The wind bites your exposed face, sending a rush of refreshing energy through your body. The smell of the surrounding pine trees gives you a humble appreciation of the isolated nature you soar through. As your skis pick up speed, the adrenaline pumps through your veins, making you feel truly alive.
Of course, this is what you would be feeling if you weren’t concentrating on how much money you’re spending on this ski trip. “How am I going to afford this?!” is more likely what you’re thinking, and it can cloud your ability to enjoy a day at the mountain. Luckily, we’ve compiled some tips for ski bum veterans and amateurs alike to make a ski trip more affordable… so you can actually enjoy it.
Equipment
When you hit the slopes, you need to dress the part. Proper snow attire doesn’t have to be expensive. Remember that style doesn’t matter much when you’re bundled up for a day on the slopes. Consider getting your clothes at a consignment or thrift shop. Don’t buy for fashion, but also don’t buy just because it is cheap… Snow pants of terrible quality may soak through, leaving you with a miserable ski experience. If this happens, you’ll feel like you wasted money on your lift ticket as well as your snow clothes.
Unless you own ski or snowboard gear, you’ll need to find the right equipment for your trip. First, if you can borrow from a friend who is around the same size as you, do it! Especially if you’re new to skiing or snowboarding, this will save you tons of money and you’ll see if it’s a hobby you want to continue.
If you can’t borrow, seriously consider renting. You may be tempted to buy, but you must realistically ask yourself: “How often will I actually use it?” Unless you’ll be going up on a regular basis, you’ll save money by renting. You might be able to save money on rentals by reserving equipment in advance. Check out your resort’s website, or sites such as rentskis.com or skibutlers.com.
If you know you will be visiting the mountain many times each year, you might do the math and realize that it will be more cost-effective to purchase your own gear. If this is the case, look into buying used. You can often find some high-quality products for cheap at sites such as craigslist.com or at secondhand stores like Play It Again Sports. If you’re buying new, try to avoid buying this year’s “hot new model”. This will be the most expensive option, and most likely last year’s model is just as good.
The Mountain
Yes, lift tickets are expensive! How can you save money here? First, decide whether or not you want a season pass. Make sure you know how many trips it would take to make it economically worth it. Realistically, will you really go more than that? Keep in mind that at the start of the season you don’t know what kind of conditions the winter will bring.
More likely, the frugal option will be to buy a three or four day pass for a planned ski trip. If you can plan a trip midweek, or at the start or end of the popular season, you might receive a discount from the resort. Also, check out sites like LiftTickets.com and GetSkiTickets.com for some savings!
Lodging
When considering your lodging, you’ll be sure to save by booking months in advance. Location will also have a large influence on price. A hotel right across the street from the lodge will be more expensive than one a short drive away. Save some money by avoiding pricey conveniences. Consider looking for a room with a kitchenette, too. You can save some big bucks by cooking your own meals instead of eating out every night. (Regarding food… make sure to pack snacks for your days at the slopes! You’ll work up an appetite and will be happy to avoid high prices at the lodge.) Some resorts and hotels are simply more expensive than others. Plan ahead and do your research, like any other vacation, and you’ll be happy with the savings.
How do you save money on the slopes! Tell us here!
