5 Items to Budget for When Planning a Ski Trip

​If you are like my family, we love to budget and save for our trips as much as possible before the trip ever happens. We do our best to think of any and every category and expense we might encounter along the way. Below I have provided the different categories and some examples of the different items that would need to be budgeted in each category for you and your family to have a stress-free ski trip!  I hope this helps you know what to expect!

1. Lodging. One of the things I love about ski trips is how customizable they can be for your family. There are so many different lodging options from condos to hotels to houses. There are options for each of these like ski in/out or on the bus route to within walking distance of the slopes. With so many possibilities it makes it easier to find something to fit your budget. This is something you will know well in advance how much you need to budget for, as this is one of the first components you will put into place for your vacation. When we quote you a ski property all taxes and fees will be included in the quote. Some extras that might fall into this category would be parking fees for hotels or condos or tipping for housekeeping or bellhops. If you are driving, you might also need to budget for a hotel for the night if it is a multi-day drive.
   
2. Transportation. This category would include the obvious such as airfare and rental car.  However, there are some other expenses in this category that can add up if you forget about them. When you go on a ski vacation, no matter where you go, you will need to drive a good distance from the airport to your ski town. This will either require a rental car and gas or some type of transportation provided by the resort, which usually includes a fee for that service. If you drive your own car, gas will be a big expense to consider. If you fly, don’t forget about airport parking or Uber fee. You might also have an Uber fare or two once you get to your resort if you do not have your own vehicle. Again, there are so many options that you need to look at your personal plans and budget accordingly!
   
3. Gear. Ski vacations are unique because of the expense of the clothes and equipment needed to even enjoy your vacation. You probably thought to budget for ski rentals (usually to include boots and helmet, maybe poles if you prefer), but what about all the personal gear you will need to bring? You will need jackets and pants and long underwear, just to name a few!  Budget these things into your vacation!  Also, remember to budget for lift tickets and ski school. Tip: if your party is big enough, private lessons might be cheaper than paying for each person to take group lessons!
   
4. Food. Again, here is another category that can be totally personalized to your family. So many ski accommodations include a small kitchenette to a full-sized kitchen. This means this is actually a category where you can easily save money if you want or need to save some! Piping hot spaghetti sure does taste yummy after a day spent out in the cold!  It is an easy and cheap meal for your family to enjoy one night! On the other end of the spectrum there are some really nice and upscale restaurants where you can enjoy a special dinner one night! Research some restaurants in your particular ski town (or towns near by) to get an idea of prices so you can budget accordingly. Just a word of caution, food on the actual ski lifts is very expensive!!! I would not plan to eat anything but lunch there in order to save some money! Grab breakfast before hitting the slopes and have a plan for dinner after you have a chance to get a warm shower and dry clothes on in the evening.
5. Extras. This is the category for things that either do not fit into another category or are not really necessary to have a great ski vacation. Some of the things my family includes in this category would be pet care, souvenirs, extra activities (like a sleigh ride or sledding), or travel activities (surprises to keep kids happy on the way!). You might also want to budget for a new camera or GoPro if that is something you are wanting to take on the trip but do not yet own!
   

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There is of course no way of knowing every little expense you will encounter while on your vacation. There will always be surprises along the way! However, if you go through and think about each of these categories and budget for the according expenses you will be well prepared to enjoy your vacation without worrying about the money you are spending!  My family likes to make a spreadsheet to help us keep track of everything. Then you can see exactly which categories you were over or under budget when you return home! Just a note to remember when figuring out your numbers- EVERYTHING is more expensive in the mountains!! Always overestimate if you are unsure! If you come in under budget then congratulations - you are already on your way to saving for your next big adventure!

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About the Author:

Morgan Scully, Travel Advisor
Morgan is passionate about all things Disney. From an early age she loved taking in the magic of Disney World, but its when she became a mom and she saw life through her daughter's eyes that she truly understood how amazing a Disney vacation can be for a family. Morgan is well versed in all things Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line. She also serves as Whitney World Travel's Military Vacation Specialist-- helping the brave men and women who serve our country and their families get the most out of their vacations. Morgan is a graduate of Texas A&M University.