If you’re a skier, you've probably got a big smile on your face about now.  Huge snowfalls and deep discounts make this a super time to plan a family ski trip. 

Looking for a one-stop-pleases-all destination? Consider Keystone, a three-mountain resort an hour west of Denver that boasts more than 3,000 vertical feet and over 3,000 acres of bowls, bumps, glades, steeps and groomers.  There are loads of off-slope activities, too, to keep everyone in the family happy.  From now through April 11, Keystone is offering a “Family Together Package” that bundles lodging and ski passes with some extra goodies.  With rates that start at $300 per person for a four-night package, is this a good deal for families?  Let’s do the math.

• Four nights’ accommodations in a two-bedroom, one-bath Forest Condominium, a 10-minute shuttle ride to the slopes  (rack rate is $572 for four nights)
• Three-day ski pass for each person (worth $249/adult, $123/child 5-12, kids 4 and under ski free)
• A welcome package containing classic games such as Clue and Monopoly for in-room fun (worth about $30)
• Free and discounted activities with the Adventure Passport, such as GPS Adventure, NASTAR Family Racing and free ice skating (given to all guests staying at Keystone so no real “added value”)
• Optional two-for-one rates on a dinner sleigh ride (worth about $130, figuring one free adult ticket worth $85 + one free child ticket worth $45)

When we priced a four-night stay in late January 2009 for a family of two adults and two kids between 5 and 12, we got an average rate of $306 per person, for a total package price of $1224.  If you purchase these elements separately, the total would come in at $1476, so the package shaves off $252, or a healthy 17% savings.  

Prefer to stay slopeside? The same late-January stay in a two-bedroom condo at The Springs would cost $1695 while you'd pay just a shade under $1900 if you booked on your own. That $205 translates to an 11% savings.  

Rates vary depending on your travel dates, but the savings generally fall in the 15% ballpark. We double-checked another long weekend in early February and got a package total of $1368 for a Forest condo ($252 less than the $1620 non-package rate, or a savings of 16%), and $1980 for the slopeside Springs condo ($332 less than the $2312 non-package rate, or a savings of 14%). 

Deal or no deal?  It's a deal, but noodle with different combinations of dates and accommodations to get the best possible savings. In the end, as always, it comes down to doing the math.  Note: there are some blackout dates.