How to Budget for a Ski Vacation
The Ski Vacation – a favorite winter endeavor for many, across budgets, group size, skill and ability level, and desired terrain. Planning a ski vacation starts with how much money you can put toward it. Knowing how to budget for a ski vacation is an important aspect of making it a success. When the snow starts to fly and it’s time to begin thinking about that next winter destination, here are some budgetary considerations.
Choosing the Right Destination for Your Budget
Landing on a single ski resort for your vacation can be tough, mainly because there are so many extraordinary ones out there. When you’re thinking about where you want to go, run through a series of ski destination criteria that might help you narrow it down, including:
- Foreign or domestic
- Somewhere within driving distance or that requires a plane ticket
- Terrain and average annual snowfall
- Full-service resort or off-the-map mountain
- Additional winter activities nearby
Obviously, different resorts offer different experiences, and some are certainly more affordable than others. Making a list of Top Five Ski Destinations is a good way to manage expectations if your first choice doesn’t pan out given your budget. Many areas offer multiple resorts and ski hills within a short distance, such as Aspen (Aspen Buttermilk, Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, and Aspen Highlands), Whistler and Blackcomb, Salt Lake City (Deer Valley, The Canyons, and Park City), and Lake Tahoe (Boreal, Sugar Bowl, Palisades, Heavenly, and Kirkwood), which feature plenty of world-class skiing within a reasonable drive. This can be a great way to ski multiple mountains in a single trip and possibly lessen the cost if one resort costs more than another.
Planning Travel: Flights, Road Trips, and Local Transport
Getting there is the first – and sometimes most expensive – part of the journey. If airline travel is prohibitive, consider driving yourself. This also eliminates the need for a rental car. If you do need to rent a vehicle, make sure it can accommodate your equipment and handles well in the snow.
Many resorts also offer free or low-cost local transport designed to get you to and from the mountain. Learning more about these options and their proximity to your accommodations can free up some budget for other activities. If your destination is more remote, local vehicle services such as Uber might not be an option. Research your transportation possibilities before you go and book early. Rental car inventory can be slim in small mountain towns.
Accommodation Options: From Luxury to Budget-Friendly
Where to stay once you arrive is another major ski vacation budget and planning component. Many resort towns offer a wide variety of accommodation options, from budget to luxury. If you’re traveling on a ski buckle budget, consider a local hostel, Airbnb single room rental, motel, or even campground or car camping option – some ski resorts allow van and trailer camping in designated areas.
From there, lodging opportunities increase in both luxury and price. If you’re traveling with a group of friends or family, renting a house together versus individual hotel rooms is a good option. This can up the comfort and affordability factor. Resort lodging can also be very convenient, depending on the variety and availability of amenities nearby. If you’re staying at a resort, inquire about free transportation options. Many provide shuttle services to and from town, which might mean you can skip the rental car.
If you’re hoping to score a good deal on lodging, many sites, including individual hotel websites, allow you to sign up for deal alerts. Travel sites also offer fare and deal tracker options. Some ski resort towns, like Jackson Hole, still offer local travel and reservation services that can help with booking lodging as well as package deals, not to mention being able to answer any questions you have about the area.
Lift Tickets and Passes: Maximizing Value
The lift ticket game is becoming more and more complex. Sure, you can still get the age-old single-day lift ticket, but this isn’t always the most affordable way to go, especially if you’re staying for multiple days in a single destination. Spend some time researching the current lift ticket rates as well as multi-day passes and season passes. Yep, that’s right, season passes! If you plan on skiing 10 days or more at a specific resort, it might actually be cheaper to invest in a season pass or frequent skier card. If you’re buying a pass, pay close attention to early season deals. Resorts will often offer a discount for passes purchased before winter’s prime season kicks off.
Newer to the scene are the Ikon and Epic passes, which are multi-mountain passes, ideal for the storm chaser in your group. Many resorts and ski hills also offer discounts for partner mountains. Read through the fine print to see if this applies to your ski vacation bucket list.
Gear Rentals
While skiing or riding on your own equipment sounds nice, traveling with it can be cumbersome and expensive. If you plan to check your skis, board, boots, and poles, take a look at any additional airline baggage fees that might apply. Ski boots work well as a carry-on if you want to save on checking them.
If that sounds like a lot, because, full disclosure, it definitely can be, there is a much more convenient, and possibly even less expensive option – renting equipment. If you and the family are new to the sport, this goes without saying. But even the most seasoned skiers and riders have an opportunity to turn this year’s winter escape into a chance to test the newest sticks and boards. Black Tie Skis not only carries the latest and greatest gear quiver, and plenty of options for beginners and intermediates, they also deliver right to your accommodations. No need to stand in painfully long rental lines while the snow piles up outside. Learn more about the benefits of renting gear and ski gear delivery at your ski destination and skip the hassle of traveling with clunky, oversized ski bags this year.
Food and Dining: Balancing Meals Out and DIY Options
Dining can take up a big chunk of your budget on a ski vacation, but there are ways to save. Perhaps the easiest and most obvious one is to do your own grocery shopping and cooking. This only applies if your accommodations feature a full kitchen or kitchenette. Some ski resort towns offer budget-friendly dining options. Look for deals, discounts and happy hours, and pass- or lift ticket-holder discounts.
It’s worth noting that dining at the actual resort will add up quickly. If you’re traveling on a budget, consider these tips to save money during your days on the hill:
- Pack a lunch and snacks
- Take a water bottle with you
- Pack an ice chest for tailgate après
- If you need to hop into the lodge for lunch, consider sharing a meal with ski buddies
Après-Ski Activities and Entertainment Costs
While skiing or snowboarding are the main attractions, mountain towns offer plenty of ways to play once the lifts are closed for the day, and it’s important to budget accordingly. Other winter activities include:
- Nordic skiing
- Snowmobiling
- Sledding
- Snowshoeing
- Snow tubing
- Wildlife tours
- Ice skating
Additionally, spending time exploring the local nightlife and après scene are worth budget consideration. Many resorts feature at least one hot spot to grab some post-activity food and drinks. From there, explore the local restaurant and entertainment scene. While they’re tucked into some of the more remote areas of the country, mountain towns are fast becoming known for their elevated culinary offerings.
Travel Insurance and Ski Pass Insurance: Do You Need It?
In a word – yes. That answer does come with some caveats; it is insurance after all and you’re never guaranteed to have to use it. But given the time of year most ski vacations happen, insuring against travel delays, canceled flights, lost luggage, and other unforeseen bumps in the road is a good idea. The same applies to ski pass insurance with the added note that it can cover injuries that prevent you using the pass to its fullest extent as well as injury that occurs while using the pass.
If you’re insurance adverse, make sure to spend time reading the fine print for all of your purchases and bookings. Note cancellation windows, refund policies, and what happens in the event of injury.
Conclusion: Final Tips for Sticking to Your Budget
It might sound restrictive, but setting a budget for your ski or snowboard vacation can provide more freedom and flexibility than you think. Here are some final tips for sticking to your budget this winter:
- Define your priorities
- Map out costs
- Create a budget
- Consider a travel credit card with travel rewards
- Create a travel fund
- Look for travel deals
- Book early
- Eat in
- Avoid peak travel windows
- Choose a budget-friendly or lesser known destination
And finally, get after it and enjoy!