Top mountain vacations: Breathtaking scenery, big savings

Travelers can escape the dog days of summer without breaking the vacation budget by choosing a memorable mountain getaway.

Savings of nearly 60 percent await mountain-bound travelers during late summer and early autumn, according to CheapTickets' Off-Season Deals Report.

Here are 5 top beach vacation destinations that made our second off-season deals report:

Killington, Vermont -- 57 percent savings
Early fall is an ideal time to bask in the fresh mountain air of Killington. From traversing the historic Appalachian and Long trails, to playing a round at one of the area's top courses, Killington is an outdoor wonderland of pre-ski activities. Find Killington vacation packages

Telluride, Colorado -- 52 percent savings
In September, the San Juan Mountains surrounding Telluride burst with color as aspen trees turn a rich golden hue. With clear weather and smaller crowds, Telluride's majestic mountain setting is a leaf-peeping haven for the off-season traveler. Find Telluride vacation packages

Park City, Utah -- 49 percent savings
During late summer and early fall, visitors can rise to the elevation of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains via a smooth hot-air balloon ride. Or travelers can take a more down-to-earth approach and experience the mountain's breathtaking views via horseback, just like the miners who founded Park City. Find Park City vacation packages

Whistler, British Columbia -- 36 percent savings
The world-renowned Whistler mountain range surrounds breathtaking lakes, making it a fisherman’s paradise. The angling enthusiast will find an idyllic setting that boasts a variety of fish, including rainbow trout, steelhead and five species of salmon. Find Whistler vacation packages

Vail, Colorado -- 27 percent savings
Enjoy the last bursts of summer warmth while attending Vail's ongoing array of outdoor festivals. From wine and harvest festivals to jazz and dance concerts, the off-season proves Vail is more than just a winter-weather destination. Find Vail vacation packages

How did we create our off-season deals report? Percentage savings were calculated on July 19, 2007 by taking the average price for all hotel bookings to mountain destinations included in the report, which were purchased on CheapTickets.com for travel in the Third Quarter of 2007. The pricing was then compared with the highest average monthly pricing for the prior nine months for all hotel bookings to those same destinations purchased on CheapTickets.com. View the full report