Travel Tips

Ski Trip Planning Tips

If you’ve ever planned a ski vacation, you know that coordinating rental equipment and lift tickets once you arrive can be a hassle. But you can save yourself time by planning ahead.
Looking for a way to plan your trip from start to finish?

The Colorado-based tour operator Ski.com lets you choose your resort and flight dates, and then guides you through available hotels by price with the option to add on lift tickets, equipment and lessons.

A new Web site called Skiresorts.com helps travelers decide which of the top 50 ski resorts is best for them.

It breaks down the cool features as written by locals who are on the ground.

So you can find out which ski towns have chef’s tables or great microbrews, or which resorts offer babysitting services and kids clubs.

And a site called Liftopia.com partners directly with ski resorts to offer discount lift tickets at 120 resorts across North America.

Even if you don’t use a Web site for help, don’t wait until after you arrive to start coordinating.

Call up the resort directly to find out whether they can bundle accommodations, equipment and lift tickets, and then start negotiating additional amenities like free breakfast or parking.

You might be surprised by what they’re willing to offer to get your business.

Get more ideas in our Winter Sports section.

Looking for more advice? Click here for more Daily Travel Tips.