British Columbia, Canada: Fairmont Chateau Whistler deal comes with free gondola rides

Summer is a great time to explore ski resorts in the off season. The luxury Fairmont Chateau Whistler at the Canadian ski resort in British Columbia has a package for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts who like the view from the top. It includes free tickets to ride the spectacular gondola that connects Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.

The deal: The Peak for Free Gondola Package starts at $235 a night plus tax. Guests receive two tickets per night to ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, a roughly 2.5-mile course. Use the promo code “PPTP” when making a reservation. Adult tickets for the gondola ride usually cost $42.95 each.

When: The offer is good daily through Sept. 25 and weekends from Sept. 25 to Oct. 9.

Tested: I checked online and found availability for the package for a two-night stay starting July 18 in a room with a king-size bed for $235 plus tax. The best available rate on the same nights for the room only was a little less, $204 plus tax.

So how much do you save with the package? The $86 value of the tickets each night saves more than the lower room rate without the package -- provided you plan to use the tickets to go hiking or marvel at the views.

Note: Remember when you are making a reservation that prices on the hotel’s website are given in Canadian dollars, recently trading at about $1.03 U.S. The rates cited here are expressed in approximate U.S. dollars.

Contact: Fairmont Chateau Whistler, (800) 606-8244