Monday, December 1, 2014

Midwest Storms Bring Early Opening to Top Colorado Ski Resorts


With eight member mountain resorts of Colorado Ski Country USA opening for skiing and snowboarding at Thanksgiving, you know this is going to be a long ski season. And because there's so much early season inventory available, there are great vacation packages and unusual, new offers from many ski areas, making a Colorado ski vacation before the Christmas week within reach, no matter the budget. 

According to Colorado Ski Country USA, budget-friendly promotions range from discounted lessons, lift tickets and equipment rentals to early-bird discounts on lodging and season passes, as described below. Read on, and if you don't find anything suitable right now, turn to Family Travel Forum's annual roundup of Best Family Ski and Snowsports Destinations or follow #winterwow on Twitter for other options.

Tripp Fay shot this great powder dustup at Copper Mountain on November 14, 2014!


Arapahoe Basin
Kids Ski Free
Kids up to and including age 14 can ski or snowboard for free at Arapahoe Basin all day, any day from November 30 through December 19, 2014. There is no adult purchase required, nor a minimum stay
requirement, and there is no limit to the amount of times children can ski or snowboard for free during this time period. Guests simply stop by the A-Basin ticket window with their kid to pick up their free lift ticket. 

Discounted Lessons for Children and Adults
From November 30 through December 19, 2014, A-Basin will be offering $10 off all class ski and snowboard lessons. Their experienced and dedicated instructors can transform skiers and snowboarders while exploring the terrain that has made A-Basin legendary. The A-Basin Snowsports School will elevate guests’ experience on the mountain with helpful tips provided in a supportive atmosphere for all ages and ability levels. 

One Run Lessons
From 10:00 am until noon on Sundays during A-Basin’s Kids Ski Free period, guests of any age and ability are matched with an instructor for one run from the Black Mountain Express lift to the base area. The purpose of this lesson is to suggest minor changes or improvements to the guest’s technique and to introduce guests to A-Basin’s snowsports instructors. For more information on Arapahoe Basin’s early season deals and promotions, visit www.arapahoebasin.com

Aspen Snowmass
Early Escape: Buy a Minimum of Two Days and Receive 50% Off
Guests at Aspen Snowmass who purchase a minimum of two days will receive 50% off lift tickets, equipment rentals and lodging and can enjoy up to 50% off select Ski & Snowboard School lessons. Equipment rentals include ski and snowboard packages and individual items. Valid November 27 December 19, 2014, package must be booked through Stay Aspen Snowmass seven days in advance of arrival. For more information, visit www.aspensnowmass.com

Crested Butte
Ski Free on Opening Day
With 52 inches of snowfall to date, Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) is anticipating a memorable opening day on November 26, where everyone skis and rides for free. No strings attached, guests simply go to the main ticket office in the Adventure Center to pick up their ticket. 

Kids Ski Free
CBMR is running a kids promotion where all kids aged 12 and under ski for free until December 18, 2014.

Lodging
Guests at the Grand Lodge Crested Butte Buy will receive a free night’s lodging for every night purchased through December 26. Combined with Crested Butte’s early-season Kids Ski Free promotion, guests who stay at the Grand Lodge will find a great value less than 200 yards from the slopes. For more information, visit www.skicb.com 

Copper Mountain
One. Two. Free!
Copper’s One. Two. Free! Package features a third night free of lodging, a third day of lessons free and kids aged 12 and younger ski free. This package also includes a 33% savings on tubing sessions and Woodward Copper freestyle lessons. The One. Two. Free! package also features the lowest lift and lodging price. If you find a lower lift and lodging package deal, Copper will honor the lower prices. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/CopperOneTwoFree

2nd Night 50% Off
Book one night of lodging and Copper will knock 50% off the second night. That equals 25% off each night, or a free fourth night with the purchase of three nights’ lodging. Find more information at www.CopperColorado.com

Loveland
Ski & Stay Packages
Loveland has teamed up with lodging properties in Clear Creek and Summit Counties to provide skiers and snowboarders with exceptional ski & stay packages. Whether guests are coming into town on vacation or simply want to get out of the Front Range for a night, Loveland has affordable packages available to suit their needs. For more information, visit www.lovelandreservations.com

Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort
Kids Ski Free at Durango Mountain Resort
Create this winter’s family memories at Durango Mountain Resort with the Kids Ski Free package. Enjoy four nights lodging, four days lift tickets for mom and dad, and get the kids’ lift tickets for free. Package includes 25% off lodging. Guest can book by calling 800-525-0892 or online.

Early Season Discounts
Through December 11, guests at Durango Mountain Resort will save 20% on lodging and enjoy early season discounted lift tickets. Reservations can be made online at www.durangomountainresort.com.

Steamboat
Boat Launch Pass
The Boat Launch Pass entitles guests at Steamboat to three days of skiing and snowboarding for $159 and up to 35% off lodging in Steamboat from November 26 through December 20, 2014. Days do not need to be used consecutively, but advance purchase is required. Visit www.steamboat.com for more information. 

Powderhorn
Early Season Discounts on Pass Products
Powderhorn is selling its season pass, Powderhorn P-Card and DECA Pack at a discounted rate through December 7, 2014. The P-Card is good for one day of skiing or snowboarding and additional days are 20% off of the regular single day lift ticket price for the rest of the season. The P-Card is a direct to lift pass product which allows guests to skip going to the lift ticket window. The DECA Pack allows skiers and snowboarders to purchase 10 lift tickets at half-price throughout the 2014-15 season, one at a time, all in one day, or anything inbetween.  www.powderhorn.com

Ski Granby Ranch
Carve Away Hunger
Granby Ranch is hosting “Carve Away Hunger” for opening weekend to help support its local food pantry, the Mountain Family Center. On December 11, 12, and 14 guests who bring items to support the Mountain Family Center’s Children’s Totes Program will receive a discounted lift ticket. Guests who bring a full bag of non- perishable foods to the resort on December 13 will receive a complimentary lift ticket. For more information, visit www.granbyranch.com

Sunlight Mountain Resort
For its first weekend of the 2014-15 ski season (November 28-30), guests at Sunlight will find most of its terrain open, all lifts running, and specially discounted $50 lift tickets. For more information, visit www.sunlightmtn.com

Telluride
Kids’ Discovery Week
This is a time for families with children to experience Telluride in a value-conscious way. From January 31- February 7, 2015, kids 5-14 ski free, stay free and receive free lessons. Based on two adults and two children ages 5-14 in a junior suite at the Inn at Lost Creek, this package is a savings of $100 per person, per night. Based on availability; some restrictions apply. For more information, visit www.tellurideskiresort.com

Winter Park Resort
Discounted Lodging with Early Booking
Guests staying at Winter Park Resort will enjoy significant savings when they book their lodging before December 8. Guest can save 25% on lodging for one or two-night reservations, and 33% on when they book three nights or more. This offer is good at several Winter Park base lodging properties including Zephyr Mountain Lodge, Fraser Crossing/Founders Pointe condominiums, and The Vintage Hotel.

Four Pass
Winter Park Resort is offering a special Four Pass, which features four days of skiing/riding with no blackouts, making it an affordable way to ski/ride over the holidays. Priced at $219 through December 19, Winter Park Four Pass holders will save up to $257 off the window ticket price. For more information, visit www.winterparkresort.com

Wolf Creek
Local Appreciation Days & College Days
During the early season, skiers and snowboarders at Wolf Creek can often find the local appreciation rate in place. Local appreciation rates are $41 for adults (a savings of $22) and $24 for seniors and children. Several local appreciation days are set between Thanksgiving and Christmas. In addition, college students who visit Wolf Creek on college days and present a valid college photo I.D. will be eligible to purchase a $41 adult lift ticket.

Vintage Costume Contest
To celebrate their 75th season of powder skiing, Wolf Creek will host a Vintage Costume Contest on Sunday, November 30. First Prize in each of three categories will win a Wolf Creek Season Pass, and Other prizes will be awarded as well. Categories will be for child 12 and younger, adults (13 to 64), and seniors (65+). Contestants will meet at Wolf Creek Lodge’s Sundeck at 1:00 p.m. For more information, visit WolfCreekSki.com

Remember, rates won't look this good again till after spring break, so get going while the snow's high.

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