Super Bowl Sunday is a fantastic, uncrowded day to hit the slopes, and if you’re looking for a great deal on skiing, this is the weekend to book your tickets. Liftopia has announced their third annual Super Bowl Lift Ticket Sale.

The Third Annual Liftopia Super Bowl Ski Ticket Sale has a fantastic group of 44 hot deals up to 63% off (in honor of Super Bowl 44) that will have you loading up and heading out for a fantastic day on top of a mountain!

Watch Super Bowl 44…after getting out on the snow.

It’s time to start planning for spring break, and these Spring Break Ski Deals are just in time: Get the Third or Fourth Night Free with great sales at Keystone Resort in Colorado. This resort is lifting the blackout dates precisely during its busiest ski months to offer a Spring Break On Us promotion of a third night free (for certain weeks you’ll get the fourth night free). Or $581 & up for 4-Night Ski Packages Across North America, with airfare. Build a Ski vacation that’s all about you. Your flight. Your hotel. Lots of options!

There’s a number of other airfare and hotel deals going on now too. $639 & up for a 4-Night Montreal Westin Package with Airfare at the Le Westin Montreal, ideally located in a world famous tourism and historic district of Montreal. This state of the art newly built hotel features a full service spa, a complete health club, a fine dinning restaurant inspired by International cuisine and a lobby lounge which promises a welcoming and yet, relaxing environment.

$339 & up for 4-Night Mexico Packages, including airfare. There are a number of desinations available, such as Cancun and Riviera Maya from $339 per person, Cozumel from $390 per person, Puerto Vallarta from $406 per person, Los Cabos from $493 per person, and other deals for travel to Acapulco, Guanajuato, Guadalajara, Ixtapa, Mazatlan, Puebla, and Riviera Nayarit!

$253 & up for 4-Night Phoenix, AZ Packages, with airfare. Book a low-priced escape today and revel in a golf-and-spa sanctuary, a round-the-clock casino hotspot, a heart-pumping outdoor adventure, or a lavish luxury resort for less.

$227 & up for Vegas 4-Night Vacations with airfare. Choose from a fabulous array of some of Las Vegas’ most popular resorts, including Caesars Palace, Paris, Rio, Harrah’s, Flamingo, Bally’s, and Imperial Palace. Experience the dazzle, glitz, and high energy of the Las Vegas Strip, where you can relax in the finest accommodations.

$1134 & up for 6-Night Bali Packages with airfare. Offers vary by hotel, are subject to availability, and may be discontinued without notice. Additional restrictions and blackout dates may apply.

$48 rooms at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. This is a great deal because it includes the Paradise Tower, which just opened in August. Plus, if you sign up for Hard Rock e-mail newsletters, you can receive e-mail promotions for even greater savings, to the tune of 40% off.

$89 a night for Hilton Beach Resort & Spa, that’s 50% OFF this Sandestin, Florida hotel with in-room movies and video games. Rooms feature a dressing area with 2 vanities and an on-site Full Service Spa.

Practical Traveler columnist Michelle Higgins 10 Ways to Cut Your Travel Costs This Year. Her ideas include looking into rentals rather than hotels, tracking prices after purchase, and starting a twitter account to follow twitter accounts that tweet last-minute best travel deals, like us @BesTravelDeals.

Zephyr Cove Resort offers a different take on the Lake Tahoe experience.  While most visitors cruise down the slopes of popular ski resorts, Zephyr guests will be treated to a winter mountain getaway with boat rides on the area’s namesake lake and snowmobile tours of the scenic back country of the Sierra Nevadas.

This winter, Zephyr Cove is offering a package priced 22% below regular rates.  The “ride, stay and cruise” package includes two nights in one of the resort’s studios, bungalows or one-bedroom cabins and sightseeing excursions on the lake and in the woods.  The reduced price is $200 per person.

With each room booking, guests receive two passes to cruise Lake Tahoe on the M.S. Dixie II.  This boat holds over 500 passengers, making it the largest vessel on the lake.  The cruise offers stunning views of the water and the Sierra Nevada range.

Guests also receive two passes to take part in a guided snowmobile tour of the Sierra Nevada’s back country.  The resort runs tours that are suitable for people of all skill levels.

Of course, most visitors come to Tahoe for excitement.  The Zephyr is located only one hour from Reno and is within a short drive of the nightlife, restaurants and casinos of Lake Tahoe.  So the excitement is accessible, but  just far enough away that Zephyr Cove  feels like a true mountain getaway.

Booking for this 22%-off deal runs until March 30th, 2010.  Travel dates run through the end of April.  To book now, visit the Zehpyr Cove web site or call 866-761-6240.  In order to obtain the discounted rates, you will have to use the promotional code RSC200PP.

Check out Lake Tahoe’s land accommodations as well. There’s plenty of Lake Tahoe hotel deals for your perfect fall or winter getaway.

Tour Egypt with this outstanding Nile Cruise and hotels in Luxor, Taba Heights and Cairo, from $2224 USD. Price includes: Flights, local transfers, 7 nights in Taba Heights on a half board basis, overnight stay in Luxor with dinner, 3 nights Nile cruise on a full board basis & 3 nights in Cairo on a half board basis.

Also in Egypt, Iberotel Coraya Beach Resort from £539.00 A diving school is located right on the sandy beach with adjacent calm and warm snorkelling waters for getting to know the Red Sea safely. The hotel is built in an oriental style, set in quiet surroundings directly on the Ghorayfat Bay, about 70 km from small village of El Quseir.

Looking for a last minute gift idea? Fly with a fighter pilot for only $349. Your fighter pilot instructor will teach you to fly aerobatic manoeuvres and the trip can be as mild or as wild as you choose. While this isn’t quite a travel deal, it’s certainly a great deal at a once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunity that makes an excellent gift!

$99 per night at a newly renovated Albuquerque Sheraton. The Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown, which has undergone a $20 million renovation, is offering $99 weekend rates through March 28. Stay on Friday and Saturday nights for 40% OFF.

Save 32% Pre-Olympics at the Shangri-la Hotel in Vancouver, Canada. This package offers great savings, and continues through February 7, 2010. Under this deal, accommodations start at $268 (C$285) for a Superior Room (including taxes and fees), and come with breakfast for two at Market by Jean-Georges and free overnight valet parking.

$139 per night for this southern Oregon Ranch Near the Cascades with full kitchens, gas fireplaces and incredible views that make Running Y’s two-bedroom townhomes and chalets an idyllic destination for everything from family gatherings to romantic getaways.

$109 a night for a Kansas City Country Club Plaza Hotel. The Kansas City Marriott Country Club Plaza is centered in some of the city’s best shopping and entertainment. Amenities at this hotel include a lap pool, fitness center and tennis courts.

Kids Ski, Fly, and Stay Free in Colorado. United Airlines and American Airlines are teaming up with Vail and Beaver Creek resorts in Vail, Colorado to offer families the deal of the season: kids fly, ski, and stay for free. Considering that plane ticket can set you back around $300 to $400 per child, and lift ticket start at $140 for three days, this deal offers some serious savings for families! With combined savings totaling at least $500 per child, there’s never been a cooler time to hit the slopes

Speaking of skiing, $420 a night for Park City’s famous 5-Diamond Lodge, Plus 4th Night FREE! Stay 3 nights at the five-star, five-diamond Stein Eriksen Lodge and get your fourth night free! Nearby all the fantastic ski resorts of Park City, you’ll enjoy gorgeous accommodations and fantastic service on your mountain getaway.

The Austrian Tourist Office is holding a contest called “Its Got to Be Austria Facebook Sweepstakes” where the winner chosen (and their guest) will receive a 7-day themed vacation package of their choice valued at $4500. Contest is open to residents of the U.S., 18 and over. Official rules can be found at ItsgottobeAustria.com or via Facebook.

$79 & up for an Orlando Hotel near Walt Disney World. This deal saves 50% off regular prices and includes complimentary daily breakfast. This hotel is a winner of TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Award as a “Top 10 Family Hotel in the United States” and features three swimming pools, shuttle service to nearby attractions and complimentary parking

Ski Areas of New York (ISKINY) has teamed up with lodging properties to bring you three special ski & stay weekends this winterwhere if you ski and stay two nights you get a third one FREE! The special weekends are January 9th, February 6th, and March 6th. The third night lodging and day skiing can be used for a Thursday stay Friday day skiing/riding or Sunday stay Monday day skiing/riding.

McCurtain County Announces ‘Cozy Fireplace’ Discounted Winter Rates. Tourism is booming in Southeast Oklahoma, primarily due to North Texans. To say thank you and welcome back, most McCurtain County lodging operators have lowered their winter rates.

At the Viceroy Palm Springs, the “Breathe Easy” package offers 25% off all of your resort purchases. That includes your room, as well as spa services, meals, beverages and the resort fee.

$104 a night for Boston’s 4-Diamond Waterfront Hotel. This AAA 4-Diamond hotel is less than three miles from historic Back Bay, Faneuil Hall and Logan International Airport. The Westin Boston Waterfront features complimentary shuttle service to nearby attractions and a number of dining choices, including Sauciety restaurant, Starbucks and Birch Bar.

$89-$111 a night for an upscale Pittsburgh Riverfront Hotel. It’s hard to beat the Sheraton’s location, adjacent to Station Square, the city’s entertainment hub, filled with upscale restaurants, shops and nightlife. The Station Square Dock of the Gateway Clipper Fleet is also just a short walk from the hotel. This tourist highlight showcases a collection of the country’s premier riverboats, and is perfect for sightseeing, dining or even dancing cruises along Pittsburgh’s three rivers.

$149 a night at this South Beach All-Suite Hotel in Miami with private beach access and an On-Site Fitness Center.

$109 a night for a Riviera Maya 4-Star All-Inclusive Resort with all-suite accommodations, 12 swimming pools, and a family-friendly Kid’s Club.

$699 for a St. Lucia All-Inclusive 4 Nights special, with Airfare. Come experience Almond Resorts All-Inclusive Caribbean Vacation in Barbados and St. Lucia. Book now though, as this sale ends Monday!

West Hollywood Shopping Package. From now through January 10, this trendy hotel is offering a remarkable shopping package with rates starting at $295/night. In addition to the free valet parking, visitors will also receive $100 hotel credit, which can be applied to their room bill, or bar and restaurant tab.

San Francisco, CA (SFO) To Miami, FL (MIA) from $134 RT when you travel with Northwest Airlines. Saturday night minimum stay required, and there’s a 14 days advance purchase requirement.

And finally, remember that there are several travel-related charities and nonprofits that can use some help, no matter how little you can afford to give. One such organization was highlighted in today’s NY Times: Passports With Purpose, a two-year-old organization raising money to build, outfit and support a school in rural Cambodia, that has raised nearly $20k for AAfC and have enough money to build a school and provide safe drinking water and a school nurse.

Breckenridge is one of the more popular skiing destinations in the Colorado Rockies.  Like Aspen and Steamboat, even people who have never hit the slopes recognize the name “Breckenridge.”

Yes, the popularity of the resort can lead to some crowded ski runs and snowboard terrain parks, but Breckenridge has more than 2,000 ski-able acres including plenty of powder and back-country runs.

Upcoming holiday package offers at Breckenridge give families an extra incentive to ski and stay at the resort.  Families of four who choose a five night/four day package will receive a 20% discount if they travel between December 18th and January 2nd.

The price break means that families can sleep and ski for as little as $155 per person per day.

That might not seem like an impressive discount, but it is one of the few rate cuts by any ski resort that takes place over the holiday season.  At many places, the holidays are the most expensive time of year to ski.

Condo rates are also 20% off.  The condo packages include a dinner sleigh ride and a catered holiday meal.  The meal features holiday classics like turkey and all the traditional side dishes.  However, the condo package is slightly more expensive than the standard package.  Rates start at $190 per person per night.

More info on both packages, as well as other holiday special offers, can be found on the Breckenridge web site.

Togwotee is kicking off the 2009-2010 ski and sled season by offering packages that combine the best and most exciting aspects of wintertime Wyoming.  While most lodges in the Yellowstone Park area shut their doors during the winter, the coldest season is when the Togwotee Mountain Lodge comes into its own.

The Togwotee deals are a good value for adventurers who want to think beyond the ski slopes this winter.  The lodge’s excellent location means guests can easily access the trails of Yellowstone and the slopes of Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  The large rental fleet of snowmobiles at Togwotee helps guests take advantage of the area’s back-country trails.  Since a limited number of sleds are allowed inside the National Park, there are no problems with noise or overcrowding.

The 5-night Jackson Hole and Yellowstone Activities package (from $1281 single occupancy, $2220 double) features a dog-sled excursion and trips to Old Faithful, the Continental Divide and Jackson Hole.  Book via the lodge’s web site or by phone (1 866 292 6720) using the the code JHYNPPKG.

Another Togwotee offering gives guests a sample of the area’s best natural features.  The 5-day package includes tours of Yellowstone, the Continental Divide, Granite Hot Springs, and a wintertime safari to view the area’s wildlife.  This tour starts at $869 per person and can be booked on the lodge’s web site using the code FOURTOURS.  Complete packages, including transport, meals and sled rental, start at $1614.

Last Friday we reported that the world’s largest cruise ship was scheduled to arrive in Ft. Lauderdale, and our readers turned out in droves to see it! So much so, in fact, that the 225,000-ton vessel, which can hold more than 6,000 passengers, has drawn in a flood of spectators trying to get a closer look and asking to take a tour. Since USA Today is reporting that the large crowds of people and vehicles coming to the port have caused massive traffic jams, why don’t you just click here instead to get a closer look at Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas!

New ARIA Resort & Casino opening in Las Vegas boasts a special introductory offer of $159 a night, plus guests staying through April 1st, 2010 will recieve $75 resort credit! The new resort includes a 150,000 square-foot casino and over 4,000 rooms complete with 42-inch flat-screen televisions, 13 eateries, 9 bars, 3 pools, and an 80,000 square-foot spa.

Be sure to read Tom Koppel’s account of exploring by kayak the ruins of Nan Madol, a former royal city in the South Pacific, and Tom Robbins’ article for today’s The Observer about the best-kept secrets of Switzerland’s Snowmotions, a company devoted to helping skiers and boarders explore the Swiss canton of Graubünden where children can learn to ski safely, and hardcore skiers can find virgin powder fields.

And if you’re looking to sail the Caribbean yet want to spend little or no money, (perhaps even get paid for it!) then you’ll want to be sure to read Matt Gross’ latest article in today’s NY Times entitled ‘Sailing the Caribbean, the Frugal Way’ where he details his experience as a crew-member aboard the S.V. Illusion. He includes a list of where to eat and drink on some of the smaller islands, and even provides a few web sites to get you started finding your own cut-rate deals on a Caribbean vacation.

And, with Thanksgiving right around the corner, now is the time to book your Christmas vacation. If you’re planning to visit New Orleans, be sure to check out the great deals available on the official New Orleans Tourism site, or simply review all the great Christmas Deals the traveler community has posted on our own site, right here at BestTravelDeals.net!

Some great airfare deals today…

Expedia is offering holiday a holiday fare sale with fares starting as low as $102.

Southwest has announced a sale for fares as low as $59 and $0 for bags.  You must book by November 23rd and travel between December 2nd, 2009 and March 9, 2010.

Don’t forget to check out today’s Jet Blue Cheep Deals.

If you are heading to Park City, Utah for ski season don’t waste a second hitting the slopes- head straight to the mountain and show your boarding pass into Salt Lake City International Airport and you will get a free same day lift ticket.

Great news for Bay Area skiers- Horizon Air is now adding daily flights from San Jose to Mammoth Airport, only a 55 minute flight with prices starting at $138 round trip.

Today’s photo of the day comes to us from the folks at Aspen/Snowmass.  This beautiful photo of

Buttermilk with Pyramid Peak (credit Daniel Bayer)

 us all ready to hit the slopes!

Luckily for all of the skier and snowboarders out there Aspen/Snowmass is offering a great deal for Thanksgiving weekend.  The Winternational Hassle Free Package includes: 

• Book two or more days of ski/snowboard rentals and get up to a 4-day lift ticket for $99.00 ($104 with the $5.00 refundable Gate Card), when packaged with lodging.
• Valid November 26, 2009 – November 29, 2009

You must book by November 1, 2009. 

While you are there check out the fastest women in the world, November 28-29 at the Aspen Winternational Audi FIS Alpine World Cup.  Winternational weekend includes Slalom & Giant Slalom Races on Aspen Mountain, Dine Around dining specials, fireworks and a FREE Bud Light Hi-Fi concert.