Skiing is favorite winter sport of many but even a thought of going on a ski vacation with family makes most of us drop the plan. Reason being, it ain’t cheap. Right? There are obviously inevitable miscellaneous expenses that can make you feel like your vacation is straining your wallet. I believe nothing is impossible in this world. No doubt, ski vacations are pricey by nature but few smart strategies can help you enjoy the ski vacations without breaking into the banks.
First and the foremost step while planning a ski vacation with family is to identify a kid-friendly resort, next step should be, getting the booking done at appropriate time. By appropriate time I mean time of the year which can help save you some amount. If you’re planning a ski vacation this winter, book now. Awesome early-bird ski vacation deals pop up all over in October. Copper Mountain, Steamboat Springs, Mont Tremblant are some of the family-friendly resorts that are offering a fair deal.
Making wiser choice of time for your ski vacation is also necessary. Resorts’ rates can fluctuate wildly throughout the season. Planning in off-peak season can save you bundles. Choosing your ski vacation earlier or later in the season can also help saving you a lot. If your travel dates fall on the fringes of the ski season, it would be good to choose a resort with a reputation for good snow-making capabilities. Mostly people plan their vacation on weekends, lodging and lift tickets are more expensive. Midweek usually means fewer crowds, shorter lift lines and smaller group sizes during lessons. But if you wish to have a budget-friendly trip then it would be good if you plan your ski vacation mid-week.
In a bid to promote their resorts and ski areas, there are several ski destinations (Colorado Ski Country USA, Ski Utah, Ski Oregon, Ski Vermont, Ski New Hampshire) that have dedicated tourism associations that mean being a tourist can help you save some money. Their Web sites can be good money-saving resources.
Plan your ski vacation for five or more days and you can get free kids’ lift tickets. There are many family-friendly resorts that lets kids ski free. Also, you can get free rental equipment for one child when a parent or grandparent rents adult equipment. Big Sky Resort, are the resorts that offer kids ski free deals.
Resorts like Beaver Creek, Vail, Crested Butte, Jackson Hole and Whistler-Blackcomb also offer kids fly free deals that provide complimentary air tickets for kids when a family ski vacation is purchased. You might be well aware of the fact that there are many states that offer free or discounted skiing to students in a designated school grade. Kids can apply online or through the mail by providing proof of their current school grade. Each passport is good for up to three free lift tickets at each participating resort.
Not only this, you can also save a bundle in equipment rental. Sometimes pre-booking online can shave up to 20 percent off the overall rental cost. SkiCoupons.com can help you weigh your resort’s rental prices against the other discounts. Last smart step that can help you saving money on a ski vacation is following the locals. Investing in the coupon-filled Entertainment Book for the area you plan to visit. In the editions for Denver, Utah and Vermont, you’ll find discounts on lift tickets, ski equipment rentals, dining and many other amenities that travelers use.
I know this article might have gone long but at the end you’re sure to accept the fact that smart planning and few smart strategies can help you enjoy your favorite winter sport without rolling your bank account. Follow these strategies, make wiser choices and have fun on your next ski vacation without straining your wallet.
Source: MSNBC
