Ski deals at Lake Tahoe resorts
Snowfall records are being broken at many of the Lake Tahoe ski resorts. Several storms dumped up to 10 feet of snow in the days just before Thanksgiving making November the snowiest in more than a decade -- and in some areas in over 30 years. All seven of the world-class ski resorts in the Tahoe area are boasting the deepest base depths in the nation.
One of the most popular resorts, Squaw Valley, is reporting receiving ten feet of snow in recent days and more than five feet at Northstar-at-Tahoe. Skiers and boarders coming off of slopes at Heavenly (which straddles the Nevada-California line at South Lake Tahoe, Calif.) say conditions are January-like. South of Tahoe, the Kirkwood Mountain Resort reported its snowiest November in 30 years. Alpine Meadows, just north of Tahoe, received the largest single November storm in its history with nine feet of snow.
What are you waiting for? The Lake Tahoe area is the most affordable for lodging and ski lift tickets in the country with per person rates starting at $52 per night.
For instance, the Heavenly Mountain Resort offers a "Buy-One-Get-One" stay-and-ski package on midweek stays through Dec. 16. Accommodations at Big Pines Mountain House are priced at $55 per person, per night, based on double occupancy. A two-night minimum stay is required.
The "Heavenly for Half Off" package starts from $52 per person, per night on four-night stays -- and includes four days of skiing or riding.
One more package, valid on stays through Dec. 20, is priced from $135 per person and includes three nights of lodging at Big Pines Mountain House (midweek) with two days of lift tickets.
Other lodging options are available at higher rates.
For more, visit Heavenly at http://www.skiheavenly.com .
Get to Reno-Lake Tahoe at round-trip airfare rates of $218 on trips finished on or before Feb. 10.
Three airlines are participating which should make finding sale seats a bit easier.
All three carriers require a one-week advance purchase notice and stays of three to 30 days. Travel is permitted any day of the week, based on availability.
USAirways and United have no blackout dates on this offer. However, Delta Air Lines does not permit this special rate on Dec. 16-31.
United serves Reno-Tahoe with connecting service in Denver; USAirways through Phoenix and Delta via Salt Lake City. Stopovers are not permitted.
Hurry to buy tickets at this low rate -- it could vanish at anytime.
Sale fares listed here are subject to change. Every seat on every flight is not offered at the lowest rate. 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 Web sites such as Expedia or Travelocity, etc. Airlines can discontinue or pull a sale price without notice when the offer is deemed "sold out," or when that rate does not have a "ticket-by" date.
Clara Bosonetto is a retired travel consultant.
