Why You Should Plan Your Ski Vacation Early

The country may yet to see snowy slopes and winter flurries, but savvy skiers and families are already planning out their next ski vacation. Sure, there are only a handful of US ski resorts open, and most of them are already offering a whole new set of attractions that doesn’t involve making snow angels.

But making arrangements this early do have a couple perks. To name a few:

Beating the rush

Imagine having to book your ski trip at the last minute, and you’re halfway down the road only to realize you left behind your skis! Or how about taking a chance on budget accommodations that look good on paper (or on the web) then arriving only to get disappointed? This happens when you plan your holidays on panic mode (Read: less than a month before peak season). When you plan your getaway early, you still have enough time in your hands to research on the best accommodations and create an itinerary everyone can agree upon. It also allows you to plan out your wardrobe and decide what gears you’ll need.

The early bird scores the best accommodations

When you book your vacation early, you get first dibs on prime chalets, apartments or hotel rooms. You can even request a room just a stone’s throw away from the slopes! Booking early also means you get to pick your flight schedules, slots in daycare and ski schools for your kids, and the best table at your favorite restaurant.

And big discounts, too!

Many ski resorts offer a slew of early bird incentives for those who plan way ahead. Enjoy huge savings on lodging, airfare, bulk ski passes and lift tickets when you book way ahead of the others.

Come peak season or early ski season and prices start ballooning to premium rates.

Flexible payment terms

On top of discounts, ski resorts, too, may offer early bookers down payment options on ski passes and other fees. For instance, you can pay half of the price now then pay the remainder by September. This allows you to save up for the getaway you and your family have been dreaming of since the end of season, without accruing debts and credit card interest charges.

You can always take a chance on finding last minute bargains. But you could miss out on a lot of advanced reservation promotions that could save a great deal! And while planning out your winter getaway while everyone else is set to hit the beach and get a tan may strike others as odd, you’ll be treating yourself to a well thought off ski vacation you and your whole family will certainly cherish and enjoy.