Skiing During a Recession
You don't have to search long to find headlines bemoaning the economy this winter. It seems as if everything
from unemployment to the stock market is going the wrong way on a daily basis.
As we all can attest to, this great sport of downhill skiing or snowboarding that we've all grown to love is not
exactly cheap. So how do you still enjoy the great family sport of skiing in a down economy? Where can you
manage expenses and still have a great ski trip?
Most North American ski resorts are reporting double-digit declines in visitors this season. A Colorado ski trade
group recently announced that through December, bookings were down 14% from last year. If there is one
advantage that a budget-strapped traveler has, it is that the resorts want you this year like never before. That
should mean aggressive pricing and potential freebies, but most are offered on a case-by-case basis and vary
depending on the week.
Here are a few ideas that can help you save money regardless of the resort or destination:
Lift Ticket Deals: We're seeing more "kids ski free" and discounts on multi-day passes than in years past. While
many great family resorts like Big Sky in Montana and Steamboat in Colorado have always had deals for kids, it is
a trend catching on among the western destinations. Also, check with you lodging operator, whether it is the
resort or a property manager, about potential lodging / lift discounts. They appear to be more prevalent this
season.
Meals: Most family ski lodging nowadays comes in the form of condos. That means you'll have a kitchen, and that
means you can cook. You don't even have to get a pan dirty. Get cold cereal and OJ for breakfasts, and pasta or
sandwiches and fruit for dinners, and you'll save money without much work. We all know that after a long day of
skiing, the troops will eat just about anything and be satisfied.
Rental Cars: Most ski areas have some type of transit systems, and many like Steamboat and Aspen offer free
shuttles to get around town. Our resort reviews help you determine where you might need a car and where you
won't, but more often you won't. We would note that while intra-city transit is becoming more common, you
typically incur a cost to get to/from the airport (and it can be high in some places).
Half Day Passes: Face it - many kids or family skiers only have a half day of fun skiing in them. After that, the
legs burn and fatigue sets in. Keep it fun. Ski a half day, and then shop -- or play Wii, or do something fun. This
is vacation, not boot camp.
Skis: If renting skis, you probably don't need the high performance skis. Most of us get along just fine in the
standard issue skis, and there is often a "sport" choice that lies somewhere in between. The quality of your quads
is more important than the quality of your skis. With that said, be assertive about returning your skis for a
different pair if they don't feel right. The authors rarely go an entire ski trip without someone swapping out skis
for a different set, and ski shops will almost always gladly oblige. And speaking of skis, make sure you price the
skis in the off-resort locations. Getting skis at Gart Sports in Denver, as one example, will save you significant
cost versus renting after you've arrived at the mountain.
Alternate Resorts: For every ritzy, expensive resort, there is a less expensive alternative nearby. While the
alternate resorts may not have the same "it" factor, they often have similar skiing. With expensive Jackson Hole,
there is the great alternative of Grand Targhee. For Big Sky, it is Bridger Bowl. Aspen has several resorts nearby
that offer cheaper lodging and lifts.
As with any vacation, it is all about prioritization. Conspicuously absent from this list is lodging -- we feel that a
place to not skimp is lodging, both in terms of convenience and quality of accommodations -- but that could also
be a price lever for you. In short, determine what is important to you, and don't skimp on it. For everything else,
let the deals begin!