Tips to Plan a Post-Holiday Ski Trip

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If there’s a secret season for ski travel, it’s the two weeks between New Year’s and the Martin Luther King Jr. long weekend, when the masses have gone back to work and school, and a delightful lull settles across the slopes. If you put off traveling for a ski vacation over the holidays—or you got caught up in the massive crowds that spend the Christmas week vying for fresh powder and want a do-over—now’s the time to make your move. (Or plan for next winter.)
Also Read: The Best Ski-Travel Planning Inspo of the Year
That said, you’re likely not going to be the only one with this brilliant idea, so we’ve gathered some tips to make the most of a post-holiday ski vacation so you can log as much vert as possible and get the best bang for your buck.
Tips to Plan a Post-Holiday Ski Trip
Stay as Close to the Slopes as Possible

There are times to splurge on a ski-in/ski-out condo, and this is one of them. Prices will be (relatively) lower than the past few weeks and demand drops, and you can snag a deal that keeps you off the shuttle buses and out of the parking lots. Bonus: A kitchen with a coffeemaker and other simple amenities will keep you out of the coffee shops and help you save pennies on overpriced breakfast burritos and pastries.
Aim for First Chair

With most people still suffering from holiday burn-out, it’s worth making the extra effort to get out early. This has the dual benefit of avoiding the mid-morning rush as well as getting yourself up and out of the base area before lift lines even have a chance to develop.
Bring Snacks, or Pack a Lunch
If maximizing your ski time is paramount, you need to get smart about fueling up throughout the day. Think easily packable yet filling and energy-sustaining foods, such as beef and cheese sticks, protein bars, and almond-butter packets. If you plan on going in for lunch, we recommend going early, around 11 a.m., while the masses are still working up an appetite.
Get Up and Out of the Base Area ASAP
The smartest thing you can do to ditch the post-holiday masses is to have a plan. The night before your first ski day, study the trail map and make a base-area exit plan. Make a beeline to the furthest reaches of the resort, and get there early. It’ll feel like your own personal terrain pod until the crowds begin to descend, which is your cue to move on. Throughout the day, take note of the less-traveled areas and forgotten lifts—and don’t poo-poo the slow double; you get time to rest your legs and will likely find powder stashes up to a week after the last storm.
Don’t Be Afraid to Take a Hike

One guaranteed way to feel like you’ve got the slopes to yourself is to take a little walk. We’re not talking about backcountry dawn patrol missions, but rather the short, 10- to 20-minute bootpacks that the vast majority of resort skiers either don’t know about or simply aren’t willing to try. We won’t spoil the discovery here, but from the megaresorts down to the local gems, there’s almost always an in-bounds hike to discover—no avy equipment required. Ask a local or a patroller.
Lean Into Après

Restaurants and bars are just coming up for air after the holiday rush dies down, and are likely to be offering January après and happy hour specials to keep business humming. If you got out there early, consider knocking off by 3 to take advantage of the après-ski specials you’re likely to find throughout the village and town. It’s an economical way to enjoy an early dinner so you can hunker down and get back out early again the next morning.
Go With the Flow
The most important thing you can do throughout your vacation is enjoy it. That’s what you’re there for, right? That often means doing away with unrealistic expectations and “Insta” worthy experiences and just being present. If any of this advice—or any other plans you’ve had in mind—doesn’t bear out, that’s ok! You’re there to ski, make memories, and have fun. Be ready to ditch a mindset that leads you astray. Because any day spent on the slopes beats one at your desk, right?
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