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Ski resorts have learned how to make the most of what used to be the off-season. Besides outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, rafting, and swimming, the resorts host festivals and concerts, as well as arrange kid-centric activities like Frisbee golf, outdoor movies and arts-and-crafts sessions.

Why ski resort in summer is a great affordable family travel idea?

You don’t have to stay at the main lodge. Condos are a great value and perfect for families because they often have more than one bedroom, plus a kitchen. Smugglers’ Notch in Vermont is running a special right now for 20 percent off a summer vacation package, meaning you can get a one-bedroom suite that sleeps four for about $200 a night.

But the best deals are often at condos and other vacation rentals: On HomeAway.com, a vacation-rental site, I found condos in Vail, Colorado, that sleep four for $150 per night. with access to a swimming pool and tennis courts.

At the Steamboat, Colorado, offered three great options:

• Storm Meadows Club Condominiums - $175 per night, with access to a pool, tennis courts and a fitness center.

• Rabbit Ears Motel - A room with two queens is $159 per night, with A/C, a fridge and a microwave.

• Rockies Condominiums - A two bedroom, two bath condo is $158 per night. They can all be booked via Steamboat.

The ski resorts near your home probably have a slate of summer deals and activities. Just bear in mind that some resorts also have kids’ clubs, so your kids can spend a chunk of the day hanging out with other kids while the adults do their own thing.