When is the Best Time to Book an Affordable Ski Trip?

Seeing “affordable” and “ski trip” in the same sentence may seem like an oxymoron. After all it’s no secret that the costs of a ski trip can quickly add up when you factor in flights, lodging, transportation, rentals, and lift tickets. And it’s all that much more expensive if you have a family. However, with a little bit of planning, you can enjoy an affordable ski trip on a budget. This guide breaks down the best time to book a ski trip so you can stretch your dollar and get more days on the mountain for less.

The Best Time To Book An Affordable Ski Trip

The saying that “it’s all about timing” couldn’t be truer when it comes to booking an affordable ski trip. “The earlier you book, the better access you’ll have to the exact match for your desired resort, dates, ski access, and lodging,” says Cat Iwanchuk, the vice president of business development for ski.com. Iwanchuk continues, “There are also early booking offers, rewarding those who secure their trips before the existing winter is even done.” Early booking offers may come with free nights, discounted lift tickets, and more.  

While it may go without saying, you’ll want to avoid the major winter holidays if you’re planning a ski trip on a budget. Lodging, lift tickets, and airfare all tend to soar around major holidays, including Christmas week, New Year’s Eve week, and Presidents’ Day weekend. This is also when ski resorts are often their busiest. So in addition to higher prices you can expected crowded slopes, long lift lines, limited lodging availability, and traffic. If you really want to save money, then travel midweek. Midweek in January is particularly a great time for low prices, uncrowded slopes, no lift lines, and great conditions. Midweek is also a great time to learn to ski, since group lessons are often smaller, which means more personalized attention.

Even those midweek trips you’ll want to book a few weeks, if not a couple months, in advance. “If December arrives and you’re just starting to plan for your big winter trip, you may need to be a bit more flexible (be it on dates, resort, ski access, or budget),” Iwanchuk said, adding that ski.com is the only website that allows shopping multiple resorts at once to make it convenient to compare prices. 

Early March is also a great time to take an affordable ski trip, especially if you prefer warmer, sunnier weather for skiing. By then, as the ski season begins to wind down, many resorts offer discounted lodging and lift tickets. The longer days and milder temperatures make for more comfortable conditions on the slopes, while après-ski becomes even more enjoyable when it’s warmer, sunnier, and the days are longer. If you’re lucky, you may even get a March powder day. While the conditions and snow may not be as good as a powder day during the middle of the winter, a spring ski getaway makes for an affordable ski trip. Note that with a spring ski trip you can book it closer to the dates that you want to travel.

Book Next Season’s Trips At The End Of This Season

Many of the best ski trip deals for next season can actually be found while the current ski season is winding down. Ski resorts, hotels, and lodging properties often release discounted rates during this time to encourage early bookings. Travelers who plan ahead benefit not only from lower lodging costs but also from a wider selection of accommodations. “We often see offers that expire in April, August, November, and December, each deadline seeing pricing increases,” Iwanchuk said. 

Similarly, season passes are always at their lowest price in the spring when they go on sale. If you plan to ski at multiple resorts or ski for more than just a few days, then a season pass can save you hundreds of dollars while offering flexibility to explore different mountains without daily ticket costs. Popular multi-resort passes like Ikon, Epic, The Mountain Collective, and Indy passes typically go on sale in March or April at their lowest prices and with perks that include payment plans, buddy tickets, and lodging discounts. Check out our guides to the major multi-resort passes here.  

Airfare

It’s a known fact that airline tickets are often cheaper when purchased well in advance. However, did you know that booking too far out can also cost you extra? While it’s not an exact science, there’s a sweet spot for booking flights for the best price. If you’ll be flying domestically, aim to book between one and three months in advance. Flying internationally? Book between two and eight months in advance. Take advantage of Google Flights, which allows you to compare costs between airlines and track prices.

Consider what day you travel to save even more money. Domestic air travel is generally cheaper midweek. International travel is often cheaper on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Sundays and Mondays are the most expensive, and busiest, days for air travel. A 2024 Upgraded Points study found that Monday or Tuesday is the best day to book flights.

Finally, consider train travel, depending on where you live and where you’re traveling to, for an affordable transportation option. There are a number of train routes in the U.S. that travel through or near ski towns. For example, Amtrak has service on select days from Denver to Winter Park Resort for as low as $9 one way. While it’ll take longer than flying, a train trip is one of the most economical and scenic ways to take a ski trip.

For ideas on affordable ski resorts, check out our list on affordable ski resorts in the U.S. and Canada.