I love ski trips.
When I was a kid, it was something I looked forward to every year. Shout out to my Mom and Dad for making those yearly trips happen.
Now that I am older, I still make it my mission to explore somewhere new at least once a season.
Over time, I learned that a well-thought-out plan is the difference between a trip of a lifetime and a mediocre one.
So whether you’re heading to the local ski hill or flying to a new mountain range, here is how to plan a ski trip in seven steps.
How to Plan a Ski Trip in 7 Steps
Step 1: Choose The Resort for Your Ski Trip
First, choose the resort you want to visit. There are three categories you can choose from here, local, semi-local, and far away.
Local resorts are only a few hours away by car or public transport. They are a great option if you want to go skiing for a quick trip or have limited funds.
Semi-local resorts are multiple hours away by car or plane, typically in the same region that you live in. These resorts are a good option for a long weekend or multi-day trip.
Far away resorts are only reached by plane, typically resorts on the other end of your country or in a foreign country. These resorts are best for multi-day and extended trips.
Here’s a list of ski resorts based on their region:
Lift tickets can be costly, depending on the resort. So I recommend looking at the prices as you choose the resort, more on this in step four.
Once you have picked where you want to ski, it’s time to choose your accommodations.
(Looking to ski in Utah? Check out the 8 best Utah resorts here.)
Step 2: Book Your Accommodations
With the resort chosen, it’s time to book your accommodations.
Thankfully most resorts make this step super easy. Head to your chosen resort’s website and look at their accommodation section. This will give you a list of the resort-owned and recommended accommodations.
Located at the bottom of the mountain, lodges and hotels are the most convenient option. They are a great option for a multi-day trip or a quick weekend. While these accommodations have the best amenities, they are the most expensive option.
My favorite type of accommodation, by far, is an Airbnb. You can find anything from single rooms to whole houses on this online vacation rental portal and everything in between. Vacation rentals are the best values, but the amenities will vary drastically by the property. If you’re on a budget or like a good, deal I recommend this route.
Lastly, if you’re lucky enough to have friends near the resort, you can always stay with them. This is a great value option but requires you to be super flexible and have a deep list of contacts.
(Going skiing soon? Here are the 10 best exercises to get you ready for skiing.)
Step 3: Set Up your Transportation
Now it’s time to figure out how you’re getting to the resort.
If you’re going somewhere local or semi-local, you can drive or take public transportation, depending on where you live.
The quickest option is to fly wherever you are going.
However, most flights will only get you to the nearest city.
So head to your resort’s website and look at their “Getting here” tab.
Here you will find a couple of options on how to get from the airport to the resort. You can always rent a car, but bus transfers and shuttles are typically easier if you’re staying near the resort.
Step 4: Figure Out Lift Tickets
Lift tickets are a crucial part of any ski trip. There are two main options for lift tickets.
First are day passes.
These are tickets you purchase directly from the resort for a single day of skiing. If you’re only going on one trip this winter, this is the best option. I recommend purchasing them online as early as possible for the best prices.
The second option is a season pass.
At one time, you could only buy a season pass to a single resort. But with today’s mega passes like the Ikon, Epic, and Mountain Collective, you can buy a season pass that gives you multiple days at multiple resorts. If you plan to go on more than one trip, this is the best option.
Planning a trip on one of these passes does require more forethought, however, as you can only use them at their specified partner resorts.
If you already have a season pass to your local mountain, ask skier services if you have any pass benefits. Frequently your season pass, even if it’s not a mega pass, gets you a discount or even free days to certain resorts.
Step 5: Sort Out Your Equipment
Will you rent equipment or bring your own?
This decision comes down to personal preference.
If you’re ok with using gear that is not your own, renting is a great option. You can rent from ski shops near the resort or search for a ski rental delivery service, like Ski Butlers, that will bring gear straight to the accommodation.
(Love ski gear? Here are the brands you need to know for this season.)
If you want to bring your own gear, I suggest investing in a good quality ski or snowboard bag to make travel easy. Further, look for airlines that don’t charge any extra fee to check ski bags, such as Alaskan, JetBlue, American, and Southwest airlines. Here’s a nice article that breaks down ski baggage fees.
Step 6: Time to Pack For Your Ski Trip
Now it’s time to pack for the trip.
- Here’s a complete list of everything I recommend that you pack.
- Here’s an article about how to layer for skiing.
If you’re driving, chances are you can bring as much luggage as you want. If you’re flying, there are definitely more restrictions.
For the latter, I recommend that you first max out your carry-on space and then move to checked baggage to avoid any extra fees.
Chances are you can bring fewer clothes than you think you need. Most accommodations have some form of laundry, and you wash the essentials like underwear and socks at least once on your trip.
Step 7: Enjoy the Trip
Now it’s time to enjoy the trip.
I recommend that you prioritize skiing every day. It’s what you came to do, so I recommend waking up early, while it might be tough, and heading to the slopes each day.
Once you’re at the mountain, look for mountain hosts, they are essentially free guides. Ask them where the best runs are, and where the best place on the mountain to eat lunch is. Further, in a non-COVID time, feel free to chat up the locals on the chairlift. They are more than willing to share some of their insider knowledge with you.
After skiing, make the most of your amenities. If you have a hot tub, use it. Have a balcony, sit on it and enjoy some apres beverages. These subtle amenities are an easy way to make the trip an unforgettable one.
Lastly, I recommend you visit the town. Ski towns have a character that is unlike anything else. I recommend that you walk the town, get some pizza at the local joint with the bad snow reference for its name, and stop in at a local bar for apres. Exploring the town is a great way to make the most of your ski trip.
Final Thoughts on How to Plan a Ski Trip
Planning a ski trip can seem like a lot of work and be expensive.
But let me tell you, it’s always worth it.
Even if the skiing is subpar, the act of traveling somewhere new, seeing new sights, and experiencing new things will make all the effort worth it.
If you have questions about how to plan a ski trip, please feel free to reach out!
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