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A heavy blanket of fresh snow is like "surf's up" for surfers, "the schools running" for people who fish, or "winds up" for sailors. When the snow flies, my winter loving family pleads to hit the slopes. With the rising cost of lift tickets, equipment, clothing, food, lodging and gas, the luxury sports of skiing and snow boarding need economic overhauls.
Climate change isn't the only thing causing a meltdown of the ski industry. The economic downturn hit the ski industry hard.The Rocky Mountain News reported:
"Piles of fresh snow couldn't hide the fact that the sour economy is taking its toll on Colorado's largest ski resort operator. Vail Resorts said Friday that total skier visits at the company's five mountain resorts from the day that lifts opened to Jan. 4 fell 5.8 percent for the season-to-date period based on preliminary results. Lift ticket revenue booked a decline of 7.5 percent. Vail said the difference was due in part to increased visits from season pass holder."
WATCH VIDEO: Green My Slopes
While the ski resorts may be reporting weak sales of season tickets and lower than average advance bookings, I've been out on the slopes of Vermont and New York and have found enthusiasm hasn't waned for snow sports. Folks just seem to know that they need to change the way they ski.
How are the non-independently wealthy folks doing it? Well, sharpen those ski's and wax that board, here are...
10 Tips to Stretch an Eco-Skiers Budget
1.Ski Local
Ski the lesser-known ski areas during the mid-week for the best rates. At Catamount Ski (a small ski area where my family skied for years) a midweek/non-holiday lift is less than $20. Nearby, at the popular Hunter Mountain, a midweek lift ticket goes for over $50. Compared to Vail that weighs in at $98 a day, most other area lift tickets are a steal.
2.Recycle
Buying ski/snowboard equipment and ski clothes at ski swaps, consignment stores or lease/buyback programs turn trash into treasures. Here's a program in Colorado for buying and selling used equipment. The non-reusable equipment is shredded to make eco- friendly products like decking and furniture.
3. Get Involved
Start a ski program at your school. Group rates for lessons and lift tickets are deeply discounted. I coordinated our schools ski/snowboard program. My whole family and all of our chaperones skied for free all season.
4. Join a Ski Club
Ski clubs offer discounts to their participants and free skiing for the trip leaders.
5. Kids Ski for Free
Many states provide free skiing for kids. New York and Colorado offer 4th, 5th or 6th graders free lift tickets.
6. Get Certified
Teach skiing. Training with Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) is fun and rewarding. One of my children became an instructor and taught skiing and snowboarding. For her efforts she received a season pass, a highly coveted ski jacket, free use of equipment and a paycheck.
7. Volunteer To Help Others
Many ski areas have adaptive ski programs. You do not need to be PSIA certified and the intensive training sessions take less time than PSIA certification. Adaptive teachers get incentives such as free lift tickets, skis, meals and the reward of truly making a difference in lives of those physically handicapped.
8. Work
For a free season pass, skiers and boarders who are willing to work weekends, have their pick of job opportunities. Most ski resorts have job listings on their websites. Cool Works has many ski and snowboard related jobs.
9. Bring Food
The food in most base lodges is over-processed and massively overpriced. Last week, I forgot my lunch and spent $4.50 for a cup of yogurt. Here are some tasty and healthy ski snacks.
10. Cross Train With Cross-Country Skiing
Try cross-country skiing. There's no lift ticket required to head out your back door and straight into nature.
Barter Your Skills and Trade Beer For a Lift Ticket
Economic times may be tough, but with some creativity, beer and sharp bartering skills, you may be able to ski and ride cheaply all season. The barter system is alive and well in many ski areas and in ski/snowboard shops across the US. Before you show up with your latest homemade brew, make sure you use proper ski barter etiquette.
Read our Save Our Slopes feature for more green and money-saving ideas
Check out my next post about the latest DIY trend - making winter sports items. Or, get started right away with these DIY gifts for skiers and snowboarders.
More sustainable ski and snowboard:
6 Ways To Green Your Snowboard Trip
Reuses For Old Skis
Top 10 Green Skis for Your Eco-Friendly Ski Trip
How To Go Green: Skiing and Snowboarding
