| Skiing is known for being a very expensive hobby. | | | | Book Early or Late There are two times out of the |
| What some people don't realize, is it doesn't have to | | | | season when resorts will offer the best rates. Before |
| be if you take the time to pre-plan the entire trip, | | | | the season begins, and when they have an |
| taking into consideration your budget. There are | | | | overabundance of vacancies. Just in case the season |
| several ways to save money on your ski vacation. | | | | turns out less profitable than hoped, resorts like to |
| Here are the top four: | | | | stack the cards in their favor by bookings as many |
| Go During an Unpopular Time Skiing has the best | | | | advanced reservations as possible. To do this, they |
| deals early or late in the season. It is these times | | | | offer great early bird specials. Your second chance to |
| that resorts will be the most willing to offer a killer | | | | catch a deal is when a resort has an overabundance |
| package deal that may even include ski rentals, day | | | | of vacancies, and they drop their rates in hopes of |
| passes, and lift tickets. While the snow may not | | | | pulling as many last minute vacationers in as possible. |
| exactly be as powdery or deep as in December, the | | | | In a sense, it pays to either be like the well-prepared |
| crowds are fewer, the air is warmer, and the sun is | | | | ant who books early, or like the grasshopper who |
| brighter. The holidays are generally one time of the | | | | plays around and waits until the very last minute. |
| year you will want to stay clear of the slopes if you | | | | Dine-In Rather than Dine-Out It is difficult for a family |
| are looking for a deal. | | | | to dine out these days without expecting to layout |
| Roll with a Nice, Yet Relatively Unknown Resort Ski | | | | at least $100 or more. If you calculate three meals |
| Resorts are like cars. The ones who have built-up a | | | | per day, your food bill could quickly topple your room |
| reputation and name for themselves are generally the | | | | rate and ski passes before you even realize what hit |
| most expensive. That however does not mean that | | | | you. To minimize the effects of this, many skiers |
| some of the lesser known places are not just as | | | | bring an assortment of breakfast and lunch snacks to |
| nice. If you bargain hunt, you can often find a lodge | | | | munch on throughout the morning and afternoon, and |
| that may not quite be a ski-in/ski-out, but is close | | | | then only go out to eat no more than once each |
| enough to take the bus and only lose a few hours | | | | day. |
| out of the entire trip. You will also find the farther | | | | Your next ski trip can be as frugal as you want it to |
| out resorts also offer better dining prices and | | | | be. It will just take a little effort and will power on |
| cheaper lift tickets. | | | | your part to get there! |