By Maryann Hammers

 

Have you noticed the days are getting longer, February is more than half way over, and the holiday hoop-la has slipped into our memories?

 

Yep, spring is almost upon us. Soon, you’ll be looking at Old Man Winter in your rear-view mirror.

 

That means one thing. If you haven’t been skiing this season, now’s the time.

 

We’ve rounded up a batch of ski deals, with discounts on lifts and accommodations for members of the military. Prices start at free. Is it low enough for you?

 

California

 

Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows in Lake Tahoe spans over 6,000 skiable acres with 42 lifts and 270 trails. Active duty servicemembers receive free lift tickets (regularly priced at $95) Sunday through Friday. Just show your U.S. active duty military ID at the guest services and sales center at Squaw Valley or Alpine Meadows. If you have questions, call (800) 403-0206.

 

Avalon Lodge, a pet-friendly boutique hotel in South Lake Tahoe, is walking distance to the Heavenly Ski Area gondola. Rooms feature fireplaces, microwaves, refrigerators, and complimentary wireless; continental breakfast is free; and snowshoes are available for use at no charge. Active duty and retired servicemembers receive 30 percent off lodging. Call (888) 544-7829.

 

Scroll down to read about Forest Suites Resorts, a ski resort hotel in South Lake Tahoe (located under the Heavenly gondola), with a half-off deal for active duty servicemembers.

 

Yosemite National Park’s Badger Pass Ski Area (California’s first ski resort — founded in 1935) offers free lift tickets to active duty servicemembers and veterans throughout the season, which ends March 29, 2015. Also free: equipment rental and group lessons. Immediate family members receive half-off lift tickets, equipment rentals, and group lessons. Badger Pass offers five lifts and spacious groomed runs for downhill skiers and snowboarders, plus snowshoeing, snow tubing, and cross-country ski trails. Show your military ID at the Badger Pass activities desk to receive this offer. For more information, call (801) 559-4949. For 24-hour ski conditions, call (209) 372-1000.

 

Colorado

Image courtesy of Beaver Run Resort

 

Beaver Run Resort, on the base of Peak 9 in Breckenridge, offers military discounts to retired and active duty servicemembers all year round. Nestled between two high-speed lifts (and just three blocks from historic Main Street), Beaver Run has lodging options ranging from hotel rooms to ski-in, ski-out condos. The slope-side, full-service resort boasts a long list of amenities, including a heated indoor pool, free transportation, spa, restaurants, and gym. Discounts vary by season, but in mid-February, the military price was about $138, compared to the regular daily rate of $255. Call (970) 453-6000 for more info.

 

 

Skiing and snowboarding are within easy reach at Aspen Meadows Resort in Aspen. The resort features recently renovated suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and Rocky Mountain views, and a complimentary shuttle will take you to town whenever you like. The resort offers a 30-percent “Salute to the Heroes” discount off the best available rate for active duty and retired servicemembers (must show ID). Just enter DHSH in the promotion code box online. Call (970) 925-4240.

 

For more deals on skiing and accommodations in Colorado, take a look at these previously posted articles, here and here. These articles were posted last year, but many of these offers are still valid — just call and ask for your military discount. Also read on for the Military Honors half-off deal at the luxurious Tivoli Lodge in Vail.

 

Nevada

 

When you think about Las Vegas, what comes to mind? Well, skiing, of course. Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort sits among the aspen and bristlecone pines in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The resort offers complimentary ski and snowboard coaching, a new snow tubing area, and new lift service for intermediate and advance terrain skiers. Daily lift tickets are regularly priced at $50, but the price for active duty servicemembers is $39. Tickets can be purchased at the resort with a military ID or at Nellis AFB ITT.

 

More offers

 

Gemstone Properties offers great deals at boutique hotels and luxury resorts nationwide with its generous “Military Honors” program for active duty and newly returning servicemembers. Rooms are half off, or if you’re returning from overseas, just $65. Offers are available at ski resorts such as Forest Suites Resorts in Lake Tahoe: Tivoli Lodge in Vail, Colorado; and Zermott Resort and Homestead Resort, both Midway, Utah.

 

For more nationwide ski and mountain resort offers, click here and here .