Getting out on the slopes is top of mind for many skiers, as snow reports start rolling in and resorts around the country are approaching the opening dates for the 2025/2026 season.

Starting early is one of the easiest ways to simplify ski trip planning, because ski trips require a lot of work ahead of time to make sure they run smoothly. Even then, planning a ski vacation can feel overwhelming.

Between choosing the right resort, finding lodging, arranging lift tickets, booking rentals, and scheduling lessons, it’s easy to get lost in the details. That’s where a ski vacation planner or ski travel consultant can help.

If you think that hiring a vacation planner will add a lot to your trip costs, you might be surprised. A professional planner not only saves time but often helps you avoid hidden fees and unexpected costs—all while creating a vacation tailored to your needs.

Is DIY Ski Trip Booking Really Cheaper?

It’s tempting to book everything yourself, especially when a nightly rate on Airbnb or Expedia looks noticeably lower at first glance.

And in some cases, it can be. If you’re flexible with destinations, dates, and lodging style, DIY booking may work well, particularly outside of peak periods. But during holidays, long weekends, and prime ski weeks, prices rise quickly. That’s where the true cost of a ski trip often gets overlooked.

What many travelers don’t factor in is the total cost of the vacation, not just the lodging. Lift tickets purchased separately, often at window rates, can add hundreds of dollars per person. The same goes for rentals and other on-mountain expenses. These costs aren’t reflected when you’re comparing nightly rates on booking platforms.

While it’s possible to find early-bird deals and seasonal promotions on your own, wholesale ski vacation planners work directly with resorts and tour operators to access bundled pricing that combines lodging with discounted lift tickets and exclusive promotions. This type of pricing simply isn’t available through Airbnb or Expedia.

Lower nightly rates on third-party platforms often come with added fees that aren’t immediately obvious, including:

Extra fees for cleaning, resort charges, or service fees
Platform service fees
Time spent researching and comparing lodging, lift tickets, and rentals

These can turn a “bargain” into a bust. When working with a ski vacation planning service, many of these costs are reduced, avoided, or offset by bundled savings, making the overall trip more predictable and often more affordable.

How Vacation Planners Can Save You Time and Money

Working with a vacation planner can cut down on costs and can also make things go a lot smoother. The Lodging Company has worked in the ski travel industry since 1999.

Our travel consultants have deep knowledge of the industry, which means you’ll work with trained professionals who know the ins and outs of planning ski vacations at major resorts across North America.

Transparent, Upfront Pricing You Can Trust

When you book your ski trip with The Lodging Company, you receive price quotes that are clear from the start. We won’t give you a grand total, only to have it change later in the booking process. The price quote you receive will be your final cost, with no extra charges hidden in the fine print. We strive to offer the best rates you’ll find in the business.

Our travel consultants can help you plan your trip free of charge, with no service fees for helping you book your trip.

At The Lodging Company, we offer a Best Rate Guarantee for ski trips. If you find a better deal elsewhere within 24 hours of booking, we will either match the price or give your money back, guaranteed.

This level of transparency is one of the most valuable parts of using a ski travel agency rather than booking online.

Ski Travel Consultants Are Expert Problem-Solvers

Travel consultants are professional problem-solvers. The more experience we get booking vacations, the better we are at identifying potential problems and knowing what questions to ask vacation properties before booking.

If you have just started to plan your first ski trip, you’ll quickly find out how many variables come into play. There’s a lot to consider when choosing your location and lodging.

First, choose a ski resort. After that, you’ll want to look for lodging in a location that makes sense for you (or your group). All this before you have to arrange transportation, lift tickets, and lessons. Feeling overwhelmed already? There’s an easier way.

Our team at The Lodging Company has worked with major ski resort in North America for years. We’ve compared prices, searched for the best hotels and vacation rentals, and helped plan trips for skiers and snowboarders from around the world.

What a Ski Vacation Planner Can Handle for You

The Lodging Company can help your vacation go smoothly by:

Handling everything from lodging to lift tickets. Our team works tirelessly to book your accommodations, buy lift tickets, and reserve ski equipment before or during your trip. We can even help you find daycare or get groceries delivered!
Offering insider access to exclusive deals. Our long-term relationships with ski resorts and hotels allow our clients to take advantage of special rate calendars and exclusive discounts on rooms and lift tickets.

This is valuable information (for free) that you just won’t find online.

Connecting you with real people who know the resorts. Our experts listen to customer feedback and only work with reputable lodging companies.

You can count on us to find the best vacation rentals. If your first choice isn’t available, we’re ready to recommend the next best option that makes the most sense for you.

Customizing itineraries that align with your preferences. Maybe you want to add some activities to enjoy off the slopes and don’t mind staying further away.

Other travelers may want to spend the entire vacation right at the resort, at a ski-in-ski-out accommodation.

However you want to design your trip, The Lodging Company has the experience needed to help you plan it.

Travel Agents Help You Avoid Red Flags and Common Booking Pitfalls

It’s tempting to go with the cheapest price when booking a vacation, but the lowest-priced vacation properties aren’t always the best deal.

If you don’t research the rental company (or property itself), you may wind up dealing with headaches on your vacation. Spend your time skiing, not searching for new accommodations.

Some unexpected risks that you can encounter with DIY bookings are:

Scams and fraudulent listings
If a place seems “too good to be true”, it most likely is. It’s fairly common for dishonest property owners to post misleading photos or inaccurate descriptions that may be untrue or leave out important things to know.

We can make sure “sleeps six” doesn’t mean twin bunk beds next to a pull-out couch.

Unlisted taxes and fees
In addition to the hidden costs mentioned earlier (like cleaning fees and resort charges), some properties also don’t mention local taxes. Our travel consultants will make sure these are mentioned in the final price.

Using a ski travel consultant helps you sidestep these risks entirely.

Bundled Ski Vacation Packages Can Save You Hundreds

When you book on your own, you’ll most likely plan every part of your trip independently. This means that you need to individually book:

Lift tickets
Ski and snowboard rentals
Transportation
Lessons
Accommodations

Travel agents book frequently with ski resorts, hotels, and transportation companies. Through wholesale rates and negotiated ski-and-stay packages, our clients often save significantly more than booking everything separately.

Experienced Vacation Planners Pay Attention to the Details That Matter

Working with vacation planners can give you insight into details that many travelers might not think of—until it’s too late.

Choosing the right accommodation means more than narrowing in on the location and number of rooms. There are amenities and other things to consider that the average traveler might miss. Our team can help you find lodging that meets your needs. The Lodging Company has properties with:

On-site parking, airport transfers, or shuttles
Pet-friendly properties
ADA-compliant lodging options
Kitchens or restaurant access
Swimming pools
Ski lockers
Housekeeping

These considerations can make or break a ski trip, and our consultants factor them in from the very beginning.

Why Skiers Trust The Lodging Company

The Lodging Company has over 25 years of experience helping skiers and snowboarders plan dream vacations. Our travel consultants are trained specifically in the ski vacation industry, so your time on the slopes will feel like the main priority. But we also recognize there are a lot of “little things” that people don’t think of when booking DIY.

We offer customized packages for solo travelers, groups, and families. Our travel consultants can help you find a vacation rental that is comfortable, convenient, and has the exact amenities that you’re looking for. You can design your perfect vacation package—with bundles that include ski and snowboard rentals, discounted lift tickets, and lessons. But if you don’t want something included, we can design a package that saves you money on what you don’t need.

The Lodging Company stands by our transparent pricing and backs up every booking with a 24-hour Best Rate Guarantee. Our clients come back year after year because our travel consultants help them find the best lodging for them at the most competitive rates.

We also know the ski industry well, and can help give advice on when to travel, if you should rent or bring your own gear, and how to make the most out of visiting different ski resorts in North America!

How Our Ski Trip Planning Service Works

Tell us your dates, budget, and preferred destination(s).
We recommend the best lodging options for your budget
You choose your accommodation
We bundle lift tickets, rentals, lessons, and transportation (if you want them)
You receive a final price quote with no hidden fees
We support you before, during, and after your trip

It’s simple, transparent, and saves hours of research.

FAQ: Ski Trip Planning & Using a Travel Agent

Do ski vacation planners charge a fee? No. The Lodging Company provides trip-planning assistance at no extra cost.

Is it cheaper to book a ski trip through a travel agent? Often, yes—thanks to wholesale rates, bundled ski packages, and insider promotions.

Can I still book my own flights if I want to? Absolutely. You can book any part of the trip independently.

What’s included in a ski vacation package? Lodging, lift tickets, rentals, transportation, lessons, and add-ons like childcare or grocery delivery.

Which ski resorts do you work with? We partner with major ski resorts across North America, including Whistler, Park City, Aspen Snowmass, Vail, Steamboat, and many more.

Ready to Start Planning?

If you're comparing options or feeling overwhelmed by planning your ski trip, our travel consultants can build a customized ski vacation package based on your budget, dates, and preferred resorts. There’s no cost to get started, and no obligation to book.

Tell us your dates and we’ll send personalized lodging options and a clear, final price quote.

Deric Brown is a writer who has traveled domestically and internationally, writing about his journeys along the way. A storyteller at heart, he’s always looking at both the small details and the big picture. Whether snowboarding in the Sierra Nevada Mountains or hiking the Marin Headlands near his San Francisco home, he loves experiencing the beauty of California and beyond and writing about each solo adventure and family trip.

Why Book With a Ski Vacation Planner