How to Plan a Ski Trip You’ll Never Forget
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Is this the year you pack up your crew and head to the mountains for that long-anticipated winter vacation on the slopes?
If so, congratulations —you have just taken the first step toward an iconic, memorable winter holiday!
Planning a ski trip is an epic way to enjoy winter, whether you’ve never been on skis before or are a seasoned pro on the slopes.
To make the most of your ski trip, planning is crucial.
A ski trip is rarely a budget vacation, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find awesome deals during the planning process.
The secret to planning a memorable and stress-free ski trip is to start early — several months before your trip. Let’s break down the process of planning a ski trip from start to finish.
I promise it’s not as difficult as it seems!
Table of Contents
Create a Budget for Your Family Ski Trip and Start Looking for Deals
Money. It’s that pesky stuff that makes the world go round and, unfortunately, dictates how we spend our winter vacations. If finances aren’t a primary issue for you, feel free to skip this section. If you’re on a budget, like most of us, read on.
Many of the decisions you’ll have to make surrounding your winter vacation will be based on how much money you have or want to spend.
Your ski vacation budget will help you determine some of these important questions:
- Will you fly or drive to your ski destination?
- Where will you stay?
- How long will you stay?
- Will you buy or rent your equipment?
If you are planning a ski trip 6+ months in advance, you are in good shape.
Downhill skiing is expensive, but there are ways to save money if you plan ahead.
Start by creating a budget that includes lift tickets, equipment rentals, winter clothing, lodging, meals, airfare, and car rental fees.
This number is just a baseline figure and assumes you are traveling with a family. If you’re traveling solo, your budget will be much smaller, but of course, everyone’s situation will be different.
Now, based on that initial figure, decide how much you want to contribute to your ski trip savings plan each month.
This can be tweaked throughout the coming year as you answer some of the abovementioned questions.
Here are some tips for saving money on your family ski trip.
Look for Deals on Lift Tickets and Lodging
If you are willing to do some legwork, you will save hundreds of dollars on your family ski vacation. Figuring out where to begin your search can be daunting, so here are some ideas to help you get started.
Consider the Epic Pass: The Epic Pass gives you access to 17+ ski resorts throughout the US and Canada.
You can get full season passes for your family, as well as single-day to week-long passes.
In addition, you can buy Epic passes specific to the region you’re visiting. The more you plan to ski using the Epic Pass, the more money you will save.
There are special Epic Passes at discounted prices for seniors, college students, and military members. While the Epic Pass may not be for you and your family, it’s the first place to start when looking for deals.
Sign up for email newsletters of your top ski resorts: Nobody needs more email spam coming to their inbox, but many ski resorts use email to market their best sales of the season. Don’t miss out on these!
Take advantage of Black Friday sales: This is for all of you who are last-minute planners!
Ski resorts offer incredible Black Friday discounts on lift tickets, rentals, and lodging. Once you have an idea of where you want to go, visit the resort website and Facebook page just before Black Friday and the weekend following.
We recently scored a three-pack of lift tickets to a local ski mountain for $150, and rentals were discounted as well.
Pro Tip: Choose a smaller resort for fewer crowds, better lift ticket and lodging deals, and lower prices overall.
Choose Where You Want to Ski
Where you go on your family ski trip depends on so many variables.
If you live in sunny Florida or the south of Texas, you will probably have to fly to your skiing destination. If you are a Vermonter (like me), your trip might be a bit shorter (and cheaper). When choosing the perfect ski mountain, proximity is one of your major considerations.
If you know you will have to fly to your ski destination, look for flight deals before choosing a ski resort. Flights to major international airports are usually cheaper than flights to small regional airports.
I’ve had great luck finding deals to Salt Lake City, Denver, and Boston using Kayak, which also has great deals on rental cars.
Things to Consider When Choosing Where to Ski or Snowboard
Cost may or may not be your number one factor when planning your family ski vacation destination, but it’s probably one of them. Here are a few more things to consider.
Does the Ski Resort Have a Mix of Trails for All Abilities?
If you are a family of beginners, make sure the ski resort offers plenty of beginner trails, lessons, and off-slope activities. If you have advanced skiers in your group, you will want a good mix of challenging trails.
While smaller ski mountains on the East Coast often provide very challenging conditions due to wet snow and ice.
The Eastern mountains also have excellent wooded trails that can be a real challenge for all skiers and riders. Mountains in the west are often sunny with great powder, but the trails are steep and avalanches are always a concern.
Talk to any passionate skiers or snowboarders, and they’ll convince you why skiing in the east or skiing in the west is best.
Does the Ski Resort Have Activities Available Off the Slopes?
You probably plan to spend all day, every day, on the mountain, perfecting your technique and your turns. But if you are going on an extended family ski vacation, you may want to find out what else the area has to offer, especially if you have kids.
Many ski resorts cater to families and offer sleigh rides, sledding, snowshoeing, ice skating, movie nights, shopping, dance parties, and more. You may want to seek out additional amenities, such as spa services, a fitness center, an indoor pool, and a hot tub (so fabulous after a day of skiing).
Find out what the surrounding towns have to offer as well. Here are some winter vacation ideas for non-skiers.
Does the Mountain Resort Have a Ski School or Offer Lessons? What About Child Care?
If this is your first ski trip, congratulations! You’ll get a lot more out of your vacation if you schedule one or two ski lessons on your very first day. Most ski resorts offer group and private lessons, and often, they’ll have additional lessons geared toward kids.
If you are traveling with kids, you may want to look into childcare options.
Best Ski Resorts for First Timers and Families
There are hundreds of ski resorts in the United States, which can be daunting when planning a ski trip. Here are some ski resorts that get top marks for being family-friendly and offering lots of off-slope activities.
- Jay Peak, Vermont: Biased Vermonter here, but we love Jay Peak! Not only does it have Vermont’s only indoor water park, but the resort also features an ice skating rink, spa treatments, and cross-country and snowshoe trails.
- Bretton Woods, New Hampshire: New Hampshire’s largest ski area features 63 trails and 35 glades, a sculpted tubing run, sleigh rides, and winter zip-lining.
- Jackson Hole, Wyoming: The Mountain Sports School offers private and group lessons, as well as multi-day camps. While the skiing is next-level at Jackson Hole, you’ll also want to visit the national parks, elk refuge, and bustling town of Jackson Hole.
- Beaver Creek, Colorado: Use the Epic Pass to enjoy Beaver Creek’s 2,000 acres and 167 trails. Newbies, you are guaranteed to learn to ski with three lessons. And don’t forget the 3 pm cookies and Thursday nights under the lights!
- Park City Mountain, Utah: Celebrate winter with after-ski activities, including an alpine coaster, zip lining, an ice skating rink, and sleigh rides. Use the Epic Pass and save on your ski vacation!
Where Will You Stay on Your Ski Trip?
Ski resorts and the towns that surround them offer a myriad of lodging options depending on your budget and your personal needs.
We usually check all the options listed below before deciding based on the size of our group, location, and cost. Here’s a look at some typical accommodations near ski mountains.
Condos: Most resorts offer slope-side condominium rentals. This allows you to be close to the action. There is no commute to and from the mountain, and if members of your group are tired or need a break, they can head back to the condo for a rest.
Most condos have full kitchens and housekeeping services. Package deals that include lift tickets and lodging are usually available at a reduced rate.
Cabin rentals: Families and private companies often rent cabins near ski resorts. These cabins can usually accommodate large numbers of people and offer a level of solitude that you won’t find at a big resort. VRBO is a great resource for finding cabins or homes for rent.
Hotels: Near most ski resorts, there are many hotels to choose from, from the most luxurious to the most budget-friendly.
Outfit Your Family with Winter Gear and Clothing for Skiing
If you already own ski gear, you are ahead of the game. Now is the time to have your skis sharpened and waxed in preparation for your trip.
If you are new to the sport, I recommend renting your skis, boots, poles, and helmet. Many mountains offer discounted equipment rentals with your lift ticket.
As for cold-weather clothing, I recommend getting the best you can afford.
There is nothing worse than grouchy, cold, and uncomfortable kids on a family ski trip.
If you already live in a cold climate, you may not need to invest much in clothing. You can also find some good deals at second-hand stores, especially for younger kids. Here are the basic necessities for most family ski trips:
Ski goggles: Found at many sporting goods stores or online. We have found great deals at REI Outlet and Steep and Cheap, especially in the spring and summer. Ski goggles are not usually available for rent, and they will cost a fortune if you buy them near the slopes.
Warm Socks: Thick wool or synthetic socks (no cotton). Ski socks are expensive, but they are also incredibly important. Wearing old, thin socks can ruin a ski vacation in a day. We love Darn Tough Vermont socks because they offer over-the-calf cushioning and always stand behind their lifetime guarantee.
Face masks: Also known as a balaclava, these are essential for cold or windy days on the slopes. Our favorite is a merino fleece balaclava from Turtle Fur (a Vermont company).
Snow pants: For toddlers and young kids up to age 5, I recommend a one-piece suit to keep them warmer. Yes, it’s harder to get everything off for a pee break, but it’s well worth the extra effort. Older kids can probably get away with regular snow pants or overalls.
Ski jackets: For kids, buy a size that is too big so they can wear them for a few seasons. We usually buy whatever’s on sale at REI or LLBean.
Mittens or gloves: Warm and waterproof! If possible, bring several pairs for each of your kids so you don’t have to shop while you’re on vacation.
Long underwear: Tops and bottoms made of synthetic materials, wool, or silk. Generally, the kids get Duofolds because they’re affordable and still very warm. For adult base layers, I love these Woolies Pro Tech base layers from Ibex. These separates are 85% Merino wool —pricey, but they last forever. They are so warm and soft, plus they wick moisture and don’t stink, even after several days on the slopes!
Fleece top: For layering under your ski jacket.
Hand and foot warmers: Everyone finds these gems in their Christmas stockings. They’re lifesavers on cold days!
Read next: The Best Cold-Weather Layers for Kids
The Best Time to Take a Family Ski Trip
If you have school-aged children, you may be limited as to when you can travel. Many ski resorts hike their prices during popular school vacations and holidays.
My vote for the best family ski trip is in early spring – late February to late March, depending on where you’re going.
Spring is a great time to find the best lift ticket deals, avoid lift lines, and enjoy fantastic weather.
When most people are turning their focus to warm-weather activities, the mountain resorts will be clamoring for your business. Spring skiing can also be the best of the year, with warm, sunny days and layers of fluffy, powdery snow.
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