The Westin Riverfront Resort Spa at Beaver Creek Mountain – Category 5 (12,000 16,000 points). This

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Ski and snowboard trips make for great family vacations, but lodging costs can be tremendous during the peak season. Thankfully, this is when hotel loyalty points are the most valuable. I love using my points for ski trips, charlie car rental puerto rico and have written a few posts about my experiences, but now that ski season is again quickly approaching I asked Colorado local, Jason Steele ( featured in this Little C's Traveling Friends post ), to share some of his experience in using points to book convenient ski lodging in the Western US.  Being a Colorado local, he was able to add in a few extra tips as well!
Most of the ski areas with lodging that are part of a major hotel program are in Colorado and Utah, and to a lesser extent, Lake Tahoe (on the California-Nevada border). Despite charlie car rental puerto rico some great skiing in Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and New Mexico, the major hotel chains have little or no presence close to the ski areas in those states.
Starwood appears to have the best points for ski trips. Those visiting Vail, Snowmass, and Beaver Creek can redeem points for accommodations at the lifts for as little as 10,000 16,000 point a night, and even less when you factor in the fifth night free offer. Most other properties are 30,000 points a night and up.
Hyatt offers some great deals, especially charlie car rental puerto rico for families. If you can find availability at one of the Hyatt Residence clubs, a three bedroom condo for only 30,000 points a night is a steal! charlie car rental puerto rico These suites in Aspen cost thousands of dollars a night during the peak season.
Avoid driving from Denver to the mountains on I-70 Saturday and Sunday mornings or to Denver from the mountains on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. charlie car rental puerto rico These are the peak travel times for locals and tourists alike, and traffic can easily double or triple the time of the two hour trip from Summit County to the airport. Take it from me, it is extremely frustrating to be stuck in mountain traffic for several hours.
charlie car rental puerto rico Eagle-Vail (EGE) is a great airport to fly into for trips to Vail and Beaver Creek, and to a lesser extent, Copper. For the other areas in Summit County, Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, and Loveland, the Eagle-Vail airport's short distance advantage over Denver is largely outweighed by the greater chance of weather delays. For those going to Aspen-Snowmass, but are unable charlie car rental puerto rico to get a reasonably priced flight into the Aspen airport, flying into Eagle-Vail will save at least two hours of driving. Delta, American, United, and Air Canada all offer winter service to Eagle-Vail.
Never, ever pay full window price for a lift ticket any more than you would pay the sticker price for a new car. You can find discounts charlie car rental puerto rico at the supermarket, coupons in the Entertainment book, and purchase charlie car rental puerto rico season and day passes at sporting goods stores in Denver in September and October. charlie car rental puerto rico If you will be passing through Denver in the next two months, be sure to visit an REI, Sports Authority, or Colorado Ski and Golf store to buy some tickets at less than half price. You also find tickets for sale on Denver Craigslist as well.
Save money by driving to some of the lesser known ski areas that don't have extensive accommodations. They have even formed their own 'alliance' called Colorado Gems , and they sell a discount card for $20. Personally, I am big fan of Loveland and Arapahoe Basin as they offer great skiing, charlie car rental puerto rico are near Denver, and sell 4-packs of tickets in the fall (in Denver) for about $30 a ticket.
Consider purchasing a 4-Pak to Loveland Ski Area now for only $129. This is a local favorite with great conditions and free parking, but no hotels at the base. These tickets are only on sale until November 24 th , but are frequently sold more on Craigslist during charlie car rental puerto rico the ski season. Expect to pay much more during the season. Not only is Southwest my favorite airline for family travel, they do great for ski travel as well. They have a huge hub in Denver and offer two free checked charlie car rental puerto rico bags which is great for ski gear. Also, consider them for ski trips to Salt Lake, Albuquerque, and Reno/Lake Tahoe as well.
Be aware that rental car agencies at the Denver airport are notorious for their upsell techniques. Expect to hear stern warnings about how the car you reserved can't possibly drive up a mountain or in snow and how you really need to pay an extra fee to upgrade to a larger vehicle. This is nonsense and you can expect to hear it right after they ask you if you are visiting the mountains. All cars built in the last few years have traction control and anti-lock brakes, and any car sold in the United States can drive up I-70 (I frequently see manufactures testing new models there). I've driven to the mountains countless times: Unless charlie car rental puerto rico you have a vehicle four wheel drive, charlie car rental puerto rico which is expensive charlie car rental puerto rico and isn't usually necessary, the type of car you rent will not matter much. Besides, after declining charlie car rental puerto rico the paid upgrade, you will probably be given a larger car anyways at no additional cost.
Valdoro Mountain Lodge by Hilton Grand Vacations Suites "Distinctive Rewards" Category, points worth about .25 cents each. This property at the Peak 9 base offers bedroom studios and suites with kitchens. Unfortunately, the points required charlie car rental puerto rico depends directly on the cash price, with each point being worth little charlie car rental puerto rico more than a quarter of a cent.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Breckenridge Category 6, 40,000 – 50,000 points during ski season. Across charlie car rental puerto rico the street from Peak 9 at Breckenridge ski area in Summit County Colorado, the standard room has one king bed and a sofabed.
Hampton Inn Suites Steamboat Springs Category 5, 30,000 – 40,000 points. This property is only a mile from the ski area and offers standard rooms with one king or two queens. Some even have fireplaces!
Sunrise Lodge, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club "Distinctive Rewards" Category, points worth about .25 cents each. This property is in the village of the Canyons resort in Park City and features studios and suites.
Hampton Inn Suites Park City Category 5 , 30,000 – 40,000 points. This property is just off of I-80 in Park City, and is just a short drive to Park City, Deer Valley, and The Canyons. Standard rooms include a king bed or two queens.
Homewood Suites by Hilton Jackson – Category 8, 40,000 – 70,000 charlie car rental puerto rico points. This property is in the center of the town of Jackson, charlie car rental puerto rico which is not far from the Jackson Hole ski area. The standard room is a two room suite great for families with its king bed, sofabed, fridge, and microwave.
Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort charlie car rental puerto rico and Spa – Category 6, 22,000, 27,000, or 33,000 points. I have stayed at this property and while it is right at the base of Beaver Creek and found their rooms to be a little overdue for a renovation, but still very nice. Standard rooms have a king bed and a sleeper sofa.
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino – Category 6, 22,000, 27,000, or 33,000 points. This hotel is located at Incline charlie car rental puerto rico Village in North Lake Tahoe. This is near the smaller Diamond Peak ski area, but still within a day trip of Heavenly Valley.
Hyatt Place Salt Lake City/Cottonwood – Category 2, 8,000, 10,000, or 12,000 points. While a search of the entire Salt Lake City area is beyond the scope of this article, this little gem caught my eye. Located at the base of both the Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons, skiers charlie car rental puerto rico can reach Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, and Solitude in just a few minutes, all while staying within 20 highway miles of Salt Lake City International charlie car rental puerto rico Airport. Standard rooms include a king and sofa, or two queen beds. Only 12,000 points is enough for a one bedroom suite with a kitchen.
These properties are outside the regular charlie car rental puerto rico point categories, but still offer amazing deals. Unlike regular hotels, there is limited availability of award bookings. The prices are: studio: 12,000, one bedroom: 15,000, two bedroom: 23,000, and three bedroom: 30,000.
Grand Residences by Marriott, Lake Tahoe Category 7- 30,000 35,000 points.  One and two bedroom charlie car rental puerto rico properties charlie car rental puerto rico at the base of the Heavenly Valley gondola, just a block from the casinos across the Nevada state line.
Sheraton Mountain Vista Villas, Avon / Vail Valley – Category 4 (10,000 points). Located in Vail Village, at the base of Vail mountain, this property has rooms starting at 10,000 points a night. For that rate, you get a one bedroom charlie car rental puerto rico villa, kitchenette, charlie car rental puerto rico and a separate living room with sofa bed. This is by far the best value for couples and families at a Starwood property in Colorado.
The Westin Riverfront Resort Spa at Beaver Creek Mountain – Category  5 (12,000 16,000 points). This property is actually in the town of Avon, about a mile from the base lodge. Nevertheless, there is a gondola to get you to the mountain. charlie car rental puerto rico The standard traditional room has two queen beds.
The St. Regis Aspen Resort - Category 7 (30,000 -35,000 points) – Also at the base of Aspen mountain, with rooms starting at 30,000 charlie car rental puerto rico points a night. I have stayed at this resort and was very impressed. charlie car rental puerto rico The standard rooms have two double beds.
St. Regis Residence Club, Aspen – Category 7  (30,000 -35,000 points). This property is at the base of Aspen mountain and as a residence club, has limited participation in the SPG program. Therefore, free nights must be booked by phone and availability during the peak season is not guaranteed. charlie car rental puerto rico The standard rooms have two bedrooms.
We are planning to go to Whistler in a couple years (hopefully my son will be good enough charlie car rental puerto rico to at least ski green