The Mountains Are Calling: How to Plan an Affordable Ski Holiday
- Mommy AK
- Jan 8
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 15
In the northern hemisphere, we are fully immersed in winter, and from where I call home that means cold temperatures, icy conditions, some snow (never enough for my kiddos), and the occasional peak of anemic sun.
While winter is by far my least favorite season, it does offer my family the opportunity to do something nearly all of us enjoy — skiing. Nearly being the operative word — my kiddos love it, Mr. AK is fond of it, and I am lukewarm (almost exclusively due to my mediocre skiing abilities).
Saying all that, I love my kiddos enough to devote time, energy, and resources to planning and taking numerous ski holidays throughout the years. Whether they have been more modest and involved seeking out some local-ish ski hills or more grand and featured a far-flung locale, we have zeroed in on a few tips to improve our trips and make them more memorable and affordable.
If you are considering a trip either this year or in the future, I hope these ideas will help you plan the ski holiday of your dreams.
If you are budget-conscious: Plan early
The consolidation of resorts large and small in the United States has made skiing far more costly than in years past. When Epic and Ikon—two of the largest ski pass companies—purchase ski resorts, lift ticket prices rise precipitously. This can make skiing prohibitively expensive for individuals and families alike, especially those who are not part of the bundled pass systems. While the ski passes (e.g., Epic Pass or Ikon Pass) may offer savings for frequent skiers, those purchasing single tickets will face more expensive daily lift charges.
If you are considering visiting one of their resorts, it may be less expensive to buy a season pass or multi-resort pass — even if you will not use it as often as you would like. Both Epic and Ikon offer sales before the season begins, which may make the cost more tolerable.
While there are independent resorts to visit, they may not have the same high-end infrastructure — high-speed lifts/gondolas, fully lit runs for night skiing, etc.
If you have a resort or location in mind, do your research early to take advantage of sales and scoop up the best lodging options.
Speaking of budget…
While it sounds counterintuitive, we have found that it is sometimes less expensive to fly out of the United States to ski. Some of our most enjoyable ski trips have been to destinations in Europe and Canada. Even factoring in our flight costs, it was still less expensive than skiing in Colorado.
Here are some of our favorites:
Gumpenberg, Austria
The Nature and Wellness Hotel Höflehner, idyllically located on picturesque hiking trails in the Schladming-Dachstein region, is a full-service ski-in ski-out resort just 90 minutes south of Salzburg, Austria. You can enjoy delicious food (including a half-board option that includes an impressive breakfast and dinner), a full-service spa, wellness classes (yoga, etc.), multiple pools, spas, and saunas, a fun bar with evening entertainment, and a children’s club! Ski rental is on-site, and a speedy lift is right outside the door.
They offer multi-bedroom units perfect for families as well. This is a great choice for those who can ski or snowboard at an intermediate level. While the mountain is challenging, there are more novice options available nearby (lessons, easier green runs, etc.)
Ramsau, Austria
Just a few minutes down the road from the Höflehner, is the lovely town of Ramsau nestled near the base of the Dachstein mountain. While there, we stayed at the Hotel Apartment Hochkönig, owned and operated by the Perner family, and it was magical.
The hotel is cozy and unassuming but so comfortable. You will not find the glitz of the Höflehner, but you will find a delightful, family-run pension that caters to guests who have visited year-over-year for generations. The Perner family can assist you in securing ski gear, recommending sledding options (do not miss this — it was so fun!), exploring the Dachstein summit, or learning about their beautiful spot in Austria. This is a half-board stay, so you’ll enjoy breakfast and dinner prepared and served by the family. They even sang to their guests in the evening in traditional Styrian garb. It was a joy.
Geilo, Norway
Drive a few hours north of Oslo, and you’ll reach Vestlia Resort in Gelio. One of Norway’s most family-friendly ski resorts, Vestlia is a warm and cozy lodge hotel in Geilo where the whole family will thrive. The hotel is beautifully decorated and offers a relaxed atmosphere.
You will find a variety of facilities for young and old, and they offer everything from single rooms to luxury apartments in a warm and comfortable lodge-style setting.
There is an on-site ski school, ski/snowboard rental, pools, waterslides, hot tubs, and full-service dining options. Additionally, this ski-in/ski-out resort makes it easy to spend a full day on the slopes before dropping off your gear in the ski lockers and heading back to your room.
If you need a break from the slopes, there’s a full-service spa at the resort as well as sledding, snow trekking, and other outdoor activities nearby.
Canada, eh?
If you don’t have the time to jet across the Atlantic, Canada is an amazing option. There are ski resorts aplenty in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec. Do some research and see what makes sense for your family regarding mountain size, vibe, cost, ease of transportation, and other amenities.
For our family, we decided on two options near Calgary — Banff and Fernie. Banff is a spectacular town with access to several alpine ski resorts as well as hiking, ice skating, sledding, and cross-country skiing options. The town is buzzy, with ample restaurants, shops, bars, and spas. There is a thermal bath just outside the town center, and the Fairmont Banff Springs offers fantastic amenities for guests and outside visitors alike. It’s also a nice base to visit other areas in Banff National Park, including Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway.
For the skiing portion of our holiday, we drove south to Fernie Alpine Resort, near Waterton Lakes National Park. The drive south from Banff traversed through three other Canadian National Parks (so gorgeous!), so while it was a bit of a hike, no one was bored. There were animal sightings along the way and mountain views that took your breath away.
Fernie Alpine Resort is a cluster of hotels, condos, and single-family homes approximately 6 kilometers from the town of Fernie. The resort offers ski-in/ski-out lodging options, on-site gear rental, restaurants, bars, a couple of shops, and access to a pristine mountain with runs and terrain that will appeal to all ski levels. There’s a ski school on site as well. Our resort, Lizard Creek Lodge, had multiple hot tubs, an outdoor heated pool, a spa, and a gourmet restaurant and bar.
Lastly — Gear
Oh, the annoyance of packing for a winter holiday. While it’s always a goal to go carry-on-only, this is a much bigger challenge for a ski trip.
Here are some tips and tricks to pack efficiently so you can save your cash for souvenirs.
For bulky ski gear, wear what you can on the flight (ski coats, boots) and use vacuum bags to pack the rest. We have found these vacuum-sealed compression bags to work well. Plus, there is something oddly satisfying about watching the bags shrink as you vacuum out the air.
If you’re bringing your skis, here’s an economical ski and boot bag combo that can save you the hassle of renting while on vacation.
Trade out your go-to yoga pants for a pair or two of fleece-lined leggings. These high-waisted leggings have pockets and can easily be worn underneath ski pants or on their own.
If you need a base layer to wear underneath jeans, ski pants, etc. you cannot go wrong with these. They are warm, easy to pack, and very comfortable.
Bring on the heat!
There is a seemingly unending array of battery-powered heated gear to keep you comfortable from head to toe while on your winter adventure.
Ski Goggles
Light conditions can vary on the mountain — be prepared for low light or dazzling blue skies with goggles with interchangeable lenses. These options both have magnetic lenses that make changing them out a breeze.
And while the bigger items get more attention, do not forget mittens, hats, gators/neck coverings, and all the other pieces that will keep you warm and comfortable on the hill.
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