Don't be lulled into the back-to-school scene. The time is now to save on late, summer, autumn and winter ski trips out west.
Here's a trio of deals that will save big on that travel budget. But act fast to purchase tickets. These offers could vanish at any time.
One-way rates of $98.80 to Denver on Frontier Airlines are valid on trips taken any day of the week (based on sale seat availability) on trips finished on or before March 17. This offer does not require an advance purchase notice, so go this summer, during the colorful autumn season in the Rockies, or over the year-end holidays. A big bonus on this rate is that there are no blackout dates to avoid. Frontier serves Denver with daily nonstop flights.
Travel to the southwest corner of Colorado, and near to the Four Corners area (the southwestern corner of Colorado, northwestern corner of New Mexico, northeastern corner of Arizona and southeastern corner of Utah) with United Airlines. The carrier offers a one-way rate of $154.60 to Durango on any available day of the week through July 17, 2013. To qualify, give at least a one-week advance notice of travel. The great feature of this offer is no blackout dates. United serves Durango with one flight connection in Denver. Mesa Verde, an amazing Colorado National Park just 35 miles west of Durango. A must for train buffs is a spectacular ride aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad - an historic passenger train in continuous operation for 130 years (www.durangotrain.com).
Another budget-friendly airfare deal comes from American Airlines to Salt Lake City, Utah. Through July 17, 2013, travel at a round-trip rate of $267.20 on any available day of the week. Give at least a 21-day advance purchase notice. This sale has no blackout dates or minimum stay requirements. American serves Salt Lake City with one flight connection in Dallas-Fort Worth. Brilliant fall color is right on Salt Lake City's doorstep, in the canyons and mountains of the Wasatch Range. Just 25 miles east of the city is the Big Cottonwood Canyon to Brighton route - a designated scenic byway - and an area surrounded by the beautiful alpine scenery of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest (www.utah.com/byways). Salt Lake City's Wasatch Mountains are home to 7 world-class ski resorts, all within 30 to 45 minutes from the Salt Lake Valley (www.skisaltlake.com).
Sale airfares are always subject to change. Every seat on every flight is not offered at the lowest rate.
I recommend starting the search for available seats at Kayak.com vs. calling an airline directly. You can also search for the sale at travel websites such as Expedia, Travelocity, etc.
Clara Bosonetto is a retired travel consultant.
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