Downhill Family

Winter Reservations

Once you choose a resort, it’s time to start making reservations. It can feel daunting. But if you just start somewhere and keep working, with each decision and reservation, your trip will begin to take shape.

The most important thing to research first is lessons and camps. You want to really understand how a resort handles the reservations for learning because if you or anyone in your party is new to winter downhill sports, it will be safest for everyone involved if these participants get lessons as soon as you have boots on the ground. The majority of resorts allow you to book lessons and camps online ahead of the date. There are three things you should know. First, these classes can fill up especially during the holidays. Second, not all resorts allow participants to book online lessons and camps in advance. Some of the smaller resorts have a first come first serve policy which can really jack up your plans especially if all or part of the trip is nonrefundable. Third, you want to be clear on what the lessons include. Some include rentals and lift ticket and lunch. Other resorts include only some or none of these items and so you have to make sure you have those bases covered for yourself and your family.

Before you peruse my brain dump on making reservations, I want to add a note about season passes. It’s worth it to look at the season pass price and compare it to the likelihood of returning to the same resort in the same season. Often the season passes make a lot of sense if you plan to return to the resort even just one more time in the same season.

Last, a note on purchasing equipment vs. renting. Again, buying used general use skiis, boards and boots or any equipment for that matter, makes a lot of sense. If you visit a mountain twice and rent gear each time, you most likely will have spent the same amount you would spend on used basic-level equipment. If you like elite level equipment, it’s more of a personal decision and the value has to be considered in terms of more than just price. My husband and daughter have elite level equipment, but they use them often and have researched and understand the nuanced details of the design and construction. The value has more to do with more than just money. As for me, I enjoy an easy jaunt down the greens and I get a lot out of just being on the mountain at my own pace. A used set of all mountain skis suits me fine and is way less expensive than renting each time we go. I have absolutely loved having my own skies and boots. I love saving money and I l love saving time by avoiding rental lines.

Ok, here is my brain dump on reservations. It’s a list of all the the various things you must reserve in advance of your trip. We usually line up most of our trips during the summer, roughly 6.5 months prior to the trip.

Things to research and purchase in advance;