Beautiful winter views, fresh mountain air, cozying up at a local coffee shop or brewery, soaking in a hot tub, and chatting with fellow skiers are all things that make skiing a great way to have fun in winter. Learn how to plan a skip trip and enjoy these perks for yourself!
It’s never too late to learn how to ski or plan your very first ski trip. This winter sport is fun for all ages; you can ski as intensely or as leisurely as you want. But to make the most of any ski trip, it’s important to plan in advance.
As someone who has been skiing for more than 20 years and is now the main travel planner in the family (hence the travel blog), I know a thing or two when it comes to planning a ski trip. So let’s dive into how to plan a ski trip with money saving tips and first-time skier recommendations.
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The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to How to Plan a Ski Trip
1. Pick a Destination
There are hundreds of ski destinations around the globe, and they all vary in price. You can start by researching what ski resorts are closest to your home base, or research how much your dream ski resort costs (lift tickets, nearby accommodations, food, etc.).
From California to Canada, from France to South Korea, the options are endless when it comes to great ski destinations. Your budget will likely help you decide where you want to go skiing; i.e. the closer it is to your home, the less it will likely cost to get there.
The US is home to some of the best skiing in the world. If you’re new to skiing or looking for another amazing mountain to explore on skis, plan your ski trip to Park City, Utah.
2. Choose a Ski Resort
Not only are there a plethora of destinations around the world that offer skiing, but many mountains will have multiple ski resorts.
The top things to consider when picking a ski resort are how beginner-friendly or family-friendly it is. Do they offer a variety of lessons? What is around the ski resort?
Are you wanting to ski somewhere where there are many other activities available? Or do you want a quieter experience where the ski slopes are the main focus?
Think about what you plan to do for food. Will you prefer to be near a larger town with more dining options? Or are you okay with buying groceries before heading to your rental and cooking “at home”?
Hands down, Park City Mountain Resort is one of the very best ski resorts in the world. They have a large ski school and small lesson sizes. There are over 340 ski trails, including great beginner terrain as well as plenty of more advanced runs. And the town of Park City, Utah, makes for a perfect base. It’s only a 45-minute drive from Salt Lake City Airport.
3. Book Your Lodging
Once you’ve found the ski resort you want to visit, start browsing for accommodation nearby. You may find that the cheapest resort is actually in a more expensive town which may affect your budget.
Many ski resorts have lots of accommodation options, from ski-in/ski-out hotels to Airbnb and other house rentals to budget hotels. Generally, the closer you are to the ski resort the more expensive it will be.
I recommend starting your search for skiing accommodation on Booking.com or Airbnb.
4. Find the Best Lift Tickets for Your Trip
Always buy your lift tickets in advance if you can. Often the further in advance you buy your lift passes, the cheaper they are. Resorts and lift ticket operators (Epic and Ikon) will increase the cost of lift tickets every couple of months as it gets closer to the opening of ski season.
Some ski resorts sell their own lift passes, but many operate through the two major ski lift pass companies, Epic and Ikon. Check to see if your chosen resort is included in either of these passes as their early season deals are hard to beat.
Generally, the more days you add to your lift pass, the cheaper it is per day. But if it costs less per day to ski for three days than it does for one day, overall you’ll still be paying more so keep this in mind. Epic usually has great multi-day lift pass deals so start here.
5. Get Equipment: Rentals vs. Buying
If you plan on skiing every year, consider investing in your own ski equipment. Ski and snowboard gear runs very expensive, but you don’t need the newest, most expensive skis on the market to have a great ski trip.
You can often find used gear in good condition for much less. Search Facebook marketplace, or take advantage of an REI membership and browse their outlet deals and used gear. The best time to buy ski gear is at the end of the ski season, around April. Ski gear won’t be in high demand so prices go way down.
Over time, you’ll spend less money buying your own gear than renting it every trip. However, if it’s your first time skiing and you’re unsure if you’ll try it again, rent all your ski equipment. This is a significant investment, so make sure you love to ski before you make a purchase.
Many resorts have rentals available, and some hotels offer ski packages with discounted rentals if you stay with them. Check with your hotel to see if they have any ski rental sepcials.
6. Enjoy Après-Ski Activities
Skiing can be a very social sport. Maybe you’re planning a ski trip with friends. Or you can spark up a conversation with fellow skiers while getting an après-ski drink. The ski community is an outgoing one, and there’s always a wild ski story to be heard.
Après-ski is a French term literally meaning “after ski.” Popular in many European countries and gaining traction in the US, après-ski is what you do after a long day of skiing.
It means different things in different places. At some resorts in Europe, après-ski can be a late-night Euro-pop dance party, and sometimes it’s a hot tub party or an evening of champagne and caviar.
In the US, après-ski often refers to drinking at a local craft brewery. Take a look at what après-ski activities your chosen ski resort offers! You might be surprised by how much more there is to a ski trip than just skiing.
⭐️ Park City, Utah: Ultimate Ski Trip Itinerary
If you’re ready to book a ski trip but you don’t have time to research and plan, I can highly recommend visiting Park City, Utah. Check out my planned-for-you ski trip itinerary Park City edition!
With one of the very best ski resorts for beginners in the US, Park City is a fantastic place to plan a beginner ski trip to. And the great news? I’ve done the hard work for you!
You can utilize my super convenient Park City ski trip itinerary to book your entire winter adventure today. From accommodation to ski rentals and lessons to restaurants and reservations, all the info for planning a ski trip to Park City is in this one easy to use ski trip guide.
Things to Consider When Planning a Ski Trip
Before you hit the slopes, there are some things to consider when planning a ski trip. Make the most of your winter adventure and plan well in advance.
When to Plan a Ski Trip
If possible, start planning your ski trip 6 months in advance. Many popular ski destinations are booked well in advance to the ski season (typically December to April).
Hotels and vacation rentals will generally be cheaper the farther you book in advance, and you’ll have many more options to choose from.
Lift tickets, such as Epic’s season pass, are also cheaper if you buy them earlier in the year versus right before or during the ski season.
In the northern hemisphere where skiing is abundant (think the USA, Europe, and Canada), the ski season is typically December through April.
How Long to Plan a Ski Trip
If you’ve never been skiing before, I recommend planning at least four days on the mountain. This will give you time to take a couple of lessons and hopefully be able to test your new skills on green runs the last couple of days.
If you have the time, the longer the ski trip the better, as you’ll have more time to practice and not feel rushed. If you only have two or three days, you might not get the chance to really test your skiing or snowboarding skills.
Best Ski Resorts for Beginners
If you don’t live near skiing, the best places to ski in the United States are Colorado, Utah, and California. You’ll find big-name ski resorts in these states, like Park City in Utah, Mammoth Mountain in California, and Breckenridge in Colorado.
Larger ski resorts tend to be more expensive, but they also generally have great ski schools, many amenities for new skiers, and a plethora of beginner ski runs. You can find great ski resorts in South Korea, France, Switzerland, and Japan as well.
Skiing is Physically Demanding
Learning how to ski can be challenging, but it is so rewarding! You will fall, it’s just part of the learning process. But once you’ve learned how to stop, turn, and accelerate, you’ll be hitting the green runs (beginner) in no time.
Remember to give your body the rest it needs. Stay fueled with good food and plenty of water. Take a couple of lessons to learn the basics and stay safe. And rest before your body gets overtired.
You don’t want to go full force the first day and be so sore you can’t even think about skiing the next. If your accommodation has a hot tub, take advantage of it as it will help your muscles relax and be ready for more skiing.
Enjoy après-ski activities like social drinking to wind down. Try to get a good night’s sleep, and don’t push yourself to the point of exhaustion. Don’t expect to be a pro after two days of skiing, just enjoy your time on the mountain!
Enjoy the Ski Trip
Ski resorts vary in size all around the world. There can be anywhere from ten to hundreds of ski runs in one single resort. Make sure you get a map of the ski resort before you hop on a lift, or see if your chosen ski resort has an app with maps, lift times, etc.
You can plan your route before you hit the slopes, or if you’re a confident skier, see where the day takes you! This is a fun way to explore a new mountain, but always make sure you know how to find your way back to the resort base.
READ NEXT: How to Save Money on a Ski Trip
Ski Trip Planning Recap:
Set a budget
Find a ski resort and figure out how to get there (fly or drive)
Book accommodation and lift tickets
Book your rental gear or buy used gear
Visit in January or February for a quieter, cheaper trip
Give yourself time to pick up the basics of skiing
Ski Trip Packing Essentials
Prepare for your ski trip with the ultimate ski packing list. From flying with gear to the must-haves for a successful ski trip, packing correctly is essential in this case. Wear waterproof ski pants and a ski jacket to stay dry and warm in the snow.
You can get surprisingly warm when skiing, so wear layers you can take on and off to stay comfortable. Don’t forget gloves, a neckwarmer, and good ski socks.
READ NEXT: What to Pack for a Ski Trip
It’s never too late to learn how to ski which is a great reason for everyone to plan a ski trip! As a former ski instructor in New Zealand, I taught as many adults as I did kids, and seeing someone my age or older have skiing “click” for them made me so happy. I love skiing with a passion, and I want to help others fall in love with it!
Now that you know how to plan a ski trip, it’s time to pack your bags. Pick a destination, choose a ski resort, book lodging, reserve lift tickets, get ski rentals, book a lesson, and hit the slopes!
Make sure you have all the proper ski gear to stay warm and comfortable while in the mountains. Skiing is an incredibly fun sport that involves beautiful winter views, a social culture, and a fun way to stay active outdoors. Enjoy!
