I love my junk mail at this time of the year. It seems like every day there’s another glossy photo of mountains and powder with promises of deals and bargains – all of which I read in detail. Hey, a girl can dream, can’t she? Seriously though, the deluge of ski-themed junk mail did make me realize that I owe it to other folks who are interested in family skiing to share some of the cost-saving strategies I’ve been using to get my family out on the slopes without completely breaking the bank.
Gear
Skiing is an expensive sport. Skis, boots, poles and bindings for just one child can make a hefty dent in any family’s budget. I’ve saved a fortune by using ski swaps. In the Seattle area, the best of the bunch is the Newport Ski and Snowboard Swap held annually at Newport High School (Nov 13-14, 2009, Fri 5pm-9pm & Sat 8am-6pm). Much of the gear on sale comes from individuals or families but local ski shops also participate and provide most of the technical sales assistance. Online classifieds and stores which sell or trade used gear are also a good source. I’ve used craigslist and PlayItAgainSports. If you’re in Utah, you can check out the awesome winter gear section on the Snow List classifieds.
Your munchkins will be champion grumblers rather than champion skiers if they’re cold on the slopes. Layers of warm undies and fleece under insulated, waterproof outwear are a must. There are great deals available right now in the Sale + Clearance section on REI.com – and if you’re a member, they’ll even give you more money off (20%) with the member’s only Fall Coupon Sale. Lands’ End is another good source for reasonably-priced winter clothing. (You can get brand-name, gently-used outerwear at ski swaps, but understandably size selection can be hit-or-miss).
Finally, October is a great time to check out ski shops in your area for sales of last season’s gear and ex-rental equipment. In the Seattle area, I’ve had success with Seattle Ski and Snowboard and Sturtevants. If you’re buying for an older child and expect to use the gear with younger siblings, this is option may be best for you.
Lift Tickets and Passes
Now is the time to snag early season deals on ski lift tickets. Sales of annual passes for many resorts are heavily discounted if purchased before October 31st with savings still available through Thanksgiving. Similar deals are common on multi-day passes and vacation packages if you book early also. For example, Washington state and Canada residents can pre-purchase lift tickets for Whistler Blackcomb at a 30% discount until November 23rd. If you’re thinking of California, there’s deals on packages at Mammoth and The Village At Squaw Valley (which, btw, has an awesome mountain village feel and great family skiing).
Accommodation
If you’re traveling to ski, accommodation at resorts can be pricey especially during winter vacations. If there’s a resort you’re interested in visiting this season, check out their website now and see if you can sign up for a newsletter or special offer emails. I have consistently found this a reliable source for worthwhile offers. If you’ve rented a house or condo from an individual during a prior season and you plan to return to the same resort this year, contact the owner and ask about discounts for returning visitors.
I realize that some of my fair-weather friends think I’m more than a little nutty about winter sports. But hey, who wouldn’t want one of these:
Great tips, Michelle. Do you have any favorite spots for skiing, within a 45-minute or one-hour drive from Seattle?
Hi Lora,
Snoqualmie Pass (http://www.summit-at-snoqualmie.com) is the closest to Seattle (~1hr drive) and a perfect learning hill for kids. Because it’s a small, local ski area ticket prices and lesson prices are fairly reasonable. We used the Power Pigs ski school for two years and then Mohan for 1 year (we switched from Powder Pigs because the boys didn’t need a full-day program).
Driving up and down to Snoqualmie every Sunday for 10 weeks gets old really fast – especially when the snow is starting to melt and it’s just not fun to get on the mountain (as an adult) if you’re even a moderately good skier or boarder. But, boy, is it worth the effort. Since taking lessons locally, we’ve skied as a family in BC, UT, CA and CO i.e. no lessons, just spending the day together.
Crystal (on Mt Rainier) and Stevens Pass are a slightly longer drive (2hrs) and larger ski areas. Mt. Baker is almost 3 hrs from Seattle but, since it’s a national park, has the least expensive lift tickets. It also has the longest ski season and some years, the most powder of any mountain. Check out http://www.skiwashington.com for a list of all resorts.
I hope that helps