The snow is great, but prices can be steep
Here are four ways to save on your next ski trip
By Chris McGinnis
CNN Headline News
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The powder hounds are out in Snowbird, Utah, which has already received a near record 109 inches of snow this season.
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(CNN) -- Did you know that more than eight feet of snow has fallen this month at some Utah ski resorts? If the snow keeps falling like it has in recent weeks, many resorts are on track to surpass the 1994 record, when they got about 12 feet of snow during November.
Park City, Snowbird and Alta have nearly 50 percent of their runs open. In Colorado, Vail has 10 of 33 lifts open. With more mountain snow predicted this week, even more resorts and skiable terrain should open up to eager skiers.
If all that white stuff has you excited, now's the time to set your sights on a winter ski vacation. Unfortunately, skiing is an increasingly expensive sport. But there are ways to keep costs down. Here's some advice:
Ski early or ski late: "This is the perfect scenario. Right now skiers are getting midseason conditions at early season prices," says Ski Utah President Kip Pitou, commenting on the recent early snowfall. Most ski resorts are offering low-cost early season deals from now until about December 20. That's when peak-season rates kick in and stay sky-high until about January 6. After that, standard rates apply, and then deep discounting kicks in again as the snow begins to melt in early April.
Rent a condo with a kitchen instead of a hotel room: Ski resort fare is notoriously overpriced both on and off the mountain. For example, last year in Vail, I spent $25 for a slice of pizza, a salad and a drink at a mountainside cafeteria. Once you are off the slopes, prices come down a little -- but not much. A steak dinner for two with a bottle of wine and dessert could easily top $200 at a Vail or Aspen restaurant. If you're staying at a condo with a kitchen, you can just stop by the local grocery store on the way back from the slopes, and buy the same meal for about $50. (Use your savings to pay for lunch the next day, when you are held captive at resort restaurants.)
Rent skis at the resort: If you don't own skis and boots, wait to rent until you get to the resort. That way you can ask around and then shop around for the best price. You'll also avoid the hassle of traveling with those unwieldy skis, boots and poles, plus you'll save on tips to skycaps and others who help you with them.
Look for package deals that include air, hotel, ground transportation and lift tickets. For the biggest discounts, you'll have to buy in bulk. For example, a five-night package for four people is going to net a lot more savings per person than a two-night package for two.
