How to Save Money on a Ski Trip

Stay at a Chain hotel - Staying at a mid-range brand hotel can save you money over the cost of a condominium. You can find hotel rooms at a fraction of the price of a condominium but, you’ll miss out on the additional space, slope side accommodations and kitchen facilities. A hotel suite can be an inexpensive compromise between the two options.

Package discounts - Resorts will often offer discounts of up to 35 per cent off accommodation and lift tickets if you purchase them as a package. Some resorts will pay for one airline ticket when you purchase two. Deals are also available on adult ski school (3 days for the price of 2). Kids ski and rent free with the purchase of an adult ticket at some resorts. Because of discounts it can sometimes be the same price to ski for 5 days as it is to ski for 3!

Use ground transit and avoid car rental - Book a shuttle from the airport to your hotel – shuttles are also known as ‘ground transit’. Cities run free buses to the slopes in many resorts. Make sure that your hotel or condo is on the bus route to the slopes. You can rent a locker at many resorts so that you can avoid additional trips back to your hotel.

Avoid peak weeks - Avoid the Christmas and New Year high season rates. If you can pull your kids out of school for a week you can save a lot of money.

Save on meals - Stock up with breakfast and lunch supplies at the supermarket and avoid the high prices charged by on-the-slope cafes and restaurants. You can save money on evening meals by finding your resort’s magazine or guide filled with coupons offering savings at local restaurants, buy one get one free entrée’s, that kind of thing. Pick up these guides at your hotel or condominium reception and plan your meals around the coupons.

You can’t beat the family time offered by skiing and by following these guidelines you can make it an economical trip.