When it comes to skiing and snowboarding, Colorado’s Western Slope is the center of the universe.

Depending upon where you live, you can easily be skiing within 30 to 60 minutes (or less!) of leaving your home. Extend your drive time by a few hours and you’ve got all of Colorado, and most of Utah and New Mexico, from which to choose.

This wealth of choice provides easy access to some of the most famous — and pricey — resorts in the world. But we also have access to some of the best values in skiing every single winter weekend.

COLORADO GETAWAYS

Purgatory Resort is a “best value for families” ski resort on Trip Advisor for good reason. Serving up 1,605 skiable acres with a vertical drop of 2,209 feet in the beautiful San Juan Mountains, Purgatory has 101 trails generously divided among abilities.

Kids 10 and under ski free with a Power Kids pass, which includes skiing at nearby Hesperus (CO), Pajarito (NM) and Sipapu (NM), among others. And the deals aren’t just for kids. Book a spring break visit for March and score lift tickets starting at $49, including a $10 gift card for dining and après, and $19 rentals and lessons.

DETAILS: While slope-side lodging can set you back at least $300 per night, if you stay in Durango, you’ll pay about half this amount and be near Hesperus for night skiing.

Ski Sunlight is blessed with a fantastic location south of Glenwood Springs. Book a Ski, Swim, Stay! package and get your lodging, ski passes and hot springs pool access for one price. For total relaxation, park your car and use the free hotel shuttle service to the mountain.

Currently in the midst of a three-phase upgrade, advanced skiers will enjoy this season’s East Ridge expansion, in addition to Sunlight’s 680 acres of skiable terrain and 2,010 vertical drop.

DETAILS: Sunlight’s packages are booked online and give you a choice of lodging. If you just want to ski and swim, check out the Soak & Slope four-pack: four lift tickets and four hot springs passes at either Iron Mountain or Glenwood Hot Springs.

Ready to try skiing or snowboarding, but aren’t sure where to start? Choose Powderhorn Mountain Resort for its excellent terrain and free “learn-to” lessons for those who are completely new to snowsports. Offered on weekends, “never-ever” guests ages 8 and up can take up to three free morning or afternoon lessons during the winter, including lift tickets and rentals.

Other ways to save at this 1,600-acre ski resort with 1,600 vertical feet include Mission: Four’dable Quad Packs — four fully-transferable lift tickets with no blackout dates.

DETAILS: If you want to stay slope-side this winter, Powderhorn has new tiny homes clustered at the resort base. Bring groceries and cook in the tiny kitchen or enjoy pizza by the fire in the Powderhorn Pub.

LONG WEEKENDS

COURTESY SKI SANTA FE / D SILVER PHOTOGRAPHY

Santa Fe, New Mexico is a year-round destination offering museums, gourmet dining, culture and more. During winter, when prices drop significantly, Santa Fe becomes an affordable, if unlikely, ski town.

Proudly independent, family-owned Ski Santa Fe is a high-altitude resort in the Southern Rockies offering light, dry snow that lasts for days. Ski Santa Fe is known for its ski and snowboard school, diverse terrain, glade skiing and big views.

DETAILS: Stay in Santa Fe to experience the city’s unique blend of Native, Latino and Anglo culture. Stay at Hotel Santa Fe, a Native American-owned and operated property within an easy walk of the Plaza. Save on lift tickets with an advance-purchase Peak Plus card or transferrable Six Pack of Fun.

While Salt Lake City has long been a go-to for “bargain” ski trips, this year a smart Utah pick is Snowbasin Resort, near Ogden.

With 3,000 skiable acres and 3,000 vertical feet, Snowbasin hosted the 2002 Winter Olympic men’s and women’s downhill races. The infrastructure at Snowbasin rivals the terrain — it’s simply amazing — with two gondolas, a tram, high-speed lifts and beautiful day lodges.

DETAILS: Snowbasin is on the Epic Pass for 2019-2020, so if you have an Epic Pass, your lift tickets are free. If not, purchase online in advance for the best deals. Stay in Ogden, just 30 minutes by car or shuttle for the best value in lodging, as well as restaurants, shopping, galleries and more along historic 25th Street.

Ski Weekends on the Cheap