Top Ten Tips for the Perfect Budget Ski Trip

Last year, 2.8 million people visited the United States with one goal in mind: Shredding into some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world. With the value of the US dollar on a decline, and record snow levels (it was up 315% last season according to Weather Trends International), there is no better time to plan a US ski holiday. And as these resorts clamor to draw more patrons to their slopes, you can be sure to get a number of deals along the way. Liftopia.com co-founders Evan Reece and Ron Schneidermann present the top 10 tips for the perfect budget ski holiday.

1. Ski for Free! - Many people do not know that you can ski for free the day that you arrive at UT - Park City Resorts (Canyons, Park City, Deer Valley) by simply filling out a redemption voucher, bringing your same-day airline boarding pass and out of state ID. For more information and to confirm availability, visit http://www.parkcityinfo.com/quickstart/.

2. Stay local, but not TOO local. – Try to stay near resorts instead of “on mountain” to save money on lodging. This is especially true when skiing near Salt Lake City, Portland and Seattle.

3. More mountains mean more fun. – When booking big ski trips, try out several of the local mountains in addition to the big resorts. They are almost always cheaper, have great service, and offer smaller lines than the more “touristy” resorts.

4. Leave your skis at home? – Now that most of the airlines are charging extra for checking bags, and rental equipment is top quality, consider leaving your gear at home. You may actually end up saving money, traveling lighter, and getting to try better equipment than what you left at home.

5. Take care of your feet. – Feet cold? Try spraying antiperspirant on your feet before you go out, and try thinner socks to keep your feet from sweating. Feet hurt? Try unbuckling your boots after each run (for the chairlift ride).

6. Try that new pair first. – Looking to buy skis? Demo them first. Most stores will apply the cost of a demo to the cost of a new ski.

7. Scope out the mountain. – Most resorts offer tours at the beginning of the day. It’s an easy and cheap way to get a feel for the mountain and find the runs that are geared to your level. Plus, tours are a great way to meet people.

8. It’s all about the apps. – Not everything costs a fortune in Aspen's neck of the woods. Aspen's neighbor Snowmass is home to free appetizers served at the Mountain Dragon.

9. Still hungry? – Skiers and riders stop by the ski school at Beaver Creek, CO to satisfy a sugar tooth with a warm snack. Beaver Creek chefs serve free cookies and hot cocoa outside the ski school.

10. Plan early and get the most bang for your buck. – As the economy softens and consumer spending tightens, families tend to cut discretionary spending on the activities they love, such as skiing. However, you can still afford it by planning early and finding discounted lift tickets online. For example, Liftopia.com offers as much as 50 percent off regular lift tickets prices at some of North America's leading ski resorts.