Each year thousands of people descend on the world’s snow covered mountains. From the French Alps to America’s pristinely groomed pistes, people travel the world to find the best runs.
Snow skiing and snowboarding were in the past very much considered elitist sports, with the high class of society venturing to the Swiss and French Alps, drinking expensive champagne on the slopes. Whilst this does still happen around the world, skiing and boarding are becoming ever more popular in society with indoor snowdomes opening around the world. Gone are the days when it’s considered a sport for the high class only, it has now become accessible to the majority of the world from a large number of backgrounds. Increasing the demand for the resorts and holiday companies.
In recent years ski and snowboarding holidays have become more reasonably priced, with tour operators offering good deals and extras. By following the next 6 steps you can make your next skiing or snowboarding holiday even cheaper.
1. Avoid School Holidays
Holiday prices can as much as double during school holidays (especially Christmas and February half term) as flights and hotels increase due to demand.
An increase in people also means more people on the slopes, more people in restaurants and in the resort in general.
Try where possible to avoid booking your holiday during these times. Not only will you get better skiing outside of these times, you will save money too.
The best time to go on a ski or snowboard holiday is January, late February or early March.
2. Lift Passes
Lift passes and ski hire are two of the most expensive things about skiing or snowboarding, due to the fact that both are necessary to participate in the sport, unless you have your own equipment.
Make sure to keep an eye out for deals, a number of travel companies occasionally offer free ski hire or discounted lift passes, which can also be significantly cheaper if you book in advance.
You could also plan your trip to have one or two days off skiing to explore the local area and take a rest, also cutting costs.
3. Find Local Restaurants & Bars
To save money on food find out where the locals eat and drink, many of these places will have deals and offers to appeal to seasonnaires or locals.
It also means you can get to know the local people, find out good or bad places to visit and what is available around the resort.
4. Avoid Eating at Restaurants on the Mountain
A large number of people visit the mountain top restaurants for lunch or a light snack, but these restaurants charge horrendous prices for basic things.
An easy way to save money on food is to pack your own lunch, take it with you up the mountain. When you’re hungry, stop and find somewhere to sit down for 30 minutes and rest.
A large number of ski resorts offer picnic areas with seating at the top of the mountains.
5. Accommodation
Many people stay in chalets while on skiing or snowboarding holidays, as there are a great deal of packages, complete with food, housekeeping and sometimes a driver.
A cheaper alternative to this is to search for an AirBnB, self catering chalets or hostels.
Any of these accommodation types will end up cheaper than a chalet, even if you’re also purchasing food.
6. Look Out for Deals
Keep an eye on your favourite holiday sites for deals on ski or snowboard holidays.
Added extras such as lift passes, food, alcohol or discounted ski rental can be on offer from a number of travel companies.
Another way to save money is to arrange everything on your own, while this can be time consuming, you can also save large amounts on hidden fees.
Snow kiing or snowboarding can be as cheap or as expensive as you make it, but these types of holidays don’t have to break the bank.
This week’s post was written by Anny Wooldridge from Anny’s Adventures.
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