Grandson taking his first snowboarding lessons at Angel Fire Resort, an affordable spring skiing resort in the southern Rockies of New Mexico. Photo credit: Traveling Grandmom Diana Rowe
Some like it hot; others prefer bundling up for their spring break. For the latter, a spring break ski vacation often tops the list as a favorite, but ski resort vacations can be a downhill plunge when it comes to your pocketbook.
If you’ve got moguls and bumps on your mind, you can still hit the slopes without taking a hit in your wallet with these tips for finding an affordable spring break skiing vacation.
Choose Affordable Ski Resorts
Save some money without sacrificing your spring skiing experience by skipping the mega-resort ski towns. Home of the Winter X Games, Aspen (Colorado) has a world-class skiing reputation, but it comes with a price tag – $129 for single day adult lift ticket. Multiply by a family of 4, then mix in accommodations, meals, and the daily price tag of spring skiing just collected a few extra zeroes.
If you’re looking for spring skiing on the cheap – and shorter lift lines, consider resorts off-the-beaten path. You won’t sacrifice the experience and you won’t break your budget.
Ski package deals available in Durango Colorado. Photo Credit Durango Ski Resort
The Colorado Rockies can still be your spring skiing destination as ski resorts off-the-beaten path offer all levels of skiing without the stiff price. Just 30 miles from Aspen get your spring ski on at Sunlight Mountain Resort at more than half the price (daily ticket price is just $45), and you’ll get hundreds of acres of varied terrain including one of the steepest runs in the state and the longest beginner slope in Colorado ski country.
Walk-up single day adult tickets at the following North American resorts are all under $90: Colorado’s Granby Ranch – $61 near Winter Park; Utah’s Snowbasin Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort – $89 near Salt Lake City; and Canada’s Big White – $84 near Toronto.
Located in New Mexico’s southern Rockies at more than 8,600 feet elevation and a couple of hours from the Albuquerque airport., lift tickets at Angel Fire Resort are $69 (Peak season) and $59 (Value season). For the best deal, pre-purchase lift tickets at least 3 days ahead of time online or call (844) 218-4107.)
Ski Granby Ranch is a budget friendly resort in Colorado near Winter Park.
Come on, half the fun of skiing is doing it at least two days in a row! For example at Aspen/Snowmass in Colorado, you can save $10 per day for 2 & 3 day lift tickets; four or more days save $20 per day.
Liftopia is also an overall good, online source for discounts, giving as much as 50 percent off! Also, check out the ski resort’s website. Often times, there are ongoing deals for multi-day and mid-week tickets.
Bundle Your Savings
Ski vacation packages are another savings waiting for the spring breaker. Most resorts call these Ski & Stay Packages, and include your accommodations and lift tickets. Bundling your vacation experience can result in up to 50% savings.
Begin your one-stop spring break vacation shopping at Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA), an association representing 22 Colorado ski & snowboard resorts. Current deals include Copper Mountain’s 2nd night 50% Off Special (book four nights and last one FREE) AND Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort Save 20% on Stay & Ski Packages with the Rocky Mountain Getaway!
Ski resorts also offer other winter adventures. Traveling Grandmom Diana Rowe enjoys a Sunlight Mountain Resort, Colorado snowmobile ride with her grandson.
You can also discover these Ski & Stay deals on ski resort’s website. Colorado’s Sunlight Mountain Resort partners with nearby Glenwood Springs to create “Ski Swim Stay” packages taking advantage of the world’s largest hot springs pool.
BONUS: When you book Sunlight’s Ski Swim Stay package, kids 12 and under SKI FREE!
Budget-Friendly Accommodations
Skip the pricey slopeside accommodations and discover a definite decrease in your cost, especially when staying more than one night. Vacation home rentals offer affordable spring skiing vacation options for families or groups. You’ll also save money when cooking meals in your full-kitchen.
For example, HomeAway.com is a leading vacation rental company offering a long list of vacation rentals in ski resort towns. One of their current listings is this 3 bedroom, 3 bath (sleeps 12) townhome in Breckenridge, Colorado. This vacation rental is only 3 minutes from the gondola starting an affordable $128 per night. (I randomly searched 6 nights March spring break dates $262 per night), compared to one-bedroom spring break rates starting at $250.
If you’re traveling with a large family or several families, the cost savings will be immediate.
Drive, Don’t Fly
Affordable spring skiing goes down the tube when you’re hit the skies with your family of 4. If you’re lucky enough to live close enough to a ski destination, take a look at your own backyard, and drive, don’t fly.
Sit Back & Relax — Let a Travel Agent Do the Work
Already exhausted by the endless searching for deals? Contact a travel agent, who will have the inside track to many deals – and it won’t cost you any more than if you booked it yourself. And you’ll save all time as you won’t be spending hours searching the Internet.
A travel agent also has access to thousands of accommodations at all different price points available at the click of her keyboard.
Money might be tight, but with these money-saving tips to find your affordable spring break skiing vacation, you can still afford to get to the slopes.
