THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING

Winter vacations are fun, and much deserved: at the end of a long year, you need to recharge, whether it be at the beach or the snow-capped mountains. However, this is peak tourist season. Prices are soaring, and crowds are thick. Thus can make your supposedly relaxing trip very stressful and expensive. If you want to improve your language skills, you can go to a language school: French course in Montpellier.

But you can help control your expenses and anxiety levels with good planning. Here are 10 tricks to finding discounts and bargains for your winter vacation, wherever that may be.

AVOID THE OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS

In general, winter is considered to be peak tourist season. However, it’s actually divided into 4 mini-seasons. The crowds tend to be much thicker during Christmas and President’s Day. February and March, being school holidays, also draw in a lot of people.

Thus, you are more likely to get good discounts and find better rooms if you book your vacation in November, the first two weeks of December, and January. You can also save a lot of money on resort accommodations by scheduling your trip on the weekday, since businessmen tend to take their vacations from Friday to Sunday.

GO TO THE SMALLER MOUNTAINS OR ISLANDS

Instead of going to the large, famous ski resorts, look for the places that can offer the same level of skiing but may not be spending as much on marketing and publicity. You’ll be spending less, and since they’re not featured in every magazine and talk show in the country, they’re also les crowded. You’ll normally discover these “hidden treasures” in historic towns, or you can go to the Internet for reviews in traveler’s forums. You can also ask travel agencies or look at travel books on a particular country.

The same holds true for those who want to go to the beach. There are luxury islands that charge an arm and a leg, and those that offer similar quality sand and views but for a much lower price. You can also get a lot of discounts by going to a place where the local currency is weak against the euro.

GET A PACKAGE DEAL

Whether you’re headed for a ritzy spa resort or a tiny family-run mountain inn, try to get a package deal. Some places will offer discount packages even during the height of the holiday season. For example, some will offer lower rates during the first three weeks of January. Others wil include free lift tickets or use of the health club, while others drop their rates for weekday stays.

COMMUTE TO THE SKIING AREA

The prices of ski towns are much higher than those tourist accommodations that are even just 10 to 15 minutes away. Consider getting those that are in the general area of the slopes, since they will offer shuttles anyway.

SEARCH THE INTERNET

The web is a treasure trove of discounts and bargains, like combination passes, lift tickets, or group rates for slopeside activities. With enough patience you can find multi day passes, 50% off on weekday stays, and amenities like free dinner buffets or use of the spa.

Is this the first time that you’re buying equipment? Consider renting first, especially if you’re getting it for children. This will let you try on the brand and the model and get a feel for comfort, warmth and durability. You’ll also know what size to get.

Once you have a clearer idea of what kind of gear you want, head for the stores to get the actual size, especially for ski lengths and types, boots, and poll. Even if you decide to buy online (where you can get excellent rates) you know what to order to get a good fit.

If you have more than one child, you may save more in the long run by getting brand new equipment which can be passed down from one sibling to another. You can also sell the equipment when the child outgrows it. If you prefer to buy second hand, then look at ski swaps or stores that specialize in used equipment. This is especially true for children’s equipment, since they were probably not used for very long.

Now what do you need to buy? Start with comfortable and snug ski boots and helmets. Children definitely need this to protect their heads from spills and falls, and some places make it mandatory before letting anyone on the slopes. Earbands and neck warmers keep kids warm, while goggles protect the eyes from sun, snow and wind.

Ski boards and ski polls are also crucial, although children who are below five years old will not need the latter. Be sure to get wrist guards for snow boarders, gloves, and a ski suit. If you are going skiing with very young children you may want to invest in a ski harness. Another practical investment is a lock (one for every one in the family!) to protect equipment from theft.

It’s also important to bring warm and bright clothing. It’s advisable to wear several layers of clothes rather than getting one bulky coat. As for snow suits, look for those that are water proof, wind resistant, and very visible against the snow (red always works). You should also check for wind flaps at the wrists and ankles that help keep out the snow. If you’re buying for kids, make sure you don’t get coats that have drawstrings at the hood, which can be strangling hazards if they get caught on equipment. Sew name tags inside the clothes. They shouldn’t be visible to strangers but can help if kids get lost. And always make sure each child has a map and a hotel brochure inside the coat.

The winter season is a great chance for you and your family to have fun in the outdoors, but you need to take the proper safety precautions.

First of all, never go out without listening to the weather report and then taking the necessary safety precautions. Don’t take foolish risks. If they say that there might be a very strong wind chill or extreme cold, then stay inside the inn or hotel rather than heading far out. And take avalanche warnings seriously! Better safe than sorry.

Second of all, you and your family should be aware of the symptoms of hypothermia, snow blindness and frost bite. You should also know how to treat it in cases of emergency, and provide simple rules for even young children to follow in case they get lost or injured.

Third of all, bundle up. Layer your clothes and wear items that are weather-proof. Be sure that you and your kids have the proper safety gear as well, including helmets, neck guards and mittens. The neck guard should also cover the ears and nose. Avoid any children’s jackets that have draw strings around the neck which can accidentally hook to equipment and pose as a strangling hazard.

Also, you should choose clothes that have a comfortable fit, since very tight clothes can cut off circulation, which increase risks of frost bite. Bright colors are also easier to spot in the snow (save that white winter jacket for city wear).

Fourth of all, it’s best to be indoors by dusk. The lower visibility doubles or even triples the risk of getting lost, and as a tourist you aren’t familiar with the area. This is the same reason why you should avoid taking alcohol before venturing outdoors (have your beer at night, in the safety of your resort restaurant). Fifth, teach children safety measures and be extra vigilant about equipping them with the appropriate safety gear (like helmets and mittens). They should know simple rules like “don’t touch metal when it’s cold” or “don’t throw snow at other people”. What may seem like a harmless snowball fight can end up in injury, since snowballs may have stones or ice chunks that can hurt the eyes (a law suit can put quite a damper on your vacation!). They should never go out without an adult.