Family Ski Holidays on a Budget

Family ski holidays are a great way to share unforgettable memories with your loved ones, but when you add up the cost of travel, lodging, lift tickets, gear, food and lessons, family ski holidays can take quite a chunk out of your pocket book. If you follow these simple tips, you can have a wonderful family ski holiday for a fraction of the cost.

Book Family Ski Holidays On Off Peak Weeks

Depending on where you plan to spend your family ski holiday, the ski season can last from Thanksgiving to April. Simply by booking your trip on an off peak week, you can save hundreds of dollars on lodging, lift tickets, and equipment rentals. The earliest and latest weeks of the season tend to present the best pricing, so if you book for these weeks early, you can be assured of a great deal. Avoid the busiest weeks of Christmas and New Years. Not only are the prices higher, the weather is usually the coldest at this time and the slopes are the most crowded.

If you can’t plan your family ski holiday for the beginning or end of the season, you can still catch a great bargain. Do some research on ski lift prices for each resort you are interested in visiting. If you choose a week when lift tickets are priced lower, chances are lodging will also be lower in the area for that week.

Watch Your Family Ski Holiday Food Budget

Food can really cut into your budget when you take a family ski holiday. Eating at high priced restaurants or lodge facilities can quickly add up. A good way to get around this is to rent a condo or efficiency and cook the majority of your own meals. Another option is to purchase an entertainment coupon book for the resort area you plan to visit. Often a call to a local school or community club will direct you to an organization that sells these books as a fundraiser. Not only will you help a worthy cause, your $10 to $20 dollar investment can save you hundreds on expensive food over the course of your family ski holiday.

Look For The Little Known Deals

Most resorts have unadvertised specials or perks. It never hurts to ask what kind of deals are available. Many places offer free ski lessons for kids or first timers or special family rates on equipment rentals. With a little searching you can even find special prices on second day lift tickets or half day ski packages. Before you book your trip call the area chamber of commerce and see if they have any special coupons or rates for visitors. Even if you don’t get a great ski deal, you might get restaurant vouchers or a discount on an area hotel.