Skip to content

Top Navigation

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Trip Inspiration
  • Plan Your Trip
  • World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises
  • Travel Tips
  • News
  • Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Explore

    Explore

    • World's Best

      World's Best

      The greatest islands, cities, hotels, cruise lines, airports, and more — as voted by you. Read More
    • The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2021

      The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2021

      Whether you're traveling solo or planning a family vacation, here are the 50 best places to visit in 2021. Read More
    • Let's Go Together Podcast

      Let's Go Together Podcast

      Start listening to T+L's brand new podcast, Let's Go Together! Hosted by Kellee Edwards. Read More
  • Trip Inspiration

    Trip Inspiration

    • Trip Ideas
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Spring Travel
    • Summer Travel
    • Fall Travel
    • Winter Travel
    • Solo Travel
    • Romantic Getaways
    • Luxury Travel
    • Beach Vacations
    • Adventure Travel
    • Road Trips
    • Family Travel
    • National Parks
    • Holiday Travel
    • Travel Photography
    • Photo of the Day
    • Culture and Design
  • Plan Your Trip

    Plan Your Trip

    Norwegian Cruise Line Will Require Vaccinations for All Passengers and Crew

    Norwegian Cruise Line Will Require Vaccinations for All Passengers and Crew

    Norwegian Cruise Line hopes to resume sailing out of the U.S. on or around July 4.
    • Travel Deals
    • Attractions
    • BookTandL.com
    • Amusement Parks
    • Festivals and Events
    • Bus and Trains
    • Flight Deals
    • Budget Travel
    • Hotels and Resorts
    • Disney Vacations
    • Airlines and Airports
    • Ground Transportation
    • Travel Guides
  • World's Best

    World's Best

    • Top Hotels
    • Top Cities
    • Top Islands
    • Domestic Airlines
    • International Airlines
    • Tours
    • Safaris
    • See All World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises

    Cruises

    • Find A Cruise
    • Caribbean Cruises
    • River Cruises
    • European Cruises
    • All-Inclusive Cruises
    • Family Cruises
    • Alaskan Cruises
    • Disney Cruises
    • See All Cruise Vacations
  • Travel Tips

    Travel Tips

    • Travel Trends
    • Packing Tips
    • Points + Miles
    • Budgeting + Currency
    • Customs + Immigration
    • Responsible Travel
    • Travel Etiquette
    • Travel Warnings
    • Weather
    • Mobile Apps
    • See All Travel Tips
  • News

    News

    • Wellness
    • Celebrity Travel
    • Animals
    • Jobs
    • Offbeat
    • See All News
  • Food + Drink

    Food + Drink

    • Restaurants
    • Wine
    • Beer
    • Cocktails + Spirits
    • Bars + Clubs
    • Celebrity Chefs
    • Cooking + Entertaining
    • Food Fairs + Festivals
    • World's Best Restaurants
    • See All Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories

    Travel Accessories

    • Travel Bags
    • Shoes
    • Travel Tech
    • Shopping
    • Style
    • Gift Guides
    • See All Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

LIVE
  1. Home
  2. Trip Ideas
  3. Ski Trips
  4. Why You Should Book Your Ski Trip by the End of August

Why You Should Book Your Ski Trip by the End of August

By Talia Avakian
August 23, 2017
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
the alps
Credit: Getty Images/Geir Pettersen
If you’re looking to score the best winter deals and ensure you have a choice in top accommodations when it comes to your next ski getaway, you’ll want to book your trip by the end of August.

According to mountain vacation package site Ski.com, booking a ski trip by the end of the month ensures that you’ll be able to get the best deals on accommodations, flights, and lift tickets. The site reported it is currently seeing savings of up to 40 percent for lodging options at popular destinations like Whistler and Vail when booked by August 31. 

This time frame also ensures ski enthusiasts are able to secure ski-in, ski-out accommodations, which the company said can be some of the first to get sold out.

Related:74 Getaways to Make You Love Winter

“There’s a finite number of prime hotels and condos, as well as a finite number of flights that go into these typically smaller airports in the mountains,” Dan Sherman, vice president of marketing at Ski.com, told Travel + Leisure. “People often wait until they get into winter mode to start shopping for their holiday vacations ... and at that point, it’s too late for many resorts.”

If you’re wondering which winter wonderland to explore next, here are 12 locations around the globe offering prime deals and top-notch amenities for those looking to book early.
Start Slideshow

1 of 12

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Whistler, British Columbia

whistler canada
Credit: Getty Images/stockstudioX

Whistler Blackcomb is already popular thanks to the 8,171 skiable acres it provides. The area is also known for its high-end lodging, most of which can sell out fast.

While the destination is already a hotspot, Ski.com predicts it will be in even higher demand this year since skiers can now take advantage of the Epic Pass — which offers unrestricted access to 15 different North American resorts and 30 different European resorts — at this location.

Whistler Blackcomb will also be raising the price for its EDGE card, which gives you five days of access to the resort and limited access to participating Vail Resorts in Colorado, Utah, and Lake Tahoe, on September 4, meaning you're guaranteed the lowest price if you purchase before that date.

Ski.com is also offering up to 40 percent off lodging at the resort when you book before August 31.

1 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 12

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Aspen, Colorado

snow mass aspen
Credit: Courtesy of Daniel Bayer

Aspen offers four ski mountains to choose from, and an eclectic après-ski scene that includes pop-up champagne bars and daytime parties at locations like Cloud 9, but it's the flights you'll want to watch out for when planning a trip.

“There’s not a mountain airport that’s more convenient than Aspen,” Sherman said. “It’s about three miles from Aspen and the runway ends across the street from the half pipe where the X games take place, but while it has a lot of service for a mountain airport, it’s an expensive route and airlines yield that price regularly."

Booking early can help you snag lower flight prices, as well as you give you more options on flight times and seats.

2 of 12

3 of 12

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Hokkaido, Japan

hokkaido japan
Credit: Getty Images/Jeremy Woodhouse

Japan has also become a destination of growing interest for winter enthusiasts, with heavy snowfalls that make for prime skiing terrain.

According to Sherman, January is a top time for U.S. skiers to head to Japan thanks to the high likelihood of deep snow, with industry professionals even nicknaming the trend “Japanuary.” Booking early will help to guarantee you won’t miss out on the top spots if you’re looking to head to the destination during this time.

3 of 12

Advertisement

4 of 12

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Telluride, Colorado

telluride ski resort
Credit: Getty Images/Doug Berry

In Telluride, Colorado, skiers and boarders alike are treated to views of the San Juan Mountains and open, often crowd-free slopes.

When it comes to accommodations, visitors can choose from ski-in, ski-out lodges and resorts at Mountain Village or in the former mining town of Telluride.

Those looking to access the ski-in, ski-out properties should book their trips before September, as these are the first to go, according to Sherman.

4 of 12

5 of 12

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Vail, Colorado

vail ski resort
Credit: Getty Images/Jack Affleck

Vail is known as one of the largest ski resort towns in the world, offering more than 5,200 acres of developed ski and snowboarding terrain and Black Bowls that extend for seven miles.

The destination has been a regular winter stop for snow enthusiast for years, which is why Ski.com recommends booking now to ensure not just a prime spot, but any spot in Vail, as accommodations here can sell out quick.

Vail is also one of the locations where the Epic Pass applies, so once again booking before September guarantees you the lowest price on the pass. The resort is currently hosting a flash sale of up to 40 percent off of lodging when booked by August 25, while Ski.com also has various deals offering up to 35 percent off lodging when booked by September 1.

5 of 12

6 of 12

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Deer Valley, Utah

deer valley
Credit: Courtesy of Eric Schramm

Open for skiers only, Deer Valley is renowned for its luxurious touches that include uniformed ski valets and even complimentary tissues handed out in lift lines.

The resort limits its number of daily lift tickets to around 8,000 skiers to ensure a lack of big crowds, meaning you’ll want to book early to secure your spot, while famed dinner at locations like Fireside Dining, where everything from meats to cheese are cooked directly over a burning fire, also fill up earlier on in the year.

6 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 12

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Breckenridge, Colorado

breckenridge
Credit: Courtesy of Jeff Scroggins

The ski resort town of Breckenridge stretches across five different peaks that include the highest chairlift in North America, the Imperial Express, which takes skiers a whopping 12,840 feet into the air.

Since it’s near Denver, the location is a popular weekend destination for locals, according to Sherman, and you can expect prices on accommodations to increase based on demand.

Breckenridge is also part of the Epic Pass route, so booking now will get you the lowest rate on the pass before prices rise on September 4. Meanwhile, the resort is also having a flash sale starting at $99 per night for bookings made before August 25.

Ski.com is also offering up to 25 percent off of lodging for bookings made by August 31.

7 of 12

8 of 12

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

jackson hole
Credit: Courtesy of Ski.com

While the Jackson Hole Airport is located near the resort and provides regular service, the routes can get pricey the longer you wait, according to Sherman, and the accommodations located in the popular base area of the resort at Teton Village can sell out fast.

Those who book soon can take advantage of two free days of skiing and another deal offering $300 in flight credits before October 31.

Finally, a Grand Pass sale is offering unlimited half-price lift tickets at 16 partnering destinations and five 50 percent off passes at affiliate resorts. Prices for the pass will go up on September 1.

8 of 12

9 of 12

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Crested Butte, Colorado

crested butte ski resort
Credit: Getty Images/Steve Mason

Crested Butte is home to 1,547 acres of skiable terrain, with over half of the mountain offering runs for intermediate and beginner skiers.

Crested Butte is also surrounded by 1.7 million acres of the Gunnison National Forest, allowing for additional activities that include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and biking.

$300 in flight credits is currently on offer for those flying into the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport on a first-come, first-serve basis, and you can also bundle the deal with lodging promotions of up to 30 percent off, available until September 15.

9 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 12

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Revelstoke, British Columbia

hell skiing
Credit: Courtesy of Dan Stewart

Revelstoke is popular today for those looking to experience heli skiing, with 500,000 acres of exclusive terrain to enjoy.

Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing caters to the area, though these heli trips have limited inventory, so you’ll need to book rather quickly, according to Sherman. In addition, Revelstoke is offering up to 44 percent off lift tickets when you book your vacation by August 31.

10 of 12

11 of 12

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Steamboat Springs, Colorado

steamboat springs colorado
Credit: Getty Images/THEPALMER

According to Ski.com, Steamboat has some of the most affordable ski-in, ski-out condos on the market, with terrain for skiers of all levels to explore.

Steamboat’s airport is tiny and has limited flights, so you’ll need to book early if you’re looking to avoid last-minute price hikes, according to Sherman.

If you book lodging by the end of August, you could also save 15 percent on a stay during the week of Christmas.

11 of 12

12 of 12

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The Alps

the alps
Credit: Getty Images/Geir Pettersen

The Alps have long been a winter playground for those traversing Europe, with countries like Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, and Switzerland all offering summer and winter activities of their own.

According to Ski.com's flight department, travelers tend to book flights to the destination as soon as the inventory is released, which can be as early as February of the year before. So, while the top price deals for these destinations have likely already passed, if you’re still looking to book a ski trip here, you’ll want to do it now since fares will continue to be on the rise.

12 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Talia Avakian

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 12 Whistler, British Columbia
    2 of 12 Aspen, Colorado
    3 of 12 Hokkaido, Japan
    4 of 12 Telluride, Colorado
    5 of 12 Vail, Colorado
    6 of 12 Deer Valley, Utah
    7 of 12 Breckenridge, Colorado
    8 of 12 Jackson Hole, Wyoming
    9 of 12 Crested Butte, Colorado
    10 of 12 Revelstoke, British Columbia
    11 of 12 Steamboat Springs, Colorado
    12 of 12 The Alps

    Share options

    Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
    Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Sitemap
    • Travel Guide Sitemap

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletters
    Travel + Leisure Group
    Other Meredith Sites

    Other Meredith Sites

    • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
    • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
    • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
    • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
    • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
    • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
    • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
    • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
    • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
    • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
    • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
    • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
    • Health this link opens in a new tab
    • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
    • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
    • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
    • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
    • More this link opens in a new tab
    • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
    • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
    • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
    • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
    • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
    • Parents this link opens in a new tab
    • People this link opens in a new tab
    • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
    • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
    • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
    • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
    • Shape this link opens in a new tab
    • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
    • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
    • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
    MeredithTravel + Leisure is part of the Travel + Leisure Group. Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. Travel + Leisure is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation Travel + Leisure Group All Rights Reserved, registered in the United States and other countries. Travel + Leisure may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.travelandleisure.com

    View image

    Why You Should Book Your Ski Trip by the End of August
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.