If you are a skier or snowboarder and are thinking about canceling your ski vacation because of the economic slump, you might want to think again airlines,ski resorts and ski areas are slashing prices on airfare, lodging, lift tickets and gear to compensate for what they are afraid might be a slow winter season.
The mantra is "shop early and aggressively". Promotions can often expire without notice. Also be prepared to add extra time for lookinfg through promtions.
One first example of ski vacation offeings is Vail Resorts, with five luxury properties in top California and Colorado ski vacation destinations, which is offering two money-saving promotions for travelers who book early. The "baggage bailout" deal gives guests a $50 credit when they stay four nights or more and book by Dec. 1. Also avid skiers can purchase the Epic season pass for $579 until November 15. It is good for unlimited and unrestricted skiing at Vail Resorts and is an enormous savings on a typical $644 seven-day lift ticket.
Leslie Shor, a mountain vacation specialist for Ski.com, the nation's largest ski vacation tour operator, says resorts want to persuade hesitant consumers with ski vacation bargains.
"We're seeing a ton of promotions right now," Shor says. "This year, of course, is different than any other. We're seeing free nights and discounted rates and value-added items like free dining credits. It's also happening at higher-end properties, and we've never seen that before."
Both American Airlines Vacations and Northwest Airlines World Vacations are offering discounts on ski vacations but the pricing and timing varies. An American Airlines trip to Whistler, British Columbia, includes a round trip flight from Chicago O'Hare to Vancouver and a four-day stay at the Fairmont Whistler Chateau for $1,800 when booked by Nov. 15. This is a huge savings over holiday prices when the room rate is $764 per night. The American Airlines deal is valid between mid-November and mid-December, the Northwest promotion begins on Jan. 4.
Both Orbitz and Expedia have pre-season ski vacation deals in destinations like Telluride, Colo.; Big Sky, Montana.; and Taos, New Mexico. Orbitz is offering early bookers the chance to save up to 35% at dozens of hotels, and Expedia is discounting hotel rates and packages up to 25%.
Ski vacationers should also consult the Web sites of state marketing departments, which often serve as a clearinghouse for local and regional sales. SkiUtah has deals for the state, including a phenomenal skivacation at Silver King, a luxury resort hotel in Park City. Guests who stay for seven nights or longer will receive one brand new pair of skis, bindings and poles or a snowboard and bindings. Certain restrictions apply, and the deal is valid from Nov. 15 to April 15. 
