Ski packages can be all inclusive deals that include airfare, lift tickets, lodging, and transportation. Some however cover all but the airfare and car rental which can allow you to possibly take advantage of discounted air tickets should you be able to find them. The main advantage to having a tour operator provide a ski vacation package deal for you though, is the convenience of having all of your arrangements taken care of at once.
Ski trip packages are offered through many tour operators, but you may also be able to find a great deal by joining one of the larger ski clubs if you have one in your area. These are usually nonprofit organizations that negotiate directly with the ski resorts and airlines to arrange for group discounts, as well as providing a social atmosphere and other benefits. It may be well worth joining one of these ski clubs, and bears investigation.
Prices on ski packages may vary, with the Christmas through New Year holiday time being the busiest and the most expensive of the season. February through the first half of March is the high season and also expensive, with Thanksgiving to Christmas and April being less busy. Possibly the best time for good snow and better prices is in January after the holiday crush.
You may get lucky with some last minute deals even in the high season, if the resort has any last minute group cancellations. They will provide these at discount with the tour operators to fill the rooms, and you may find some great prices this way.
A list of some of the larger tour operators can be found through the National Ski Tour Operators Association (www.skitops.com). Some others are listed here.
- Any Mountain Tours - A large tour company that has many last minute deals (now a ski.com company).
- Ski.com - Primarily for western U.S. and Canadian ski resorts (800 778-8589).
- Central Holidays - Sells packages through travel agents to Europe and North America.
- Daman-Nelson Travel – Provides services to Colorado and Utah (800 343-2626).
- Delta Airlines – Packages to the western United States and the Alps as well. (800 872-7786).
- Holidaze Ski Tours – Western ski resort packages and some ski resorts in Canada.
- Moguls Mountain Travel – Boulder based ski tour operator, covers North America and also heli-skiing trips.
- Northwest Airlines – Package trips including some more remote western ski areas (800 800-1504).
- Rocky Mountain Tours – A New Jersey based ski tour operator with trips to the U.S. and Canada.
- Ski Can – A large ski tour operator covering Canadian ski resorts and some of the major ski resorts in Colorado.
- Snow Ventures – Variety of ski vacation packages from budget to deluxe in the western U.S., Canada, and Europe (800 845-7157).
- Southwest Airlines – Runs ski vacation packages to the Salt Lake City ski resorts as well as Taos and Lake Tahoe (800 423-5683).