How to get the best international ski deals
There’s nothing like standing at the top of a mountain in a new country, ready to plough through that powder for the first time ever. But let’s face it, skiing is an expensive pastime, so, with a little help from industry expert Kim Portrate, chief marketing officer at helloworld, we’ve put together some tips on how to save money.
When is the cheapest time to book a ski holiday?
According to Kim; “Forward planning is the key, try to book at the end of this season for next year when the early bird deals go on sale. If you can’t plan that far in advance, make friends with your local travel agent and ask them to notify you when they hear of a good winter deal.”
It’s also worth looking online for deals and subscribing to newsletters from the ski resorts you’re interested in visiting.
When are the cheapest times of year to take a ski holiday?
“The beginning and end of the season tend to be cheaper with off peak rates but you risk the snow not being as good. One way to avoid this is to choose a resort that is higher altitude and will likely have a longer season,” says Kim.
“Try to avoid school holidays and long weekends, as these times will be more expensive and crowded, and also try to avoid Christmas and New Years when pricing is at a premium and you are less likely to find the best deal.”
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Is it cheaper to buy a package deal or purchase lift passes, gear rental individually?
This will depend on your requirements and what equipment you have already. For beginners, it may be best to book lessons, which can include basic rental gear and your lift pass in one package.
“Some resorts offer discounts if you book in advance and you can also save money on lift passes by buying a mid week pass instead of a full week or weekend. This means you can hit the slopes when it’s cheaper and less crowded then spend the weekends exploring the town or resting at the spa/hot springs,” says Kim.
If you are in a town with multiple resorts consider buying a multi location pass that will give you access to all, this is usually the best value option.
Vail’s Epic 7-Day pass pays for itself in just four days, and allows you to ski at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Park City, Canyons, Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood ski resorts.
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Club Med offer an all-inclusive package at their resorts in Europe and claim savings of up to 37 per cent over booking a DIY trip. Guests can save over $700 on the bare essentials, like lift passes, or over $1,000 on the extras, like ski tuition.
Is it cheaper to ski in New Zealand than Australia?
According to Kim; “New Zealand ski fields on average have less expensive day passes compared to Australian resorts, and New Zealand is renowned for having better snow and bigger mountains. You need to consider the other costs such as flying in and with less resorts on the mountain, you need to factor in car hire or shuttle buses.”
NZSki offer a number of packages to suit different needs, the longer you ski, the less you pay per day and beginners have free lift access at Treble Cone.
Flights - how to get a good deal when you’re taking gear with you.
“It’s best to check with each airline before you book,” says Kim.
Some airlines will allow you to take it as part of your allowance while others charge a fee.
“Qantas includes equipment as part your allowance but if you go over the weight you will be charged so weigh your bags before going to the airport and try wearing your bulky jacket.
“Swiss Air allow you to take all ski equipment for free (there is a fee for bags though). If the airline charges a fee it’s always better to book in advance as it is usually more expensive when checking in at the airport.”
In some instances it may be cheaper to hire from the resort and just bring equipment such as googles etc. in your normal baggage allowance – or – consider shipping it separately.
Luggage Forward can pick heavy winter gear-filled bags and skis or snowboards up from your home and ship it directly to the mountain, in more than 200 countries worldwide.
For more information about ski packages, visit helloworld.com.au, SkiMax.com.au and NZSki.com.
