Now that summer vacations are wrapping up, that can only mean one thing – ski season! We here at Thrifty Trekkers love ski season, however it can be expensive. We have some tips and tricks to get you on the slopes without breaking the bank here in our Ski Vacation Overview.
As with any vacation we take, we like to find a location with convenient flights and bookable with points; we always consider Denver, Salt Lake City, and Lake Tahoe when planning our ski vacation.
Skiing is an incredibly fulfilling trip, but it can also wear you out. It is important to really listen to your body so that you don’t overdo it and ruin the joy of your trip. Take your time, go slow, and enjoy it!
The following are our top tips to consider when planning your ski vacation this winter:
Airport Access
We love to use points to fund our travels. Therefore using a combination Google Flights and Wikipedia, we narrow our search for ski resorts accordingly. Denver and Salt Lake City airports both provide non-stop flights from so many locations making planning a trip incredibly easy to these destinations.
Proximity to the Mountain
Most ski resorts are located away from the cities into which you’ll be flying. Rental cars will be an added costs. However, some resorts provide a shuttle service to/from the airport for a small fee. Always look into this option for added savings on your trip.
Skill Level
Properly learning to ski correctly is incredibly important. Whether it’s children or adults, it is important to start your ski experience in a positive way to add confidence as you progress in difficulty. Plus, you’re paying your hard-earned cash for a trip, you want to enjoy it!
Some mountains are known to have more beginner terrains, like Winter Park (CO), Deer Valley (UT), and Big Sky (MT). Other resorts are known to be more difficult and likely should be visited once you’re more adept at skiing, such as Vail (CO), Telluride (CO), and Mammoth Mountain (CA).
Ski School
Speaking of skill level and learning to ski, we highly recommend paying for ski school to get on the right track (or right run in this case). One important aspect when we planned our first ski trip together was finding a good ski school for Mrs. Thrifty as it was her first time.
We splurged for a private half day lesson and she was zooming down the slopes after lunch that same day. You can save more by taking group lessons, but we figured this was something to spend a little more on at first to make our trip more enjoyable overall.
Amount of Terrain
Depending on your skill level, finding a mountain that has the right amount of terrain is important. Most large resorts have copious amounts of terrain to keep you engaged and excited throughout your trip, but make sure to match those runs with your skill level to avoid overexertion or boredom.
Duration of Trip
Choosing the duration of your trip is important, just like any other trip. If we are going skiing for an extended time, such as a week, we usually plan a day of rest in the middle. Skiing is tiring so it’s important to not overexert yourself. However, skiing 3-4 days in a row is fine for experienced skiers.
Lift Tickets
Speaking of trip duration, lift tickets are one of the most expensive purchases you’ll make on this trip. Check your resort’s website for specials on lift tickets, especially before the ski season begins. Buying tickets as a 3 or 4 day pass will usually provide a discounted rate compared to individual day passes – just check for blackout dates such as holiday weekends.
Accommodations
Most large mountain resorts have condos and apartments close to the mountain. Some resorts like Vail have hotels at the base of the mountain, however that’s generally the exception to the rule. We recommend searching through HomeAway or VRBO for starting your search. Generally the farther away you are from the resort, the less you’ll pay. Most towns have free shuttles to get you to/from the lifts every day.
Equipment Rental
If you are taking lessons through a resort, check with them for discounts on renting your gear. They generally have good deals for first timers. Renting your equipment at standalone sporting goods stores will provide savings as well.
Apparel
If you’ve never skied before, packing for a ski vacation can be daunting. A good rule of thumb is to dress in layers. Exerting all that energy can make you very warm on the mountain, regardless of the outdoor temperature. A good bottom layer is long underwear/leggings, with your ski pants/bibs and a warm fleece/sweater on top of that layer. Finally your ski coat goes on top.
Socks are important when you’re skiing. Wear your ski socks to your equipment fitting to ensure your skis fit correctly and to avoid blisters. Also wear an “under” pair of gloves under your ski gloves, like a non bulky cotton glove.
Apparel can be as expensive as you make it. Shop at the end of ski season for extensive deals if you’re planning on going the following year. Also look in second hand stores and swaps on social media for discounted apparel.
Apres and Resting
“Apres-ski”, translated from French as “After Ski” is the tradition of resting after a long ski day, usually involving an alcoholic beverage. Some resorts offer an “Apres” special at their bars, so check out their social media or websites for these deals. Be sure to get enough rest and take full advantage of any available hot tubs to soothe sore muscles for the following day.
Our ski vacations have been some of our favorite trips and we hope you enjoy yours! Get in touch to let us know some of your favorite spots to ski.
