- Ski the powdery slopes for a perfect getaway!powder skiing image by joseph pankey from Fotolia.com
No matter how big or small the budget, anyone can plan a fun, affordable ski trip to Colorado. All it takes is a little research and advanced planning. Several factors to consider when planning a ski vacation include accommodations, proximity to the slopes and activity costs. Also consider the time of year because the cost of a ski vacation can fluctuate from early to middle to late in ski season. - Colorado ski resort options are seemingly endless and include Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Crested Butte and Aspen, among many others. According to ski.com, the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort & Spa in Beaver Creek and the Pine Ridge Condominiums in Breckenridge are affordable options for skiers at less than $175 for a package of at least three nights. Keystone, Steamboat Springs, and Vail all have at least one vacation deal that's less than $200 for at least three nights according to ski.com.
Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa
136 East Thomas Pl.
Avon, CO 81620
970-949-1234
beavercreek.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp
Pine Ridge Condominiums
400 4 O'Clock Run Road
Breckenridge, CO 80424
970-453-6946
pineridge.com - When looking for hotels and resorts in ski towns in Colorado, it is advised to look for lesser-known resorts as they may be less crowded and have better rates. “Also look for ski vacation packages that will include your lodging, lift tickets, rentals, lessons, and possibly even some meals.” Another factor to consider when choosing a hotel that will affect cost is closeness to the slopes. There are always hotels right at the bottom of the slopes, but these aren’t always the most affordable.
According to Kayak.com, the Riverbend Lodge by ResortQuest in Breckenridge is a less expensive hotel option located at the base of a ski lift. The Crested Butte International Lodge and Hostel in Crested Butte is another very affordable hotel and hostel located within a three minute walk of the ski lift.
Riverbend Lodge by ResortQuest
655 Four O Clock Rd
Breckenridge, Co 80424
800-325-2342
resortquestbreckenridge.com/rental/complex.html?ID=38
The Crested Butte International Lodge and Hostel
615 Teocalli Ave.
Crested Butte, CO 81224
888-389-0588
crestedbuttehostel.com - A second accommodation option for those on a tighter budget is a hostel. One example of an affordable hostel is the Crested Butte International Lodge and Hostel where bunks start at just $25 a night. Some hostel websites allow users to search just like many of the hotel searching sights. As of 2010, hostelz.com provides travelers hostel bunks starting at $17.
Crested Butte Int'l Lodge & Hostel
615 Teocalli Ave.
Crested Butte, CO 81224
888-389-0588
crestedbuttehostel.com - Ski season starts as early as October and goes through June in some resorts, but most resorts in Colorado close in April. According to a New York Times blog post, many resorts offer discounted tickets toward the end of the season to draw in travelers who are already thinking about beach season. Booking a trip at the beginning or end of the season can be a way to spend less for those on a tighter budget.
- Extra costs to budget for include transportation fees getting to the slope from the hotel, ski equipment and meal costs. “If you will be staying farther away from the slopes, make sure that there is transportation to and from the slopes each day. Most Colorado accommodations provide free transportation to and from the local ski lifts.” (Reference 1)
Ski equipment and food costs vary by personal tastes. Some travel planning sites suggest borrowing ski equipment from friends and making sandwiches in the room for lunch instead of eating out during the day if budget is a real concern. (Reference 1)
Another tip to plan an affordable ski vacation suggests looking “for ski vacation packages that will include your lodging, lift tickets, rentals, lessons, and possibly even some meals.” (Reference 1)
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