A holiday at a ski resort is affordable. A week-long trip to Austria – tickets and accommodation – costs from 50,000 rubles for one. A vacation in Sochi will cost at least 20,000 ₽ – and only if you’re lucky, you’ll come across a good offer.
Plan ahead
Make plans a year before your vacation. It is during the year that airlines begin selling tickets, and hoteliers offer the lowest prices for accommodation. Find a flight for your vacation, find a free room, and save a lot. If you are not sure that the trip will definitely take place, choose an air ticket with the possibility of exchange or return, or sign up for a “Refundable” rate on OneTwoTrip.
Consider demand and season
When planning your trip, do not forget about holidays and seasonality. The Germans, French and British also love skiing, so during the Christmas holidays the resorts are crowded and expensive.
In order not to languish in line at the ski lift and ski in peace, plan your vacation from January 9 to February 16. Or go during the low season – prices are lower in early December and late March. This way you will save money and have time to catch the extraordinary Christmas atmosphere in Europe at the beginning of December, and enjoy the spring blossoms at the end of March and beginning of April.
Track discounts
If you didn’t plan ahead, wait for sales. Most often they are timed to coincide with holidays. Both airlines and travel agencies organize promotions.
In order not to miss the chance, register on sites for lovers of inexpensive holidays, for example, on the Vinsky forum, pirates.travel, FlyerTalk or НolidayPirates. But be prepared that offers there sell out quickly and sometimes at erroneous rates. Erroneous fares are those that airlines enter incorrectly into the system, resulting in a ticket with a price that is not indicated, for example, a fuel surcharge, being issued. If you purchased such a ticket, it will most likely be valid, but there are cases when the airline will cancel the wrong ticket.
We talk about our promotions on social networks and on the blog.
Buy special tickets
In the winter, check with airlines for free shipping rates for skis, boots and snowboards, otherwise you’ll have to pay extra for oversized luggage.
Be careful: some carriers will have to call after purchasing a special ticket and register the equipment.
Accumulate bonuses
Get a card with travel bonuses. Almost all banks produce these. While you pay for coffee and shopping, accumulate points or miles for airline tickets.
Travel agencies also issue loyalty cards. Bonus programs are different for everyone, so you will probably find a card for yourself. We return up to 10% of the order amount, and with our bonuses you can completely pay for the trip.
Pay your hotel immediately
If you are planning a holiday abroad, do not choose a room with payment upon arrival. Hotels pay in local currency; from the moment of booking, the exchange rate may change and the room will cost more.
When ordering a hotel, look for the words “Pay Now”. This way you will pay at the current rate and reduce the risk to a minimum. In addition, prepaid rooms are cheaper.
Look at the option of free cancellation: some services indicate this, including OneTwoTrip. This way, if your plans change, you won’t lose money.
Don’t pay for transfer
Before you book a room, find out if guests are entitled to a free shuttle to the hotel. Often this service is included in the price. Read the information on the resort website: sometimes there are free buses from the airport.
If you plan to rent a car, go to a rental point away from the resort. The closer the resort, the more expensive the rent will be.
Save on your ski pass
Consider saving on a ski pass. Without going into details, a week of skiing can cost 200 €, so check out the pricing policy.
Look for special promotions on the hotel website, for example, “room + ski pass” or “room + ski passes for two for the price of one.”
If you are going to several resorts, choose a single ski pass for the whole region. Then you won’t have to pay for a new pass every time.
Find out which ski passes are available for each ski area. Not the most experienced skiers need a pass for all slopes.
Please note the validity period of the ski pass. It is sold for an hour, half a day, one or several days. Wholesale is cheaper only if you ride regularly. If you are planning excursions or shopping, take a ski pass with a shorter validity period. Please note that the ski pass is more expensive on weekends. Use it on weekdays, and dedicate Saturday and Sunday to other entertainment.
Don’t rush to rent skis
Don’t buy equipment from the first rental shop you come across. Go around several and compare prices, or better yet, choose a rental location on the Internet in advance based on reviews and price list.
Decide which equipment is right for you. Don’t overestimate yourself: you may not be able to handle professional skis and you will only be wasting your money.
But you shouldn’t skimp on a helmet. In any case, equipment is cheaper than treatment.
Take out insurance
Don’t forget to get insurance. Riding in the mountains is not the same as sunbathing on the beach. And if you get injured, you’ll end up spending more than you think. Insurance will pay for the helicopter to the hospital and treatment costs.
Be careful when taking out and make sure that your policy covers the necessary sports. You can purchase insurance on OneTwoTrip.
