Between gas, lodging and lift ticket prices skiing does not fit with most college student's tight budgets. A single trip or an entire weekend getaway to the slopes this winter is cheap if college students are smart.

Crystal Mountain is a gorgeous ski resort with 45 downhill slopes located in Thompsonville.  Crystal Mountain has huge deals in February and March. Five-for- $50 Fridays at Crystal Mountain is one way to save cash. Bring a group of five people Feb. 5 or March 5 and each person rides all day for only $50.

Snowboarder, Kaleigh Schnieppe considers Five-for-$50 Fridays an excellent opportunity for college students.

"It's great because you just get five buddies together and everyone boards or skies for $10 each! Plus, you can split the gas money and a motel room five ways," said Schnieppe.

Looking to go on a weekday?  Two-for-Tuesday ticket and rental is an option. On Feb. 9, 16, 23 and Mar. 2, 9 and 16 purchase a 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. lift ticket and standard ski or snowboard rental package, and receive a second lift ticket and rental package for free.

Located in Harbor Springs, Boyne Highlands provides 114 downhill runs across two mountains. Boyne Highlands has cool ski packages for riders looking for fun with the first Brew Ski Festival Mar. 13.      

The event starts at noon in a tent at the base of the slopes.  The festival offers 100 craft beers to sample and brats on the grill. The party continues to the legendary Zoo Bar at the mountain after 4 p.m. with live entertainment.  The festival weekend package includes: Unlimited lift ticket Saturday from 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., breakfast each morning, five drink tickets, a shirts and commemorative mug for $233 per person.

Caberfae Peaks located in Cadillac, has 34 downhill runs and accommodates college students on a budget with College Day every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Just show a college ID and receive all day discounts ending with a $9 lift ticket at 6 p.m.

Salem senior, Matt Schultz is a regular at Caberfae Peaks on College Day."I look forward to Fridays at Caberfae since lift tickets are only $9 and since I go so often, I save a lot of money on what I would normally spend on lift tickets," said Schultz.

Caberfae Peak's Ladies Day is offered on Wednesdays and Thursday runs all season long. For $17 ladies get a lift ticket, ski or snowboard rental, and a beginning group lesson.

            Ladies also get deals at Nub's Nob located in Harbor Springs. Every Tues is Ladies Day so lady skiers and boarders receive a 25 percent discount on lunch in the cafeteria when a full day lift ticket is purchased.

Purchase 10 gallons of gas at a Shell Station and receive a ski free voucher good for one free adult lift ticket when an adult lift ticket is purchased at participating area ski resorts. The resorts include: Boyne Mountain, Boyne Highlands, Nub's Nob, Crystal Mountain, Shanty Creek- Schuss Mountain and Caberfae Peaks. Vouchers are available inside Shell Stations and valid until Apr. 16.

Clarkston senior, Angela Zott took advantage of the Shell Station voucher.

"I went to Boyne Mountain the other weekend after getting a free voucher from pumping gas! It was so nice to ski free at an amazing mountain like Boyne. For once, it was worth paying for gas," said Zott. 

By Kara Yadach

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