Northwest will fly you to Vail for $258

At the first nip in the air, travelers begin clamoring for airfare deals to the mountains for ski and board getaways. Why wait when a pair of the best bargains are available now?

The best deal comes from Northwest Airlines to Vail-Eagle, Colorado. The round-trip rate of $258 ($384 inclusive of all taxes, fees) is valid seven days a week (based on availability) starting on Dec. 17 and through the last permitted day of travel - April 6.

Amazingly there are no blackout dates. However, don’t believe that you’ll find available discounts seats during the peak year-end holidays.

www.nwa.com

If you’re able to work around several blackout dates, you’ll be able to get to Durango, Colorado at $134.50 each way, or $165.70, inclusive of all fees, taxes.

This one-way rate from Frontier Airlines requires at least a 21-day advance notice of travel. This sale rate is not valid on these dates: Nov. 25, 26, 29, 30; Dec. 1, 19, 20, 23, 26-30; Jan. 2-4; Feb. 13, 16; March 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, 27-29 and April 3-5, 10-11, 13.

The last permitted day of travel at this rate is May 20.

www.frontierairlines.com

And through midnight, tonight (9/16) AirTran offers one-way rates of $89 to Burlington, Vt.

This rate is valid Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday through Jan. 28. A 10-day or more advance notice of travel is required.

Some blackout dates apply: Nov. 22, 25, 26, 29, 30; Dec. 1 and Dec. 18-Jan. 5.

www.airtran.com

In less than an hour’s drive from Burlington, skiers and riders can boot up at some of Vermont’s top resorts - Bolton Valley, Mad River Glen, Sugarbush, Smugglers’ Notch, Stowe Mountain Resort and the Trapp Family Lodge - all family-friendly and an affordable alternative when compared with rates out west for ski lift tickets and lodging.

Discover a ski experience alternative in the gorgeous state of Vermont. The state has more ski resorts with at least 2,000-feet of vertical - and that’s more than Maine, New Hampshire and New York combined.

www.skivermont.com/alpine