Skiing on a college budget...

As most of you know, a lack of money hardly keeps people away from their addictions; and needless to day, skiing can be a serious addiction and drain your savings in half a season. Having just left college but having a serious need to ski sent me on a hunt for deals to keep the cost of the season down last year, and I indeed lucked out! So from one skier to many others, I would love to share some tips that you may or may not know.

Last December I stumbled upon CBS Local Deals and bought a deal for $150 for a two night stay at the Mountain Meadows Lodge, an adorable little bed and breakfast directly across from the Killington access road. They don't update the site too often, but I signed up to get emails from both their New York and Boston deals in hopes of coming across something similar this season...I have also signed up for Groupon, Living Social, and BuyWithMe as they also tend to have lodging deals in New England.



On another trip up to Vermont (actually first weekend in December because I couldn't wait any longer), we actually stayed in Keene NH for less than $90/night. Sure it was a drive to get to the Southern Vermont resorts, but I like to think we saved some money on the room...

Then of course are the local deals at mountains we're all familiar with. If you act now before the temperatures hit freezing, you really do get some of the best deals. If you're like me and can't really afford the large purchase of a season pass, frequent skier passes (Hunter's BLC and Camelback's CamelCard) are the way to go. Check for them now as they should be available this month at the lowest prices. I enjoyed Camelback's card the best because every 3rd ticket was free.

Here's a list of some of the other ones that I came across throughout the season (and by came across I mean researched while I should have been doing much more important things). Of course, these were all as per last season and might change this year:

Mount Peter - $10 Tickets on Tuesdays with any (literally any) club card. I used my AAA.
Belleayre Mountain - $20 Wednesdays and $25 Fridays!
Windham - $35 weekday lift tickets for college ID
Bear Creek - $20 lift ticket Mondays with college ID
Holiday Mountain - Wednesday $14 1-5pm lift tickets for men OR carload evening 5-9pm: (2 people):$21 per person (3-5people) $17per person (6 or more): $12 per person
Elk Mountain - $20 College ID Wednesdays
Shawnee – CHECK BACK FOR COUPON UPDATE
Plattekill Mountain - $15 lift tickets Jan 26,27,28…Jan 7, Feb 4, March 4, (First 100, $15 tickets)…Non-Holiday (w/ college ID) Fridays only $20!
Thunder Ridge – Monday-Thursday lift tickets $20…Ticket/Lesson/Rental $70
Jack Frost/Big Boulder - $25 lift tickets (college ID) wednesdays
Whiteface: On Wednesdays,  Present an empty Coke product container and get a ski lift ticket for $38.

If anyone else found any more deals, please feel free to add them to the list! I need to find more weekend deals as I have a real job now, so anything will help...

The picture was from a random squall that hit as we were arriving in Killington at the Mountain Meadows Lodge after skiing at Okemo for the day...what a wonderful welcoming!

Magic Mountain - $150 season pass with valid student credentials.

free