Sherman's Travel

Heads up, skier and snowboarder wannabes who can make it to Lake Tahoe this weekend: Some top resorts are offering ridiculously deep discounts with their Learn to Ski and Board Weekend offers. This weekend only, a mere $30 will get you gear, a group lesson, and a lift ticket at seven Tahoe-area resorts, including the ones we’ve listed below.

Wherever you go, plan on arriving early, as some of the deals are on a first-come, first-served basis. An early arrival will also up your chances of getting the right sizes, and first-time fittings can take longer than usual, too. (And if you’re an old pro on the slopes, Mammoth Mountain has a great offering for you, too: a free lift ticket on Friday.) Read more

RockResorts and Vail Resort Hospitality start the 96-hour sale today, with participating hotel rates starting as low as $96 per night! Ski enthusiasts can start planning winter adventures now and save in world-class ski destinations like Vail, Teton Village, Breckenridge, Lake Tahoe, and Aspen, to name a few. For those not ready to see summer slip away, resorts in St. Lucia, Costa Rica, Miami, the Bahamas, and more are participating in the deal, offering the best of both worlds. Book by Wednesday August 31, 2012 for travel through April 30, 2012.

THE VALUE: Savings varies by resort, but here’s some that caught our eye:
35% Off at the Hotel Jerome, Aspen, Colorado
40% Off at the Snake River Lodge & Spa, Teton Village, Wyoming
50% Off at the Pines Lodge, Beaver Creek, Colorado
65% Off at the Alma del Pacific, Costa Rica

THE CATCH: Rates are based on availability and blackout dates apply.

THE DETAILS: To book your stay, visit www.RockResorts.com.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Check out our Travel Guides to find the destination that matches your vacation dreams.

THE DEAL: While the rest of the country kicks off summer with Memorial Day barbecues, California’s Squaw Valley Resort will still be waving skiers down its slopes. The Lake Tahoe mountain saw a record-breaking 691 inches of snow this season  –  enough to beat the 1994-1995 season’s 662-inch high and keep select runs open until at least May 30 (though July 4 schussing isn’t out of the question). Budget-minded travelers can get in on the action by booking the Stay and Ski Free package: From just $100/person (based on double occupancy) visitors who stay two nights get standard accommodations at the Village at Squaw Valley, plus two free adult lift tickets each day.

THE VALUE: When booked separately online, lift tickets tack an extra $220 onto the trip.

THE CATCH: This deal is only available Sunday through Thursday.

THE DETAILS: This Stay and Ski Free package is valid for travel through May 30; visit www.squaw.com to book your stay.

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, packages, and more travel deals.

If you’re dreaming of a California ski vacation with kids, Lake Tahoe offers an array of fantastic resorts for families. The stunning scenery is a plus, but what makes this area exceptionally kid-friendly for ski vacations is the resort set-up and the huge selection of accommodation options including cabins, condos, and amenity-packed hotels.

The main ski resorts in Lake Tahoe are located on the North and South shores of the lake. It’s not easy to get from one side of the lake to the other over the winter months, so families should choose one side as a home-base.

Which destination is best for families? Everyone has a different answer to this question.  In short, both sides of the lake have excellent resorts for kids. I grew up going to the North Shore and that’s what I know best. Here’s a review of three family favorites in that area.

Read more

With no long lines, parking hassles, or expensive lift tickets involved, it’s no wonder snowshoeing has become the fastest-growing winter sport. This centuries-old mode of transport – according to some figures, the first snowshoes were used by migrating cultures around 3,000 or 4000 B.C. – has enjoyed an unprecedented surge as of late, with millions of enthusiasts strapping on their shoes every year.

Unlike its downhill cousins, snowshoeing is relatively cheap (you’ll pay less for your own pair of shoes than two lift tickets) and accessible (anybody with an adventurous spirit can do it) – you simply strap on your shoes and go. Plus, you’ll still get the exhilaration of communing with nature and amazing views, not to mention a killer workout.

Snowshoeing is an ideal option for anybody who’s ready for a change from the slopes (or the sliding motion of cross-country skiing). In addition, because you only need about a foot of snow, you can do it just about anywhere there’s white stuff (though make sure to follow trail etiquette). Here, a few ideal destinations where you can get trekking. Read more

New Year’s might seem far off, but for powder hounds, it can’t come soon enough – especially when there are deals to be had for booking some of 2011′s roster of gay ski weeks early. Some even start happening before your hangover has had time to subside. Details below.

Never been to a gay ski week? Looking for something more low key? Ski Bums, the nation’s largest LGBT ski and snowboarder organization, runs group trips across the country and select worldwide pilgrimages (Courchevel, France and heliskiing in Sweden are on tap for in 2011), as well as day trips from NYC, creating what amounts to a mini gay ski week in the process. A new California chapter launches next Friday, October 8 at Gym Sportsbar in WeHo, so West Coasters can start feeling the chilly thrills soon. Both black diamond masters and bunny hill newbies are welcome.

Giving yourself an early present this holiday season shouldn’t be too difficult with Hyatt’s 24-hour, 40 percent off sale at 19 of its upscale resorts. Rooms at these mostly 4-Diamond/4-Star properties start at $83/night and are in top destinations like Hawaii, Florida, Texas, California, and the Caribbean.

This offer is for travel through May 31, 2010, but all bookings must be made 11:59 p.m. tonight (local time).

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Kick off the summer with an exciting family getaway this Memorial Day. Situated on the shores of Lake Tahoe, the Resort at Squaw Creek offers a wide range of appealing activities for families, from exciting mountain biking excursions to guided day hikes in the surrounding Sierra Nevadas. For the little ones, there are also plunge pools, waterslides, and a special Mountain Buddies program offering arts and crafts, swimming and other supervised programming for kids ages 4-12. Starting at just $179/night, the resort’s Memorial Day Family Getaway package covers your stay in a spacious guestroom with mountain views, plus breakfast and a $25 resort credit per night. Be sure to book soon for travel from May 20 to May 26.