The early bird gets the word on ski deals
As I'm writing this in early October, the annual box elder bug invasion is under way on the west side of my home and I fantasize that a freak snowstorm would serve them right and alleviate my insect willies.
There aren't any wandering ladybugs or lingering mosquito issues for those who live near Whistler, B.C., North America's No. 1 ski resort. Those folks celebrated the end of September with 12 inches of fresh white powder, which should remind us that winter family travel will creep up faster than an irritable yellowjacket on the lip of your soda pop can, so why not snag some early bargains along the way?
If you're at all interested in finally doing a ski/board family trip this season, drop everything and immediately book it if you can visit only over school holidays.
Can't get in? Have the kids complete school assignments early and make plans to ski weekdays instead of weekends when every other family is in town (whether it's Whistler or Wisconsin).
When your family skis weekdays and especially midweek (and not over weekday holidays), you can save up to 50 percent on hotel costs and lift tickets -- plus, it will seem as though you have the slopes to yourselves.
If you're beginners, tell them when you book because it's doubtful that you'll be riding the chairlifts up and skiing down "I Want to Die" peak over and over. Beginners usually get a break on lift tickets and lessons, and kids, teens and students of all ilks can catch discounts on everything from lift tickets to rentals and lessons. Hint: Ask even if it's not advertised.
Ski resorts want you in the snow as soon as possible and they're willing to reward you for hopping on the lift early in the season.
For example, Mammoth Mountain offers a First Tracks Package (stay two or more nights and receive a lift ticket for each person for each night stayed). Prices start at $115 per person, per night, based on double occupancy, and the package is valid at the Mammoth Mountain Inn, the Village Lodging, Juniper Springs Resort and Tamarack Lodge & Resort.
Get out to one of California's favorite mountain resorts, located on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, between Nov. 7 and Dec. 19 for this deal.
For more information, visit www.mammothmountain.com or call (800) 626-6684.
Check your favorite national ski resorts' Web sites for similar bargains.
No need to go through airline hassles to get in on early (snow) bird specials: Granite Peak, in central Wisconsin, presents an opening weekend celebration for the 2007-2008 ski/snowboard season on Nov. 17 and 18, when you can ski two days for the price of one.
The Wausau ski resort rolls out a white carpet with numerous special events and packages as well as top national and regional bands performing live throughout the season. For example, a Nov. 17 concert features Ingram Hill, a nationally known band offering pop/rock with a Southern influence.
Check the Web site for details about the Spirit of Christmas Week at Granite Peak (Dec. 17-21) as well as on-the-slopes events for Thanksgiving, New Year's, Martin Luther King Day, Mardi Gras, presidents' weekend, Pulaski celebrations, three family festival weekends, snowboard competitions, Saturday brat cookouts and more.
Go to www.SkiGranitePeak.com or call (715) 845-2846.
Granite Peak, about three and a half to four hours by car from Chicago, offers 275 acres of skiable terrain and the slopes of 700-foot Rib Mountain (the tallest vertical drop in both Wisconsin and the western Upper Peninsula).
Book a three-night stay at Michigan's Crystal Mountain by Oct. 31 and save up to 33 percent on early and late season and select dates. If you book a four-night stay, you can snag a 10 percent discount during holiday periods (Dec. 26 through Jan. 3; Feb. 15-23), too.
Families that reserve early will save even more, as kids 17 and younger stay and ski free midweek and those 8 years old and younger stay and ski free anytime.
Rated the No. 1 resort in the Midwest by Ski Magazine, Crystal Mountain offers an avalanche of ski package deals and a fantastic Winter Family Festival every January. The resort is about 280 miles from Chicago.
Schuss over to www.crystalmountain.com or call (800) 968-7686.