A ski vacation is loads of fun, especially when you find ways to save money prior to your adventure at one of the many ski resorts around the world.

An extremely popular hobby for winter sports enthusiasts, ski holidays remain a very popular option for adventure-minded travelers.

However, as summer quickly approaches, the snow is melting quickly and you need to take advantage of what little snow there is left.  Luckily, there are several locations you can make plans to travel to in order to take that much-needed spring skiing adventure on a somewhat thrifty budget.

Take a look at the following best ways to save money when making preparations for your vacation – believe it or not, there is still plenty of time to get a few more days of skiing in and, if you’re lucky, maybe even a fresh last minute dump of powder to cap off your adventure.

Ways to Save Money on your Adventure

1.) Location for your ski resort matters

Resorts that are closer to airports are generally better for the last minute traveler as making complicated arrangements to get there won’t be a problem.  

This is also a good point to keep in mind for weekend skiers who want to maximize their skiing time while minimizing their time away from the office or other responsibilities. Depending on the distance, travel costs may be lower as well.  

For the cross country skier, avoid ski and lift fees altogether by checking out local farms and green spaces that are accessible to the public during the winter.

2.) Bring your own equipment

Bringing your own equipment and arriving knowing what you’re doing will cut down on costs because you can avoid having to pay for lessons or ski rentals.  Be realistic about your food and entertainment budget: enjoy yourself but remember you’re there primarily for the skiing!

3.) Find skiing holidays on a budget

Although traveling abroad for a ski holiday is never going to be cheap, keeping travel within reasonable distances and selecting the right resort can really help keep expenses to a manageable level.

Scotland and central Europe tend to be the most affordable destinations that still offer good skiing. Countries like Austria, France, and Italy offer a chance to ski the Alps without paying the high prices at premium ski destinations like Switzerland.  

Don’t have the budget to travel abroad?  Pick a location like the Aspen/Snowmass ski resort here in North America may be a better bet.

4.) Avoid the hassle, get good insurance!

One thing not to skimp on is skiing insurance;  working at the Gant Condo Resort in Aspen for many seasons, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to take people to the airport because of an accident they had going down the Aspen Highlands Bowl.

Although many bank and travel companies offer cheap basic insurance, many packages do not cover winter sports, so do your research and find an affordable package that does, just in case.

5.) Make a friend, stay with a local

For those with a very limited budget, staying local is the best option.  Even though it seems unlikely, it is possible to take advantage of last minute snowfalls by being ready to hit the slopes when the opportunity arises.

Check out the local weather forecast and if your destination is predicting snow, call up a friend or stay with someone you’ve met on a platform like Couchsurfing.  By staying flexible, paying attention to deals on travel sites, and keeping tabs on weather conditions at your favorite destinations, it’s possible to have a great and affordable ski vacation.

What are your best ways to save money when planning a ski vacation?