I’m looking outside my window in my home office in the Colorado mountains and the snowflakes are swirling outside! If the storm heads east, as they typically do, that’s great news for Eldora Mountain Resort just 22 miles from Boulder. This ultra-convenient ski resort has a great section of easy green trails for beginners, as well as some solid intermediates and black and double-black diamond runs. It’s no Aspen or Vail, but it’s a friendly, varied ski hill. Plus, it’s affordable: an adult day pass is $62 (compared to nearly $100 at Aspen and Vail).

Studio suite at Residence Inn Boulder

But the best way to save is to seek out some “ski and stay” packages at local hotels, like the “Escape Ski Package” offered by the Residence Inn Boulder and the Courtyard Boulder. Each offers standard accommodations (“comfortable room” at the Courtyard, “studio suite” at the Residence Inn), two full-day lift tickets and a breakfast buffet for two. Rates range from $199 to $269 and the deal is available through ski season, April 12.

Just type in SKI when you’re booking on the Marriott website to take advantage of the promotion (think about it; two lift tickets are $134 right there, so you’re getting a killer deal for your room and buffet breakfast for two). Or call 800-228-9290.