Sherman's Travel

This season there are several snow-filled directions to head in to get your ski on. We’ve chosen five of the tip top spots where the spas certainly rival the slopes.

Montage Deer Valley – Deer Valley, Utah
This classic Craftsman resort tucked in to the forested slopes of Utah’s Deer Valley Resort with its ski-in/ski-out access is a truly evocative spot, reminiscent of the great North American mountain lodges from another era.

The resort is a mere 36 miles from Park City International airport and minutes away from the charming and historical town of Park City, the epicenter for cinematic and celeb activity every January with the Sundance Film Festival.

Check in to one of Montage Deer Valley’s 154 guest rooms or spacious 66 suites with gas fireplaces and sweeping mountain views. Then walk out your door and onto the slopes of Deer Valley Resort with its 2,026 acres of skiable terrain on six mountains with 100 exciting trails and an annual drop of 300 inches of fresh powder each year. If you need some ski assistance, simply call the on-site ski-concierge.

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Although we were mildly horrified by the snowfall in New York City over Halloween weekend (how apropos), that quickly faded into elation: Ski season is coming! And with the inches already being laid down this year, it’s shaping up to be a doozy.

If you’re looking to hit the slopes with some gay and lesbian friends – or make new ones – but aren’t quite ready for the powder-and-party of a proper Gay Ski Week (check out last year’s post for a sample), then a Ski Bums (www.ski-bums.org) package is the way to go. Founded in 2005 with day trips from NYC, it has grown to become the world’s largest LGBT skier and snowboarder club with new chapters in Washington, DC, and Los Angeles, and over 800 members worldwide (roughly 80 percent men and 20 percent women), a third of which are snowboarders, and everyone a heckuva lot of fun. Membership is free when you book a trip ($49 otherwise) and includes discounts of 30 to 50 percent off top-quality gear from Backcountry.com, plus typical savings of 15 percent off over booking the same trip independently. Book now for its eight major trips in 2012 (outlined below). Read more

Heads up, skiiers and boarders: Though it’s only October, you can start dusting off your gear – if it’s gathered any, that is, since the spring season continued so late into the summer – for some sweet early season deals on the slopes.

We’ve already given you the scoop on Mammoth Mountain’s offerings in this Daily Deal post (snowfall report: The resort already has 18 inches!) but there are plenty of other places where snow is falling (thanks, La Niña!) and prices are, too.

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Plan a leaf peeping or early winter getaway with this two-for-one offer from the Sky Lodge in Park City, Utah, a Condé Nast Traveler and Robb Report recognized boutique property. Book a room by October 15 and receive a second night free, cutting the price to just $150 per night! Travel is valid between October 3 and December 15, 2011.

Park City is one of the leading mountain resorts in the country and fall is a great time to visit and take in the breathtaking colors of the changing foliage. There are plenty of activities to keep you occupied, from  hiking in the surrounding trails, riding a bike through the hillside, or strolling along the avenues of Old Town Park City, just steps from the hotel. The picturesque mountain town is also home to not just one but three superb ski resorts, a perfect opportunity for some early season skiing.

After a day of exploration or hitting the slopes, unwind at the hotel’s rooftop bar, Sky Blue, which overlooks the beautiful mountain scenery. Enjoy a hand-crafted cocktail, craft beer and a bite to eat or relax at the fireplace or hot tub while taking in the stunning views.

THE VALUE: With the two-for-one offer, guests save 50% on a  two- night stay at this 4-star property.

THE CATCH: Hurry, you need to book by October 15 to take advantage of this deal.

THE DETAILS: Go to www.theskylodge.com to book, or call 435-658-2500.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates and travel deals on flights.

For general trip-planning information, see our Park City Travel Guide.

This fall, travel to beautiful Zion National Park in Southern Utah, a natural sanctuary with over 146,000 acres of cliffs, canyons and diverse plant and animal life. Stay at the historic Zion Lodge during the month of November for $140 per night, plus breakfast for two; this offer saves you 25% off the regular autumn rates. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Zion Lodge is located directly inside the park and boasts 75 hotel rooms and 6 deluxe suites, plus 40 private cabins within walking distance of the Lodge. The 4-star Red Rock Grill offers outstanding American fare and spectacular views of the park, and there is also on-site shopping and a café. Zion National Park is renowned for its sightseeing and hiking, and guests particularly enjoy the colorful fall foliage and crisp temperatures during November. Other popular activities include rock-climbing, cycling and horseback riding. Don’t delay, because this amazing sale will sell out fast!

THE VALUE: Save 25% on fall rates plus receive free daily breakfast for two.

THE CATCH: These rates do not apply from November 24-26, and prices are slightly higher on weekends.

THE DETAILS: The “Fall into Great Prices” rates can be booked online with Zion Lodge using the promotional code FALL, or by calling 888-297-2757. Sale subject to availability at time of booking.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find low rates on flights to Utah, and check out our Utah Travel Guide for more inspiration.

Tucked in the southwest corner of Utah, a quarter-mile from Snow Canyon State Park, is the 4-star Red Mountain Resort, a favorite vacation destination for adventure seekers as well as travelers looking to enhance and restore physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Over Labor Day weekend, the resort will offer the Essential Retreat package, and guests staying three nights between August 31 and September 6 will receive $150 credit. In addition, ShermansTravel.com readers will receive an exclusive 15 percent off! This combination of savings knocks $80 off daily rates, down to just $150 per person, per night! Included in the retreat are three health-based meals per day, daily guided hikes, unlimited fitness classes, healthy life classes, personal discovery activities, and cooking demonstrations! With 7,400 acres of state park surrounding the resort, and the award winning Sagestone Spa onsite, the perfect balance of activity and relaxation is at hand.

THE VALUE: In addition to $150 credit on three night stays, as well as the exclusive 15 percent off, the daily inclusions are valued at over $100 per day!

THE CATCH: This deal and exclusive savings is valid for one week only and must be booked by September 4, 2011!

THE DETAILS: To book your stay, visit www.redmountainresort.com using promo code SHER15.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison to find low rates on flights to Las Vegas, just a two-hour drive from the resort.

Check out our Utah Travel Guide for further inspiration!

The Tour de France, the top cycling event of the year, recently rolled over the finish line, and the collective reaction from viewers elicited barely more than a ho-hum. Even so, it’s hard to deny the draw of the saddle while you’re watching riders cruise through enchanting French towns and flower-filled countryside.

To that end, here are several bike-centric getaways for travelers who prefer sightseeing on two wheels, whether your desired exertion level is straight up a ski resort in Utah or a simple cruise through the rolling hills of New England.

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If you’re motivated by the Biggest Loser series but would prefer to shed your extra lbs off camera, you can actually check in to a Biggest Loser Resort. There are two existing locations, in Invin, Utah, and Malibu, and a third on the map for the Eastern Seaboard in 2012. These resorts are directly inspired – guess you could call them spin offs – of the NBC show and are no-joke fitness camps where guests can work their butts off to achieve serious weight-loss results. Expect the kind of drill sergeant-led training programs you’d see Jillian Michaels belting out on the show. Go ahead and check out what a day entails at the Malibu property here. The resorts themselves don’t look particularly luxe. They’re really all about education, nutrition, and maintaining the “loser lifestyle.” (One can only hope the future franchise does some rebranding and loses the loser name. Does anyone really want to be called a big loser? How has that stuck?) We wouldn’t call a stay here a vacation, not even a fitness vacation. Pretty sure the only pleasurable part of your trip will be checking out a good 10 pounds lighter. But, the promise of weight loss is a powerful thing. Or so it seems. The Invin resort is booked solid through October. Rates start from $1,995/week for double occupancy or a shared room in Invin; $2,295 in Malibu. Prices include all meals and classes. www.biggestloserresort.com

Now is a great time to travel to the Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah with this great Mountain Treasure Package that gives guests a nightly rate of just $150 per night. This AAA Four-Diamond Resort offers beautiful decor, a location with amazing skiing and snowboarding, and the utmost luxury. To make this package even more appealing, guests are given a $50 gift card for every night of their stay that can be used like cash at all outlets operated at the Canyons Resort, including the Grand Summit Health Club and Spa, The Farm Restaurant, Canyons Mountain Sports, and the Red Pine Café. Canyon Resort is the ideal vacation spot for families, groups, and couples. Book your room at least 72 hours in advance and travel till November 25, 2011.

THE VALUE: This saves over 35% on winter rates, plus the $50 credit for each night of stay.

THE CATCH: Rooms are based on availability at the time booking.

THE DETAILS: To book your stay, visit Canyon Resort or call (866) 604-4171.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search tool to find low rates on flights to Park City, Utah.

Nationwide heat waves have made it feel like summer is in full swing, but the year’s steamiest season officially kicks off June 21. To celebrate, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees at its 394 parks for that day only.

That means you won’t have to spend a penny to witness the Grand Canyon’s vertigo-inducing cliffs or be dwarfed by Yosemite’s massive sequoias.

The only drawback here is that the solstice falls on a Tuesday. If you’re bound by vacation days instead of a school calendar, we still suggest playing hooky and checking out one of our Top 10 National Park Hikes. Favorite picks include spelunking in Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave, exploring Bryce Canyon’s otherworldly hoodoos, and retreating to Shenandoah National Park’s leafy section of the Appalachian Trail.

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