Super Eco

Photo credit: kalandrakas, flickr

A family member of mine is dropping $3,000 to treat us to four nights at Mammoth Mountain (you know, the one favored by Jessica Simpson). All I can drop is names, apparently. Lucky me. I’ll be paying my way by buying and cooking all the tummy-warming ski grub at the posh ski-in, ski-out pad. Not a bad trade-off, compared to shelling out 695 smackers a night.

Thank heaven eating on the cheap isn’t the only way to save money on the slopes, given the high cost of lessons for my three miniature Flying Tomatoes. Here's the skinny on ski tripping without breaking the bank:

1. Stay close, but not too close. It’s remarkably cheaper to stay near ski resorts, not actually “on the mountain” in a vacation rental-by-owner, like we are for God-knows-why. At least you’ll save on gas money going to and from the lift if you score a ski-in, ski-out.

2. Munch cheap. DIY cooking is your best bet whether you’re staying in a hotel or at a ski lodge. Avoid overpriced (and often junky, additive-loaded) lodge food whenever possible. Plan ahead and whip up your own three healthy squares instead.

3. Don't peak. The cheapest ski resort deals are available outside of peak season—at the beginning of the ski season and at the tail end. Thinner crowds and shorter lines get you more runs for your buck—and your patience.

4. Ski the Net for discounts and coupons. Sites like Liftopia.com, SkiCoupons.com and OnTheSnow.com offer ski lift tickets at up to half the box-office price.

5. Frugal your fashion. Forget brand-new designer skiwear and equipment. They add up quickly, don't always last, and they're a bad investment for people like me who only ski once or twice a year. My policy is borrow, don't buy. My kids will be plenty warm and protected in their friends' and cousins' recycled snow boots and jackets. You can get away with hand-me-downs when little skiers are still too young to know the difference.

While you're stacking up slope savings, check out our "Skiing greener slopes" post to see how your local ski resort stacks up environmentally. Oh, and don't break a leg.