With the money crunch this year, most of us won’t be traveling abroad anytime soon. But with so many great options in our backyard, why even leave Colorado? Our ski resorts are doing all they can to make our weekend getaways affordable and fun.

Telluride, Aspen, Copper, Winter Park and Steamboat are just some of Colorado Ski Country’s 22 resorts that give free daily mountain tours.

Some resorts, such as Telluride and Silverton, offer free ice-skating (cost of rental equipment is not included).

Some other great deals:

SolVista Basin is offering a limited Get on the Snow package priced at only $149 for families interested in learning the sport by professional ski instructors. The package includes two days of lessons, rentals and lift tickets. After the weekend of fun draws to a close, participants will receive a free season pass for the remainder of the ski season and a $20 voucher to use in the retail shop.

From now until January 10, 2009, families can purchase the Granby Ranch Family Passport for $899. The package includes season ski passes, bike park passes, four foursomes at the Headwaters Golf Course and two and half days of private fly fishing on the Fraser River.

Arapahoe Basin, perched at 13,000 ft. atop the Continental Divide, isn’t just for the expert skier. A-Basin offers reduced rate beginner lift tickets at the Molly Hogan learning center.

Copper’s Freedom to Explore Lodging Package–Designed for the guest looking to ski or ride at Copper, but wants the freedom to explore Summit County. This package includes a hotel unit packaged with discounted Beeline Advantage lift tickets for one night of lodging in Summit County and one day of skiing or riding at Copper. Beeline Advantage lift tickets allow early risers to start their day 15 minutes earlier than regular ticket holders and speed through lift lines throughout the day. You get all this from $77 per person, per night, with no minimum night stay requirements, based on double occupancy. Restrictions may apply – call your Copper Vacation Specialist at 866.534.7444 to book the Freedom to Explore Lodging Package.

Crested Butte’s Ski Free–This early season, November 26 through December 17, when you book your lodging with Crested Butte Vacations you’ll also receive FREE skiing. Stay and ski free packages start at just $63 per person per night. This special package is only available through Crested Butte Vacations. Please call 800.810.7669. Restrictions may apply.

Crested Butte is also offering 1/2-price skiing to pass holders from any Colorado Ski Resort. Simply show your pass or discount card from any other ski resort at the ticket window and get 1/2 price on your lift ticket. Also get 15% off lodging through Crested Butte vacations November 26 – December 15 with your pass.

Powderhorn Resort is providing shuttle service to the resort on all weekends and holidays. In addition, starting in January, when a guest purchases 10 gallons of gas or more at any Phillips 66 station, they will receive a “buy one, get one free” lift ticket.

Not a skier yet? It’s never too late to start. Almost every resort (with the exception of Silverton and Howelsen Hill) offers ski school for young and old. A few of our favorites include:

Steamboat has a national reputation for the best children’s programs in the country and has been ranked numerous times as the #1 Family Resort in the West by SKI Magazine.

In 2007-2008, Aspen Skiing Company unveiled The Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center at Snowmass base village. As the focal point for kids’ programming at Aspen/Snowmass, The Treehouse stands as the first of its kind in the snowsports industry, boasting teen activities, kids’ retail and a host of themed rooms for ages eight weeks and older.

Eldora - Located only 21 miles from Boulder, Eldora has a great new nature education program in the line-up this year, perfect for locals.

For more promotions or general resort information, checkout Colorado Ski Country USA for the latest and greatest.

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