Vermont Ski & Stay Deals 07-08
Family Winter Sport Vacation Specials For The Holiday Season
Green Mountain skiing, boarding, cross country and snow shoe explorations on can be found at top family friendly resorts at prices to fit everyone's Christmas budget.
Snow is blanketing the northern New England states and the winter outdoor and ski resorts in Vermont are ready and running. Almost all have opened for the year and they have fashioned special deals to get people to come enjoy the white stuff. Look for the non-holiday specials closest to when you want to be there.
Some of the family friendly areas that bear looking at are offering great deals. Take Stratton, for example, If you want a family vacation but want to be home for the holiday, Stratton has a deal between December 21 and 25 that includes lodging, lift tickets in the Liftline Lodge for $87 per person per night (pp/pn) double occupancy. And through December 20 kids under 17 stay free.
Other special deals to look for are “Mid-Week” specials. These specials always start with a Sunday check-in but be sure to find out when “mid-week” ends. Some are through Thursday night, others through Friday night.
Okemo, consistently ranked one of the best mountains in the East, has a Dec. 16-21 Sunday through Friday package in their Jackson Gore or Okemo Mountain Lodge that includes a condo and lifts for $92.55 pp/pn. If your kids are teens, book rooms in a 2 bedroom Kettle Brook Condo ($106.25 pp/pn) or in a 3 bedroom in Winterplace ($113.65 pp/pn). Okemo has top snow making and grooming and a big mountain feel.
Another favorite, near Manchester, is Bromley. It has a great mix of trails for all skill levels. This is a good example of looking for cooperating local hotels and inns on the mountain’s website. There is limited lodging on the mountain but the Northshire Motel has some packages that are enticing. Their mid-week is Sunday through Thursday but the ski ticket is valid through Friday. The specials include lodging, lifts and breakfast. The price is $64 pp/pn and 3rd and 4th skiers in the room are 18+ $35, 17- $30 pp/pn. Weekends (Friday & Sat.) ar $89, $55 and $40. On the east side of the state and close to I-91, Ascutney Mountain Resort offers a great range of slopes and trails and packages that come in under $100 pp/pn. Their mid-week includes condo lodging, lift tickets, and a group lesson from $91 pp/pn. If you want the entire Christmas holiday you can choose any 4 to 6 consecutive nights from Dec. 21 thru 28 for $138 pp/pn adults, $118 kids and it includes lodging, tickets, Christmas Dinner and their Bonus Plan.
And then there is Killington, the mega resort of New England. It has 7 mountains and a go-go reputation. They also own Pico Peak, a smaller and more family friendly mountain. They have a 5 day, 5 night Ski Week special that includes lodging and tickets, non-holiday, for $60 pp/pn. Look too for the Pre-Christmas Special from Dec 21-23 which is a 3 day or longer stay from $108 pp/pn.
Budget skiing in New England does not have to be a bank breaking experience. Careful searching will find you a family winter vacation spot where enjoyment of the winter becomes a family treasure.
