Tag Archives | saving money

Skiing on the cheap.

September 29, 2011 in Ski News

Try as I might, I’ve never made the big bucks. I wasn’t born into money  (thanks a lot, Mom and Dad), my lottery tickets never hit (well, it’d help if I bought one once in a while), and neither I nor my husband ever managed to parlay our business savvy and creativity into an international billion dollar media empire.

C’est la vie.

The upshot is that like most of the world, I have to be careful with my money. This isn’t easy in skiing. A quick trip through any ski shop will show you how pricey most stuff can be. It’s the easiest thing in the world to drop several hundred on a ski jacket and a thou’ plus on equipment. Add a hundred here for good quality gloves, a hundred there for gotta-have-’em goggles, eighty bucks for a lift ticket — it adds up. Quickly. To a really high number.

Fear not, my children. Gather round and listen. There are lots of ways you can save a little green, so you can get out on the white.

How to save on lift passes:

  • Buy early. Lots of resorts offer terrific pre-season deals. Check out your favorite mountain’s website or the site for your state’s ski association. SkiVermont, for example, has a great Deals page. And you can find a compilation of terrific deals at TheSkiDiva forum. But better hurry. A lot of these deals expire soon, so don’t wait to get in on a good thing.
  • Liftopia: If you don’t know about Liftopia, you should. This is a great site for cheapskates. Liftopia sells lift tickets online at greatly reduced rates. You have to buy in advance and availability may be limited, but it’s definitely worth checking out..
  • Join a ski club. Lots of clubs offer great discounts on trips, tickets, and lodging. There’s probably one in your area. Your local ski shop would know.
How to save on gear:
  • Buy used. If you don’t have to have the latest and the greatest, check out ebay or go to your local ski swap. We at TheSkiDiva have started a list of schedued swaps. You can check it out here.
  • Buy last year’s stuff. I just scored a great pair of new boots. Last year’s model, half price. The only difference from last year is the graphics (like I care) and the last is a bit narrower, which works better for me, anyway. If it was great last year, it’s still great this year. For a whole lot less.
  • Steepandcheap and The Clymb: I’m all for frequenting your local ski shop. There’s nothing that can replace the good old fashioned expertise and personal assistance these guys offer. But every skier should have these websites bookmarked. The first offers one great deal at a time, until it’s gone. And the second functions more like a retail club. You sign up (it’s free), and they provide several offers per week of really fine outdoor gear at a reduced cost.
On the hill:
  • Bring your lunch: Incredible how much you can spend on bad food. Bring your own. You’ll eat better, healthier, and cheaper.
  • Bring your own tea bags or hot chocolate mix: Resorts typically don’t charge for hot water. So help yourselves to theirs and brew yourself a cup.
  • Don’t pay to park. You’re there to exercise, for crying out loud. So if your mountain charges for close-in parking, keep your money in your pocket. Either come early so you can get a good spot, or resign yourself to schlepping  your stuff a bit. It won’t kill you.

All this sounds good to me,  Yeah, it takes a little effort, but it’s definitely worth it.

Anyone else have any great tips?

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Great deals. No kidding.

September 26, 2009 in General skiing

Getting the kids interested in skiing is a win-win situation. It gets them out into the fresh air and involved in a sport they can enjoy throughout their lives, and it gives you an excuse to be out there, too (“But honey, the kids have to ski this weekend!”).

To keep costs down, a number of state ski organizations are offering some pretty killer deals. Take a look:

  • New York: Fourth Grade Ski and Ride Passport. For $19. a booklet, you get three lift tickets to each of 35 resorts. There’s a Learn to Ski Passport, too, which offers one free beginner lesson and 20% off a second. Go to 44Free.com
  • Colorado: Fifth & Sixth Grade Passports.: Fifth graders get three free days at each of the 21 participating resorts. Sixth graders get four days at each resort for $99. Go to coloradoski.com
  • Michigan: Cold is Cool Ski & Ride Passport: Fourth graders get three free lift tickets to each of 22 participating resorts. Go to goskimichigan.com
  • Utah: The Fifth Grade Passport offers three free ticket at each of the state’s 13 ski reosrts. The Sixth Grade Snowpass gets one free day at each. Go to skiutah.com.
  • Vermont: Fifth Grade Passport offers three passes to each of the state’s 21 resorts. Go to skivermont.com
  • New Hampshire: Fourth Grade Earn Your Turns Program. Fourth grade students must research some aspect of the history of skiing in New Hampshire, and summarize the information in a report to their teacher. If the teacher finds it satisfactory, the student gets a book that gives him one free lift pass to each of the state’s 37 resorts. Go to skinh.com.

 


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Lift Ticket Deals For Ladies.

January 21, 2009 in General skiing

Being a woman has its privileges. Here are some lift ticket deals, just for being femaie:

Mondays
½ Off Ski Sawmill, PA
$25 Ragged Mountain, NH
$25 Saddleback, ME

Tuesdays
$39 Okemo, VT
$35 Ski Roundtop, PA
$32 Shawnee Mountain, PA
$46 Mt. Sunapee, NH
$18 Mt. Lacrosse, WI
$14 Mt. Hood Skibowl, OR (nights)
$39 Peek’n Peak, NY

Wednesdays
$10 Off Blue Mountain, PA
$53 Hunter Mountain, NY
½ Off Ski Denton, PA

Thursdays
$25 Pebble Creek, ID
$29 Mt. Rose, NV
FREE Beech Mountain, NC

Fridays
$28 Shawnee Peak, ME

Special Days
2/6: $15 Bromley, VT (mothers only)
2/2: FREE Ski Sawmill, PA
2/7: $10 Mt. Rose, NV (men dressed as women)
2/9: FREE Ski Sawmill, PA (men dressed as women)

The last two seem a little odd. What is it about having men dressed as women on the slopes?


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The “R” Word.

December 4, 2008 in General skiing, saving money

Not that “R” word — the one that has to do with precipitation. The other “R” word — the one they’ve been bandying about on the news lately. Recession.

It’s official. We’re in one. And I don’t have to tell you: skiing isn’t cheap. So how can you still participate in your favorite sport, while minimizing the financial pain?

Here are some tips, suggested by members of TheSkiDiva.com:

  • Get a season pass: The initial outlay is large, but if you ski a lot at the same mountain, it can considerably reduce your cost per day. A season’s pass can have other benefits, too. Some provide discounts on lift tickets at other resorts, nearby lodging, and on-mountain retail locations.
  • Bring your lunch: Food at the mountain can cost nearly as much as a pass. So bring something that costs less, tastes better, and is much healthier for you: food from your own kitchen
  • Get a job: The cheapest way to ski yet. Work at the mountain, and they’ll give you a season’s pass. You’ll even earn a few bucks in the process.
  • Carpool to the hill: Yes, gas prices have come down. But the last time I checked, gas still wasn’t free. Drive with a friend.
  • Join a club: If you don’t live close to a mountain, join a club that has a house or lodge. Weekend rates are far cheaper than the cost of hotel and sometimes even include meals and a cook — which can make life very nice after a day of skiing.
  • Buy ahead off site: Sometimes you can get a deal on a day ticket if you buy before you go, either from the resort’s web site or at designated ski and outdoor shops. It’s not a huge discount, but it’ll save you a few bucks.
  • Pick a card: Some resorts offer their own discount cards. At Mt. Snow, for example, a “Fan Fare” card costs $99, and gives you 50% off during the week, 25% off weekends and 10% off on holidays.

 

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The Deal on Kids.

October 3, 2008 in General skiing

Anyone who wants to make skiing a family affair knows how expensive it can be. But in a few states, skiing is more affordable, thanks to programs offered by various state ski associations.
In my home state of Vermont, the Vermont Passport allows fifth graders to ski or ride free free at a number of resorts, when accompanied by a paying adult.
Here are a few states with similar programs:
Granted, requirements vary — in some states, the program is for fourth graders, in others, for fifth graders, and so on. There are also various fees involved. And your child must be enrolled to participate.
Another way to save is to check with your ski resort.  Many offer free tickets for children up to a specific age. And virtually all offer discounts for junior skiers.
No matter how you do it, there’s no denying that getting your kids out there is a great way to introduce them to a lifetime of fun.

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Saving money on ski gear.

September 9, 2008 in General skiing, saving money

I don’t know about you, but I’m always on the lookout for ways to save a buck with ski gear. So imagine my delight when the same folks who brought us SteepandCheap.com opened up Tramdock.com. It’s just like SAC, except it’s all about skiing.

How does it work? They sell one item at a time at a deep discount until it’s gone. Then they introduce something else. Could be skis, jackets, sox, ski boots — anything ski related.

Forgive me if this sound like a commercial, but it’s too good not to spread the word. Check it out!


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Summer savings.

July 30, 2007 in Ski Gear

Here we are, deep in the heart of summer, and I’m thinking ski gear.

The reason is obvious: the prices right now are fantastic. Search around on the web, and you can get some of the best deals of the year — up to 50% off on gear you would’ve paid full price for just six months ago.

Think about it — does it make any difference if you’re skiing on ’07 skis during ’08? They’re still brand new. And they’re still great.

If you’re in the market for skis, take my advice. Shop now! You’ll save plenty of green before the trails turn white.


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Have you ever shared a pass?

April 6, 2007 in General skiing

Come on. ‘Fess up. It’s good for the soul.

Do you or have you ever “shared” a daily lift ticket?

I know people who have done this — parents, actually, who want to ski but also need to share child care duty. They’ll take turns using a jacket with a lift pass, passing it between them throughout the day. One of them skis, while the other stays in the lodge and watches the kid.

It’s a dirty little secret. Because it’s actually theft of service, if you think about it. Which is something I don’t approve of, particularly when so many ski areas are struggling to stay afloat.

However, it also isn’t right for ski areas not to have some kind of interchangeable pass for Moms and Dads to share. It fails to recognize the difficulties many families face in getting out to ski, and the harsh realities of child care.

I know this pass is possible, because Bretton Woods, Tahoe Donner, Alpine Meadows, and Northstar have it, to name a few. Mom and Dad buy identical passes, only one of which can be used at any given time.

Seems like a good business decision to me. A win/win situation all around.

What do you think?


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Thinking ahead.

April 3, 2007 in General skiing

As your season’s winding down, it’s never to early to start thinking about next year.

A lot of ski areas are offering season pass discounts. Buy your pass now, and you’ll pay less than you would if you waited til after a certain date.

Makes sense to me. I love to ski, but I hate to spend money.

Don’t think you ski enough at a single ski area to warrant a season pass? Think again. It’d take just five trips to the ticket window to pay for my mid-week season pass at Okemo. Kind of puts it in perspective, doesn’t it?

Just something to keep in mind…..

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