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Six Last-Minute Ski Hotels That You Can Actually Afford

Lake Tahoe last week, from the Hyatt Regency

The ultimate ski weekend of the year is almost upon us, with Presidents' Day fast approaching on February 21. And while the slopes are almost always packed—and some hotels we checked are already fully booked—we managed to find a few deals still floating around.

Ski.com reports that Park City, Utah's Courchevel, part of Deer Valley, has rooms discounted from the usual $325 to $260 when you book at least four nights. The Best Western Landmark Inn in Park City has rooms for the weekend for under $200 with a non-refundable internet booking rate. And Park City Crash Pads, an achingly hip management company that's putting hotel-style branding on area rentals, has rooms for as low as $109 a night.

The Golden Eagle Resort in Stowe, Vermont has rooms for $199 over the holiday. Killington's Greenbrier Inn has rooms for $156 a night while the Snowed Inn (ha) is at $192 a night for the long weekend.

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Ritz-Carlton Tahoe Should Avoid Foreclosure, After All

Where: 13031 Ritz-Carlton Highlands Court [map], Truckee, CA, United States, 96161

It only opened in December, but earlier this week things looked dicey for the Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe. On Tuesday, news outlets including The Sacramento Bee reported that the hotel had gone into default. Apparently the property itself did not go into bankruptcy, however its developer "put nearly $1 billion worth of Northstar real estate development into bankruptcy reorganization."

This doesn't mean the new Ritz-Carlton had a bad ski season, though. Spokesperson Steven Holt said, "We've had an amazing winter." But can strong business save the ski resort from bigger-picture real-estate woes?

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There's Snow in Lake Tahoe and The Ritz-Carlton is Open For Business

Where: 13031 Ritz-Carlton Highlands Court [map], Truckee, CA, United States, 96161

It’s -9ºF in Lake Tahoe today. But that didn’t stop folks from coming out to celebrate the opening of the new Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Late Tahoe. The area received over 30 inches of snow at the summit in the 48 hours leading up to the resort’s debut. Which makes us wonder: Is there anything the R-C and their concierges cannot do? (Maybe the Ritz-Carlton in NYC could do something about this rain?)

The Ritz-Carlton Highlands was five years in the making, and offers the all-important ski-in, ski-out experience for all those CEOs with too much time on their hands. (On the upside, the construction created over 350 jobs in Northern California this year. Yay, employment!)

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Ritz-Carlton To Hit the Slopes By Lake Tahoe This December

Where: 13005 Ritz-Carlton Highlands Drive [map], Truckee, CA, United States, 96161

Lake Tahoe is one of those mountainous Northern California (way North) destinations that is popular during the summer, but really bustling with activity during wintertime, what with the chance for visitors to channel their inner Jonny Moseley on the slopes.

The hotel scene in Tahoe, though, conjures up images of buffet breakfasts at Harrah's, though with resorts like Plumpjack nearby, there isn't a total lack of luxury.

But when The Ritz Carlton Highlands moves into town you'd better believe that the upscale stakes will be raised, which is what will happen when a Lake Tahoe location opens on December 9th of this year, a little later than the original fall opening that was announced.

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Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe Looks Like It Will Be Ready By Ski Season

Where: 13005 Ritz-Carlton Highlands Drive [map], Truckee, CA, United States, 96161

Lake Tahoe is getting a bit of its own Ritz-Carlton action, with the Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe slated to open up this coming ski season. This shot of the construction — which Ritz-Carlton posted to their Twitter yesterday — is showin' that the hotel is topping off nicely, though we know by now not to judge a hotel's completion by its exterior (the permits can be major issues; we get it, blah blah).

Here's what we know: the 170-room luxe ski retreat is a ski-in, ski-out property that sits mid-mountain in the Northstar-at-Tahoe ski resort, with its official opening date announced as "fall 2009." In addition to the ski concierge services, the place also boasts a restaurant by San Fran chef Traci des Jardins, a 17,000-square-foot spa and fitness center and "preferred access to the Old Greenwood and Coyote Moon golf courses."

Interestingly, this is the first "new-build resort development" to hit Lake Tahoe in a long, long time — and it's being touted as the most upscale in the region. No word yet on whether this hotel will be open year-round or close in the Spring — recall the brand's fancy ski retreat in the Vail area started closing for the slower season this year due to the poopy economy.

HotelChatter Reader Deals / Lake Tahoe Hotels / Ski Hotels / Hotel Packages / → All Tags

HotelChatter Reader Deals :: The Village at Squaw Valley's Two-Day Holiday Lodging Sale

Where: PO BOX 2025 [map], OLYMPIC VALLEY, CA, United States, 96146

Village at Squaw Valley's Two-Day Lodging Sale
15% off pre-season stays

Who's up for some skiing? The Village at Squaw Valley (in Squaw Valley, CA -- super close to Lake Tahoe) is offering a two-day sale on October 28th and 29th. If you arrive anytime between December 19th and 24th and stay for five nights or more, you can stay the 25th for free.

Or, if you're interested in a little pre-holiday ski vacay, you'll receive 20% off your pre-season stay of two nights or more. The "pre-season" is officially now through December 18th.

If you're not into the whole 2-day sale thing and aren't down for committing to a trip just yet, there are some sales going on all season including the Flexible Ski & Ride Package: accommodations for one-night and two lift tickets (for use anytime during the ski season or exchanged for services in the Trilogy Spa) starting at $182. For more serious skiers, check out the Extreme Ski Package, starting at $234, which includes two lift tickets and two high-performance demos (ski or snowboard) for each room night you book, plus a nice little welcome amenity in your room at check-in.

Access a full list of packages and make reservations here.

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Have a hotel deal you think we should consider?  Or have a destination and date where you want us to check for hotel rooms and rates for you?  No guarantees on either, but you can try your luck by hitting us here: tips@hotelchatter.com. Please include "For Reader Deals" in the subject heading.

Fall Foliage Hotels / Lake Tahoe Hotels / → All Tags

Peeper Paradise: The Village at Squaw Valley

Where: 750 Village East Road [map], Olympic Valley, CA, United States, 96146

Winter's just around the corner and soon enough those stylish ski bunnies will be hitting the Lake Tahoe slopes (Wasn't it just summer a minute ago?)

But you can beat the rush (and avoid the black diamonds) by heading to Squaw Valley, just minutes from the mountains, and at a much lower price. Sure, it's a few months before fresh powder falls, but peepers are already lining up for the fall foliage package at the Village at Squaw Valley. It's the perfect way to unwind after summer and gear up before the holidays hit.

Visitors stay in luxury condos that come complete with a balcony, fireplace and kitchen, too. (But this is vacation after all, so why not pop into one of the nearby restaurants or wine bars for dinner instead?)

Now through November 15, guests who reserve the Fall Foliage Package receive two 50 minute messages, dining credit in the village, one night accommodations in a one-bedroom condo, scenic cable rides up the 2000 vertical High Camp, candle making, wine tasting and spa treatments.

Guests who arrive this month can check out the Art Bark Festival and Village Oktoberfest, lacer County, Napa and German Wine Tastings.

[Photo: South Lake Tahoe Rentals]

Related Stories:
· Peepers Paradise: Rosewood Country Inn's Grape Escape [HotelChatter]

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The Block: Expectations, Meet Reality

Where: 4143 Cedar Ave. [map], Lake Tahoe, CA, United States, 96150

As could be expected, we're heavy into The Block, the reality show/30-minute ad for the Tahoe snowboarder hotel on the G4 cable network. Now that we're a couple episodes deep, we feel like we've got a pretty good handle on how things work at the hotel.

After holding our breath for the first episode, we got pretty much what we expected. It looks like hiring a bunch of snowboarders who smoke pot on camera doesn't lead to the most efficient operation. However, The Block is a serious operation, so management bought these kids army jackets and tried to kick these kids into shape? Is it working? Well, the hotel is sold out almost every winter weekend. Furthermore the property has scored with its nicer, sponsored rooms, like the DVS room, Napster room and Vivid room--yep, that Vivid--these rooms are much nicer than some of the run-of-the-mill barracks-style hotel units. But what's it like to actually stay at this place?

A recent guest may have summed it up best:

There are the people who stayed here expecting the usual comforts of a hotel and were sadly disappointed, and then the people who were looking for a place to drink and party (regardless of age) after a day of snowboarding who loved it.

With guys like Petey working there (hmm, wonder if he even works there any longer...somehow we doubt it), this doesn't really surprise us. Rooms start at $79, but much nicer rooms start at $139.

Related Stories:
· The Block Hotel [TripAdvisor]
· G4's The Block [Official Site]

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Napster Suite In Tahoe

Where: 4143 Cedar Avenue [map], South Lake Tahoe, CA, United States, 96150

We have mentioned the TheBlock before in this space, but we wanted to let you know about the room "napsterization" that recently went on there.

The Napster room is spacious, with a fold out couch, an 80s egg chair, a PS2, and a stereo system/computer/DVD player all in one, where you can download and listen to your Napster songs.

Sure, it may be April, but Kirkwood got dumped on the past couple of days.

More Post Break

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The Block / Snowboard Hotels / Lake Tahoe Hotels / → All Tags

TheBlock, worlds first snowboarder hotel

Where: 4143 Cedar Avenue [map], South Lake Tahoe, CA, United States, 96150

Going to Tahoe and looking for a party hotel? Check out TheBlock, a hotel for snowboarders by snowboarders. Ahh, how we love the themed hotel.

TheBlock is a 50 room hotel located in South Lake Tahoe, CA founded by Professional Snowboarder, Marc Frank Montoya and veteran hotelier Liko S. Smith.

The hotel has two second story decks, room balconies with exterior music, a rooftop hot tub, free high speed access and wireless terminals as well as. In room amenities include cordless phones, CD players, DVD/game consoles (PS2 and/or Xbox) and coffee makers.

The property is located 1 block from the Heavenly Gondola in S. Lake Tahoe.

The room curators include Zoo York and Vivid Video. Most rooms have snowboarding gear type names. Check out the Spy room pictured to the right.

The Vivid room, which should be open by the end of the year, will include the following (this info comes straight from the hotel owner):

-a stripper pole
-a stage with mirror floors (awwwww yyyeeeaaaahhhh)
-a camera mounted in the corner of the ceiling facing the bed (dont worry, it's fake...or is it?)
-mirrors on the ceiling
-a 56in. high definition TV
-an entire wall of VIVID porn titles

Tommy Lee and Paris Hilton will have to take a number, this is fixin' to be a pop room.

The newest bit of news from this South Lake lodge? Check it out:

We just bought the Monte Carlo next door,.. the rooms have tacky ass furniture from Grandmas attic and we're not gonna remodel until November. BUT the rooms are big, and each room has a CD player, Cable TV w/HBO, big ass beds with a private balcony and covered parking.

So for a limited time only you have a choice, "Grandma" rooms or tricked out signature rooms.