Ski Vacations on a Budget

No, itâ€™s not a typo â€“ there really are ways to have great ski vacations on a budget. Skiing is an amazing sport that combines the thrill of downhill speed with the natural beauty of mountains and snow. Itâ€™s also an instant hit with kids from warmer climates, many of whom have only seen snow on television. For those who have taken ski vacations before, itâ€™s common knowledge that they can be an expensive proposition. But with the internet and a bit of insider information, budget ski trips are closer than ever.

The first thing to figure out is where to ski â€“ there are literally hundreds of resorts across the United States and Canada. The Western United States has a well-deserved reputation as the countryâ€™s ski mecca. For folks on the east coast, it becomes more expensive to travel to these destinations â€“ but the weather, snow, and scenery is usually worth the trip. Famous resort towns such as Vail, Breckenridge, Park City, and Lake Tahoe are great selections, but often mean paying a high premium for luxury services. Higher lift ticket prices, expensive food and high priced lodging options in these cities have given skiing its reputation as a vacation for the wealthy. Flying below the radar though are literally dozens of world-class destinations that havenâ€™t had their moment in the spotlight yet. They are the mega-resorts of tomorrow, and vacationers save a bundle by enjoying them today.

Continuing the focus on the western United States (since most East Coast resorts fall in the category of either very expensive or extremely small), itâ€™s important to figure out which state is most convenient. Salt Lake City and Reno/Tahoe airports offer easier ground transport options from the airport, but can mean more expensive flights for some folks. On the other hand, Denver is a low-cost hub for several airlines, but many resorts are a solid 2-hour (or more) drive from the airport. States like Wyoming, Montana and Idaho are aggressively marketing amazing ski areas, but all are more difficult to get to by plane. At the end of the day, most western skiers opt for Colorado or Utah â€“ largely because of the wide variety of resorts and cheap flight options. These two states still offer a variety of ski resort values, it just takes looking beyond the biggest advertisements.

The state tourism board is a great place to start. Colorado also has a business group known as the â€œColorado Gems,â€ where smaller resorts are able to engage in joint marketing. There are over eight resorts that regularly feature lift tickets below $50, and offer a great, down-to-earth ski experience with smaller lift lines. Arapahoe Basin and Loveland resorts feature great terrain and low-cost lodging nearby, while still allowing easy access to larger resorts for those who feel like flexing their American Express card for the day. Durango Mountain Resort and Wolf Creek are also great options for ski tourists choosing to drive from southwestern states â€“ it often shortens the drive time and saves some money. Utahâ€™s tourism board also has a great listing of smaller resorts â€“ many with great terrain and modern lift access. Amongst other, Sundance, Snowbasin and Powder Mountain come to mind as lower cost alternatives, all with easy driving access from Salt Lake City. Many smaller resorts are eager to cater to larger families or groups of families, and are more likely to provide additional discounts (especially on extras like equipment rental). Be sure to contact the resortâ€™s group sales department for groups of more than 8.

One of the reasons that many smaller resorts are still small is because resort-style luxury ski lodging has not been established, or is still in its infancy. Again â€“ many of the resorts mentioned above are the â€œresorts of tomorrow,â€ and are constantly expanding. This shouldnâ€™t scare away vacationers though, since thereâ€™s plenty of lodging to be had. And the good news? Families save heaps of money by foregoing the ski valet and fancy lobby. Check out Craigslist or VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner) for local listings around the resort â€“ many beautiful homes and condos are offered, most with easy access to the lifts. With the money thatâ€™s saved, many families could easily turn a 3-day hotel budget into a one-week condo or home rental. With these tips in mind, itâ€™s should be easy to find a ski vacation that can bring the whole family together without breaking the bank.

Safe Travels!

By David Burg

Topicologist.com Expert Travel Writer

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