I recently read that because of the shaky economy, more and more people are forgoing their ski trips in the Rockies this winter in favor of closer and more affordable ski vacations in the east. Now, while Vermont’s Stowe Mountain did make the list as one of the 12 Best Ski Resorts in North America this year, the fact of the matter is that the best skiing is the West. Call me a biased Colorado native, but those east coast mountains just aren’t as big and the snow is just not as light. Vermont may have ok skiing, but they certainly do not have champagne powder.

But what does the reduced number of skiers and boarders heading west to the Rocky Mountain resorts mean? Resorts out west are having to roll out better and better deals to encourage people to still come out and ski the Rockies despite the crumbling economy. This includes a fantastic deal at Montana’s Big Sky resort I found this morning. The 320 Guest Ranch is offering up a “Great Value Ski & Stay Package” from just $77⁄person⁄night and includes a full day lift ticket to either Big Sky Resort or Moonlight Basin, deluxe guest cabin accommodations, complimentary transportation to the free Big Sky ski shuttle, a hearty breakfast buffet, and a roaring nightly bon fire to gather around at day´s end. For $77/day for lodging, breakfast AND lift tickets, this deal is hard to pass up.

Now all you’ll have to do is pack those goggles, find a great deal on cheap airfare and get ready to ski the biggest and baddest mountains North America has to offer.