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Winter ski bargains
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October 29, 1999: 6:19 a.m. ET
Traveling during the week, off-season can mean big savings
By Staff Writer Nicole Jacoby
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - No matter how much you love to ski, the price tags of many winter vacation packages may be enough to make you swear off the sport forever.
But this year's ski holiday doesn't have to leave you cold -- if you're willing to be a little flexible.
"It depends on what part of the country you're planning on visiting. The West is really different than the East," said Bruce Rosard, president of Moguls Ski and Snowboard Tours. "…But the best deals tend to be before Christmas."
If you are planning to head West -- be it in the United States or Canada, traveling off-season may be your best bet. The cheapest ski months are the so-called "shoulder" seasons: early December and April. January and early February are the next cheapest, followed by mid-February and March. The holiday season -- between Christmas and New Year's -- tends to be the priciest.
Of course, off-season ski trips do involve risks.
"Snow is definitely a big deal and every year is a little different. That's why it's cheaper," said Rosard.
If it's any consolation, shifting weather patterns in recent years have created some of the best snow conditions after Easter week in resorts in the West. But even without La Nina's influence, late snow in ample qualities usually falls in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia, Lake Tahoe and Mammoth in California, Snowbird in Utah and the high-elevation Colorado resorts of Keystone, Breckenridge and A-Basin.
"The snow issue isn't as a big a problem in April (as early December)," said Craig Cook, president of the Skit Tour Operators Association. "People tend to forego some of these (late spring) values mainly because the sun is coming out and they've started thinking about golfing (and other warm-weather activities)."
A midweek break
Traveling midweek can also greatly reduce your costs, since many airlines offer their most expensive fares to these regions on the weekends. And they have the added advantage of shorter lift lines and empty slopes.
"Consider traveling Monday to Monday," said Rosard. "The flights will be much cheaper and there will be much better availability."
Midweek visits to what are referred to as "drive-up" resorts -- smaller sites in New England or in California that cater to local crowds -- can also offer substantial savings. These places tend to slash rates during the week in an attempt to tempt their weekend-only clientele into longer stays.
These types of long weekends have become increasingly popular as an increasing number of ski lodges eliminate minimum-stay requirements and other restrictions.
Booking ahead
Contrary to popular belief, you don't necessarily have to book far ahead to get the best deal.
While reserving as far in advance as possible may guarantee the best snow, hotel and most convenient departure times, last-minute fire sales may yield bigger savings.
"When you book ahead, you get your first choice, instead of just the leftovers," said Rosard. "But if you're just looking for a deal and you don't care where you stay or when you go, the last minute may be better."
If you're flexible about where you stay, some "gambling" packages might be worth your while. The Jackson Hole, Wyo., "Bed and Breakfast Potluck," for instance, includes 6-nights at a B&B, a 4-day ski pass and airport transfers for $499. The only catch is that you don't know which one of 12 properties listed you'll end up staying at until 7 days prior to your departure.
If you're willing to be slightly inconvenienced, you can also save big bucks by sleeping a little further away from the slopes.
"The further away from the ski hill you stay, the better the price and the accommodations," said Cook. In many cases, you'll get a bigger place with more amenities. And the inconvenience is rarely all that bad, says Cook.
"People think they need to be at a ski-in/ski-out resort, but the reality is it's not such a big deal to jump on a shuttle," Cook said. Most resorts provide regular transportation to and from the slopes and even the airport.
Making reservations
The Internet can be another good resource for finding advantageous ski packages.
Several Web sites, such as Skimoguls.com's "Awesome Deals," list last-minute specials. And Skicoupons.com offers downloadable lodging, restaurant and spa discounts. Many sites also let you book your trip right online, although the industry is still lagging a bit when it comes to Internet booking.
You are probably better off reserving directly through a tour operator than trying to arrange the trip yourself. Because tour operators buy their airline tickets in bulk, they can offer lower fares not available to the general public.
These tickets also have other advantages. For instance, they rarely require more than a 2-day advance purchase or a Saturday night stay and cancellation policies tend to be flexible.
With no winter price wars on the horizon, these bulk-rate tickets may be particularly attractive this season.
If you are booking a package, don't be too quick to jump on the cheapest one available.
"You have to make sure you are comparing apples to apples," said Cook. "A lot of times, people don't do that -- but the properties could be really different, the lift tickets might cover different areas, and the shuttle service might not be as good."
In other words, you get what you pay for.
Playing the currency game
Making overseas currencies work to your advantage can also help you get the most out of your travel buck this ski season. A strong dollar has made Canadian resorts a particular bargain and the favorable exchange rate is expected to continue.
Having said that, more travelers are catching on to these types of currency shuffles and skiers are advised to book this region early, since lodging and airline seats are expected to be tight.
However, if you are willing to forego the most popular spots, such as Whistler/Blackcomb and Banff/Lake Louise, you may have better luck.
"Some of the other, smaller resorts in Canada are definitely a great deal," Rosard said.
For kids and non-skiers
And don't discount a ski holiday just because you've got kids or non-skiers in the family. Many resorts offer discounts -- even free skiing -- for children.
Colorado's Steamboat Ski and Resort, for instance, lets kids under 12 ski free.
And many tour operators are willing to deduct the cost of the ski pass from their packages for those who would rather engage in other winter activities.
In fact, an increasing number of resorts are catering to the non-skier, offering less risky activities, including snow-shoeing, wildlife watching and shopping.
"We've seen a definite increase in clients who just enjoy being in snow country," said Cook. "They've discovered that a resort vacation in the mountains offers a lot of things and that air travel is often a lot cheaper in winter than in summer." 
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