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Getting a great winter holiday deal for your ski break doesn’t end at finding a cheap flight and accommodation package. The next biggest expense is your lift pass, and that's not exactly something you can do without. There are ways of lessening the financial pain, however, and we're happy to share. Timing is Everything It pays to do a little research before you lock in the dates of your winter holiday deal, because, just as with flights and accommodation, you can make savings on your lift pass simply by being a little flexible with your timing. Do you really have to travel in peak season? If the answer is no, you can definitely get a better deal. Many resorts or individual operators offer incentives on lift passes for specific dates as well as early and late in the season. Multi Resort Passes You can often purchase passes that give you access to neighbouring linked resorts or an entire network of pistes at a reduced cost. If you book along with your accommodation package, in many cases you won't have to pay until you arrive at the resort. Apart from a discounted price, other benefits of booking a multi resort pass along with your winter holiday deal is that it will be covered under the Package Travel Regulations, and will be waiting in your chalet when you arrive – which is far more convenient than wasting time having to sort it out on your first ski day. Group Discounts If you're travelling with friends or family, booking your passes at the same time (in one sale) means you'll qualify for a group discount – and the great thing is that a 'group' can be anything from a couple (or two friends) to the entire family or group of mates. Some operators also offer family deals, where parents and teenagers can sometimes ski for the same price as the younger kids. It's worth enquiring if there's any group offers if you purchase lift passes through your package operator before you finalise your booking – you could be in the running for some considerable savings just by asking the question. Bundles If you're planning on renting your equipment or taking some lessons while in the resort, some places offer 'bundles', allowing you to save money on your ski pass by booking tuition or renting gear with them. You can find this information with a little online research, so an investment of time could translate to some decent savings. Skier, Know Thyself You might think that because you got such a great winter holiday deal you'll be out on the slopes all day every day – but being honest with yourself about your abilities can also equate to savings. Could you make do with a half-day afternoon pass instead of a full-day one? Are you really more suited to the beginner slopes than the high-altitude ones? Or, on the other hand, are you planning to nip over to Europe several times for some short-break winter fun? In this case, a season pass could actually end up cheaper than getting a three-day one every time. Apart from making life easier and streamlining your holiday planning, booking your lift pass at the same time as putting all your other arrangements in place can save you a lot of money – making that great winter holiday deal look even more appealing. Belinda Smythson works for Ski Amis, a specialist ski travel agency and booking service that has been helping avid skiers craft their perfect winter holiday for over a quarter of a century. If you're looking for a great winter holiday deal in the Three Valleys, Paradiski, Espace Killy or Chamonix Valley, Ski Amis is the go-to company for winter sports fans searching for the holiday of a lifetime.
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