shuttle services. And Winter Park, also in Colorado, is praised as catering to a “moderate demographic, no luxury properties.”

Whistler-Blackcomb, near Vancouver, is normally a very pricey destination. But in an attempt to lure visitors before the Olympics, it is offering some fantastic deals right now. Airfare to Vancouver can be expensive, depending on where you fly from, but you can save money by flying into Seattle and taking a train to Vancouver.

Jackson Hole (Wyoming), Banff(Alberta, Canada), and Lake Tahoe round out the western top ten with plentiful deals, discounts, and special offers that help keep prices low. On the east coast, Stowe(Vermont) and Lake Placid in New York offer excellent mid-week prices.

Alternatives to skiing: spa, anyone?

by Tom Johansmeyer on

In the interests of disclosure and transparency, I don’t ski. I did a little bit of snowboarding 15 years ago, but it didn’t amount to much. So, when I write about the ski deals that come across my desk, it’s not lost on me that some people don’t hit the slopes. The latest package from The Lodge at Vail, a RockResort, has something for those of us who don’t stumble down the mountain. The “Spa, Savor & Snowshoe” deal is for everyone else. Guests can work up some hunger while snowshoeing, get those taxed muscles rubbed down at the spa and tie off the day with a three-course dinner at the Wildflower restaurant.

At $423 a night, the savings is around 25 percent, but you need to book a three-night stay. You’ll get a $300 spa credit, half-day guided snowshoe tour and daily breakfast for two (along with the dinner at Wildflower).

It looks like you don’t need to be a skier to enjoy winter in Colorado!

Last chance for Telluride deal closing in

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Circle October 30, 2009 on your calendar. Do it twice. That’s the date the Telluride Ski Resort 2009-2010 season pass sale closes – you have until Friday to lock in a savings of up to 50 percent. With plenty more people hitting the slopes this year, expect demand to be high, so you’d be out of your mind not to lock this in early.

To pick up the biggest win, buy a 4Pass, which cuts the season pass price in half at a cost of only $998 a person. And, if cash is tight, only half the amount is due up front. If you’re going solo, the price of a pass drops from $1,850 to $1,198 – still a pretty steep decline.

If you plan to spend a lot of time out at Telluride this year, jump on this deal – by Friday.

Skiers eager to return to Colorado slopes

by Tom Johansmeyer on

The travel market may be in the tank, but things are looking good for Vail Resorts. Season passes for their slopes were up 13 percent last month. Sure, some of the deals have probably helped, but the market has definitely changed over the past year. In 2008, travelers were feeling the fresh sting of the financial crisis, and job cuts were looming. Everyone became more cautious, because they didn’t know if they’d fall victim to the cruel lottery to come.

Now, it looks like the worst is behind us (though nobody can be sure), and we’re all looking for a little bit of relief. For skiers, this means biting the bullet, paying what’s necessary and hitting the powder. Mark Kelley, a 59-year-old skier and real estate broker from Denver put it best: “I have always gone skiing, even during difficult times.” He continued, “I am more inclined to cut down on my spending on the mountain than to not go skiing at all.”

Ski resorts are predicting an increase in bookings this season, thanks to eager skiers who were stuck at home in 2008. And, since flights are still fairly inexpensive, they hope to draw city-dwellers from across the country. Vail Resorts, which has five ski properties, is hoping they’ll succumb to their urges.

Robert Katz, the CEO of Vail Resorts, told Bloomberg News, “This year the economy is still struggling but there is more confidence that it’s not getting dramatically worse.” He explained, “The economic issues that we faced last year started right at the beginning of ski season and got worse until the end of the season.” Now that conditions have turned, he’s hopeful that skiers will end their hibernation.

Starwood Hotels, the third largest U.S. hotel company, reports an up-tick at its ski resorts from 2008, with its St. Regis Aspen Resort “pacing better” and holiday bookings “close to being filled,” according to K.C. Kavanagh, a company spokesperson. The Dakota Mountain lodge in Park City, Utah, a Hilton Waldorf Astoria property, is also looking good.

Meanwhile, the rest of the lodging industry continues to suffer, with occupancy in the United States down 57 percent through August this year, its lowest level since at least 1987.

Become an official ski bum!

by Kraig Becker on

A few days back we mentioned that Colorado was looking to claim your snow virginity, and was tempting said virgins with a free three month stay in the state, complete with accommodations, ski passes, spending cash and more. But what about us poor schlubs that popped that cherry a long time ago? Are we to be left out in the cold, both literally and figuratively? Fear not fellow snow lovers, because our friends to the north are coming to the rescue. Sun Peaks Resort, located in British Columbia, Canada, is running a contest of their own, as they search for their official Ski Bum for the 2009-2010 season.

As the Sun Peaks Ski Bum, you’ll receive all kinds of special privileges and treatment for three months, starting on January 4th, and running through March 31st of next year. The lucky winner will receive flights to and from Kamloops, British Columbia from the the closest major airport to their city of residence. They’ll also get accommodations at a variety of resorts during that period, as well as a season pass for some of the best ski slopes in North America. And if that wasn’t enough, the lucky bum will also get outfitted with ski gear, including clothes and their choice of skis or a snowboard, amongst other stuff.

The resort does expect you to earn your keep a bit however, as you are asked to blog, tweet, and Facebook your experience, posting new content on a daily basis. The use of social media is to be a mix of video, audio, and written content, but the winner will be provided with a computer, camera, and mobile phone to make the process as painless as possible

And what do you have to do to win the opportunity to become the first ever Snow Bum of Sun Peaks? You simply have to click here to fill out the Official Entry Form and submit a 60 second video clip explaining why you should be chosen for this three month stint of nothing but shredding and partying. All entries are due by November 15, so get working on your entry. Then be prepared for three months of fun in the mountains of British Columbia, and leave Colorado to the virgins.