Our New Orleans winter was much easier to deal with than the snow drifts and ice storms found in other parts of the country. But even so, it’s time for spring break and all the perks of shoulder season travel.
If you’re a skier or snow-boarder who wants to get in one last trip to play in the white stuff, you’re in luck. Last year, the spring ski season lasted until the first weeks of MAY in some western U.S. towns. In Colorado, check out Breckenridge, Winter Park, Copper Mountain and Aspen.
Spring skiing is also popular in Utah, go to skiutah.com for details, and deals, such as the Family Spring Skiing special at Alta Lodge, where a free kids’ program provides après ski activities for the little ones, including dinner and a movie. From April 1st to the 19th, parents booking a vacation four nights or longer can save even more money, because two kids 12 and under can sleep and eat for free. Full breakfast and a four-course dinner for mom and dad are also included in the rate.
But if you’ve had enough of winter, there are some beach-oriented options too, starting with Hawaii. The tourism board website, gohawaii.com, has a link to help you “Find Deals Now” and this is time of year when the winter beach-goers have gone home, so many hotels and tour operators lower their rates to keep the momentum going. It’s the magic of shoulder season.
If you can wait until after Easter, there’s usually a discount of 20%-30% on rates in the Caribbean. The sweet spot is the time period before the kids get out of school for the summer.