Affordable Ski Areas

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

08 Nov 2007 01:19 PM

Yes, they do exist.

In my previous blog I lamented about the fact that I really can't afford to frequent swanky ski resorts. It's a problem I share with other cash-strapped, I mean, budget-conscious vacationers. It's also a situation being addressed by more and more ski areas.

Colorado's Winter Park is a prime example of how you can shoosh down the slopes without spending a bundle. On the other side of the Continental Divide, the Colorado town of Silverton offers a great rate for experts (meaning you must bring an avalanche beacon, shovel and probe to ride unguided). At a rate of $49 a day to explore 1,655 acres on skis--it's a deal almost too good to pass up.

For those of you who don't regularly ski with a shovel strapped to your back Silverton offers 35 skiable acres at the family-friendly Kendall Mountain Recreation Area. The mountain boasts a double-chair lift and tickets are just $15 for adults, $10 for children.

Visitors to nearby Durango can ski at swanky Telluride, Durango Mountain Resort, Silverton or Wolf Creek Ski Area for double-digit rates. But, if you are looking to make your way down the face of a mountain for less than $10 consider visiting downtown Durango and a local favorite, Chapman Hill, which boasts 7.5 acres with a terrain park and two rope tows. Access is $5 for adults and $4 for kids. The area primarily attracts kids taking lessons and nighttime skiers, but for less than 10 bucks I would suggest taking advantage of the opportunity.

If you are planning a ski trip to Juneau, Alaska be sure to check out city-owned Eaglecrest Ski Area. It offers 640 skiable acres at great rates. Alaska offers another affordable ski area in Hilltop Ski Area, which offers day passes for less than $45.

Closer to home (at least for me) is Mt. Holiday Inc. in Traverse City, Michigan. The non-profit, non-smoking 45-acre hill offers lift tickets, rentals and lessons to kids who can't afford to enter the sport on their own. It is also very popular among the locals so if you are visiting the area expect a lot of company.

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Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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