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Free. Yes, really. Go ahead...get excited!

Ski resorts across the country are feeling the crunch of the bad economy, and travelers are reaping the benefits. In our latest data report, Travelocity found that airfare to many top ski destinations is down, including Denver (down 7 percent) and Salt Lake City (down 21 percent).

But the freebies that ski resorts are offering travelers are perhaps even more enticing than the declining airfares and hotel rates. Yes, I said that word again. Free.

If you’re contemplating a ski escape this spring, don’t settle for anything less than a killer deal. And when you hear the word free, don’t think it’s one of those too good to be true gimmicks.

Score big with these Ski Resort Freebies

  1. Lake Tahoe, Calif.: Active duty military ski for free at Squaw Valley.
  2. Beaver Creek, Colo.: Get your third night free at The Charter at Beaver Creek.
  3. Crested Butte, Colo.: Get your fourth night free at The Elevation Hotel and Spa.
  4. Steamboat, Colo.: Kids ski for free when parents purchase a 5-day ski pass
  5. Vail, Colo.: Get your third night free at Lion Square Lodge and your fourth night free at Vail Cascade.
  6. Boise, Idaho: Unlimited free skiing when you stay at Tamarack Resort
  7. Harbor Springs, Mich.: Stay two or more nights at Boyne Highlands Resort and receive free lodging and free lift tickets.
  8. Big Sky, Mont.: Get your fourth night free at Summit Hotel.
  9. Park City, Utah: Get your third night free when you stay at Three Kings.
  10. Park City, Utah: Buy one night, get one night free at All Seasons (cumulative, buy two, get two free)
  11. Hot Springs, Va.: Stay at Homestead Resort and receive two complimentary lift tickets.
  12. Stowe, Vt.: Get your fourth night free at Stowe Mountain Lodge.
  13. Jackson Hole, Wyo.: Get your fourth and fifth nights free at Spring Creek Ranch.
  14. Whistler, British Columbia: Get your fifth night free at Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre and Pan Pacific Mountainside or your third night free at Whistler Village Inn.
  15. Whistler, British Columbia: Ski for free on your last day when you buy a ski pass for four days or more.

For the latest ski deals, go to www.travelocity.com/ski.

More Ways to Save on your Ski Trip
•    Look for deals in off-peak ski destinations. Winter is low season in destinations such as Jackson Hole, Wyo. Boise, Idaho and Banff Springs.
•    Ski for free. Mountains resorts all over the country have various incentives that include free ski passes.
•    Skip the rental car. Ground transportation to the mountain can often be had at a fraction of the cost.
•    Look for promotions: With the difficult economy, many hotels and resorts are offering deals throughout the spring ski season.