Eldorado Hotel Casino: There’s never been a better time to hit the slopes than right after a fresh dose of snow and the Eldorado Hotel Casino is making it easier than ever to dream up a custom ski vacation!  Build custom ski packages including accommodations, lift tickets, transportation to and from the best mountain resorts, meal vouchers and more!

With more than a dozen exceptional mountains in the Reno Tahoe area including Squaw Valley USA, Heavenly Mountain Resort, Northstar, Sugar Bowl and Kirkwood, the Eldorado invites family, friends and neighbors to join in the fun.  Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a week-long adventure, call the Eldorado to take care of both individual and group ski needs.

The fun doesn’t stop on the slopes; play all day then stay at the Eldorado, where the best dining and entertainment is paired with thrilling casino nightlife.  With nine restaurants, a Broadway-style showroom and an 81,000 square foot casino all under one roof, the Eldorado is downtown Reno’s premiere place to relax or let loose. 

For more details or to create a custom ski vacation visit www.eldoradoreno.com or call 775-786-5700 to get started.

Silver Legacy:  Create a winter getaway for two or arrange a stay for the entire family, Silver Legacy takes care of all the planning no matter how big your group may be.  With thelargest concentration of alpine and cross-country ski resorts in North America, Reno Tahoe is the perfect winter playground for snow-lovers of all ages.

After a long day on the slopes, come back down the mountain and enjoy the widest variety of dining, entertainment and gaming in Reno.   Silver Legacy offers six restaurants, top headline entertainment in the Grande Exposition Hall, a health spa and specialty salon, boutique shopping and industry-leading gaming all under one roof. 

Get going on your next winter getaway today!  Find more details on Silver Legacy’s custom ski vacations at www.silverlegacy.com or call 775-325-7401 to begin making reservations today.  

-Diana Rogers

Housed in the shadow of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains, Grand Sierra Resort and Casino invites winter enthusiasts to take advantage of room and ski packages starting at $79. 

Grand Sierra Resort and Casino is offering ski and snowboarding packages to welcome the chill of winter. Visitors booking standard rooms online Sunday through Thursday will receive one adult lift ticket to Mt. Rose Ski Resort, a $20 food credit, valid at any Grand Sierra Resort-owned restaurant, and the choice of a $20 bowling, FunQuest or a spa and health club credit or $10 in free casino play, with a free second night’s stay. Pre-arranged packages start at $79, or guests can create their own customized package and select lift tickets from 11 surrounding ski resorts.

The effective dates for Grand Sierra Resort and Casino’s room and ski packages are from Oct. 31, 2010 through April 30, 2011. Reservations can be made by calling 1.800.648.5080 or by visiting www.grandsierraresort.com. 

Restrictions may apply. Package is based on double occupancy with a minimum one-night hotel stay available Sunday through Thursday nights. Special is based on availability and may exclude holidays or special event dates and on the ski resorts being open. Casino free play is redeemable at the hotel’s players club. Food, FunQuest, bowling and spa and health club credits are redeemable directly at each venue. Participants must be 21 years or older and present valid identification upon redemption.

-Content courtesy of  Melanie Shafer

Even Colorado snow junkies need to try something new every once in awhile, and United Airlines is making it easy with added direct flights between Denver and Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

Through March 27, United is running an extra non-stop flight between the two ski meccas on Fridays and Mondays, making getting here – and getting home – as easy as checking the skis and hopping a quick flight. With the addition, United operates four non-stop flights per day between Reno and Denver on a 146-seat Airbus 320.

And for weekend warriors looking to get the most out of their ski getaway, our 18 ski and board resorts won’t disappoint. With several feet of new snow over the last two weeks, base totals are huge. Also, check out online ski-and-stay packages to make your weekend economical and easy.

Last year marked a record-setting ski season for U.S. resorts with 60.5 million skier visits, according to the National Ski Areas Association. As travelers begin thinking about where to find the best deals and the most snow for the upcoming season, Orbitz predicts Lake Tahoe will be this year’s most popular destination.

“While ski vacations are more popular than ever before, the current economy presents new challenges for travelers on tighter budgets than in past years,” said Heather Leisman, senior director of merchandizing for Orbitz. “Travelers looking for ski season savings need only a bit of expert advice on when and where to travel, and Orbitz has the insider knowledge to help them hit the slopes.”

2008-2009 Orbitz Insider Ski Index (Ranking* and average daily hotel rate**)

1. Lake Tahoe, CA/NEV    $116
2. Breckenridge, CO    $225
3. Park City, UT    $239
4. Vail, CO    $286
5. Aspen, CO    $227
6. Keystone, CO    $149
7. Winter Park, CO    $193
8. Whistler, BC    $292
9. Banff, Canada    $189
10. Steamboat Springs, CO    $204

*Based on hotel and vacation package bookings from 11/1/08 to 4/30/09 for bookings as of 10/14/08
** Based on average daily hotel rates from 11/1/08 to 4/30/09 for bookings as of 10/14/08