Vail was the most expensive ski destination in the U.S. as of 2013, according to “Business Insider.” Prices drop in the summer months, but winter travelers on a budget can still save money during the peak season when they find discount deals or cheaper alternatives to pricey hotels, restaurants and other costly expenditures.
The season you visit Vail can affect your budget. If you're going there to ski, Go Vail suggests avoiding peak-season price tags by visiting from December 10 to 20, mid-January to President’s Day in February, or late March through early April. December through March is the best time to visit Vail on a ski trip, because there’s no guarantee of snow in November or April. If you arrive by air at Denver International Airport, taking the bus is cheaper than shuttle services to Vail.
Alternatives to hotels include nearby hostels and private home rentals, which also saves on restaurant bills if you cook at home or in a hostel’s kitchen. Hotel room taxes add up to almost 12 percent of the bill in Vail, according to Frommer’s. If you choose a vacation rental, you can save on transportation costs by making sure it’s on Vail’s free shuttle service route. You can also consider less expensive accommodations in nearby cities. About 30 miles from Vail, the Leadville Hostel has dorm-style and private rooms. A more rustic alternative in the White River National Forest is a one-room log cabin called Piney Guard Station about 33 miles from Vail. This facility has a wood stove, two bunk beds and two cots, as well as a vault toilet about 50 feet from the cabin.
Three restaurant meals a day can add up quickly on a vacation. Vail has a Safeway grocery store where you can stock up on cooking supplies if you stay at a hostel or a rented home with a kitchen. If you’re staying at a hotel, bring your own cold breakfast foods such as pastries and fruit. Think sandwiches with ingredients you buy at the grocery store for lunch. Before you come, pack some snacks such as dried fruit and granola bars. Dinner menus tend to be pricier than lunch or breakfast menus.
You can avoid the expense of purchasing items you forgot to pack if you make a list before filling up your suitcase. Check off the items on your list as you pack. You won’t have to bring as many clothes if you choose a hotel or hostel with a coin laundry, or a private home rental with a washer and dryer on the premises. You can also clean your clothes at the Soap’s Up Laundromat in Vail.
Book your accommodations at least two months in advance to secure better rates. Look for ski lift discounts on websites such as Liftopia, Snow.com and On The Snow. You can also find discount coupons on shuttles, area attractions and restaurants can be found at Vail's The Parents Handbook website. Look for copies of the print publication when you arrive in town for any updated deals. Mobile phone coupon smartphone apps offered by websites such as Trippons also offer coupons specific to Vail.
