Skiing and Accomodations: 3 Tips to Save You Money
If you love skiing or snowboarding but find the costs keep you from doing it as often as you’d like, there’s hope. One big expense that you can lower is the cost of accommodations. Check out these tips for ways to bed down for a lower cost.
Book a Bed and Breakfast
Often, bed and breakfasts are a lower cost alternative. You may not get all the bells and whistles you would at a ski resort or hotel, but you’re not going to be there much anyway, right? If you’re a people-person, the friendly atmosphere of a B&B will appeal to you. Another benefit is a good hearty breakfast included in the cost (it is “bed and breakfast”, after all), so you won’t have to go looking elsewhere or pay extra for your morning meal.
Share a House with Friends
Another way to save on accommodations while skiing is to rent a house close to the ski resort with a group of friends. A lot of locals in the towns and villages near the resorts rent houses to skiers. Those could be second homes they bought just for this purpose, or cottages they only use in the summer. These places are usually a bargain, especially if you avoid holidays like Christmas and New Year’s.
The more people in your group, the lower the cost of the house. Naturally, if there are only two or three of you, this would probably not be the best option. Another benefit to renting a house is the additional savings on food. You can cook your own breakfast and dinner at the house, and even prepare a lunch that you can bring with you to the ski hill. That way you can make your skiing dollars stretch even further.
Stay Further Away from the Resort
One last option is to stay at a regular inn, hotel or chalet, but one that’s further away from the ski hill. These accommodations will be cheaper for the very reason that most people don’t want to have to commute. If you’re willing to make the drive, you can reap the savings.
One of the best places to find these farther away hotels is online. Search for accommodations within a certain radius of the ski resort, say 20 miles. Check the room rates for some of the hotels at that distance, and then narrow or widen the radius, as appropriate, until you find a place that suits your budget and has the amenities you want.
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Julie hikes, camps, fishes, skis, and generally spends as much time outdoors as she can - when she’s not blogging, of course. Read more of her articles at http://www.fun-travel-blog.com/.
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