| Whistler BC Canada is an exceptional winter | | | | it by November 15, 2008. |
| destination ski resort, but you do not have to pay | | | | What if you can't book your vacation by November |
| exceptionally high prices to enjoy its breathtaking | | | | 15, 2008? You still save 5-20% on tickets |
| beauty and unbeatable terrain diversity. | | | | pre-purchased within 72 hours of picking them in the |
| Whistler is affordable once you know the local | | | | resort. |
| money-saving secrets. Here are 8 local tips for | | | | Tip #5-Be Aware of Date-Driven Promotions & |
| getting maximum Whistler value, while enriching your | | | | Plan Accordingly |
| vacation experience to create beautiful | | | | In addition to early booking incentives, Whistler |
| lifetimememories. | | | | Blackcomb also offers Whistler Discount Discovery |
| Tip #1- Be Date-Flexible | | | | Weeks, when the resort's most popular ski and |
| Most ski vacation destinations have holiday | | | | snowboard programs are 40% off. There are no |
| date-driven pricing grids. Some vacation dates will | | | | booking deadlines to qualify, and the promotion takes |
| cost you more (like New Year's), while, others will | | | | place during the following dates: |
| cost you a lot less. Fortunately, most seasonal price | | | | - Opening - December 19, 2008 |
| fluctuations have little to do with snow conditions, | | | | - January 5 - 23, 2009 |
| and more to do with consumer demand! Whistler is | | | | - February 23 - March 13, 2009 |
| no different. | | | | If you book your vacation to fall within these date |
| What does this mean for you? | | | | ranges, you would save $232 on a 5-day kids ski or |
| You will pay a lot less, get great snow conditions and | | | | snowboard Adventure Camp, or $48/day per adult |
| avoid crowds by planning your vacation around | | | | group lesson. |
| non-peak holiday dates. | | | | Tip #6-Don't Just Focus on Ski-In/Out |
| Here are some of Whistler Blackcomb's best kept | | | | Accommodation |
| secret vacation dates, when you can expect to get | | | | Staying in a Whistler ski-in/out location will cost you a |
| the hill to yourself and get better accommodation | | | | lot more per night, but often does not result in a |
| value: | | | | better ski vacation experience. |
| - Nov. 27 - Dec. 20 2008 | | | | Why? |
| - Jan. 8 - Feb. 6 2009 | | | | Slope side properties tend to be smaller, more |
| - Feb. 23 - Mar. 6 2009 | | | | expensive, and less accessible to Whistler Village. |
| - Mar. 30 - Apr. 8 2009 | | | | Thanks to a fantastic free Whistler shuttle system, |
| Tip #2- Reduce Your Whistler Accommodation Costs | | | | getting to and from the slopes and Whistler Village |
| by Arriving and Departing a Few Days Earlier or Later | | | | from most resort locations is easy, fast and free. |
| During Peak Holiday Periods | | | | You don't have to pay more for the location |
| If you are planning on visiting Whistler during peak | | | | convenience of slope side accommodation to enjoy |
| holiday dates like Christmas, New Years, Spring Break | | | | the benefits of being close to everything, including |
| or Easter, try to arrive and leave day or two earlier | | | | the slopes. |
| or later. This will not affect the total number of days | | | | Take the time to look at ALL accommodation |
| that you enjoy Whistler, but could limit the number | | | | options within a 10-minute walk to the lifts. You will |
| of nights for which you are paying top | | | | often get more square footage, amenities and |
| accommodations dollar in peak holiday season, which | | | | accessibility to Whistler Village conveniences for the |
| can often translate into many hundreds of dollars in | | | | same, or less, money. |
| accommodation savings. | | | | Tip #7-Book Accommodation Directly with Owners |
| Limit the number of nights that you stay in the most | | | | Booking your accommodation directly with owners |
| expensive seasons by adjusting your arrival and | | | | offers you the benefits of wholesale accommodation |
| departure dates to include cheaper seasonal rates. | | | | prices, a personal home, and a personal, locally |
| Tip#3-Plan Vacation Dates Around Lift Ticket | | | | knowledgeable resource person when you need it. |
| Seasonal Pricing Dates | | | | Renting directly from owners enables you to bypass |
| Like accommodations, Whistler lift ticket seasonal | | | | all unnecessary middle agent fees and commissions. |
| price ranges also reflect peak holiday dates. Lift | | | | There are hundreds of Whistler homeowners who |
| tickets cost more during peak holiday periods. | | | | now rent their condos and townhouses privately and |
| In cases where your lift ticket may overlap | | | | directly to Whistler visitors. |
| date-driven price ranges, the total price you pay for | | | | Tip #8-Take the Time to Research Flights |
| a Whistler Blackcomb lift pass is determined by the | | | | With gas prices expected to climb even further, it is |
| date-driven price scale in which your first skiing/riding | | | | worth it to take the time to research flights. Using |
| day falls. | | | | consolidator services like Expedia.com, and offers the |
| Plan your vacation around starting to ski/ride within a | | | | benefit of rapid price comparison and easy online |
| date-driven price range with the lowest lift ticket | | | | bookings. However, you should also check prices for |
| prices, even if you start on the last day of that | | | | booking direct with airlines. You will sometimes get |
| date-driven ticket season price. As long as your first | | | | better deals and seats. Most airlines now offer easy |
| day falls in the best price range, your entire ticket | | | | online bookings and seat selection. Even if there is no |
| price will fall within the cheaper range. | | | | price difference, but you can get better seats, it is |
| For example, the 2008/2009 ticket window price for | | | | worth your effort. |
| a 5 day lift tickets that starts December 12 - 19 | | | | Conclusion |
| inclusive, will cost around $400 CAD. The same 5 day | | | | Although these tips are Whistler BC-specific, they can |
| ticket that starts December 20 - January 2, 2008 will | | | | also be generally applied to any other ski resort |
| cost you around $435 CAD. In this example, if you | | | | destination. They each have their own promotions |
| start skiing/riding on December 20, 2008, your entire | | | | and incentives. |
| lift ticket will cost around $400.00, even though most | | | | Reward yourself with maximum value by taking the |
| of your skiing/riding days will be in the more | | | | time to research pricing and resort promotional |
| expensive season. | | | | programs and try to plan your dates accordingly. |
| Tip #4-Take Advantage of Pre-Booking Incentives | | | | Book directly with owners and local businesses for |
| Whistler Blackcomb heavily rewards customers who | | | | friendly service, local expertise and consumer-direct |
| pre-book their lift tickets online. Pre-purchasing 3 or | | | | value. |
| more day discount Whistler lift tickets for your 2008 | | | | Above all, remember that in the end, vacations are |
| 2009 ski vacation by November 15, 2008 will save | | | | not about how much money you saved, but about |
| you up to 30% on your passes, except for the | | | | whether or not you created a brilliant lifetime |
| Christmas season. | | | | memory with your friends and family. Whistler is an |
| For example, purchasing a 6 day lift ticket starting on | | | | unforgettable place where you can rest, rejoice and |
| December 19, 2008 will reward you with a savings of | | | | renew with your loved ones. Saving money is just |
| approximately $145 CAD, providing that you purchase | | | | the icing on the cake! |