Family Ski Travel On a Budget

Travel

Saving Money With Kids, Best Family Ski Resorts 

Okay, I admit it. I'm a family-centric ski bum. My hubbie (who still loves racing and jumping off cliffs I wouldn't dare attempt myself) and all of our four kids -- who were skiing intermediate runs before they turned 4 years old -- love it too. Nothing can stop me and my whole family from heading to the slopes whenever the opportunity arises. 

MommyBlogExpert.com

In fact, I've broken a leg twice during past ski seasons. But, year and year, you can still expect to see me getting off the lift to head down one of my many favorite ski trails. For sure, this passion goes way back to my younger days. For many years before having children, my hubbie and I skiied most of the world's best resorts both in the US and Canada.

Tips to Saving Money on a Family Ski Trip 

We still love to ski but now we do it as a family, and for the most part, we drive instead of fly to our destination.  Especially in our home state of California the quality and quantity of snow this season has been the best in many, many years. BTW, Don't miss my picks for family-friendly skiing in California at the bottom of this post. 

Yes, skiing keeps getting more expensive every year and it really adds up when you're bringing children along. The good news is there are ways to save money on everything from your lift tickets and ski equipment to meals, travel and accomodations.

• Ski locally when possible to avoid overnight expenses 
• Drive instead of fly to your destination 
• Ski in Low Season (typically January - February)
• Plan your ski trips for non-holidays 
• Rent equipment near home and bring with you 
• Shop around for lift ticket specials (mid-week, low season etc) 
• Look for discounts for kids, those with disabilities, seniors 
• Book a condo (instead of hotel rooms) for your family 
• Stay several miles from the base of the mountain 
• Shop for groceries instead of eating meals out 
• Bring food/drinks with you to the mountain each day 
• Seek out end-of-season sales for equipment, ski clothing 
• Borrow ski wear from friends or shop thrift stores 

Here's Mini MommyBlogExpert (my daughter) reporting from Mammoth's slopes during one of our Winter Vacation when she was in elementary school.

Best California Family-Friendly Ski Resorts

• Mountain High,Wrightwood 
• Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes
• Heavenly, South Lake Tahoe
• Bear Mountain, Big Bear Lake 
• Snow Valley, Running Springs
• Mt. Baldy Resort, Mt. Baldy