How to Save Money at Winter Park Resort During the Ski Season

Saving money and getting discounts are the new norm in today's economy. Money is tight so businesses are willing to deal. This includes the ski industry. Ski resorts want skiers on the slopes this winter. Add in local ski resort competition and the ski bargains and deals are red hot all along Colorado's Front Range. If you are planning a ski trip to Winter Park Resort and Grand County this ski season, you couldn't have picked a better time.

General travel tip

The best time to travel to Winter Park Resort for a budget ski vacation during the ski season is at non-peak travel times. The ski resort and local businesses will offer better deals and the resort will be less crowded. Times to avoid traveling are Christmas, President's Weekend, Martin Luther King Weekend, and any holiday period when schools are out. One little known fact is that April always offers fantastic snow conditions, great airfares, few crowds, and excellent hotel rates in Winter Park.

Airfare

If you are flying to Colorado from out of state, transportation costs are one of the major expenses of your Winter Park ski vacation. Winter Park is readily reached by air through Denver International Airport (DIA). DIA is serviced by a number of major and discount airlines. Many run specials throughout the ski season. Discount airlines to watch are Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, AirTran, and JetBlue. If you are bringing your own ski gear, Southwest Airlines is only airline that does not charge baggage fees. Follow Frontier and Southwest on Twitter for last minute specials.

Ground Transportation

Winter Park Resort can be reached by air through DIA or directly by train via Amtrak's California Zephyr. Amtrak offers Snowball Express Specials direct to Winter Park. By taking the train to Winter Park, one can save money on rental car contracts, fuel, rental car taxes, or ground transportation fees. Once in Winter Park, the town offers a free bus system between the resort and Winter Park/Fraser during the ski season. Many hotels also offer free on-call shuttles between town and the ski resort.

Another extremely cheap method of transport to the ski resort is using the Greyhound bus service to Winter Park Ski Resort. A one-way fare is around $18.00 from Denver's Union Station if booked online. Union Station is serviced by the AF Route on the local RTD bus system from DIA.

The cheapest method of all is using local ski carpooling and rideshare programs. After filling out an online profile and searching, it's possible to find transportation using SkiCarpool.org. Posting on the Denver and Boulder Craigslist forums can also produce rides to Winter Park Resort.

Lodging

Inexpensive ski lodging can easily be found in Winter Park, Fraser, and Tabernash. Many specials are listed on the Winter Park Visitor Center website, Ski Coupons website, Vacation Rentals by Owners website, and on the Winter Park Resort website. Specials can include combined lodging and lift ticket discounts and deals. Singles can find discount hostel lodging at the Rocky Mountain Inn & Hostel.

Lift Tickets

Discount ski lift ticket deals are extremely easy to find for Winter Park Resort. The easiest method is to stop at a Front Range King Soopers or Safeway grocery store and buy lift tickets. Even cheaper ski lift ticket coupons can be found in the Entertainment Book, the Gold C Book, or the E Book. Ski coupons can even be found at Front Range gas stations and restaurants.

There are also websites that specialize in listing ski lift ticket deals such as Liftopia, SkiCoupons, and SnowJunkies. Discount passes can be found early in the ski season and the mid-season Pow Pow Platter at SkiColorado. The original 5^th grade pass provides 5^th graders free skiing while 6^th graders can receive extremely discounted skiing.

Active duty military also receive discounts on ski lift tickets and lessons. Bring your valid military ID to receive them. Active duty military can also purchase the Patriot Pass season pass all during the ski season. For more information.

Dining and Apres-ski

One visit to the Winter Park Visitor Center next to Hideaway Park will show any visitor how serious they are about offering discounts. There are many displays offering coupons to local restaurants, winter activities, and ski equipment rental. Be sure to pick up the brochure for Apres Ski Deals and the Great Deals Coupon Book. For a preview, visit the Winter Park Visitor Center website.

Many restaurants in town have website, Facebook and Twitter specials. Pick up a free Grand County Dining Guide at the Visitor Center and find a restaurant with a menu that appeals to you. Then log on to the Internet and look for their specials.

If you have a Winter Park Resort season ski pass, your pass will allow you to receive dining and shopping discounts all around the base area. Show your ski pass at the register and you'll get your discount.

Ski and Snowboard Lessons

With a bit of researching and planning, one can always receive discounts on children's and adult ski lesson. Lesson coupons can be found in the Entertainment Book, Gold C Book, Education Project Book, and on the Winter Park Resort website. If you didn't order a book, stop a Ski & Ride School instructor and ask for a referral card. You'll get an instant discount. If you are an active duty military member, bring your valid military ID. You can receive free snowboard and ski bike lessons.

Winter Activities

Free and discounted activities are readily available during the winter ski season in Winter Park. The Winter Park Visitor Center often has free snowshoe tours with snowshoes included. In Hideaway Park there is a free sledding hill with free sleds available. Winter Park Resort has free ice-skating lessons and rentals on Saturdays in the Village. Colorado Adventure Park offers a coupon on their website for tubing. Coupons for snowcat skiing, dog sledding, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, horseback riding, and the new Fraser Recreation Center can all be found in the free Winter Park Great Deals Coupon Book.

Free Colorado Souvenirs

Want free mementos of your Colorado vacation? That's easy too! Log on to the Colorado.com website and surf to the Free Hat Giveaway. Fill out the form and choose the Welcome Center that you'll pick it up at. If you are flying into Denver, choose the Red Rocks Welcome Center that is right off I-70 in Morrison. While you are checking out the Colorado website, check out the Hot Deals section. You may find even more Winter Park deals.

Need a free souvenir from your stay in Grand County? Travel to Grand Lake Brewing in Grand Lake with your free Winter Park Great Deals Coupon Book. Order a pint of one of their handcrafted beers and you'll get a free logo glass with the coupon.

Saving money on your ski vacation isn't hard to accomplish in Winter Park or the Fraser Valley. With a little knowledge and planning, you'll be playing and saving money like a local ski bum.

More ways to save on skiing in Colorado:

Discount King Soopers Ski Lift Tickets

The Entertainment Coupon Savings Book Ski Lift Ticket Coupons for Colorado Ski Resorts 2010-11

Discount College Ski Season Passes and Discount College Lift Tickets Available in Colorado

The E Book Ski Lift Ticket Coupons for Colorado Ski Resorts 2010-11

The Best Discount College and University Ski Season Pass in Colorado

King Soopers Sells Discount Lesson 4-Packs to Winter Park Resort

Sources:
http://daysailer1.com/
https://www.colorado.com/
http://www.welcomebacktowp.com/