Think snow!
September is the best time of the year to land airfare deals to the nation’s top ski destinations. Here’s a handful of special rates to get you on the slopes within a reasonable budget:
- Durango, Colo.: One-way rates of $160 require a one-week or more advance purchase notice. This rate is valid any day of the week, based on sale seat availability. Finish travel on or before Aug. 1, 2014. The bonus: no holiday blackout dates! Book on American or United (one flight connection required) today! This special rate has no ticket-by date which indicates it could vanish at anytime. Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort is located 25 miles north of the historic mining town of Durango, named one of America's Best Small Towns by Outside magazine. This winter paradise in the heart of the San Juan Mountains is slated to open for the season on Nov. 29. It's known for its unmatched scenery, terrain for all abilities (1,360 skiable acres, five terrain parks and kids' play area) and a vibrant, historic downtown.
- Salt Lake City, Utah: Rates of $307 round-trip are valid on travel finished on or before Aug. 1, 2014. Valid seven days a week, based on sale seat availability. Give a two-week or more advance notice of travel. Plan to stay at least any three nights or up to 30 days. Holiday blackout dates: Nov. 22, 23, 26, 27, 30; Dec. 2, 19-23, 26-30 and Jan. 4, 5. Book today on United. No ticket-by date indicates this offer could vanish at any moment. United serves SLC with one flight connection at Chicago-O'Hare. Utah boasts 14 world-class ski resorts, each with their own unique offerings.
- Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colo.: Another today-only (9/4) offer from American Airlines is a round-trip rate of $404 - valid on travel started on or after Dec. 19. Travel west Sunday-Wednesday; east Tuesday-Friday. Stay at least any two nights. Complete travel on or before March 31, 2014. Bonus: No holiday blackout dates. American serves GUC with one flight connection in Dallas-Fort Worth. Named one of the Top 15 ski resorts in North America in the 2011 SKI Magazine Reader Survey, Crested Butte Mountain Resort features abundant wide open green and blue groomed trails to more advanced long cruisers and the famous extreme limits of the North Face and Headwall — the mountain has it all.
- Aspen, Colo.: United Airlines offers a round-trip rate of $395 on travel finished on or before Feb. 12, 2014 when booking tickets through midnight, Thursday. A 21-day advance notice of travel is required. Travel is permitted seven days a week, based on sale seat availability. Stay at least one Saturday night or up to 30 days. Holiday blackout dates: Nov. 26-Dec. 3; Dec. 19-Jan. 5, 2014. United serves Aspen with one flight connection in Denver. American Airlines and Delta Air Lines match this deal on trips started on or after Jan. 6.
- Denver, Colo.: Through midnight, Thursday, purchase one-way rates of $130, valid on travel started on or after Nov. 16. This rate is not valid on Friday or Sunday. Finish travel on or before Feb. 12, 2014. Holiday blackout dates: Nov. 26-Dec. 3 and Dec. 19-Jan. 5, 2014. This offer comes from AirTran and Delta. Both offer frequent daily nonstop service.
Sale airfares are always subject to change. On some departures or days there may be few or no tickets available at the lowest price.
Since only a limited supply of seats is available, act quickly to make your purchase. 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, Orbitz or Travelocity, etc.
Airlines can discontinue or pull a sale price without notice when the offer does not have a “ticket-by” date or when the offer is deemed “sold out.”
Clara Bosonetto is a retired travel consultant.
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