how to affordably move to the mountain

How To Affordably Move To The Mountain For Snowboard Season

by Ben

There are just so many things to love about snowboarding…

But many people list the incredible mountain landscapes as their main attraction to the sport.

You do get a special kind of high from cruising down a mountain with gorgeous panoramic views around you. It’s like something out of a fantasy novel.

It’s enough to prompt thousands of people to move to the mountains each year. But when is the right time to make the move?

Obviously, snowboarding requires the presence of snow.  Therefore the snowboarding season usually starts from early to mid-winter and ends just before the snow begins to thaw. So, when the snowboarding season arrives, you need to pack up and head to the mountains for a good ol’ snowboarding adventure. 

Snowboarding is generally seen as an expensive sport. This is down to the cost of gear, travel costs, accommodation and food at ski resorts, and the costs of lift pasess. Below, we’ll discuss how you can affordably move to the mountain during the snowboarding season.

Tips For Affordably Moving To The Mountain

1. Preparation Is Key

Remember that old saying about prior proper preparation?

The key to a successful snowboarding trip is to plan in advance.

Research some snowboarding destinations. Choose the one that most appeals.

It’s important to consider the distance and the cost of lift passes.

If the mountain you choose is pretty far from where you live, you may need air travel. This rarely comes cheap!

Lift tickets can also be very expensive, depending on the mountain resort you are visiting. These costs can soon rack up. Especially if you’re planning to snowboard with family members.

Pro Tip: A good way to save money on lift tickets is to buy them in advance!

Mountain resorts love customers that buy lift tickets in advance as these people will show up when the snowboarding season begins.

Another Pro Tip: Buy a season lift ticket if you intend to ride for most of the season. You’ll save a bunch more money this way!

2. Sort Out Your Mode Of Transportation!

If the snowboarding destination you’ve chosen isn’t too far, then car travel is a good way to cut costs.

If you don’t have a car, make use of the car rental comparison sites. They have some great deals. This will also help you to properly budget for car rental fees.

Resort too far to drive to?

You’ll probably have to travel by air. Flight tickets can be expensive. Look for good deals by booking your flight wayyyy in advance, by at least a couple of months!

Remember that you’ll need to pay to transport your gear. This costs from $60-200 depending on the airline. 

3. Get Your Gear In Order!

Snowboarding gear requires a significant investment. I discussed this in more detail when considering how much a snowboard costs. 

Typically, you have the option of buying your gear or renting them.

If you’ll be snowboarding for most of the season, you are better off buying your gear! If this is going to break the bank, pick up some second hand gear.

As a bare minimum you’ll need:

  • A snowboard,
  • Snowboard boots
  • Snowboard bindings
  • A helmet!!
  • Goggles

You’ll also need snowboarding clothing like waterproof ski/snowboarding jackets, waterproof pants, base layer tops, base layer bottoms, socks* and gloves. 

Snowboard socks are worth it, don’t cheap out on them!

Don’t forget to pack non-snowboarding apparel for time when you are not on the mountain.

4. Sort Out Accommodation

From hotels to resorts, hostels, and mountain homes, there are several accommodation options available.

Your budget and preference are the major determinants of the type of accommodation you go for. 

If you are opting for a mountain home, find out the amenities available there. Should there be any need for you to ship any furniture or any large items, you are better off having a reputable moving company like Three Movers transport your items. 

A mover can also help you transport your snowboarding gear and other luggage and this will significantly reduce the amount of cargo you travel with. You can also be certain that your gear will be handled with care and arrive in pristine condition. 

There’s no heartbreak quite like discovering your brand new board has been damaged!

5. Bring Your Own Food And Drink

Food and drink is usually extortionate in snowboard resorts.

If your accommodation has kitchen amenities, you’ll save a huge chunk of money by preparing your own food.

So, if this is the case, make sure you bring enough food and drink for your time in the mountains. 

If you can’t bring enough groceries with you, you can always get more at a local mountain town, although at a slightly higher rate.

6. Get a Job... In Advance!

Having worked in multiple mountain resorts, I’d highly recommend looking for a job before you arrive.

By the time you get to the mountain, most of the good jobs will be taken!

Additionally, some jobs offer free accommodation or free ski passes. This will save you a small fortune. 

A good place to start is facebook groups and social media listings. Failing that, email your CV to every business in town. One of them will hire you eventually!

Bonus Tip - Get In Shape!

Snowboarding is a very physical sport…

It’s a whole lot easier when you’re in good shape!

Before you embark on your snowboarding expectation, take some time to workout and improve your fitness levels. 

Exercises to prepare yourself for snowboarding include squats, push ups, planks, side planks, jumping squats, and so on…

I’d also highly recommend checking out these snowboard stretches. 

Happy riding!

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4 comments

Joseph 16/06/2023 - 11:43 am

Which mountains are the cheapest?

Reply
Fraser 22/06/2023 - 12:47 pm

In my experience, eastern europe such as Bulgaria etc are a whole lot cheaper than the states or the French Alps. Where are you based?

Reply
David 30/06/2023 - 10:03 pm

Do you think North America or Europe is cheaper?

Reply
Fraser 03/07/2023 - 7:09 pm

Hey. Depends where you’re going in N. America or Europe. Some of the Swiss ski resorts are some of the most expensive resorts in the world. whereas eastern Europe is extremely cheap. Where were you thinking?

Reply

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