Money-Saving Tips

Play it smart and save money on your ski vacation this year. It all starts by doing a little homework—many resorts offer pre-season specials for lodging and lift tickets.

Consider taking a weekend trip before the holidays, or sneak out on, say, a Tuesday morning to enjoy midweek rates. Another idea? Traveling in a group. Gather your closest friends and rent a cabin for the weekend—that way you’ll be able to share the cost of lodging, but you’ll also have access to a kitchen to make your own meals (a big money saver) and, possibly, score a group rate on lift tickets.

Finally, think beyond the box when it comes to equipment. Grand Traverse Ski Club hosts what many claim to be the Midwest’s largest ski swap every year, and Boyne Country Sports offers the why-didn’t-I-think-of-that Junior Has a Fit program: buy new ski or snowboard equipment for your little one (up to shoe size 6 and weighing less than 100 pounds), pay the $30 program membership fee, then return the equipment at the end of the season by July 1 to receive a credit of 100 percent of the original purchase price toward new equipment.

Check out our complete Northern Michigan Ski Guide with info and conditions for ski hills in Northern Lower Michigan and Michigan's Upper Peninsula!

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