Tips to travel cheap in ski country

Here's how to travel cheap in ski country with a few simple tricks of the trade.

Buy lift tickets online in advance and save even more on multi-day passes. Most resorts charge you more at the ticket window, especially for single-day passes. Already know someone who lives in ski country? Invite them along and get discounted lift tickets. Many resorts offer “buddy tickets” or deals like "Ski With A Friend" for folks with season passes.

Select your travel dates carefully. Rates for lift tickets and lodging can fluctuate wildly, depending on the time of year. If you have a flexible schedule, avoid holiday weekends and “peak season” dates. Not only can you save money, but you’ll also see shorter lift lines and enjoy more room to maneuver on the slopes.

Anything you buy at the resort will cost you more money, including equipment rentals/purchases, food, beverages, and lodging. Plan ahead and find an off-site rental shop–and don’t forget to look for coupons online. Also, utilize the ample pocket space in your jacket and pants to load up on mountain-friendly snacks, like trail mix or jerky.

Bunk up. Grab a group of friends or family and live commune-style in a condo orMy favorite thing to do is put each person (or couple) in charge of making dinner one night for the whole group. Eating family-style is far less expensive, and you’ll get to sample a variety of home-cooked dishes. Bonus tip: If you’re dying to hit the town, save it for your last night so you won’t have dirty dishes or leftovers to deal with when it’s time to check out.

Weigh the value of ski-in/ski-out lodging. You might spend more to stay right on the mountain, but you’ll also get more bang for your lift ticket bucks since you won’t waste precious daylight driving to the slopes. Plus, you can save money by not eating overpriced meals in the lodge and instead popping back in to grab a sandwich or leftovers in your condo.