| It's becoming ever more expensive to plan an | | | | you are in a position to leave your vacation plans |
| enjoyable, inexpensive skiing trip. Ski ticket prices are | | | | flexible, you can take advantage of their misfortune. |
| going through the roof. For a one day pass, you'll pay | | | | In fact, an entire business model has sprung up |
| $69 at Banff, $78 at Mammoth, $82 at Aspen, and | | | | around the idea of packaging last minute deals for |
| over $80 at Keystone. Hotels and condo rentals | | | | customers. You can find many sites on the Internet |
| aren't getting any cheaper either. | | | | selling last minute deals. Even a multi-million dollar |
| But there are still time honored ways of saving | | | | company like Travelocity has a special section on |
| money on winter vacation trips if you plan ahead. | | | | their site where they offer "Last Minute Packages". |
| 1. Make Your Vacation Plans Early | | | | 3. Find Yourself Some Vacation Coupons |
| The best ski bargains for the winter come in the | | | | This is so easy and almost painless. Many online |
| spring. And it's mostly true that the good deals go | | | | companies have very nicely put together great |
| first. Running a ski resort is a risky business because | | | | package deals that they are willing to offer you if |
| you are depending on a certain number of snow | | | | you simply print and use their coupon. You can find |
| days in order for the season to be profitable. | | | | discount coupons for lift tickets, lodging and |
| Trusting in the weather is a big risk. To offset that | | | | accommodations, season passes, ski classes, travel, |
| risk a bit, in the spring, many ski resorts will offer | | | | restaurants and almost any vacation activity you can |
| deep discounted tickets for the upcoming fall season. | | | | think of. |
| That way they guarantee themselves a cushion and | | | | 4. Take Your Vacation Off Season |
| are able to survive if a season is particularly bad from | | | | If you want the best deals, go when the crowds are |
| a snow standpoint. | | | | at low ebb. For ski resorts, the beginning of the ski |
| In addition, many resorts will not only offer ticket | | | | season and the tail end of the skiing season are their |
| discounts. They will also offer air fare and room | | | | low points. These are the times when you can find |
| discounts. | | | | the best deals. Also from a purely sports standpoint, |
| Buying early is a bit of a risk, of course. Your plans | | | | these are the times when you'll get the most skiing |
| may change, emergencies may pop up and so on. | | | | runs in for your money. Do you hate long ski lines? |
| But these days with all the different avenues to | | | | Well you won't be waiting 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or |
| resell tickets and vacation packages, the risk is | | | | more in line waiting to go up the lift. You'll make your |
| probably minimal. | | | | downhill run and ski directly back to the lift with no |
| 2. Make Your Vacation Plans late | | | | waiting. |
| Many resorts and hotels hate last minute | | | | These, of course, are not the only ways to save |
| cancellations, but they are a business fact of life. If | | | | money on your ski vacation. |