Winter is knocking on the door, and for ski enthusiasts, that can only mean one thing—it’s time to embrace the powdery slopes. But as the excitement builds for ski season, so does the concern about the cost. Skiing isn’t cheap.
Here, we unravel the secrets of squeezing every ounce of value (and fun) from your skiing adventure while keeping your hard-earned cash in your pocket. From game-changing ski passes to the some of the most affordable mountains across the country to smart money-saving hacks, we’ve got the scoop how to ski affordably this year.
The best ski passes—Epic, Ikon, Mountain Collective, Indy—are your golden ticket, each unlocking a unique array of resorts, experiences and discounts. But whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-timer, navigating the intricacies of these passes isn’t always easy. Here’s what you need to know.
Epic Pass
The Epic Pass provides exclusive access to the Vail Resorts network. With 54 resorts across the U.S. and Canada, including Vail Mountain, Breckenridge, Park City Mountain, Whistler Blackcomb, Stowe and many more, it’s a skier’s paradise. Vail Resorts has expanded its reach to partner resorts in Japan and Europe. The Epic Pass has severa; options, catering to a variety of preferences and budgets. The full Epic Pass (currently $969 per adult; $494 per child) gives unlimited access to practically all the mountains in the network, with a few all-star resorts like Telluride getting just seven days. There’s also a slightly more limited Epic Local Pass (currently $719 per adult; $585 per teen; $377 per child), and an Epic Day Pass (starting at $110 per adult; $58 per child) that can be customized from one to seven days and is a great gift. And they all unlock 20% savings on food, lodging and rentals—plus free buddy passes and discounts for friend’s passes. The thing to know about the Epic Pass is that the rates are the cheapest when they go on sale in the spring and prices go up as you get closer to the season. But it’s still the best value of the bunch. Epic sales end on November 19.
Ikon Pass
Ikon Pass—part of Alterra Mountain Company, a family of year-round resorts—gives access to 58 mountain destinations around the world, including Winter Park in Colorado, Mammoth Mountain in California, Vermont’s Stratton and more. Of the Ikon passes, the full Ikon Pass (currently $1,309 per adult) offers the most access and zero blackout dates, with unlimited access at 16 mountains and up to seven days at 41 other destinations. For those looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Ikon Base Pass (currently $979 per adult), with some blackout dates and access at 14 mountains and up to five days at 36 other destinations. There’s also a 4-Day Ikon Pass (currently $539
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On a recent evening in a dimly lit Japanese restaurant, nearly a dozen diners watched rapt from across the bar as a chef blowtorched a sliver of sturgeon until it was kissed with char. He topped the nigiri with crisped fish skin and a spoonful of caviar.
“It looks like Canada,” said Nate Disser, our guide, indicating the lofty, snow-cloaked peaks around us. Later that day, when our group of 10 had skied to another high-alpine basin where craggy rock monoliths jutted up from ridgelines, Mr. Disser noted a resemblance to the Italian Dolomites. Yet we were in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado, a spectacular place in its own right.
Each year in the Alps, as the first snows of the season start to fall, mountain towns welcome winter visitors with a slew of smart new hotels. And this year is no different, with upscale brands including COMO Hotels and Resorts moving its beach-beautiful ethos to the Italian Alps in COMO Alpina Dolomites, and Grace Hotels giving St Moritz its first luxury opening in half a century in the Grace La Margna. With its boutique modern addition, the sleek Swiss hotel breathes new life into the former art nouveau hotel La Margna, following a trend for high-profile revamps seen across the Alps this season. Here’s a look at the six best new openings, many of which revitalise former hotel landmarks.
It’s now cheaper and more convenient to hit the slopes this ski season at a popular Colorado resort. Amtrak announced the return of the Amtrak Winter Park Express, which provides seasonal service between Denver's Union Station (DEN) and the based of Winter Park Resort in Winter Park, Colorado. «This 'ski train' is another example of Amtrak's commitment to enhancing the travel experience for riders across the country, bringing travelers to exciting destinations safety, affordably, and sustainably,» Eliot Hamlisch, Amtrak's CMO, said in a statement obtained by Travel + Leisure. Ski enthusiasts looking to utilize the special route will have a choice of 40 round trips this ski season. The train will operate every weekend (on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) from Jan. 12, 2024 through March 31, 2024. There will be special routes on holidays such as service on Jan. 15, 2024 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) and Feb. 19, 2024 (Presidents’ Day). The train will also operate on two Thursdays: March 14, 2024, and March 21, 2024. (Travelers should visit amtrak.com for the most current schedule and updates.) A one-way trip, which takes approximately two hours, departs Denver at 7:00 am and leaves Winter Park Resort at 4:30 pm local time. This means skiers can maximize their time on the slopes. Families can save money as children aged two to 12 are eligible for 50 percent off tickets. There are additional discounts for senior citizens and members of the military. Passengers also have the opportunity to carry on their skis, and the trains have special storage areas on board.
Best Western Rewards' latest promotion has launched two generous hotel deals that allow you to stack bonuses this winter. And while you may already have your holiday or winter stays booked, this hotel promotion is one that you should really consider and take advantage of. Keep reading to find out how you can earn up to 100,000 reward points, as well as a $100 gift card.
Winter sports involve all kinds of exhilarating sensations: a sharp breeze rushing past your face, bright snow stinging your eyes, the merriment of après-ski.
The Mount Hood stratovolcano, around two hour’s drive east of Portland, Oregon, is the most transfixing ski destination you’re ever likely to lay eyes on. It’s a perfect snow-topped pyramid, pushing high through the clouds, with a belt of fir trees and pistes that crisscross the forest like strands of a spider’s web. Get closer and you’ll see the pattern is the result of several exciting ski areas: Timberline, Mount Hood Skibowl, Mount Hood Meadows, Summit Ski Area and Cooper Spur. For those who love winter sports, this region always offers another reason to stay longer.
AT invites winter sports enthusiasts to experience the highest point of comfort and convenience. It has adopted the principle of providing a smooth and enjoyable transfer to passengers who want to go from the airport to popular ski spots with the first-class vehicle fleets and professional drivers of the most reliable local solution partners in different parts of the world.
World Ski Awards – the only global initiative to recognise and reward excellence in ski tourism – has revealed the winners of its 11th annual programme.
Campervan. The word evokes thoughts of the legendary VW Bus, or maybe the later EuroVan. These days there are big campervans and small ones, pre-made and DIY specials. No matter what it looks like, the idea is the same: something smaller than an RV, bigger than a car, that you can sleep or maybe even live in. A tent on wheels, if you will, perhaps with some of the comforts of home.
Vacation rental marketplaceHomeToGoreleased results of its annual 2023-24 Ski Season Report. The report assesses the top 48 ski destinations in North America, evaluating them based on traveler interest, affordability and other factors.