Ski package prices race downhill
Million-dollar views just got cheaper. In the spring, alpine resorts around the West drop lodging-and-lift package prices faster than Bode Miller rips a downhill. Ski deals shine at Wyoming’s Jackson Hole, British Columbia’s Kimberley Alpine Resort and Fernie Alpine Resort, Montana’s Big Mountain Resort, Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin, and Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.
From the top of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort at 10,450 feet, the sparkling scene over Wyoming’s Teton Mountain Range includes glimpses of runs on Rendezvous and Apres Vous mountains – and, of course, the famed Rendezvous Bowl, covered with record snowfall.
It’s a view to catch this spring because it’s the final season for the famed Jackson Hole aerial tram, due to be retired this fall.
The resort plans to replace it with either a new tram or a bi-cable gondola, on a similar alignment to the existing tram, but that’s a few years out. Until a new lift is available, access to the top will be via a temporary chairlift.
While the tram’s retirement was met with sadness, locals called for a two-week end-of-winter celebration, the Jackson Hole Mountain Festival, which will toast the demise of the beloved vehicle after 40 years of service.
The festival, running from March 18 until the final day of ski season, April 2, features apres ski parties, live music and DJs, the now famous end-of-season costumes and special surprises.
Jackson’s renowned skiing includes 2,500 acres of in-bounds steeps and screaming groomers, and another 3,000 acres of resort-accessed backcountry. Long runs and the lower 48’s greatest vertical drop of 4,139 feet mean that spring conditions can vary from cold and dry up top to spring corn and slushy at the base elevation of 6,311 feet. As they say, “Bring on the sunscreen.”
Spring ski deals make it worth scrounging between seat cushions for change to make the 600-mile trip from Spokane to Teton Village.
Jackson’s Last Tram Package includes five nights lodging and four days skiing starting at $589 per person, double occupancy in a two-bedroom/two-bath Teton Village condominium. Other packages and special ski airfares are available. For details, contact Jackson Hole Resort Lodging Winter Packages, (800) 443-8613 or www.jhrl.com.
One of the cheapest deals for those who like snug accommodations is the Hostel X in Teton Village, where a room with four bunks and a tiny bath runs $68 a night for four people (plus 7 percent tax). Lift tickets are extra at $70 a day through March 19, and $50 per adult, March 20-April 2 – equaling a jaw-dropping $67 for lift/lodging per day/night. For a list of amenities, seewww.hostelx.com or call (307) 733-3415.
Mountain riders who fly to Jackson (Delta, Northwest, Big Sky Air and United Express) get to ski free. Upon arrival, they show boarding passes or luggage tags to Jackson Hole Sports folks, then receive a complimentary ski or snowboard rental along with a free half-day ticket for that day.
Among the other spring ski vacation deals around the Northwest:
•”We have had an epic season so far in Kimberley and Fernie,” says Paula Worthington of Resorts of the Canadian Rockies.
Visitors stay for five nights but pay for four at The Trickle Creek Residence Inn by Marriott at Kimberley Alpine Resort, a family favorite ski area.
The all-suite hotel in the heart of the new Alpine Village features an outdoor heated swimming pool, two outdoor hot tubs, fitness room and a restaurant and lounge. All units include full kitchens, gas fireplaces and balconies (complimentary hot continental breakfast included). Details are available at (800) 258-7669 or www.skircr.com.
Wolf’s Den Lodge – Ski-in/Ski-out Advantages at Fernie Alpine Resort offers the same stay-five, pay-for-four package that includes five nights lodging in a standard room and three-day lift tickets beginning at $319 U.S. per person, plus tax (based on double occupancy). The special is valid through March 30.
Other Fernie and Kimberley package deals are available at (800) 258-7669 or www.skircr.com.
•Big Mountain Resort at Whitefish, Mont., is reporting more than 9 feet of settled base at the summit of the ski mountain that overlooks the peaks of Glacier National Park.
Sample lodging specials include the Skier’s Special Package at Rocky Mountain Lodge, with a standard room and two adult lift tickets for $165 per night (tax not included). Garden Wall Inn offers a stay of the fourth night free with three nights’ lodging. Hidden Moose Lodge has a $99 per night room for two with two-night minimum, which includes a bottle of wine (tax not included).
For more information on the Whitefish area, including additional lodging and package options, see www.whitefishcvb.visitmt.com or (877) 862-3548.
Big Mountain Central Reservations specializes in custom vacation packages in hotels, alpine homes, townhomes and condo units. Skiers stay four nights and receive a fifth night free at any Big Mountain Resort lodging property. Special lift ticket rates also apply with the promotion.
Call for airfare and Amtrak rates at (800) 858-4152 or www.big-mountain.com.
•Big Sky Resort in southwest Montana boasts an upper mountain snowfall total of more than 23 feet – a full 176 percent over last year’s measurement.
Big Sky offers a slopeside Huntley Lodge package from April 2-16 of two nights lodging, two days skiing plus a hot buffet breakfast each morning for $165 per person, double occupancy.
Five-night ski-stay packages at Big Sky run $558 per person, quad occupancy. The best deal for Big Sky skiers is that kids 10 and under stay and ski free.
Big Sky Resort offers other deals at www.bigskyresort.com or (800) 548-4486.
•Next door to Big Sky at Moonlight Basin, the newest resort to access slopes on Lone Peak, the New Frontier package offers exceptional terrain, amenities and service for $115 per person per night based on quad occupancy and four nights lodging and three days on Moonlight’s slopes.
All kids 10 and under ski and stay for free. Details are available at www.moonlightbasin.com or (877) 822-0430.
•Idaho’s famous Sun Valley Resort entices spring breakers with free skiing for kids, and discounts on lodging and lift tickets.
Through the end of ski season, April 20, kids ski free when staying with parents in a participating Wood River lodging property. Children must be 15 and under; one child is eligible for each parent that is skiing. (Children must be in the same room as the parent.)
The Sun Valley area is also offering a “Winter White Sale” with lodging deals through the Chamber of Commerce. For example, High Country Property Rentals offers a fourth night free. ResortQuest has one-bedroom condos from $59 per person, quad occupancy. And Tamarack Lodge and Wood River Inn has rooms for $75 a night per room.
Reach Sun Valley/Ketchum Chamber and Visitors Bureau central reservations at www.visitsunvalley.com or (866) 305-0408.
Premier Resorts’ spring bargain blitz offers five nights in a two-bedroom/two-bath condo from $416 per person, quad occupancy, along with four days of skiing, from April 3-30. For details, see www.premier-sunvalley.com or (800) 635-4444.
Sun Valley Resort’s lift tickets drop from $69 per day for adults to $49 on April 1, and from $40 to $28 for kids 12 and under. For details, call (800) 786-8259 or see www.sunvalley.com.