Travel Tips: Tell Your Family to Take a Powder!

(ARA) - Skiers and snowboarders are an enthusiastic bunch. Even during last year's recession, more than 57 million people hit the slopes during the 2008-2009 season, according to the National Ski Association. And with record snowfall recorded throughout North America and the Winter Olympics starting in mid February, this season is slated to be even bigger.

But even the die-hard skiers want to find the best deal this ski season. Here is a list of helpful, money-saving strategies, whether you're a powder-hound black diamond expert, first-time boarder, or anywhere in between.

* Avoid peak travel days. Prices are always higher, and the resorts are always more crowded. If you have to travel during popular vacation times, hit resorts like The Canyons in Park City, Utah, which typically sees less traffic than other resorts the area.

* Find the resort that's right for you. The Web makes everything easy. Sites such as OnTheSnow.com and Away.com offer loads of info. And Away.com offers a ski resort guide and new Resort Finder that lets you search resorts by geography, lift ticket price and interests like family-friendly, beginner skiers, the best spots for powder or nightlife.

* Look Closer. Cost and timing may make it tough to reach some of the more remote resorts, but don't forget to explore resorts in neighboring states. The Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina, the highest-elevation peaks in the southeast, offer as many as 142 days of skiing, while Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia boasts a formidable 1,500 vertical foot drop and a great pedestrian village. Even Las Vegas has a ski resort 45 minutes from the Strip.

* When in doubt, go west. You'll find bigger resorts, bigger mountains, plenty of options at a variety of cost points and much more reliable conditions. Salt Lake City in particular makes it easy. There are a handful of world-class resorts within one hour of the airport, and spots like Deer Valley and Park City even offer free same-day ski tickets. Just flash your airline boarding pass and you can be on the slopes two hours after you get off the plane - for free.

* Take the kids. The ski industry understands the value of getting the next generation on the mountain, so there are discounts galore. Most resorts let kids younger than 6 ski for free, while 21 resorts in Colorado offer three free ski days for any fifth-graders who apply, with four-day passes for sixth-graders for $99. And this season Burton Snowboard continues its "Go Snowboarding" program, which gives you free lift tickets and lessons at a bunch of North American resorts with the purchase of select snowboards.

* Package deals are your friends. Almost every resort offers multi-day packages on combo lodging-and-lift-tickets deals, along with early-bird incentive pricing, most posted on their Web sites. Also look for ticket-and-lesson deals like Oregon's Mount Bachelor, which lets beginning skiers access one lift for free, with lessons and equipment rentals for only $30. Hook up with local ski clubs, who get larger-group discounts, or check out deals in the back section of magazines like Ski, Skiing, and Powder.

* Hunt out the deals. Discount lift tickets are out there. In addition to multi-day passes offered by most resorts - which typically offer savings when compared to daily ticket rates, sites like Liftopia.com and skicoupon.com have cheap tickets. Also hunt locally - often off-mountain rental shops offer less-expensive rates than you'll find at the resorts, and also sell tickets at a discount.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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