We're currently wrapping up 10 days in South Tahoe, and will be going back in March for another 10 days, and just wanted to share our strategy for doing a family ski vacation on a "budget" (using that term loosely since there's nothing cheap about skiing).
Here's what we did:
1. Bought season passes in December under a special deal that is good at 3 different resorts - Heavenly, Northstar, and Sierra. Cost was $375 each. Even if we were on the slopes only half the time it would be less than 1/2 the price of walk-in lift tickets. Our vacation was planned to avoid blackout dates. As Season pass holders we also were eligible for a resort food and beverage card giving us 20% off for purchases at the restaurants and bar.
2. Bought a 10 pack of kids ski lessons for our 4 year-old at Sierra for ~$520. Each lesson includes a full 7 hour day of ski lessons, play time, snacks, lunch, lift tickets, and equipment. At around $7/hour that's cheaper than babysitting! It's a pretty basic ski school, but at his age he's doesn't care (hey, there's a bouncy house!). Since Sierra is one of the less busy resorts there were a few days when he had one-on-one attention and he's already doing fantastic. We did 5 days of lessons on this go-around and will save the rest when we come back in March. Kids 4 and under ski free even when he's not in a lesson.
3. We rented a condo instead of a hotel. More expensive but we're saving a ton on eating out and we have been able to prepare a tailgate lunch for most of our days on the slopes (my son's ski school starts early so we have primo parking).
4. We chose a ski spot within driving distance so we wouldn't have to fly or deal with a rental car. We have a Suburu Outback that is good in the snow and it cost just over a tank of gas for us to get up here from SoCal.
5. Equipment - I own, and my husband got a seaon demo rental pass for $200 at Sierra. Some extra rental charges for my son and husband at the other resorts. Will be looking at Craig's List and after season sales so we can own for next year. For clothing we have basic shells over fleece and I got my son's snowsuit for $4 at a thrift store. We'd rather pay for more vacation time than stylish outfits.
Again, not a cheap vacation but considering what some families pay for a trip to Disney we are pretty pleased. We like the fact that its an outdoor, physically active vacation and that we could ski as a family, or get break from the kid by putting my son in ski school and go our own way for the day (my husband skis black diamond, while I'm a green run beginner).
Anyone have any other ski trip advice they'd like to share? We're already thinking about next year.
Here's what we did:
1. Bought season passes in December under a special deal that is good at 3 different resorts - Heavenly, Northstar, and Sierra. Cost was $375 each. Even if we were on the slopes only half the time it would be less than 1/2 the price of walk-in lift tickets. Our vacation was planned to avoid blackout dates. As Season pass holders we also were eligible for a resort food and beverage card giving us 20% off for purchases at the restaurants and bar.
2. Bought a 10 pack of kids ski lessons for our 4 year-old at Sierra for ~$520. Each lesson includes a full 7 hour day of ski lessons, play time, snacks, lunch, lift tickets, and equipment. At around $7/hour that's cheaper than babysitting! It's a pretty basic ski school, but at his age he's doesn't care (hey, there's a bouncy house!). Since Sierra is one of the less busy resorts there were a few days when he had one-on-one attention and he's already doing fantastic. We did 5 days of lessons on this go-around and will save the rest when we come back in March. Kids 4 and under ski free even when he's not in a lesson.
3. We rented a condo instead of a hotel. More expensive but we're saving a ton on eating out and we have been able to prepare a tailgate lunch for most of our days on the slopes (my son's ski school starts early so we have primo parking).
4. We chose a ski spot within driving distance so we wouldn't have to fly or deal with a rental car. We have a Suburu Outback that is good in the snow and it cost just over a tank of gas for us to get up here from SoCal.
5. Equipment - I own, and my husband got a seaon demo rental pass for $200 at Sierra. Some extra rental charges for my son and husband at the other resorts. Will be looking at Craig's List and after season sales so we can own for next year. For clothing we have basic shells over fleece and I got my son's snowsuit for $4 at a thrift store. We'd rather pay for more vacation time than stylish outfits.
Again, not a cheap vacation but considering what some families pay for a trip to Disney we are pretty pleased. We like the fact that its an outdoor, physically active vacation and that we could ski as a family, or get break from the kid by putting my son in ski school and go our own way for the day (my husband skis black diamond, while I'm a green run beginner).
Anyone have any other ski trip advice they'd like to share? We're already thinking about next year.
!
