(photo: Vail Resorts)
What's the holy grail of family ski vacations? How to get more snow for less dough. Keeping costs down is always a challenge, so here are six ways to grab great value at family-friendly ski resorts.
Vail Mountain Resort
Where: Vail, Colorado Why: Because tony Vail has an offer that promises the best savings of the year if you are flexible on timing. Book the Ski Free, Stay Free package and get either your third or fourth night free, depending on travel dates, plus one free day of skiing. Lodging options include the family-friendly condos at Mountain Haus, located in the heart of Vail Village yet close to ski lifts. Available through Apr. 21, 2014, but blackout dates apply.
Okemo Resort
Where: Ludlow, Vermont Why: Because this Vermont family ski favorite is offering a super incentive to play a little hooky this winter. The two-night-minimum Midweek Madness Ski & Stay package bundles in a ton of value, with a 25 percent savings on lodging, between $50 and $100 in resort credit, a free afternoon of skiing or riding on your arrival day, plus discounts on lift tickets, lessons, dining, and shopping. Available Sunday to Thursday all season during non-holiday periods.
Keystone Ski Resort
(photo: Keystone Resort)
Where: Keystone, Colorado Why: Because one of Colorado's most family-friendly ski resorts has a season-long deal that's a boon for budget-minded parents. Book a stay of at least two nights and two kids 12 and under ski and ride free. Available the entire 2013-2014 ski season with no blackout dates.
Omni Mount Washington Resort
Where: Bretton Woods, New Hampshire Why: Because this luxurious mountain resort is offering a wallet-friendly way to ski at New Hampshire's largest ski mountain all season long. Book the Stay Here, Ski Free package and get two free adult lift tickets at Bretton Woods for every night you stay. Additional lift tickets are available at a discount. Available through Apr. 13, 2014.
Beaver Creek Ski Resort
(photo: Osprey at Beaver Creek/RockResorts)
Where: Beaver Creek, Colorado Why: Because the savings multiply at this kid-friendly ski destination when you visit for a few days during off-peak periods. Take advantage of the best rates of the season and get a third night free when you avoid peak holiday windows. Lodging options include the Pines Lodge and the Osprey at Beaver Creek. Available all season but blackout dates apply.
Mount Tremblant
Where: Mont Tremblant, Quebec Why: Because this kid-friendly Quebec ski mecca has a good-value lodging offer that shaves a chunk of green off your snow-white holiday. Book the Ski & Stay Offer and save up to 20 percent on lodging. Available through Feb. 11, 2014, except the week of Dec. 27-Jan. 3, 2014.
--Suzanne Rowan Kelleher contributed this to MiniTime.com.