Mother Nature made an unexpected delivery last week to the state of Colorado: SNOW! Accumulations of up to a couple inches fell above 12,000 feet around the Loveland and Arapahoe Basin ski areas, offering a gentle reminder that the ski/ride season of '09/'10 is right around the corner.

Even though we just had a little snow, I understand it may be difficult to think about winter during the first week of August. However, this is the absolute best time to find the most impressive deals for this year's mountain vacation. As you know, the most popular accommodations and flights tend to fill quickly - especially for the popular December, Presidents Day week and Spring Break travel periods. By booking your vacation early, you not only have the best chances for availability, you are also able to benefit from all the fantastic early-booking specials available to you through Ski.com.

Take a look at some of the sample specials below, some with book-by deadlines coming as early as August 31st. You can also check out the special deals page of Ski.com, which is updated regularly with some of the best deals in the industry. If you have any questions or when you're ready to customize the vacation that�s perfect for you at the best value, call one of our experienced Mountain Vacation Specialists at 800-299-0656.