1. Loveland
A local favorite, but less well known out of state, Loveland Ski Resort on the Continental Divide gets awesome powder and offers the best early-bird lift ticket deal around. On sale through Nov. 24, the “4-Pak” is $129 for four lift tickets that can be used any time (no blackout dates) during the 2013-2014 season. Best of all they can be used by four different people at once or on different days on the mountain. The purchaser doesn’t have to use all four like a traditional season pass.
2. A-Basin
From Dec. 1 to Dec. 20, kids 14-and-under can ride free at the continental U.S.A.’s highest-elevation ski resort, Arapahoe Basin. There are no strings attached; parents just need to bring their children to the ticket window to receive free lift tickets. The resort sees it as a way for families to explore the mountain together without breaking the bank.
3. Snowmass
Snowmass is also a great bet for families with lots of green trails and a fantastic ski school. Book the Perfect Holiday package by Nov. 15 for travel between Dec 20-25 and cut the cost of your family vacation in half. During these five days children stay free at all the resorts, and can ski free and rent free with the purchase of an adult lift ticket and rental.
4. Aspen
If you plan to ski at least four days combined at Aspen and Snowmass mountains this season, check out the mountain collective pass. It costs $379 and only a select number are available, which usually sell out before Christmas. Only one person can use this pass, but it includes 12 days (no blackout dates) at your choice of Aspen, Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Mammoth, Squaw Valley and Whistler Blackcomb. Mixing and matching is fine but you can’t do more than two days at any resort. It also gets you 25 percent off lodging and 50 percent off additional ski days at any of the resorts.
5. Breckenridge
A one-time raucous 19th century silver-mining boomtown, Breckenridge is now one of Colorado’s most popular resorts offering extremely varied terrain that caters equally to skiers and snowboaders, beginners and experts. In 2013, the resort unveiled 543 acres of new terrain know as Peak 6 – to go along with Peaks 7, 8, 9 and 10, which are all linked by trails and lifts. Book lodging online by Dec 1, 2013 and receive up to 30 percent off throughout the season, depending on travel dates.
6. Copper Mountain
At Copper Mountain you don’t have to ski early to save. Book their “One. Two. Free!” lodging package by Nov 11, 2013 for at least three nights any time during the 2013-2014 season and get one night free when you pay for two. You’ll also receive a free day of lessons and rentals (but not lift tickets) when paying for two. You need to book by Nov. 4, 2013, however, to take advantage of Copper’s fourpack deal. This includes four individual lift tickets (no blackout dates) for $159, and the ability to purchase four more tickets throughout the season for $59 each.
7. Crested Butte
Head to Crested Butte for this year’s Thanksgiving/Hanukkah event (the two last collided in 1888, and won’t fall on the same date again until 2070) and enjoy a free day of skiing on opening day (Nov. 27, 2013), no strings attached. Then stay through the weekend – or through Dec. 17, 2013 when the promotion runs out – and pay just $79 per person per night for a lift ticket and a room at the Grand Lodge Crested Butte.
8. Steamboat
Located three hours north of Denver, Steamboat Springs is home to some of the best champagne powder in the country. Book at least four nights lodging and a three-day lift ticket by Nov. 30, 2013 and get 20 percent off the deal through the resort’s early rewards package, which can be used throughout the season. The Steamboat launch pass is also an option. It costs $129 for three days of skiing between opening day and Dec 21, 2013.
9. Winter Park
Residents of Denver and Boulder flock to this resort each weekend for good reason – it is know for its varied terrain and laidback local vibe, plus it gets some kickass powder. Book one night at any Winter Park Resort property between Nov. 13 and Dec. 20, 2013 and get a second night for half-price.
10. Eldora
Less than a 45-minute drive from Boulder, and the only resort accessible via city bus, Eldora is a hidden gem often overlooked by visitors who have never heard of its existence. If you want a truly front-range ski experience, book the Boulder ski escape package. Rates start at $70 per person and include a lift ticket and lodging at one of more than 15 participating Boulder hotels.
