12 Ways to Save For Next Ski Season

As spring rolls in, so do big savings on ski vacations. Enjoy discounted gear, early bird season pass specials, Christmas package deals and more. Here are our top 12 ways to save big now for next ski season.

From closing week onward, ski shops offer massive discounts on past-season clothing and gear (as in 40-60%!). When it comes to outerwear, the specifics rarely change from one season to the next, so if you don't mind having a "past-season" color, go get yourself a new jacket for half the price. Rental shops are often selling the season's demo skis as well – some of which may be in perfectly fine shape.

While you're picking up new gear for next season, you might as well let go of old gear – and make some extra cash with it. The longer you hold onto dated gear, the less value it holds. Head to the second-hand stores as soon as possible to get the most for your good quality used gear and outerwear. Some stores may not accept until early fall, but remember to sell them before it gets buried in storage and loses all value.

If you're traveling without kids (or you can pull them out of school), consider booking your ski vacation at an off-peak time. The busiest and most expensive ski getaway times are Christmas through New Year's and President's Week. Booking early for a getaway outside those dates saves 30-40% on lodging and travel costs (not to mention, no lift lines and far less crowded slopes).

If you vacation with friends next ski season, it’s a perfect way to save on group lodging. Considering busy schedules, school vacations, kids recitals and work commitments, it's best to start planning as early as possible. Start a group conversation to see what works and what doesn't, then book lodging and flights as soon as you settle on a date.

Ski vacation package deals can be found at any point during the year, but look out for the early season savings for the next ski season. From May through mid-June, you'll find great savings on lodging and lift tickets through the holiday season.

Season passes for next season are on sale from spring, and you can save up to 30% by buying before summer's end. Be sure to find the pass that suits you best, whether it's a midweek pass, full-season unlimited, or select weekends. There's usually an option to upgrade later on, but you'll save big by purchasing one option now. 

Consider the following ski pass programs:  

• EPIC Passes are offered by Vail Resorts which gives access to major ski resorts like Breckenridge in Colorado and Park City in Utah.
• IKON Passes give you access to 55 ski destinations including Palisades Tahoe and Steamboat.
• Mountain Collective Passes which is the best way to ski the best of East and West. It gives you 2 days at 24 ski destinations including Alta Ski Area, Aspen Snowmass, and Banff Sunshine.

If you're considering renting seasonally – either from the owner or through an agency – start asking around now. Take some time to prioritize (slopeside or town, condo or private house, etc.) and then start the search. Options start to dwindle around September. You can even use the summer months to take a week's vacation or weekend getaway to potential ski season rental houses to see what you think.

There are tons of factors which affect flight costs, but overall it's best to book early. If you're planning your ski vacation during a peak period – like Christmas week or President's weekend, expect flight prices to skyrocket come October. If you're unsure about exact dates, either book the tickets and work around what comes up, or consider flexible tickets that allow for date changes. Be sure to read the fine print.

Ski schools do their best to have plenty of staff over peak periods, but some offerings, like specialty camps – can still fill to capacity. Look at ski camp offerings now (or if you're local, the weekly local groups offerings) to be sure your little ones get the lessons of their choice. Early bookings can mean good savings as well.

Unless your little ripper is pulling in 80-day ski seasons, there's no reason to purchase new gear each year, so opt for equipment rentals instead. Reserve early to get the best quality gear – if the kids have growth spurts over the summer, you can always update the equipment specs.

This one takes some research (or free help from SnowPak). Where can you save the most based on your specific ski vacation needs? If you've got several kids in tow, consider a resort where kids ski free. If timing doesn't matter, book a non-peak week. If you don't mind red-eye flights or extra transit from airports, find the cheapest airline tickets and plan around that. There are so many ways to save big for you ski vacation – especially if you take the advice to book now!