6 Ways to Ski Through the Recession

Ski season is here, but while skiing is a blast it’s not exactly a cheap sport. Below, LearnVest’s tips on how to enjoy the slopes and save:

Get a Lift Ticket at Your Desk

Our favorite site for this: Liftopia.com. We scored a pass for Jiminy Peak in Massachusetts for $29 (50% off). Savings: $29.

Fill ‘Er Up

Some gas stations in ski-weather states offer deals, like the buy-one-get-one-free offer from Shell. Savings (if you ski at Monarch Mountain in Colorado):  $46

Buy In Bulk

A one-day pass for Killington in Vermont is $77, but you can buy a four-day pass online for $235. Savings: $73

Get Carded

American Express and AAA members snag great deals. Stay at Alta’s Rustler Lodge and pay with AmEx for two free tickets for two people. Savings: $264

Pack a Lunch

Dining on the mountain costs at least $15 per meal, so make sandwiches with your friends (less than $2 per person) and eat them on the lift. Bonus: Ski through lunchtime, when it’s less crowded. Savings: $13

Cover Yourself

Check your health insurance to make sure it covers costs like evacuation from the mountain. If you lack coverage, consider ski travel insurance. Pay about $25 for up to $25,000 of coverage and save thousands if you take a spill.

The Bottom Line

If you do what’s in this Daily, you save:

$425*

If you invested this amount today and earned an 8% return, you would have $9,233 by retirement.**

That’s LearnVest.

*Not including the potential medical savings if you sign up for ski travel insurance, as suggested.

**If you are 25 today and retire at age 65. We calculated that number here.