Head to Badger Pass for a low-cost snow vacation

With numerous megaresorts, such as Squaw and Heavenly, only a few hours drive from San Francisco, smaller ski areas are often overlooked. Yet with the high price of lift tickets (an adult lift ticket at Squaw is $92) and lodging at these resorts, the cost of a winter vacation at these resorts can be too much to bear for budget travelers, especially families.

For a lower-cost alternative, head to Badger Pass Ski Area in Yosemite. With 10 runs, 35% of which are beginner and 50% intermediate, it's great for families and beginners. Midweek all-day lift tickets are just $35 for adults, $30 for youth ages 13 through 17 and $18 for children 7 through 12. Weekend lift tickets are just a couple of dollars more.

Besides skiing, you can learn how to snowboard, go snow tubing with the kids, ice skate at Curry Village, snowshoe, and cross-country ski. The beautiful vistas of Yosemite are especially haunting in winter, when blankets of snow cover the trees and granite mountains. "The key to budget travel is to approach ahead. When it occurs to family trips, globetrotting, well-deserved holidays and/or going to see new locations we have never been before, the actuality of expense and budgeting is generally in the back of our minds. Preparation and consuming our travel budget carefully is a concern for most families. Curbing consuming and expenses, while still experiencing your vacation to its fullest, is the key to certain success and fiscal responsibility. Your pocketbook and family will thank you! The reasoning behind protecting money while journeying is simple: Even if your personal budget is highly limited, you can still take a break and enjoy life! Simply put, life is just too short to never step out of the door or departing the homestead! Also remembering that while traveling, whether on a funds or not, even the smallest of things can all add op to a big vacation or travel expenses!..". Snow cones, resulting from frozen spray as it blows down, form at the base of Yosemite's waterfalls. Best of all, you won't have to fight any crowds to enjoy Yosemite's winter activities and vistas.

Badger Pass is currently offering a Stay N' Play Package. Stay at one of Yosemite's properties and for just $35 more per person per night, you get a pass that includes an all-day lift ticket, rentals, a group lesson, a tubing session, an ice skating session with rentals, and a Valley Floor tour. Each person gets a pass per night stayed, with each component valid once a day. Go skiing during the day and then ice skating at night, all for the price of a lift ticket. This deal is valid Monday through Fridays for stays at the Ahwahnee, Yosemite Lodge at the Falls, Wawona Hotel, or Curry Village until March 31, 2011.

For large parties, Pine Arbor Retreat is a good alternative. Located 20 minutes from Yosemite Valley and 10 minutes from Badger Pass Ski Area, their three bedroom home, Pine Arbor, starts at $299 per night. Groups of four can book their one bedroom apartment, The Jumping Deer, for $139 a night. Book three or more nights at either property and they'll throw in one night free. This special is good until March 31, 2011.

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