Let's face it. A ski vacation to the world-renowned Whistler resort in BC, Canada is expensive. The stunning mountain vistas, unique restaurants, and various types of accomodation will have you wondering what happened to your money.

Yet, like all premiere vacations, where there's a will, there are tips to stretch your dollars and still enjoy your trip.

Tip 1 - Avoid Hotels & Book Your Whistler Accomodation Directly with Homeowners

Booking your Whistler accomodation directly with homeowners and small companies saves you money by avoiding layers of middle agent fees. Most owners also do not charge the non-refundable 10% hotel tax, and prices are quoted for up to the maximum sleeping capacity of the property, not per person.

Renting a vacation condo instead of a hotel room also gives you the option to cook your own savory meals, saving you heaps of money on restaurant bills. You can save even more on groceries by ordering them online, or by buying them in Squamish on the way up to Whistler. And don't forget, most owners have free parking, whereas most rental managers and hotels have additional nightly parking fees.

Tip 2 - Plan your Whistler Accomodation Dates Around Seasonal Lift Ticket Pricing

Did you know that that your Whistler lift ticket's total price depends on the season in which your start day falls? Shifting your Whistler accomodation dates by as little as one night can save you hundreds of dollars due to seasonal nightly pricing.

Even if your ski ticket starts on the last day of a cheap price season but the majority of your skiing/riding days fall in an expensive one, your entire ticket will be priced based on the cheap season pricing. Plan your skiing/riding start day in a cheap season date, and you could ski/ride through the most expensive seasons at a fraction of the price.

Tip 3 - Plan Your Vacation Around Special Whistler Accomodation & Resort Promotions

Plan your dates around Whistler promotions to layer more savings onto your early booking discounts. For example, during Discover Whistler Weeks you can save up to 50% on adult and kids snow school programs. It's by far the least expensive way to introduce yourself to the slopes and learn to ski or snowboard.

Tip 4 - Don't Rule Out Lofts Or Dens As Bedrooms In Your Whistler Accomodation Choices

Did you know that lofts and dens can often serve as comfortable bedrooms? Don't rule out this option, because booking a 2 bed + loft home, rather than a 3 bedroom home, could save you thousands of dollars. After all, there are a lot more interesting ways to spend a thousand dollars.

Tip 5 - Consider Alternative Locations To Ski-In/Out Or Slope side Accomodations

Whistler's excellent free shuttle system quickly links most areas to the Village and the gondola bases. You'll end up paying a lot less money while remaining close to everything, or at least a short shuttle ride away. As well, it's possible to score a bigger property and more amenities for the same amount of money.

Remember, slope side locations are only valuable when there is sufficient snow. With downloading in effect for most of November, December and April, you may be paying a lot of money for poor ski-in/out conditions.

Tip 6 - Invite More Friends And Share The Cost

When searching for your Whistler accomodation, check out the larger properties and consider inviting a good friend, another family or favorite family member! Getting a bigger property and adding an extra two people could save you a few hundred dollars by spreading the cost out. This is especially true if the larger property is almost the same price as the slightly smaller one.

Tip 7 - Take a Limo or Charter A Van Instead of Renting a Car

Whistler's excellent free shuttle system means that renting a car may not be necessary while you are in the resort. If you don't rent a car, how do you get there? Consider sharing a limo or chartering a van. It is often cheaper than renting a car or taking the bus, when divided among all the people in your group or family. You can relax and enjoy the scenery on your way up to Whistler, after your exhausting travel day.

Tip 8 - Watch For Typical Whistler Accomodations Scams

There are many Whistler promotions out there that either sound too good to be true, or weren't quite what you expected. Here are some things to watch out for:

• Hidden nightly parking fees
• Prices quoted per person, and not for up to the total maximum sleeping capacity of the property
• Deals where availability is suddenly sold out, so you have to call someone-watch out, you will be upsold.
• Hidden sales taxes, like the 10% non-refundable sales tax.
• Blind booking, where you are not given the name of the property you are staying in until after you have paid for it.

Devon O� Malley is a staff writer for AlluraDirect.com, a vacation rentals website offering powerful search and instant booking features for owners and guests alike. On your next Whistler vacation, check out their Whistler discount lodging directory and Whistler money saving accomodation tips.

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Finding the best Whistler hotel is easy, if you know what you're looking to get out of your next vacation. Some of the key factors in finding the right Whistler accommodation for you are location, affordability and facilities.

Where Is Whistler

Whistler resort is located 120 kilometers north of Vancouver British Columbia on the Sea to Sky Highway. Tucked into the Coast Mountain Range, Whistler is a year-round resort catering to the likes of skiers, snowboarders, golfers, mountain bikers, hikers, party-goers and families looking for an exciting mountain vacation experience like no other.

Things To Do In Whistler

Operating as a year-round resort, Whistler offers everything from winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding as well as popular summer activities that include hiking, biking, skydiving and eco tours.

Known for the exhilarating nightlife, Whistler resort is the place to get out and let loose. In addition to adventure sports and partying, Whistler resort is an extremely popular family getaway. Take in the vast mountain views and experience a family vacation you will never forget.

Whistler: Where To Stay

Location:

Choose from the different locations within Whistler resort, depending on your needs. Whistler Village is close to ski lifts, shopping, dining and nightlife that make Whistler the place to party year round. Whistler Village North also provides quick slopeside access as well as shops and restaurants. Find the luxury and quiet you're looking for in Upper Whistler Village. Minutes away from the action, you might want to choose Whistler Creekside and stay in the comfort of one of many boutique hotels.

Affordability:

Possibly one of the biggest concerns for the budget wise traveler, finding the best deal on your next Whistler hotel reservation can be tricky. With hotel rooms ranging anywhere from $100 - $500 a night, where do you start?

If you are coming to Whistler and plan to be outdoors most of the day and into the evening, perhaps your money is best spent on more affordable hotel accommodation. If you're visit to Whistler is for rest and relaxation, you may want to check out one of the many boutique hotels that offer the luxury and convenience that you deserve.

Facilities:

Choices for your next Whistler hotel may be based on what facilities are offered. From swimming pools, saunas, hot tubs and even in hotel spas, these are a few reasons to do the research before booking your next room.

Where Can I Make Hotel Reservations?

You can either make your next hotel reservations with the hotel you're looking for, or browse this online list of Whistler hotels and book directly through the Whistler reservations central booking hotline at 1 877 932 2280.

Hotel accommodations in Whistler Canada. Save on your next Whistler reservation. http://www.whistlerreservations.com

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Whistler BC Canada is an exceptional winter destination ski resort, but you do not have to pay exceptionally high prices to enjoy its breathtaking beauty and unbeatable terrain diversity.
Whistler is affordable once you know the local money-saving secrets. Here are 8 local tips for getting maximum Whistler value, while enriching your vacation experience to create beautiful lifetime
memories.

Tip #1- Be Date-Flexible

Most ski vacation destinations have holiday date-driven pricing grids. Some vacation dates will cost you more (like New Year's), while, others will cost you a lot less. Fortunately, most seasonal price fluctuations have little to do with snow conditions, and more to do with consumer demand! Whistler is no different.

What does this mean for you?
You will pay a lot less, get great snow conditions and avoid crowds by planning your vacation around non-peak holiday dates.

Here are some of Whistler Blackcomb's best kept secret vacation dates, when you can expect to get the hill to yourself and get better accommodation value:

• Nov. 27 - Dec. 20 2008
• Jan. 8 - Feb. 6 2009
• Feb. 23 - Mar. 6 2009
• Mar. 30 - Apr. 8 2009

If you are planning on visiting Whistler during peak holiday dates like Christmas, New Years, Spring Break or Easter, try to arrive and leave day or two earlier or later. This will not affect the total number of days that you enjoy Whistler, but could limit the number of nights for which you are paying top accommodations dollar in peak holiday season, which can often translate into many hundreds of dollars in accommodation savings.

Limit the number of nights that you stay in the most expensive seasons by adjusting your arrival and departure dates to include cheaper seasonal rates.

Tip#3-Plan Vacation Dates Around Lift Ticket Seasonal Pricing Dates

Like accommodations, Whistler lift ticket seasonal price ranges also reflect peak holiday dates. Lift tickets cost more during peak holiday periods.

In cases where your lift ticket may overlap date-driven price ranges, the total price you pay for a Whistler Blackcomb lift pass is determined by the date-driven price scale in which your first skiing/riding day falls.

Plan your vacation around starting to ski/ride within a date-driven price range with the lowest lift ticket prices, even if you start on the last day of that date-driven ticket season price. As long as your first day falls in the best price range, your entire ticket price will fall within the cheaper range.

For example, the 2008/2009 ticket window price for a 5 day lift tickets that starts December 12 - 19 inclusive, will cost around $400 CAD. The same 5 day ticket that starts December 20 - January 2, 2008 will cost you around $435 CAD. In this example, if you start skiing/riding on December 20, 2008, your entire lift ticket will cost around $400.00, even though most of your skiing/riding days will be in the more expensive season.

Tip #4-Take Advantage of Pre-Booking Incentives

Whistler Blackcomb heavily rewards customers who pre-book their lift tickets online. Pre-purchasing 3 or more day discount Whistler lift tickets for your 2008/2009 ski vacation by November 15, 2008 will save you up to 30% on your passes, except for the Christmas season.

For example, purchasing a 6 day lift ticket starting on December 19, 2008 will reward you with a savings of approximately $145 CAD, providing that you purchase it by November 15, 2008.

What if you can't book your vacation by November 15, 2008? You still save 5-20% on tickets pre-purchased within 72 hours of picking them in the resort.

Tip #5-Be Aware of Date-Driven Promotions & Plan Accordingly

In addition to early booking incentives, Whistler Blackcomb also offers Whistler Discount Discovery Weeks, when the resort's most popular ski and snowboard programs are 40% off. There are no booking deadlines to qualify, and the promotion takes place during the following dates:

• Opening - December 19, 2008
• January 5 - 23, 2009
• February 23 - March 13, 2009

If you book your vacation to fall within these date ranges, you would save $232 on a 5-day kids ski or snowboard Adventure Camp, or $48/day per adult group lesson.

Tip #6-Don't Just Focus on Ski-In/Out Accommodation

Staying in a Whistler ski-in/out location will cost you a lot more per night, but often does not result in a better ski vacation experience.

Why?

Slope side properties tend to be smaller, more expensive, and less accessible to Whistler Village. Thanks to a fantastic free Whistler shuttle system, getting to and from the slopes and Whistler Village from most resort locations is easy, fast and free. You don't have to pay more for the location convenience of slope side accommodation to enjoy the benefits of being close to everything, including the slopes.

Take the time to look at ALL accommodation options within a 10-minute walk to the lifts. You will often get more square footage, amenities and accessibility to Whistler Village conveniences for the same, or less, money.

Tip #7-Book Accommodation Directly with Owners

Booking your accommodation directly with owners offers you the benefits of wholesale accommodation prices, a personal home, and a personal, locally knowledgeable resource person when you need it.
Renting directly from owners enables you to bypass all unnecessary middle agent fees and commissions. There are hundreds of Whistler homeowners who now rent their condos and townhouses privately and directly to Whistler visitors.

Tip #8-Take the Time to Research Flights

With gas prices expected to climb even further, it is worth it to take the time to research flights. Using consolidator services like Expedia.com, Travelocity.com and CheapTickets.com offers the benefit of rapid price comparison and easy online bookings. However, you should also check prices for booking direct with airlines. You will sometimes get better deals and seats. Most airlines now offer easy online bookings and seat selection. Even if there is no price difference, but you can get better seats, it is worth your effort.

Conclusion

Although these tips are Whistler BC-specific, they can also be generally applied to any other ski resort destination. They each have their own promotions and incentives.

Reward yourself with maximum value by taking the time to research pricing and resort promotional programs and try to plan your dates accordingly. Book directly with owners and local businesses for friendly service, local expertise and consumer-direct value.

Above all, remember that in the end, vacations are not about how much money you saved, but about whether or not you created a brilliant lifetime memory with your friends and family. Whistler is an unforgettable place where you can rest, rejoice and renew with your loved ones. Saving money is just the icing on the cake!

Sue Chappel owns and manages AlluraDirect.com, Whistler Blackcomb's largest directory of over 500 owner-direct Whistler BC chalets and condo rentals.

Search AlluraDirect.com vacation rentals by date, amenities, location and more. Book online instantly and securely by credit card. As an added bonus, qualify to purchase discount Whistler lift tickets Save up to 30% and kids ski free when you book by November 15, 2008.

@copyright Sue Chappel and AlluraDirect.com Vacation Rentals by Owner Ltd.

This article may only be re-printed from this web site providing that all content remains intact and in its original form, the author is named and all links are preserved and remain live.

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