🎿 The $500 Ski Mistake I Don't Want You to Make This Winter

Hey Ski Fam,

I have a confession. I've spent more money on ski trips than I care to admit, and not all of it went toward skiing. 😂

I've paid too much for lift tickets, booked rooms I didn't need and bought gear that looked great in the store but turned out to be a terrible idea on the mountain.

And don't even get me started on the cost of feeding a family at a ski resort. Apparently, a cheeseburger tastes better when you're wearing ski boots because it sure costs more. 🍔

Here's what I've learned after years on the slopes.

The most costly ski mistakes often happen before we even leave home.

With Mammoth planning to open November 13 and Big Bear selling winter lift tickets for dates starting November 21, we're getting close to the time when those little mistakes can add up.

And while $500 isn't some magic number, it's not hard to see how a bad hotel booking, unused lift ticket or wrong gear purchase could eat through that much money.

So before we all start throwing cash at winter like kids in a candy store, I want to share five things I'm doing to keep more money in my pocket this season. 🎿

💰 1. Stop Buying Lift Tickets Like You're Buying Coffee

This is one of the easiest ways to spend more than you need to.

You wake up, see snow on the mountains and decide it's time to ski. Great! Then you go online, buy a lift ticket and try not to look at the total. 😂

I love a last-minute powder day as much as anyone. But buying tickets at the last minute can cost more than planning ahead.

Many ski resorts use prices that change based on the day and demand. Busy weekends and holidays can cost more, while some advance tickets and midweek dates may offer better value.

My rule is simple. If I know I'm going skiing on a certain date, I check the ticket price early. I also look at multi-day tickets and season passes before I buy.

But there's a catch. I never buy a ticket just because it looks cheap. I check the refund rules, blackout dates and whether I can change my plans.

A cheap ticket you never use isn't a deal. It's a donation to the ski resort. 😂

🏨 2. Don't Book a Ski Hotel Before You Read This

I know how this goes. You see a nice room in Mammoth, picture yourself drinking coffee while snow falls outside and hit the book button.

Three weeks later, the weather looks awful, your ski buddy can't go and that room is nonrefundable.

Congratulations. You've just paid for a lovely weekend in a hotel room you won't be sleeping in. 😂

This is why I pay close attention to cancellation rules, especially early in the season when snow can be hit or miss.

Mammoth has November 13 on the calendar, but opening dates and available terrain still depend on weather and conditions.

And Big Bear's November 21 date is only the earliest possible start, not a promise that the lifts will be running.

If I'm booking a trip this far out, I want to know:

• 🏨 Can I cancel without a fee?

• 📅 When is the last day to cancel?

• 💳 Is the room paid in full or just held with a deposit?

• ❄️ What happens if the mountain doesn't open as planned?

Sometimes a room with a higher price and a good cancellation policy is the smarter buy.

I'd rather spend a few more dollars on peace of mind than lose hundreds because Mother Nature decided to sleep in. 😂

🥾 3. Check Your Ski Gear Before You Buy Anything New

Every October, I get the same urge. I want new ski gear.

New gloves. New goggles. Maybe a jacket. And those shiny skis in the shop window? Don't even look at me. 😂

But before I spend a dime, I pull out what I already own.

Last year's gear may be just fine. Or it may need a little care, a tune or a new part.

I check the skis, boots, bindings, goggles and gloves. I also look at the kids' gear because children seem to grow three inches every time I put their ski boots in the closet.

Here's my quick October check:

• 🎿 Skis: Do the edges and bases need work?

• 🥾 Boots: Do they still fit, and are the buckles in good shape?

• 🧤 Gloves: Are they dry, warm and still a pair?

• 🥽 Goggles: Are the lenses scratched?

• 🧥 Jackets: Do the zippers work, and does everything still fit?

• 👧 Kids' gear: What can we reuse, trade or buy secondhand?

I also have a ski shop check my bindings when needed. That's one place I don't try to save money by guessing.

The goal isn't to avoid buying new gear. It's to avoid buying things we don't need.

Because nothing hurts quite like buying a new pair of gloves and finding your perfectly good old pair two days later. 😂

🚗 4. The Cheapest Ski Day Isn't Always the Closest One

Living in Southern California gives us some great choices. We can head to Big Bear, Mountain High or make the longer trip to Mammoth.

But I learned a long time ago that the cheapest lift ticket doesn't always mean the cheapest ski day.

There's gas, food, parking, lodging and all the little costs that sneak up on you.

A day trip may save you the price of a hotel, but a long drive can also leave you tired before you even click into your skis.

When I'm planning a ski day, I look at the whole trip.

I ask myself how much time I'll spend driving, how much skiing I'll get and whether I can avoid a costly meal or overnight stay.

I pack snacks, fill my water bottle and check the road conditions before leaving.

And yes, I bring coffee. Lots of coffee. ☕😂

Sometimes the smartest trip is the one close to home. Other times, a longer trip with friends and shared costs makes more sense.

I don't want the cheapest lift ticket. I want the best ski day for my money.

🎿 5. Don't Buy a Season Pass Based on Your Fantasy Ski Life

Oh, this one hits close to home.

Every fall, I become a much more ambitious skier in my head.

I'm going to ski every weekend. I'm going to chase every storm. I'm going to wake up at 4 a.m. with a smile on my face and never complain about traffic.

Then real life shows up. 😂

Work gets busy. Kids get sick. The weather doesn't play along. And suddenly that pass I was sure I'd use 20 times has only seen five days on snow.

Season passes can be a great deal. But only if you use them enough.

Before buying one, I do a little math.

I look at the full pass price, the resorts it covers and how many days I truly expect to ski. Then I compare that with the cost of buying tickets for those days.

I also check blackout dates and any perks that could save me money.

Most of all, I try to be honest with myself.

Not Fantasy Sasha, who skis every weekend and somehow has no laundry.

Real Sasha, who has a job, a family and a calendar that doesn't always care how much snow fell overnight. 😂

❄️ The Big Lesson

Here's what I want you to remember as we get ready for winter.

Skiing is already an expensive sport. We don't need to make it cost more by rushing into bad choices.

And the good news is that we still have time.

Mammoth is aiming for November 13. Big Bear has winter tickets listed from November 21, though its opening date is still up to the weather.

That gives us a few weeks to check our gear, look at ticket options, compare passes and make plans without getting caught up in the rush.

I'm not saying we should turn every ski trip into a math problem. Where's the fun in that?

I'm saying a little planning now can mean more days on snow later.

And that's what I really care about.

Not the fanciest hotel. Not the newest skis. Not the most costly jacket on the chairlift.

I want more mornings with cold air on my face, more turns with friends and more days when the only thing on my mind is which run we're taking next. ⛷️❄️

Save your cash for the mountain, not your mistakes. 🎿

Now I want to hear from you. What's the biggest money mistake you've ever made on a ski trip? Hit reply and tell me. I have a feeling we've all got a few good stories, and maybe we can save each other a few bucks this winter. 😂

– Sasha Everett ⛷️❄️

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