Affordable family ski vacations

Three bargain ski resorts
At these three resorts you’ll find plenty of beginner terrain, deals on children’s lift tickets, and ski schools that teach kids to love the snow.

1) Okemo Mountain Resort, Vt.
Okemo calls itself a "family ski resort," and it certainly deserves the title with gentle beginner and long intermediate slopes and an excellent ski school that will put kids as young as 2 on skis. You’ll also find an ice skating rink, sledding hills, and a daycare center that stays open until 9:30 p.m. on Saturdays so parents can enjoy some time off and ski under the stars. What’s more, kids 6 and under ski free, and lift tickets for children ages 7 to 18 are considerably less than adult tickets.
Lodging: The Best Western Ludlow Colonial Motel offers special Ski & Stay packages that include lift tickets, shuttle service to the mountain, and complimentary breakfast.

2) Northstar-at-Tahoe, Calif.
For parents that want to be right there with their children as they make their first turns, this resort offers free Mommy, Daddy & Me lessons for children ages 3 and 4. The instructor will also give parents tips on teaching their kids. Other perks include a snowboard park designed just for little ones, designated “mellow yellow” zones on the ski slopes for beginners, and plenty of snow parks where kids can kick off their skis and build a snowman or throw snow balls. What’s more, kids 4 and under ski free and kids 5 to 12 pay only $30 for two days of skiing.
Lodging: The Best Western Truckee Tahoe Lodge is only five minutes from the ski resort and offers ski packages.

3) Winter Park Ski Area, Colo.
This unpretentious resort is best known for huge snowfalls, but it’s gaining a reputation for its stellar ski school that takes kids as young as 3, as long as they’re potty-trained. Families also appreciate the large number of green and blue slopes and Discovery Park, a 20-acre ski area designed especially for beginners, complete with warming huts. Kids want a break from skiing? They might enjoy ice skating, sledding, tubing, or snowshoeing. Children 5 and under ski free.
Lodging: The Best Western Alpenglo Lodge is minutes from the mountain. After a day on the runs, the family can return to the hotel to soak in the hot tub that fits 14 people.

Three ways to save on family ski vacations
With a little planning you can go on a ski vacation that won’t break the bank.

1) Ski at off-peak times. It is usually less expensive (and less crowded) to ski during the week. Avoid holidays—such as President’s and Martin Luther King weekends. Early January, right after New Year’s Eve when kids are returning to school is one of the best times for deals. Another time to score deals is in the spring, just before the snow melts.

2) Go for freebies. Many resorts offer deals where kids ski free. Buy an adult ski lift ticket for five or more days at Steamboat Springs in the Colorado Rockies and you'll get a free 12-and-under child's lift ticket for the same number of days. Look for similar deals at Oregon’s Mt. Bachelor and New Mexico’s Red River.

3) Save on equipment rental. Price out equipment rental on your resort's Web site in advance of your trip. By pre-booking online you can sometimes save up to 20 percent or more off the overall rental cost. Also, look for discounts on SkiCoupons.com and RentSkis.com.