Sherman's Travel

We’ve all been there – you make plans to hit the slopes during winter, you blink, and suddenly spring is at your doorstep. Warmer weather and longer days are no doubt ahead of us, but that doesn’t mean that blustery ski hills are being imminently shut down. You may have to look a little harder or drive a bit farther, but there are still excellent deals to be had when visiting high-elevation ski resorts that keep the powder flowing right on through April. Here are some of our favorites. Read more

Now you have the perfect excuse to hit the slopes out West this winter. The upscale Mountain Lodge at Telluride, in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, is currently offering its Great Winter White Sale. Book any two-bedroom unit at the resort for three nights or more and save 30% on hotel rates. The resort also offers 30% off adult lift tickets as part of this deal.

The Mountain Lodge is ideally located halfway up Telluride Mountain, so it couldn’t be easier to start your day on the slopes.  The resort community, which also includes upscale condos for higher rates, offers an elegant lobby with a fireplace, a heated pool and Jacuzzi, a fitness center, and onsite ski rentals. Enjoy a drink at the rustic Tavern Bar after a day on the mountain, eat at the new resort restaurant, The View, or explore charming downtown Telluride.

THE VALUE: Save 30% on current hotel rates, along with 30% on lift tickets.

THE CATCH: Discounted lift tickets must be booked in advance. Also, this deal also only applies to stays through February 10 – so hurry!

THE DETAILS: Visit the Mountain Lodge at Telluride and enter the promo code WHITE.

WE’VE GOT MORE: For general trip-planning information, see our Telluride Travel Guide, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights to Telluride.

Hit the slopes this season in Sun Valley, Idaho, while staying at the family-friendly Sun Valley Resort. With this Ski Free Package, you’ll pay only $139 per person, per night, and receive a free lift ticket per each night’s stay. This means you’ll save 30% on the combined price of lodging and skiing!

The Sun Valley Resort boasts a fitness center, an on-site restaurant, a children’s club, and a full-service spa. Stay in a room with mountain views, a plasma TV & DVD player, and complimentary WiFi. Enjoy free shuttles to the Sun Valley Ski Resort, where you’ll fly down some of the finest mountains in the West. You can take advantage of other fun winter activities in the area, too, including snowshoeing, tubing, and heli-skiing, and enjoy shopping and dining in the quaint Sun Valley Village.

THE VALUE: Save 30% on the combined price of lodging and skiing throughout the winter.

THE CATCH: You’ll only receive one free lift ticket per room.

THE DETAILS: Visit Sun Valley to learn more, then call 800-786-8259.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights to Sun Valley. For general trip-planning information, see our Sun Valley Travel Guide.

While it is currently rainy and wet on the East Coast, California’s Mammoth Mountain has great ski conditions; so great, in fact, that they’re letting you enjoy the mountain and ski free. On Friday, December 9, the generous folks at Mammoth are giving away lift tickets to MyMammoth members (lift passes are usually priced at $86 for MyMammoth members).

It is free to join MyMammoth, and the membership allows you to save on lift tickets, snag insider information, get direct lift access, and score free Wi-Fi at the lodges and in the Village. Mammoth Mountain has more than 150 marked trails and 28 lifts, with an elevation of 11,053 feet.

Be sure to check out our Mammoth travel guide, and the use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, cruises, and more travel deals.

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

Autumn has just begun, but snow bunnies are surely counting down the days until powder coats the slopes – and so are the folks at Destination Hotels & Resorts, which manages properties in prime mountain towns like Aspen, Snowmass, Squaw Valley, Stowe Mountain, Tahoe, Telluride, and Vail. The “Countdown to Winter” sale deducts as much as 45 percent off stays in these enviable resorts for visitors who book by November 15. Even better: The sale is valid for travel from November 23 to April 14, encompassing peak ski months.

THE VALUE: This deal slices up to 45 percent off room rates during the week, plus deducts a still-generous 35 percent off weekend stays.

THE CATCH: Discount based on availability, and blackout dates apply; travel dates might vary by property.

THE DETAILS: Visit the Destination Hotels special offers page to book.

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

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.

Stay at Mammoth Mountain in California and make the most out of your vacation starting at just $218 per night — that’s only $109 per person. Plus, get a $200 resort credit per adult to help customize your vacation. The lead price was found at The Mammoth Mountain Inn but you can choose to stay at Tamarack Lodge & Resort, Juniper Springs Resort, or The Village Lodge. Take advantage of this deal now through July 6 –including July 4th weekend.

THE VALUE: With the flexible $200 resort credit you can ski the last snow falls of the season, golf at the Sierra Star Golf Club, explore the new Adventure Center, or enjoy the dining, shopping, and nightlife in and around Mammoth.

THE CATCH: A three night minimum is required.

THE DETAILS: Click here to book a reservation with Mammoth Mountain.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Need a flight to California? Use our Travel Search Price comparison tool to find the best rates.

Sign up to receive more editor-vetted deals with our Top 25 Newsletter.

With only two months left in a snow-filled East Coast ski season, the Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa in Stowe, Vermont is offering rooms from $199 – a 30 percent discount off standard rates! Located below Mount Mansfield, this luxury resort is a mere two and a half miles from both the slopes and downtown Stowe Village, offering the ultimate convenience for those looking to tear up the slopes and hit the small, but lively après ski scene. To complete the offer, the 50,000 square-foot Stoweflake Spa is offering massages and facials at a 25 percent discount! Travel is valid now through March 31, 2011 and is based on availability.

THE VALUE: With regular guestroom rates starting at $289, this offer saves $90 per night!

THE CATCH: Rooms specials available Sunday through Thursday. Spa specials not available on Saturday.

THE DETAILS: To book your stay, visit www.stoweflake.com or call 1-802-253-7355.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find low rates on flights to Vermont.

Take a peek at our Vermont Travel Guide to see all this gorgeous state has to offer!

Lufthansa is giving travelers the opportunity to combine that coveted ski vacation with travel to Europe. Carve your way through Europe’s spectacular mountains by day and stroll its historic cities at night for as little as $266 each way! Take off to Milan, Munich, Oslo, Zurich, Vienna, Geneva, and more, and ski at iconic destinations throughout the Alps and Scandinavia! Flights leave from cities nationwide for travel between December 24 and March 31, 2011. Tickets must be purchased by January 6, 2011.

Sample One-Way Fares to Europe (Excluding Taxes):
•    New York?Milan, Italy: $266
•    Philadelphia?Basel, Switzerland: $276
•    Washington, D.C. –Oslo, Norway: $296
•    Miami?Vienna, Austria: $337
•    And more!

THE VALUE: These rates can save you up to $300!

THE CATCH: Taxes and fees apply. The Blackout period is between January 1 and January 5, 2011.

THE DETAILS: To book your flight, visit www.lufthansa.com.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the perfect accommodations during your trip.

Check out our European section on the 20 Sweet Spots for Winter Value!