It’s time to ditch the books, strap on the goggles and hit the slopes. Winter is finally here! If you’re still not sure where to go for your winter sport excursion, check out our top picks.

Durango Mountain Resort
Tucked away in the Southwest Colorado Rocky Mountains, Durango Mountain Resort offers all the amenities of large resorts without the crowds. The vibrant community of Durango is loaded with bars, brewpubs, and restaurants providing endless options for fun after the lifts close.

 

Features Include:

• Purgatory Mountain, just 25 miles north of Durango, offers 85 tails.
• Lift ticket rates: tickets are $62 during regular season (non-holiday dates) and $67 during holiday dates.
• Snowboard rentals range from $35 - $42 and ski rentals range from $26 - $38.
• New boarders can participate in the Burton “Learn to Ride Program” which uses specific boots, boards and bindings along with top instructors.
• When you book three nights of lodging at Durango Mountain Resort properties and three days of lift tickets, you will receive a fourth day and night for free. Complete vacation rates start at just $239 per person including 4 nights lodging and 4 days of lift tickets. Based on quad occupancy 4 night stay required.

 

 

Durango Mountain Resort
durangomountainresort.com
#1 Skier Place
Durango, CO 81301
Tel: (800) 982-6103 or (970) 247-9000
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Sierra Summit is a lowkey, full-service resort for a low-budget day in the snow or an extended weekend at the local inn where skiers and boarders can relax after a day on the slopes. Although Sierra Summit lacks many of the amenities of larger ski resorts, its seclusion (65 miles from Fresno) offers vacationers a chance to truly escape.


Features Include:

• All-day lift tickets available at $52 for adults and half-day tickets for adults can be purchased for $42. Every Mon. - F ri. during non-peak season, college students get $10 off regular allday lift tickets (with valid Student I D)
• The mountain offers seven chair lifts, three freestyle parks and a halfpipe
• Ski or ride for free on your birthday with valid driver’s license
• Shuttle bus from Fresno for day skiing (6 a.m. to return at 7 p.m.), bus ride and lift ticket $60
• Sierra Summit Inn is a short walk from the lifts (rates start at $65 weekdays and $90 for weekends). Inn features the famous Buckhorn Bar and a casual dining room.

 



 

Sierra Summit Mountain Resort
sierrasummit.com
59265 Highway 168
Lakeshore, CA 93634
Tel: (559) 233-2500
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Mt. Baldy
Mt Baldy is L.A.’s largest and closest ski resort with three big mountains to serve you. Skiers and boarders alike will enjoy the wide variety of terrain from the very beginner to the steepest vertical drop in Southern California. Save gas and time, only 20 minutes from Ontario/ I nland Empire, the perfect winter adventure.


Features include:

• 28 runs,400 skiable acres,800 acres total
• 2100 vertical feet - 20 % beginners 40% intermediate 20% Advance 20% expert
• New Monster Tubing Park, New added rails and features to our growing terrain park
• New 9 million gallon snowmaking reservoir
• Lift ticket rates: Adults $54 regular season non-holiday. $64 holidays and peak weekends
• Students save $20 anytime with this article and valid student ID

 



 

Mt. Baldy Ski Resort
mtbaldy.com
End of Mt. Baldy Rd.
Mt. Baldy, CA 91759
Tel: (909) 982-0800

Big Bear
Big Bear is one of the most popular ski destinations for California college students, coupling a full mountain of wintertime activities with a small town full of shops, restaurants, and bars to pass away an evening off of the slopes.


Features Include:

• 26 lifts and interchangeable lift tickets,
• 435 skiable acres, free shuttle between areas, Southern California’s only Superpipe (part of terrain park)
• Lift ticket rates: $53 for a one day adult (22 and over) ticket and $43 for a young adult (13-21) ticket
• Affordable night skiing offered. Nighttime lift pass: Adult: $30, young adult: $26.
• Offers midweek lodging up to 25% off
• Bed and breakfasts, private lodges, private cabins and resorts are all within walking distance to the slopes or under a five-minute drive.

 

Mammoth Mountain Resort
Just west of the town of Mammoth Lakes, CA in the Inyo National Forrest, Mammoth Mountain is actually a large lava dome complex. Get ready for an eruption of fun as you and your friends explore the many mountain trails that climb to 3,100 vertical feet.


Features Include:

• 3,500 skiable acres, 150 named trails, 400 inches of snow per year.
• Lift ticket rates: Beginning Nov. 13, tickets are $69 for a full day, but multiple day tickets will allow you to save up to $83.
• Ski and board rental packages, for a full day, range from $32- $38.
•  "First T racks” Package allow guests to stay two or more nights and receive a lift ticket for each person, for each night stayed. Stay slopeside for as low as $99 per person per night.
• Stay at the Village Lodging for the highest level of luxury, rated one of Conde Nast Traveler’s Top 50 Ski Resort properties.

 

Donner Ski Ranch
Located in California’s Northern Sierra Nevada, Donner Ski Ranch offers especially good snow without a significant change in altitude. Skiers and boarders alike will enjoy the 45 runs and the natural splendor of the mountaintops of the California highlands.


Features Include:

• Six chairlifts and 460 acres with a variety of terrain for all abilities.
• 33 feet of snow every winter, higher than the local average.
• Lift ticket rates: Adult ticket rates are $30 midweek and $40 weekend/holiday.
• Ski and board rental packages, for a full day, range from $35- $36.
• Group excursions are available for groups of 20 or more. F or more information, call (530) 426-3635.
• Lodging includes the T ahoe Vista Lodge and Cabins and the Rustic Cottage Resort.
• If you bring a student I D on Monday or Fridays you can get a discounted lift ticket for $20. Or, with valid student ID, you can purchase the
• “Learn To Turn” package for $35

 

Revelstoke Mountain Resort
If you and your friends are willing to venture beyond the states this winter season, Revelstoke Mountain Resort in British Columbia, Canada is the place to be. The $1-billion, four-season resort is one of the world’s best winter sport destinations.


Features Include:

• Lift skiing, cat skiing and heli-skiing from the resort village base
• Magic carpet lift takes passengers 5,620 ft
• The newly remodeled Day Lodge features a full-service restaurant with expresso bar, deck with barbeque, retail, rental, and repair shop.
• Lodging includes the Nelson Lodge and the Coast Hillcrest Resort Hotel

 



 

Revelstoke Mountain Resort
RevelstokeMountainResort.com
Revelstoke, BC V0E 2S0
Tel: (250) 837-9400
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