Thinking about scheduling a winter skiing vacation yet? (photo courtesy of http://www.vailcascade.com).
While you may be feeling the first coolness of fall, it’s actually time to be thinking a little colder and start planning your winter ski trip. It’s no secret that ski vacations can be costly but there are ways for you to save significantly.
Depending on when and where you choose to take your ski vacation will greatly impact the cost of your trip. Stay away from peak periods, which in the U.S. include the week between Christmas and New Years, Martin Luther King Day weekend, Presidents Day weekend, and the week following Presidents Day. If you want to save money and avoid long lift lines, think “off peak.” And, if possible, consider weekday vs. weekend trips to save even more! Otherwise, choose a weekday to get in tons of runs and to feel like kind of the mountain.
If you travel to a destination such as Denver you have a multitude of ski mountains within driving distance to choose from. Ski venues such as Loveland, Eldora, and Arapahoe Basin are less expensive than larger resorts such as Breckenridge and Vail.
When to Buy a Ski Pass
If you are planning on skiing more than seven (7) days this coming season then you want to purchase a season pass. The rules and restrictions vary from resort to resort but they all have one thing in common: season passes, which are typically only available for a limited time in the pre-season, are a great value for avid skiers compared to purchasing individual lift tickets.
Remember to check your child’s age before purchasing a season pass, as there may be price breaks based on their age at the time of purchase. For example, the Colorado Epic Local pass is free for children under the age of five (5). My daughter turns five in October; so by purchasing her pass now, she will ski free and we just saved $250.
Pass deals only last a few more weeks for most ski resorts. Check out these pass deals for:
Bonus: Season passes usually offer discounts on lessons, food, and lift tickets for family and friends, so season pass discounts may be deeper than initially perceived. The same is true for a season lesson pass. Take for example, lessons at popular Breckenridge resort: a child’s season lesson pass is $590 and it includes lunch. Once the snow’s on the mountain, a single day lesson will run parents $150/day per child. So if you are anticipating more than handful of lessons for a family member then you may want to jump on the opportunity to purchase a season lesson pass, too.
Saving on Ski Lodging
Whether you are looking for mountain cabins to rent in Colorado or ski areas and resorts in Utah, consider location and alternative lodging options when searching for value. While slope-side “ski in/ski out” allows you to walk out your door and hop on the lift, opting for lodging a little further from the mountain can save you cash. And most ski resorts offer hassle-free complimentary shuttle services with stops throughout town. Renting vacation homes, condos, and cabins can be much less expensive than booking multiple hotel rooms especially for groups and families. I like having the added space of a home-like rental with an eat-in kitchen and living areas for often less per night than a traditional hotel.
Other Money Saving Ski Tips
- Pack a lunch. We often carry a backpack when skiing complete with water, a few sandwiches, and favorite snacks. It definitely cuts down on costs and then we can splurge for après-ski drinks or dinner.
- Plan your ski lessons during the week. You will definitely get more bang for your buck if you can. A mid-week lesson for adults or kids sometimes is like getting a private lesson. The crowds are so small compared to weekends that I am certain you will learn a lot more in the allocated lesson time. Be sure to budget for ski instructor tips for each lesson.
- Take time to relax. Factor in how many days you will actually ski and allow time to adjust to altitude at the beginning of your trip and plan a day for your muscles to recover mid-trip. Altitude sickness isn’t the way you want to spend your trip. Be sure to drink plenty of water, wear your sunscreen and take breaks. You’ll waste a lot more than time if you are too sick to ski.
- Use online coupons. Sign up now for Groupon and Living Social deals in cities where you will be skiing and look for discount dining, equipment and lift pass deals. Ski-specific sites such as Liftopia, Skicoupons, Skifreedeals, are also good online resources.
- Military discounts. If you are active duty military members, there may be significant lift, lodging, and rental discounts available to you. Check your favorite ski resorts website for information.
It certainly will! Let me know if you have any specific questions on planning a ski trip and I’d be happy to answer them. -Nicole Hockin