If you're hitting the slopes this winter, find out how you could slash hundreds off the cost of your trip.
Many of my friends are heading for the slopes this winter, despite the recession. I'm a keen (if wobbly) snowboarder myself, and if I can hunt down a good last-minute deal, I might even be joining them.
Winter sports holidays are known for being fairly pricy, and yes, it would probably be cheaper to holiday in the UK. However, if you know where to look, you can spend under £500 per person and still have a fantastic time. Here's how.
When to go
Avoid peak times: As with any holiday, you'll save money if you can avoid all the periods the kids are off school. This means half-term breaks as well as Christmas and Easter vacations.
Just remember to check when the school holidays fall in the country you're visiting as well as in the UK - they're often scheduled for completely different weeks.
Early season: The month before Christmas is often far cheaper than the following six weeks. Just be aware that the snow may not be quite as good as it is later in the season.
Last minute haggling: If at all possible, wait until the very last minute until you book this year. Ski holiday operators are being credit-crunched just like everyone else.
Leave it as late as you can, wait until you see the whites of their eyes and then haggle like mad with the tour operators trying to fill those empty chalets.
It may not be very British - and it can be nail-biting stuff - but you could knock hundreds off the price. Just make sure everyone's passports are valid so you can go at a moment's notice!
Where to go
Do your research: Do your research well in advance so you're ready to pounce when that great deal comes along. The Ski Club of Great Britain has an excellent guide that tells you which resorts are good for families, which for beginners, which for snowboarders and so on.
The online resort guides and reader reviews on IgluSki, Ski Solutions and IfYouSki are all worth a look as well.
Get out the Eurozone: The pound is currently weak against the Euro. You could save a packet by heading to countries outside the Eurozone - like the Czech Republic and Romania - where the pound is stronger against the native currency.
Conditions versus moneysaving: Choosing a resort is a bit of a balancing act between the conditions you'll find and the money you'll save:
- Very high altitude resorts tend to be more expensive because they're `snow-sure'. Others at lower levels might be a lot cheaper, but you could find yourself skidding across grass.
If you've got a resort in mind, check its snow history, current conditions and forecast at snow-forecast.com.
- Many newer resorts aren't as large or developed as their more famous counterparts. They're likely to have fewer slopes, fewer lifts and a less sophisticated infrastructure. On the other hand, they're also likely to have cheaper ski passes and shorter queues!
Gear
When I was a student, I worked in an upmarket adventure sports store, selling ski gear I could never afford to buy myself.
I came to the conclusion that there were some bits of equipment you shouldn't scrimp on, and other areas where you could cut corners.
Clothing: The cheapest ski clothing on the market is probably not going to be the highest quality - and that's usually fine if you're only going to go once.
To pick up low price gear, have a look in Tchibo, TK Maxx, Littlewoods Direct and good old Primark.
You can also get some decent discounts on well-known brands at the moment at Winwood Outdoor. And eBay is another good place to look for hardly-used, high quality cast-offs.
It's all about targeting your spending. Personally, I'm very happy with a cheapo jacket (or even a basic waterproof with lots of layers underneath). However, I'll pay for mid-range salopettes (I find myself sitting in the snow a lot!) and really good quality gloves (all the cheap ones I ever had got soaked through almost immediately).
If you're buying safety equipment (like a helmet or wrist protectors) get stuff that is decent quality - the alternative just isn't worth it.
And if you're not sure what `good quality' means for a particular product, get technical advice from staff in one of the upmarket shops, then go and find the product cheaper on the net!
Hardwear: If you're planning to hire skis or boards, check out Ski Set or Snow Rental and book the kit online. This should work out cheaper than hiring on arrival through your holiday company (who usually take their cut).
Insurance
If you haven't done your research, winter sports insurance can be a bit of a minefield. Read We're All Going On A Winter Holiday, by my Foolish colleague Szu Ping Chan, for tips on what should be included and the minimum cover you should look for.
And keep a beady eye out for unexpected policy catches: For example, if you've been drinking alcohol, your policy will probably be invalidated - so steer clear of that mulled wine while you're on the slopes!
And snowboarders - make sure your boards are ALWAYS leashed to your ankle. If you have an accident and this hasn't been done, guess what. you probably won't be covered.
The list goes on, so read the small print. Pick the wrong policy and you could end up paying for your own helicopter rescue!
Tesco Finance is currently offering free winter sports cover for any new customers who buy an Annual Travel Insurance policy online.
But don't assume this is the right choice for you - as always, shop around. You can compare prices and get a quote using The Fool's Travel Insurance Service.
Extras
Remember to factor in pricy extras like lift passes and food.
Buy direct: To shave money of the price of your lift pass, buy it direct from an official supplier (usually a tourist office) when you get to the resort.
If you buy one from your holiday company as part of the package, they'll probably bump up the price and take their share.
Eating included: Whichever resort you choose, consider going for a half-board or hotel deal that includes breakfast and dinner.
Most of these offers include (at a relatively low extra cost) a hearty breakfast, afternoon tea, a three or four course dinner and sometimes even free wine!
Self-catering may work out cheaper if you buy all your food from the supermarket, but when you're cold, tired and bruised, will you really be bothered? Those expensive resort restaurants will seem very tempting.
More: Avoid These Holiday Nightmares | Winter Holiday Travel Tips
If you're planning your holiday on the piste, visit the Winter Sports discussion board to talk to other like-minded Fools.