6 Ways to Save Money During Your Next Ski Vacation
Want to save money on a ski trip? Surprisingly, there are a few legitimate ways to save on your ski or snowboard vacation. (Don’t worry, these deals are legitimate and come with no strings attached.) Below, we’ve put together a practical list of tips and tricks to save money on skiing, including steps you can take during the planning process and how to save at the resort. Here are 6 ways to save money during your next ski vacation:
1. Be Smart About Where You Stay
You can also save depending on what day of the week you want to vacation. If you can escape to the slopes on a weekday, you might be able to save on ski trips, lodging, and lift tickets. You can search for accommodation deals Monday through Thursday during the normal week, excluding holidays. On weekends and public holidays, a surcharge often applies for lift tickets and accommodations.
Ski-in and ski-out accommodations are convenient but pricey. It can be hard to find deals on mountainside lodging, but some are right there. Consider off-piste accommodations at cheaper nightly rates as one of the best ways to save money on your ski trip. Many hotels and vacation rentals provide free transportation to and from the ski slopes. You can save money by taking the 5-10 minute shuttle bus to the elevator.
Renting a condo instead of a hotel room means you have a full kitchen to prepare some meals. Most apartments have full kitchens with stove, oven, microwave, coffee maker and full-size fridge freezer. Prepare some meals at home and you can save money on your ski trip. Make sure you stock up on groceries before heading to the resort, as items in ski towns or villages can be expensive. Most condos have washers and dryers, so you can save money by packing less and doing laundry during your stay. It’s great for drying socks during your lunch break.
Packing snacks for the ski slopes and preparing meals at the condo are two great ways to save money on a ski vacation. Don’t let yourself be tempted on the slopes. Pack some snacks for the day in your jacket so you don’t buy expensive items on the mountain. Granola bars, Lara bars, and trail mixes are popular choices for a quick refreshment on the mountain. And don’t forget to fill the water bottle with enough liquid. If you’re not ready, you’ll pay a premium at the hillside store.
2. Keep Your Load Light
Rent ski equipment at the resort and you won’t have to pay for shipping or excess baggage handling at the airport. If you want to save money, leave your gear at home and bring only the essentials. Ski rental companies have equipment for beginners and high-performance equipment for intermediate skiers and snowboarders at very affordable prices. You can rent skis and poles, skis with bindings, boots and helmets. Some rental companies even have free delivery to your apartment or hotel.
Bring anything you need from home: gloves, goggles, socks, coats and plenty of layers. You can get these at home for much cheaper than at resorts. If you’re lucky, you might be able to pick up some used gear at your local thrift store, flea market, or Craigslist. Or buy quality end-of-season items at lower prices to get ready for next year.
Some ski resorts have good free transport at your disposal. Taking the free local bus to the lift saves you the cost of parking and car rental at the ski resort. If you play your cards right, you might be able to forgo car rental altogether.
3. Find a Deal, Discount, or Promo Code
Our website can be a great resource when planning your ski vacation. Find great deals on lift tickets, ski rentals, lodging, transportation, dining and activities for most major ski resorts in North America. SkierDeals works with all the top resorts and have exclusive deals you won’t find anywhere else. Browsing this website for destinations and offers can help you decide where to travel and give you options to save on every aspect of your vacation.
If you have a favorite resort, sign up for its email list. Resorts often email reminders of special promotions for their loyal guests. (Don’t forget to sign up for our mailing list .)
You can also sign up for giveaways to try and win cool stuff. Start by browsing our seasonal giveaways at SkierDeals.com. We get freebies, promotions and loot and are happy to pass them on to our visitors. We regularly give away lift tickets, ski gear, promotional items, and other neat swag.
If you’ve earned travel credits with an airline, see if you can get discounted direct flights to ski resorts like Jackson Hole or Aspen. Salt Lake City is another great place, with over 10 resorts within an hour of the airport. Using airline miles to get free or discounted tickets is a great way to save money.
4. Find a Ski Package or Last-Minute Deal
Looking for something more comprehensive? Find out about ski vacation package deals that offer discounted accommodation, rentals, lift tickets and other perks. There are many package deals, and each one is different. It’s worth checking to see if it’s right for you or your team.
If you’re traveling last-minute, you can sometimes secure an incredible rate on lodging through a limited-time special. Be sure to check our last-minute specials page regularly for exclusive deals that offer deep savings on upcoming getaways.
Do you have a larger family or group looking to ski? Group packages significantly reduce the per capita cost of a ski holiday. Splitting the cost among ten or more guests can make accommodation, ski rentals and lift tickets much cheaper. Hotels and ski resorts have many promotions and discounts for large groups, such as wedding celebrations, business meetings, company outings and family celebrations.
5. Savings for Kids, Students, Seniors and Veterans
Finding a ski resort that gives kids free passes can save parents money on the mountain. If you purchase a full-day adult ticket at regular price, you child may be able to ski for free. Many resorts have free lift tickets for kids if there is a paying adult. Some resorts offer kids free ski rentals or lift tickets – or both.
Some ski resorts provide free skiing lessons for all ages with paid lift tickets. It’s the perfect money-saving option for anyone who wants to learn to ski or snowboard. A lesson can also be fun if you ski or snowboard, and want to try the other one.
If you are a student or military personnel (former or current), please bring your ID with you. Many resorts have discounts for students, but you may need to show which class they are in. The same goes for any active-duty military or veteran. Some ski resorts give discounts for the whole family when veterans are with them.
Ski resorts like older tourists, and many ski resorts give lower prices to seniors. Check senior rates online and don’t forget to take your AARP card (and other benefit cards) with you when you travel.
6. Get a Ski Pass or Buy Early
Getting a pass for the entire ski season makes sense if you’re skiing a lot. It is much cheaper than paying the total price at checkout. Season passes such as the Epic Pass and Ikon Pass have additional benefits, like discounts on things at the resort. There are several other multi-region passes to consider.
Are you going to ski for a few days this season? Then you should consider a multi-day pass. It’s still cheaper than a full-price day pass, and it gets cheaper the more days you buy.
You can also save money if you buy lift tickets at least seven days in advance of your visit. Buy lift tickets online more than a week in advance and get them cheaper. Various resorts have this type of promotion, but be sure to check destination specifics.