Lodging prices

[Christy]

I went to book a Whistler trip this morning, for a non-holiday weekend in January, and was shocked at the prices. (I played around with dates a lot and didn't see a difference until I got into mid-April). We used to rent pet friendly condos at Whistler regularly and it was relatively affordable but haven't since before Epic and Covid. Boy have things changed. For the dates I looked at there was very little under $1000 USD for 2 nights (the cheapest was $862; the few at that price were Airbnb, which I don't trust). $1300+ for 2 nights was typical.

I did some poking around the internet and found people that said you really need to book Whistler 9-12 months in advance anymore if you want a decent deal. There were various reasons given for why it's become so expensive (such as property turnover--anyone buying in recent years to rent out has paid $$$$ so will charge $$$$).

Are others finding this at other destinations, or is Whistler extra bad?

Hotels there have always been on the pricey side but just how expensive they are now surprised me. The cheapest option that weekend is a Pod hotel. This is what you get, and this is how much it costs for 2 nights.



The cheapest

 

[Amie H]

I also had sticker shock while booking my Beaver Creek trip for January, but I ended up doing it anyway bc it was much less expensive than Telluride for similar non-holiday weekend dates in January. Those pod hotel prices you posted are absurd, though! To spend that kind of $ and have to hear other people snoring, farting, or worse?!?!

Another problem I'm finding lately is hotels/lodges that won't allow single night bookings.

Like you, I'm not an AirBnB fan, I prefer a traditional hotel or motel or condotel. Luckily for my bottom line for January, I had plenty of miles for free RT direct flights.

 

[marzNC]

Prices for condos and resort lodging at Big Sky are noticeably higher than pre-pandemic.

Prices for slopeside lodging at Taos Ski Valley has increased since 2018. TSV bought the lodges a couple miles down the road for employee housing. Those used to be a lower price option that was more convenient than renting a condo or house.

 

[santacruz skier]

I think Alpine Suites at Taos (basically at the mountain) is really a bargain compared to other places I have researched this year.

 

[santacruz skier]

Those pod hotel prices you posted are absurd, though! To spend that kind of $ and have to hear other people snoring, farting, or worse?!?!

I'm way too old for that.

 

[mustski]

I'm too old for pods also. I did experience sticker shock when looking at Steamboat, but I know that's been happening everywhere so I just sucked it up. DH and I talked though and I don't think we're going to take ski vacations anymore - except outside the USA. We have a house in Reno and that provides access to a lot of great ski mountains. I think our vacations are going to be more summer/fall type stuff.

 

[santacruz skier]

I'm too old for pods also. I did experience sticker shock when looking at Steamboat, but I know that's been happening everywhere so I just sucked it up. DH and I talked though and I don't think we're going to take ski vacations anymore - except outside the USA. We have a house in Reno and that provides access to a lot of great ski mountains. I think our vacations are going to be more summer/fall type stuff.

I know, Steamboat is not cheap but had already decided I wanted to go. So there's that.
Think you have the right idea @mustski .... I'll go to Europe to ski but not sure where else in the US. Plus, I've been most places I want to go....

Sticker shock this year was hotel rooms in Hawaii. Well, I wanted ocean front so there's that.

 

[Amie H]

So, we are talking about these national destination ski resorts, but lodging at regional drive-to spots can also be outrageous.As a solo traveler, I've had trouble finding lodging near resorts in WI, MI, & MN that dont have hotel/motel nearby, only larger condo or house rentals, meant for families or large groups, and priced that way, too.

One of the reasons I enjoy skiing around Baraboo/Portage area (near Wisconsin Dells) is a ton of lodging options of varying price ranges. Do they have luxe amenities? No, but I sleep well and can usually sneak in a morning of Nordic skiing at a nearby state park, and possibly a 2nd ski day/night.

I got my Global Entry card 2 weeks ago, and priced out Andermatt Switzerland vs Beaver Creek this year. Once factoring in airfare, it was a wash (I have free airfare to BC), plus I needed to allow much more TIME for travel to Europe and back, which is what I don't have. Maybe once I am retired.

I've mentioned this before, but I can often get free or very cheap airfare from Chicago nonstop to Aspen but the lodging? Fuggetaboudit!

 

[snoWYmonkey]

I am finding 220 dollars a night options in Jackson Hole for friday and saturday nights in January on expedia at motels and mini cabins. They are places I would stay. Walking distance to restaurants and to ski area busses.

I pretty much only go camping at this point or stay with friends. Prices are so outrageous.

 

[contesstant]

The pendulum has definitely shifted away from the consumers. We are fortunate in this household to have some connections in Sun Valley and Wyoming, but anywhere else is essentially out of the question. A lot of ski lodging is even more expensive during the summer (at least areas near national parks are.)

I can't imagine sleeping in a pod. That's like summer camp for adults. I'd probably not sleep a wink!

 

[Amie H]

We have a house in Reno and that provides access to a lot of great ski mountains. I think our vacations are going to be more summer/fall type stuff.

You have access to FABULOUS skiing! And hiking. And dining.

 

[Amie H]

I will say, I'm willing to spend more on lodging if I'm not alone, meaning I don't mind sacrificing a little and being a "hotel hobo" (to be honest, I sort of get a kick out of being resourceful!) but I'd never make my husband, a friend, etc, do so. My hubby doesn't do any outdoorsy things anymore, but he often suggests we go back to Breckenridge bc he absolutely LOVED the condo we stayed in (One Ski Hill) in 2018 bc it had a steam shower in the unit, and great amenities. I can't imagine what that place is going for per night now. We got some insanely good package deal through Expedia that included free RT first class airfare.

 

[Christy]

I can't imagine sleeping in a pod. That's like summer camp for adults. I'd probably not sleep a wink!

I loved hostels when I was younger, and this is essentially the same thing, (plus there's the whole world of mountain huts) but $369 a night for a bed? AYFKM? It gets 5 out of 5 stars on Trip Advisor, which kinda made me sad, because it makes me think that young people don't know this kind of thing used to be cheap and still should be cheap.

 

[bsskier]

I went to book a Whistler trip this morning, for a non-holiday weekend in January, and was shocked at the prices. (I played around with dates a lot and didn't see a difference until I got into mid-April). We used to rent pet friendly condos at Whistler regularly and it was relatively affordable but haven't since before Epic and Covid. Boy have things changed. For the dates I looked at there was very little under $1000 USD for 2 nights (the cheapest was $862; the few at that price were Airbnb, which I don't trust). $1300+ for 2 nights was typical.

I did some poking around the internet and found people that said you really need to book Whistler 9-12 months in advance anymore if you want a decent deal. There were various reasons given for why it's become so expensive (such as property turnover--anyone buying in recent years to rent out has paid $$$$ so will charge $$$$).

Are others finding this at other destinations, or is Whistler extra bad?

Hotels there have always been on the pricey side but just how expensive they are now surprised me. The cheapest option that weekend is a Pod hotel. This is what you get, and this is how much it costs for 2 nights.
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The cheapest

Yet people and families will pay these prices which helps turn the culture of the resort upside down.

 

[mustski]

There is definitely a problem is lodging because the folks who ski once a year are more than happy to pay for the "luxury" experience. I'm guilty of that myself when I travel overseas. Hostels are still inexpensive in most parts of the world. The problem is that the US doesn't have many hostels anymore.