Squaw, Heavenly at opposite ends when it comes to lodging prices

By Mark Harden, Denver Business Journal

Aspen is the most expensive ski destination out of 20 major U.S. resorts, and several Colorado ski towns are in the top 10, Cheaphotels.org said Monday.

The travel website ranked 20 American ski destinations on what a typical traveler would pay for the cheapest available double room at a three-star-or-better hotel room at or near the area’s ski slopes in February and March.

Cheaphotels.org said a typical Aspen room rate would be $241 per night, slightly steeper than Olympic Valley, home of Squaw Valley ($239) and Utah’s Alta/Snowbird ($236).

All the remaining ski destinations ranked among the 10 most expensive are in Colorado:

4. Breckenridge — $223.

5. Vail — $214.

6. Snowmass — $212.

7. Telluride — $204.

8. Keystone — $203.

9. Beaver Creek — $199.

10. Copper Mountain — $192.

At the other extreme among the 20 large U.S. resorts, says Cheaphotels.org, is Heavenly at ($94 a night) and Idaho’s Sun Valley ($107).

Crested Butte is the cheapest Colorado ski destination among the 20 evaluated, at $134 a night.

As for lift tickets, the Associated Press reported in December that the walk-up price for a single-day lift ticket at Vail and Beaver Creek had risen to an all-time record price of $129, with Aspen Mountain close behind at $117.