10 Tips To Prepare For Ski Vacation Season

Whether you've been skiing at the same resort for a decade or you're seeking a new adventure, there's a world of options to explore. If you're uncertain about where to go, now is the perfect time to research and discover cool resorts that align with your preferences. Selecting the ideal destination is crucial in shaping the perfect ski vacations and weekend getaways. To help you get started, we've curated a list of the finest ski resorts in Colorado, Utah and Lake Tahoe. Take a look and find your perfect blueprint for the entire season!

If you're planning more than just one skiing getaway this season, think about what kind of digs you'd like. Hotel? Condo? Private House? Bed & Breakfast? There are more options out there than you can imagine, and planning your place now will ensure you get it booked for specific dates. If you're planning on several weekends in the mountains, a seasonal rental may be the cheapest option!

Gear deals are everywhere at the start of the season whether you're buying new, renting, or browsing the bargain shops for pre-used equipment. Good quality gear goes fast, so start looking for your ideal seasonal setup now. It may take longer than you think to get equipped with gear that fits and suits your interests and ability level, especially if you're looking for a bargain. If you have kids, consider full season rental packages rather than buying – they'll likely grow out of it by next year!

We've now entered the holiday season, which means there will be plenty of gifts to buy and travel to fund. Putting all your expenses on a credit card will rack up points for future spending, and even enough miles to score you free flights for a mid-season ski vacation. If you don't have an airline-affiliated card yet, check out promotional deals that offer thousands of free miles for spending a certain amount within the first few months of activation.

Obviously, I know. But I also know that we tend to sit back twiddling our thumbs and daydreaming without getting into the nitty-gritty logistics and just booking already. If you are planning a ski vacation and are overwhelmed by the details, our professionals can help. SnowPak is a mountain travel company specializing in ski vacations, we've already gathered the best ski package deals for you, making it easy for you to choose the perfect one without any hassle!

We always think about the "big" booking stuff (flights and lodging) for ski vacations, but can't forget about the other stuff too – like dinner reservations, special activities and events, and babysitting services. There will always be restaurants and activities to choose from, of course, but the most popular places book up weeks in advance, especially during prime vacation periods. If there's something specific you have in mind, book it now. If something specific requires the kids to stay at the hotel, book a babysitter through a service too.

You might have been saving this for your New Year's Resolution, but by then you could also be huffing and puffing your way down the slopes, wishing you'd put in some effort before your epic Christmas Ski Vacation. It doesn't take pumping iron 5 days a week or bagging peaks every day to get into good skiing shape. Simply take an honest look at how you feel now, and how you might feel if you hit the slopes now too. Adjust accordingly, and get active.

Seasoned ski vacation veterans, this you know. Newbies, this you need to know. When planning your ski vacation and getting all revved up for an epic week with your favorite instructor, be sure to lock the lesson in early. If they were that awesome, chances are there are other clients who are going to request, so be the first to do so. If you plan to book a new instructor but have specific ideas in mind (i.e. experience with children or bilingual) , call the ski school and tell them so that they can find a good match.

Lift ticket deals often go hand-in-hand with lodging deals, so if you book a vacation like that, you're all set. If not, I guarantee you can find resorts that are offering some sort of promotion or discount so that you won't have to pay full price. Do kids ski free? Are there multi-day packages available? Are there beginner-only passes? Find lift ticket deals well in advance so that you don't have to show up the morning of and wait in line at the window only to pay full price.

You've already booked your week-long ski vacation for late February? Great. Now it's time to plan a weekend for January. You can't afford to take time off work for an all-out excursion to the French Alps? Bummer, but that's what ski weekends are for. Planning a 2-3 day ski trip is a great way to get out on the slopes whatever the time of season, and you should book it now. It may be short, but if planned well, you'll score big with the quality-over-quantity adage.

It's not too late to get started on these ten tips and head into the ski season goggles down, tips up, and ready to hit the slopes. And when it comes to booking that ski vacation, we can definitely help.

If you are planning a ski vacation, you can package lift tickets with lodging, rental equipment, and transfers. SnowPak is a mountain travel company specializing in ski vacations and will make sure you have all the right ski products for your winter getaway. See ski packages for more information.