How To Hit The Slopes Without Plowing Your Savings

A Note From Patricia:

Hello and welcome to Forbes Advisor’s Weekly Brief, where we dive into the realities of consumer finance and empower you with knowledge to help make your financial journey easier.

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas. But more specifically, I’m praying for a fresh powder day on my favorite mountain.?

Every year, my partner and I forgo the typical holiday gifts and instead book a trip to Vermont for our first ski trip of the year. We do the same for anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, and even Easter (weather permitting). Last year, we were able to hit the slopes 15 times at five different mountains by the end of the season.

But skiing is a notoriously expensive hobby. Between equipment, lift tickets, accommodation, and outrageous food prices at the ski lodge, one day of skiing can run you hundreds of dollars.?

That’s why this week, I’ll share some of my best hacks for cutting costs on your next ski trip so you can shred the gnar and not your wallet.?

Sincerely,

Patricia Louis

Editor, Forbes Advisor

Also: This is our last edition of the Weekly Brief until 2025. Thanks for reading, and we’re looking forward to seeing you back here in January!

How To Hit The Slopes Without Plowing Your Savings

The cost of skiing can vary widely based on many factors, including where you’re looking to go, equipment needs (if you need rentals), when you book, and when you decide to go.

For example, skiing on a weekend (especially a holiday weekend) could cost you nearly double for lift tickets and rentals. Additionally, choosing a big-name mountain like Vail, Park City, or Deer Valley will also increase your expenditures.?

And that’s not all you’ll have to factor in. You also need to think about travel costs, accommodation, and food, all of which tend to be pricey in the mountains.

Here are a few tips that are easier than the bunny hill but can score you some double black diamond savings:?

Take your PTO. Probably not what your boss wants to hear, but taking a day off from work to hit the slopes can save you big time, as weekday lift tickets and rentals tend to be less expensive. Additionally, the slopes tend to be less crowded during the week, meaning you can get more runs in and have more space to practice your pizza and french fries if you need.?

Buy in advance. Booking your lift tickets and rentals online before your trip is almost always cheaper than purchasing them on the day at the window. Do this directly on the resort’s website, or you can look for discount options on websites like Groupon, Liftopia, Ski.com, or Snowpak.? Costco and AAA members also have access to discount ski travel packages. Just be mindful of refund and cancellation policies when booking with third-party websites, as they might not be as accommodating as when you book direct.?

Bundle your stay. In addition to the convenience of being mountain-side, some resorts offer lift ticket discounts if you stay on their property. Sugarbush, Vermont, for example, is running a deal right now that allows hotel guests to buy $89 lift tickets in December—that’s about $100 less than they would be if you decide to stay somewhere else. The downside is that these resorts are generally more expensive than staying elsewhere, so you’ll have to do some math to determine if the additional savings with a bundled stay will save you versus staying at an Airbnb or other lodging option a little farther from the mountain.

Pack your lunch. Never again will I pay $40 for a cheeseburger and fries for lunch. Instead, I pack a cup of ramen noodles or a homemade sandwich and bring some granola bars for snacks. Lodges usually have storage rooms where you can leave a lunch box. You can also use the hot water at the coffee/tea station to make your ramen. This way, you can save a good chunk of change and have more money left for your après-ski bar tab.?

Use credit card rewards. Last year, I was able to cover my $1,000 flight to Montana to ski at Big Sky entirely using my travel credit card rewards points, and I’ll be able to do it again this year. Many of these cards also offer discounts on car rentals (which you’ll likely need to get to the mountain from the airport). Using a travel or rewards credit card during your stay, you can also earn more out of your spending on dining and lodging. Make sure to activate your additional offers and rewards, too, as you might be able to find discounts for gear, such as a jacket or goggles before your trip. Always pay off your credit card in full each month to avoid interest charges that negate those rewards.?

Get travel insurance. Ski trips are a big investment. There are several worst-case scenarios that travel insurance can help with, such as getting injured, your luggage getting lost, disruptions or delays in travel due to weather conditions, or even a medical emergency. It’s important to note, however, that skiing is considered a high-risk adventure activity, and therefore many policies exclude it from coverage. Make sure to do your research, read the fine print and find a policy that will keep you covered, such as Allianz or World Nomads.?

For more information on how to save on your ski trip and find some of the best affordable resorts in the U.S., read more here.

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