Vail, Colorado is a ski mecca, one of the most sought after destinations for skiers in the United States and across the world. It has storied runs and gorgeous views. It is also a charming town with a lot to offer off the slopes (see our article about that). Skiing anywhere is a lot of fun, but also not an inexpensive hobby. Vail is no exception.

At the same time, equipped with a few helpful hints you can make a Vail ski vacation more affordable and realistic for your family, and thus enjoy this fantastic locale for yourselves.

Here are our Top Three Ways to Save Money and Get More from Vail:

Book and Buy Early: Buy your ticket at least a week in advance. Vail’s website often has deals posted on it, but they will be limited time and you need to snatch them while you can. The earlier you start looking, the better your odds. The tickets can be significantly cheaper buying in advance, with prices in the $100 range for advance purchases soaring to $130 the week of, and $140 for day-of, on-mountain buys. These numbers are approximations but give you an idea, and can really add up as you look to buy tickets for an entire family.
Rent in Denver, instead of On-Mountain: While it may sound like a lot of work, it can be as simple as leaving a little earlier and making a detour between the airport and the mountain. Then you do the same on the way out. Prices off-mountain can be as low as half that of locations in Vail proper. The Vail ski outposts will have the same gear, but know they can charge more and do. Plan ahead and do some research before you hit town, and with a Denver outpost in mind you can swoop through and be on the mountain with little, if any, ski time lost.
Speaking of Denver…Fly There and Rent a Car: Vail does have its own airport, but as with most things in this town used to luxury life, it costs just a little bit more. You’ll also be forced to take a “Vail-rate” cab from the Vail Valley airport to wherever you’re staying. Instead, fly into Denver for less, rent a car (see some great prices from Hertz and Priceline) and drive yourself to the mountain. Not only will you end up saving money, you’ll have the freedom to explore on your own, and an easier time with the rentals from the above tip.

These three points taken together will shave money off the Vail experience. As a resort area that caters to some very wealthy clientele, Vail can charge high fees for many services. However, it also has a local population and if you visit places more geared towards locals than tourists, you might pay what the locals pay instead of movie star rates.

To make Vail even more affordable, we’ve compiled some choice deals for you to consider. Please note, all offers are current as of the date of this publication but some do expire. See applicable website for terms, conditions and restrictions.

Hotels.com considers Vail a “Top Ski Destination” and compiles its best deals all in one place.
Snow saves you money on car rentals with Hertz! Save $50 on your weekly car rental this winter. Include PC# 210114 in your next rental in Utah, Colorado, Arizona or New Mexico and get great savings on your Economy to Full-size vehicle. Offer is valid for vehicle pickup from December 1, 2014 through January 31, 2015.
Priceline offers great ski destination savings on everything from rooms to airfare and even rental cars.

If you’re heading to Vail, be sure to check out our great tips for enjoying ski towns as a non-skier. This will help any family members who don’t hit the slopes enjoy their time, as well as give you great ideas on what to do during your time in between runs!

If you do choose to rent a car and want to expand/extend your stay to Denver, be sure to check out our great Denver itineraries for families as well!

Interested in booking or planning a vacation to one of these great ski locations right now? Check out some of the offers currently available for airfare and hotels at Kayak, Orbitz and Priceline. See more lodging options at Hotels.com and Hilton. Get started on your next trip today!

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