Smart ways to save money on gear, lodging, and lift tickets without missing out on the snow.
Here are a few other ideas for keeping costs low and expectations high:
- Ski midweek. There are few deals on the weekends, yet nearly every resort has some sort of midweek special.
- Stay in Nordic or European style lodging instead of a hotel. Share a bathroom and save $100? Sounds great.
- Don’t eat in the resort. Pack your lunch or eat a big breakfast and a big dinner with a high carb & high protein energy bar in
between. - Buy a season pass ahead of time. That way, you know your ride up the mountain is already paid for when you start eating Top Ramen again for every meal because you stopped showing up for work on powder days.
- Carpool. The gas alone on even a one-day excursion to a resort can wipe out your lunch money for a month.
- Rent your gear at a shop a little distance away from the resort (although sometimes it isn’t as convenient). Better yet, find a great deal on some new or used gear. Renting adds up quickly. If you think you will spend more than a couple of days on the white stuff this winter, it is cheaper to just buy your gear outright.
Don’t forget, however you cut corners to get the most out of your ski season, its still expensive. There is probably a lift op position just waiting for you incase you decide to become a ski bum, after all. Then you are guaranteed to become a master of living and skiing on next to nothing.
MAIN IMAGE: Ethan Walsweer / Unsplash
