2016 winter or spring break ski trip out west -- any way to do this more affordably?

[Anonymous]

Our family (2 adults, 3 kids) would like to do a ski trip out west next year over Christmas or spring break. We are all beginner skiers and don't need the most challenging runs, and would be happy with an easier mountain with ski lessons. Is there a smart way to book this trip - a package deal that includes lodging, rentals and lift tickets? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

How old are the kids? High end or moderate accommodations? What other activities besides skiing do you want to do?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Kids will be 7, 12, and 14. Moderate accommodations would be okay - although I'd like a hot tub and to be able to walk to slopes if possible. Also happy to consider higher-end accommodations if there is a great resort or luxury rental that might offer a reasonable deal with lift tickets.

In terms of other activities, we'd like a town with good restaurant options.

Thanks for any thoughts!

[Anonymous]

I'd love to know this too!

[Anonymous]

Christmas is expensive everywhere. The best deals we've gotten are when Easter (and spring break) are in mid April and resorts have significantly reduced their prices.

A few options to consider:

Stay in Salt Lake City and drive to different resorts each day. There are at least 8 within about 45 minutes. Nice hotels in Salt Lake can be quite inexpensive. That way you can also book airfare and hotel together on a site like expedia which does tend to save money.

You can do the same thing in Colorado by staying in Dillon/Silverthorne/Frisco and driving to Breck, Keystone or Copper.

Try Tours de Sport for package deals.

Stay at lesser known resorts. Solitude/Brighton in Utah might be worth looking into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Christmas is expensive everywhere. The best deals we've gotten are when Easter (and spring break) are in mid April and resorts have significantly reduced their prices.

A few options to consider:

Stay in Salt Lake City and drive to different resorts each day. There are at least 8 within about 45 minutes. Nice hotels in Salt Lake can be quite inexpensive. That way you can also book airfare and hotel together on a site like expedia which does tend to save money.

You can do the same thing in Colorado by staying in Dillon/Silverthorne/Frisco and driving to Breck, Keystone or Copper.

Try Tours de Sport for package deals.

Stay at lesser known resorts. Solitude/Brighton in Utah might be worth looking into.

I'm not sure why driving to different resorts every day makes sense. In Colorado most resorts charge the most if you're going for just one day. Plus, if you're renting equipment, it's easier to stay in one place. I'd rent a condo in a ski town. They're not all expensive. Then buy your lift tickets online and in advance, and for more than one day, to get the cheapest deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our family (2 adults, 3 kids) would like to do a ski trip out west next year over Christmas or spring break. We are all beginner skiers and don't need the most challenging runs, and would be happy with an easier mountain with ski lessons. Is there a smart way to book this trip - a package deal that includes lodging, rentals and lift tickets? Thanks.

Don't know how old your kids are or where you live. But in Arlington, MLK Day is always a four-day weekend. So, we take the kids out of school for a travel day and fly to Denver. Drive to Keystone, where they always have great deals that weekend. Put the kids in ski school -- by Tuesday, the "group" lessons consist of just the two of them. Pro tip: Rent your gear somewhere along I-70, not at the resort.

The airfare to Denver used to be cheap. The lessons were about $1,000. The hotel was pretty affordable. Great location. Maybe the drought will be over by next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Christmas is expensive everywhere. The best deals we've gotten are when Easter (and spring break) are in mid April and resorts have significantly reduced their prices.

A few options to consider:

Stay in Salt Lake City and drive to different resorts each day. There are at least 8 within about 45 minutes. Nice hotels in Salt Lake can be quite inexpensive. That way you can also book airfare and hotel together on a site like expedia which does tend to save money.

You can do the same thing in Colorado by staying in Dillon/Silverthorne/Frisco and driving to Breck, Keystone or Copper.

Try Tours de Sport for package deals.

Stay at lesser known resorts. Solitude/Brighton in Utah might be worth looking into.

I'm not sure why driving to different resorts every day makes sense. In Colorado most resorts charge the most if you're going for just one day. Plus, if you're renting equipment, it's easier to stay in one place. I'd rent a condo in a ski town. They're not all expensive. Then buy your lift tickets online and in advance, and for more than one day, to get the cheapest deal.

Of course its easier to stay at the base, but OP asked about doing it affordably. When I was a kid that's what we did. Lots of the areas have common lift tickets (you can get a 4 day epic pass that covers several CO areas). And the ownership of several of the Utah areas has changed this year. Of course the OP can go to the same area every day if she wants.

[Anonymous]

Snow over Christmas has been dicey the past few years out west. Ca, Or and Wa state right now have about a 1/4 of the normal snow pack. Most places are closed in those states. They are saying it will be the same next year.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes you can buy lift tickets at the local Costco. We did this in Utah for our Park City trip. Check out the Canyons. Not sure on affordability but I think the mountain has a lot of options for everyone including some timeshares for accomodations.

[Anonymous]

Salt lake although this year is pretty terrible for snow. check out the canyons and park city. Smugglers notch in Vermont is consistently ranked the best for kids. Look there too.

[Anonymous]

If you're beginners, why not go to Vermont? You'll spend so much less and you won't have to deal with altitude.

[Anonymous]

Look into Copper Mountain in Colorado--it's a smaller mountain but lots of locals like it and it's cheaper than the Vail owned resorts; I believe the lodging is reasonable. Just drove through there a few weeks ago because DS had a race there and it seemed manageable.

For keystone, check VRBO for rental condos near River Run. We always stay there at thanksgiving when it's cheap (the snow isn't great, but it gets us all warmed up for the season). If you book through the resort they often advertise free passes for kids with lodging, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our family (2 adults, 3 kids) would like to do a ski trip out west next year over Christmas or spring break. We are all beginner skiers and don't need the most challenging runs, and would be happy with an easier mountain with ski lessons. Is there a smart way to book this trip - a package deal that includes lodging, rentals and lift tickets? Thanks.

Don't know how old your kids are or where you live. But in Arlington, MLK Day is always a four-day weekend. So, we take the kids out of school for a travel day and fly to Denver. Drive to Keystone, where they always have great deals that weekend. Put the kids in ski school -- by Tuesday, the "group" lessons consist of just the two of them. Pro tip: Rent your gear somewhere along I-70, not at the resort.

The airfare to Denver used to be cheap. The lessons were about $1,000. The hotel was pretty affordable. Great location. Maybe the drought will be over by next year.

Sign up for Frontier's sales emails closer to the trip, they often have deals up to 20% off (more likely for spring break than Christmas, direct flight from national)

[Anonymous]

Why go out west if you're all beginners?