Question 1

What type of company are you?

Accepted Answer

Ski Trip Advisors is an independent mountain vacation company. Our Vacation Specialists plan and book trips to the major western ski resorts, from a single airport shuttle to a complete vacation.

Question 2

Are you affiliated with a resort or parent company?

Accepted Answer

No. We're privately owned and independent, so we work for you, not a resort company. We recommend the lodging and services that fit your trip best.

Question 3

Where are you located?

Accepted Answer

Our main office is in Fort Collins, Colorado, in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Some of our Vacation Specialists work remotely around the country, so ask yours where they're based. If you're nearby, we'd love to meet in person.

Question 4

How do I know I can trust you?

Accepted Answer

We've been in business for 25 years and have been named Partner of the Year by resorts including Telluride and Aspen Snowmass. We hold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and are accredited by ARC (Airlines Reporting Corporation), which requires strict financial, operational and security standards. Our resort and lodging partners are happy to vouch for us.

Question 5

Why book through you instead of booking direct?

Accepted Answer

Our planning help costs you nothing, and you get one point of contact for the whole trip. Our Vacation Specialists average more than 20 years in the industry. They know the mountains and the properties, and they know where the best deals are.

Question 6

How do you keep prices low?

Accepted Answer

Because of the number of guests we send our partners, we get special rates that aren't available to the general public, and we pass those savings on to you. Bundling lodging, lift tickets and rentals saves even more. Every booking is backed by our Low Price Promise.

Question 7

What resorts do you book?

Accepted Answer

All major ski resorts in North America, except the East Coast.

Question 8

What can you book for me?

Accepted Answer

• Lodging and lift tickets
• Ski and snowboard rentals, plus ski school
• Airport shuttles and car rentals
• Travel insurance
• Snowmobiling, dog sledding and tubing, even dinner reservations

Plan your whole trip with us, or just one piece of it.

Question 9

Do you work with travel agents?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Commissions are available on most products, with a standard package commission of 10%. Contact us to talk through a specific itinerary.

Question 10

What does "3 of 5 days" mean in lift ticket pricing?

Accepted Answer

The first number is how many days you can ski, and the second is the window you have to use them in. The window starts the first time your ticket is scanned in a lift line. If you start a 3 of 5 day ticket on Monday, you can ski any three days from Monday through Friday.

Question 11

Is "ski-in/ski-out" always right on the slopes?

Accepted Answer

It can mean different things to different people. A property may call itself ski-in/ski-out and still be 50 yards from the slopes. We've visited the properties, so we can tell you exactly how far your lodging is from the lifts, a favorite restaurant, downtown or whatever matters most to your group. When in doubt, just ask us.

Question 12

Can I plan a ski vacation on a budget?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely, but it takes planning, and that's where we can help. An Epic or Ikon Pass is a great place to start. It typically cuts the cost of getting on the mountain by more than 50%. If you're willing to stay a little farther from the slopes and use the shuttle, you'll stretch your savings even further. Traveling outside peak periods can also save you quite a bit on lodging.

Question 13

What are the best resorts for families?

Accepted Answer

The best family resorts offer beginner-friendly terrain, a strong ski school, things for kids to do off the slopes and lodging that's easy to get around from. Our top picks:
• Snowmass, Colorado: Wide, gentle runs, plenty of slopeside lodging and a village built with families in mind.
• Beaver Creek, Colorado: A highly regarded ski school, well-groomed beginner runs and warm chocolate chip cookies at the base every afternoon.
• Telluride, Colorado: A free gondola connecting town and Mountain Village, slopes that are rarely crowded and a top-notch ski school.
• Steamboat, Colorado: "Ski Town, U.S.A.," with deep snow, a great ski school and off-mountain fun like hot springs and tubing.
• Breckenridge, Colorado: A historic mining town with lots to do after skiing and terrain for every ability.
• Park City, Utah: A huge ski area with lots of family-friendly lodging, a fun historic Main Street and an excellent ski school.
• Northstar, California: A relaxed, walkable village with an ice-skating rink and a great kids' ski program.

Question 14

What's the best way to get to the resort once I land?

Accepted Answer

It depends on how far the resort is from the airport and how many people are traveling with you.

From some airports, a rental car can be a good value, as long as your lodging includes free parking. Parking in ski towns is often hard to find, and parking passes can be pricey. A car is most worth it if you're staying somewhere without shuttle access, or if you want the freedom to visit more than one resort on your trip. If you're staying at the resort, almost all of them have a great shuttle system, so you really don't need a car.

Most airports have a shared shuttle to the resort. You ride with other travelers, usually from your same flight, and the shuttle makes several stops, but it's affordable. With five or more travelers, a private shuttle just for your group is usually the most cost-effective option, and it's a great choice if you'd like to stop for groceries along the way.

Question 15

When is the best time to book, and how early can I book?

Accepted Answer

Most deals for the next season come out around April, and that's when a lot of travelers book. It's also when Epic and Ikon passes sell at their lowest prices of the year. Many resorts now use dynamic pricing, so the longer you wait, the higher prices climb.

Question 16

How do I receive what I booked?

Accepted Answer

About 7 to 14 days before you leave, we email your travel documents with your check-in details and confirmation numbers. You don't need vouchers or paper tickets. Everything is handled by confirmation number or name:
• Lodging: give your confirmation number and show a photo ID at check-in.
• Lift tickets: pick them up at will call or a pickup kiosk with your confirmation number.
• Ski rentals: bring your confirmation to the rental shop.
• Airport shuttles: just give the driver your name.
• Car rentals: show your confirmation and driver's license at the rental counter.

Question 17

What if I have a problem during my trip?

Accepted Answer

Call us. Your Vacation Specialist is your one point of contact before, during and after your trip, and our after-hours emergency line is there when the office is closed. We'll work with our partners to get your vacation back on track quickly.

Question 18

Do you have other websites?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our online store at shop.skitripadvisors.com lets you book lift tickets, season passes, rentals, ski school, airport shuttles and more any time. For summer skiing in the Andes, visit SouthAmericaSkiVacations.com.

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