Skiing was not something that I did a lot of growing up in the big city. Not too many mountains lined the horizon outside my back porch, or front porch for that matter. Our skiing experienced was usually limited too a few small mountains in upstate New Hampshire, or if we really wanted a treat, we would make the two plus hour drive to Maine or better yet Vermont.

I began flirting with the idea to try my hand at skiing out west about two years ago, when a childhood friend went out there for business and was amazed to find a different kind of experience. The snow seemed more ‘whiter’ as he put it and much more fluffy (yes, our skiing vernacular could turn heads!) The area of Colorado that he traveled too was Crested Butte, right along the East River Valley; in the county of Gunnison.

Heralded as "the last great Colorado ski town", Crested Butte has more then just skiing, or snowboarding depending on the age you are. Outdoor adventurers and nature enthusiasts will love it here as this is what this place is all about. They host a number of summer festivals, including art festivals, mountain bike festival, a rubber duck race and a wildflower festival. Just a quick side note, helping to further entice the wildflower lover in you, the municipality is nicknamed "Wildflower Capital of Colorado". But skiing is its foray. With mountains rising to an astonishing 12,162 feet above sea level, its not wonder that the US Extreme Skiing Championships and the X Games have called this place home on more then one occasion. 14 lifts that serve 1, 058 acres, 448 acres of that total are double black runs…a nerve tingling experience that is far more advanced than this ‘skier’ cares to take on!

Like everything else these days, it's not the desire of going to places like Crested Butte, but exactly how…as in how can I afford to go. I have spoken to others about it, and there immediate reaction is "it is too far or too difficult to get to". However, it is just a quick airplane trip from Denver. Unless you are like my friend and have a nice business meeting in this gorgeous place, it might be a bit difficult to find a good deal. I have, because it’s what I do, found a perfect deal. A "Buy two get one free" airline deal that is going on for a limited time. Ending November 6, 2008 if you buy two airline tickets starting at $720 you get one airline ticket free. This amazing deal includes five night lodging, 4 days of lift tickets and ground transportation.

And how about those baggage credits that the airlines have tacked on to their flights? Well, sadly, the airlines are not going to drop that fee; but how about if you had that fee paid for you? Included with this package, comes a $30 baggage credit - $15 each way- that will reduce the pressure of all that want to travel to Crested Butte.

So, if skiing/snowboarding is on your agenda for a nice vacation, or you just want to look out your porch and see some of the most amazing snow capped mountains anywhere in the country, Crested Butte, Colorado is the place to be ~ Pure & Simple!