Discount Ski Vacations

Even in tight economic times, snow-sport devotees can continue to participate in their sport by finding discount ski vacations. Although skiing and snowboarding are two of the most expensive recreational sports, there are a number of ways to save a considerable amount of money on snow-sport vacations. All it takes is a bit of creativity, along with savvy researching skills.

Obviously, the holidays and spring break are the most expensive times of the year for ski vacations; prices also skyrocket during President's Day weekend. Some western resorts get great snow in November, and if the resort is open, you can get some excellent deals. However, terrain might be limited.

Surprisingly, you can find some great discount ski vacations in January, when there is usually lots of snow. This is because most people have used up their vacation money during Christmas, and the resorts need to attract skiers.

Ski Coupons is one of the best-kept secrets on the Internet. The site, which is arranged by region, offers discounts at various resorts and surrounding businesses. For example, if you want to plan a ski trip to Colorado, the website has a $55 lift and lunch coupon for the Loveland Ski Area. Your $55 gets you a full-day Loveland lift ticket, as well as $10 towards lunch. You can also get some excellent Colorado ski vacation discount coupons at Discover Colorado.

If Vermont is your desired destination, skicoupons.com offers lodging coupons that entitle you to up to 50 percent off. Keep in mind that these offers may change from time to time, and limited quantities may be available. Even if you are unsure of your vacation plans, it is worthwhile to print the coupons immediately.

Although it is not exactly a coupon, King Soopers, also known as City Market, offers discount lift tickets to the various Colorado ski resorts.

Occasionally, airlines offer discount packages to popular ski destinations. While these might sometimes offer great values on discount ski vacations, this is not always the case. Most of these packages are based on double occupancy, so if you are traveling solo, you may actually end up paying a higher price. Additionally, many of the air, lift and lodging packages book the most expensive hotels at the resort. While they are definitely giving you a discount on these pricey hotels, there are usually less expensive hotels available.

When flying to a ski area, a midweek flight will be less expensive than a Friday, Saturday or Sunday flight. Additionally, since most airlines now charge for carrying your skis and equipment, you might consider having your skis shipped to your lodging destination. Even if this turns out to be more expensive than taking your equipment on the flight, it will enable you to use public transportation, as opposed to expensive taxis and shuttles.

If you are interested in discount ski lodging, there are four letters you should never forget: VRBO, which stand for Vacation Rental by Owner. This is one of the best ways to get ski area discount lodging. When you contact an owner through VRBO, you are eliminating the middleman. As such, you get a cheaper rate.

Additionally, the condos usually offer full-service kitchens, which will save you a good deal of money on eating out. If you are traveling with a group or a family, a two or three bedroom condo will be less expensive that two separate hotel rooms. Many one-bedroom condos have rollout couches, which is less expensive than a two-bedroom condo.

Although the larger resorts get the most press, they are also the most expensive. Consider visiting some of the smaller, less known resorts in your desired destination. Not only are these less expensive, they are usually less crowded; you might just be pleasantly surprised!

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