| Isn't it time you saved more of your hard | | | | it will usually be in October or November. |
| earned money when you go downhill skiing? You | | | | Attend the show on the last or second last |
| know the slopes, now you just have to learn | | | | day. You'll usually find great bargains on |
| the ropes. The key is to avoid the normal | | | | ski jackets and gloves. |
| flow so you can save money and ski more | | | | |
| often. Expert skiing requires an increase in | | | | Replace One Item Each Year |
| mileage on the slopes, so if you want to ski | | | | |
| every weekend or every other weekend, it's to | | | | A rule of thumb that some expert skiers |
| your advantage to get the most out of your | | | | follow is to replace one item of clothing or |
| skiing dollar. | | | | equipment each year. If you purchased good |
| | | | quality gear in the first place, you may find |
| Buy Last Year's Skis | | | | that this simple rule will work for you as |
| | | | well. The idea is to get the longest life |
| If at all possible, buy your ski equipment | | | | possible from your clothes and equipment and |
| and clothes in the fall or spring. The best | | | | to wear everything out before you replace it. |
| months in the autumn are October and | | | | You also don't normally need to be two or |
| November, while the best months in the spring | | | | three deep in anything. |
| are March and April. Never buy in mid-season! | | | | |
| | | | As an aspiring expert skier, you want to free |
| Some of the gear that didn't sell in the | | | | up as much of your hard earned dollar as |
| winter or spring is returned to the shelves | | | | possible to pay for lift tickets, which means |
| in the fall. Although you may not always get | | | | more mileage on the slopes. |
| the best selection, you will definitely get a | | | | |
| good discount. Perhaps even as low as the | | | | Ski During the Week |
| wholesale price. They need to clear this | | | | |
| stock out to make room for the new equipment | | | | If you can get away, there is money to be |
| and clothes. | | | | saved by skiing during the week, Monday to |
| | | | Friday. The weekday rates for lift tickets |
| In terms of skis, most ski shops will have a | | | | are reduced at ski resorts, although not as |
| few pair of high-end skis left over from the | | | | much as we would like to see. However, you |
| previous year, but you need to get to the ski | | | | can also opt for a half-day ticket, which |
| shop in late October or early November before | | | | affords an additional savings. This may be |
| they're sold out. Forget the demos, go for | | | | the way to go if you are out just for the |
| last year's skis, which are brand new. | | | | day, and want to practice a new technique or |
| | | | tactic from one of the ski lessons for a |
| In addition, forget about sporting goods | | | | couple of hours. |
| stores, since they only deal with middle of | | | | |
| the road recreational skis. For expert | | | | In addition, during the week the crowds are |
| skiing, you need an all-terrain ski or the | | | | down and lift lines are almost non-existent. |
| closest thing to it. Remember, most ski shops | | | | This means a lot more runs and mileage for |
| only have a limited number of these skis on | | | | the price of your lift ticket, when compared |
| hand at any given time. | | | | to weekend skiing. Besides, when you are out |
| | | | skiing moguls, trees, and steeps, sometimes |
| Select Neutral Colors and Good Quality | | | | you don't want an audience, especially if you |
| Clothes | | | | are experimenting with a new technique or |
| | | | maneuver. |
| In terms of clothing, buy ski jackets and | | | | |
| pants in neutral colors like red, black, and | | | | Brown Bag It |
| blue. These colors will stand the test of | | | | |
| time. Although they are not the fanciest, you | | | | Bring your own food and save on your eating |
| don't need to be fancy to ski in the expert | | | | expenses. You can spend upwards of $8 - $10 |
| zones. | | | | for a full lunch at most ski resorts. By |
| | | | brown bagging it, and supplementing with a |
| Besides, colorful clothes are usually more | | | | bowl of soup or chowder, you can easily get |
| expensive and tend to be trendy. You know, | | | | away with spending just $4 for a complete |
| avant-garde one year, and pushed to the back | | | | meal, depending on what you bring in the bag. |
| of the closest the next year. You don't want | | | | For a twenty-five day ski season, the savings |
| to blow your ski budget on new jackets and | | | | can be appreciable. |
| pants every year, just to fit in. | | | | |
| | | | Moreover, ski resorts serve cafeteria style |
| In addition, buy good quality. This will | | | | food, which you are probably aware of, can be |
| ensure that you get a longer life out of your | | | | quite bad. A hamburger, fries, and a coke, |
| jacket, pants, and gloves. This means you | | | | just isn't going to cut it if you are going |
| save big time over the long haul. | | | | back into the expert zones in the afternoon. |
| | | | Keep the soup or chowder, but jettison the |
| Consider buying your clothes, like your skis | | | | rest. By bringing your own lunch, you'll be |
| and boots, in the spring or fall, not during | | | | saving money, getting the right nourishment, |
| the ski season when the prices are at their | | | | and supplying your body with the energy you |
| highest. If you have a ski show in your area, | | | | need to ski until the lifts close. |