Ski Vacations on the Cheap

Time

• The first step of planning any cheap ski vacation is timing--both of taking your vacation and booking it. Make your reservations as early as possible to take advantage of better rates. While it's true that you can also find great last-minute deals, booking your vacation early will give you time to shop carefully, find the best prices on all your vacation needs and make thorough arrangements for your trip. The summer prior to your trip is a good time to start planning.

  When you pull out the calendar, avoid the temptation of adding days off to existing long weekends (Christmas, New Year's, President's Day), as these holidays are the most expensive times for ski trips. Bear in mind that March can also bring big crowds, due to college spring breaks. If possible, book your trip for the very beginning or very end of the season, when you'll find the lowest prices.

Location

• Location is the next big factor that will affect the cost of your ski trip. First, consider transportation. Unless you're traveling alone, driving will likely be far cheaper than flying, so planning a ski trip to a resort within your state or immediate geographical area will be your cheapest bet. Of course, many people don't have this option. If you're planning a trip to a destination resort, compare pricing--and look for the "hidden gems." Most big ski states have a few resorts that don't have a big public reputation but still offer great skiing at a cheaper cost. In Colorado, for instance, resorts such as Loveland, Sunshine and Wolf Creek offer great skiing for far less than you'd pay at other, better-known resorts in the state.

Booking

• When booking, try to include as many services as possible in one package. You can save a lot by booking lodging, lift tickets, rentals, transportation and lessons all together. When you begin your research, sign up on mailing lists for the resorts you're most interested in so that you'll get notified about deals right away. Don't limit yourself to the Web; call the resorts or lodging facilities and discuss packages and prices directly.

Lodging

• It's usually cheaper to book away from the base area. Consider staying in town or even outside of town for better rates. If you choose this route, find out if there's a free public or private shuttle from your lodging to the ski resort. A condo can be more cost-effective than a hotel, since more people can stay together there, and you'll have a kitchen so you can cook meals instead of eating out. When choosing lodging, also consider the amenities and services (pool, hot tub, game room, free breakfast)--things that can keep your party entertained without requiring any additional money.

On Vacation

• While most of the effort to save money comes in the planning stages, you should still be careful to save when you get to your destination. Stray away from the base area whenever possible, as this is usually the most expensive place to eat and shop. Purchase essentials such as food, drinks and toiletries in town instead of at a base area shop. Seek out the fun free activities that many resorts offer, particularly for children and families. Also try to dine in town or in a neighboring town to find genuine restaurants with better prices. Avoid eating lunch at the resort; packing a lunch will save you both money and time on the slopes.