REAL DEALS
California Hotels, From $139
Hotels in Sacramento, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, and Woodland Hills are luring guests with discounted room rates and perks like wine tastings, free parking, and gift cards.
The Real Deal: Roundtrip airfare and seven nights' accommodations in Chamonix, France from $905 per person
When: Depart Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27 or Mar. 24, 2006; additional departure dates in Feb., Mar. and Apr. are available at higher rates
Gateways: New York City; Chicago (add $25); Washington, DC ($30); Dallas ($48); Los Angeles ($60); additional cities available
Details: Hotel taxes and buffet breakfast daily are included. Additional airport taxes and fuel surcharges total a whopping $235 per person.
Book By: No deadline; 30-day advance purchase recommended
Contact: Holidaze Ski Tours, 800-526-2827, holidaze.com
Set in a valley near the intersection of France, Italy and Switzerland, the Alpine ski town Chamonix hosted the first Winter Olympics in 1924 and is famous for its rugged 15-mile Vallee Blanche run. Mont Blanc, the largest mountain in Western Europe, looms in the background.
The package includes roundtrip airfare to Geneva on Delta or Air France, hour-long bus transfers between Geneva and Chamonix, and seven nights at the historic 35-room Hotel Croix Blanche. Free shuttles to the mountain are also included with the purchase of a lift ticket. Tickets are sold at the hotel and are currently: $53 per day with a slight decrease for each day purchased (i.e. $131 for three days) or $230 for a five-day multi-pass.
The flight to Geneva makes one stop in Paris and stopovers are permitted for a $50 per person fee. Travelers can also choose to extend their stay at the Croix Blanche for an additional $60 per person per night.
Airfare to Geneva in January is currently $485 (multiple carriers) from New York City. The real savings behind the $905 Holidaze package is in the transportation provided between Geneva and Chamonix (valued at $75 per person) and the ease of having the seven-night hotel stay included (the Croix Blanche's average nightly rate is $64 per person per night). Travelers should save over $100 by booking the inclusive package instead of making their plans independently.