Lower costs, lighter crowds and great conditions make Jan. 28–Feb. 3, 2018 the best week of the year to get away

Take the guesswork out of ski vacation planning this winter. Ski.com, the industry leader in providing and booking global mountain vacation packages, names Jan. 28–Feb. 3, 2018 the best week of the 2018 winter season to go on a ski or snowboard vacation.

As the largest supplier of ski vacation packages and bookings in North America, Ski.com used weather information and analyzed cost and arrival data of more than 25,000 recent reservations to pinpoint the best time to take a low-cost, crowd-free and powder-filled ski vacation.

Lone Peak in all its glory | Photo Credit: Big Sky Resort | Cover: Vail Mountain

“Price, crowds and snow conditions are the top three factors that can make or break a ski vacation. While we know not everyone has the luxury of flexible dates when booking a mountain getaway, we have found the last week of January through the first few days of February to be the perfect time to travel this winter,” said Dan Sherman, CMO at Ski.com. “While the absolute lowest pricing and least crowded resorts can be found in early November and late April when conditions are less predictable, this week offers the best possible combination of all three factors.”

Grip it and rip it | Photo: Barney Moss

Best Deals

By traveling January 28−February 3, 2018, skiers can save up to 45 percent on a five-day trip for two at popular resorts including Breckenridge, Snowmass and Jackson Hole, when compared to the December holidays and other popular travel times like Presidents Day week. For example, a six-night, five-day ski vacation for two with lift tickets and accommodations at Beaver Run in Breckenridge costs $5,370 over Christmas. In comparison, the same trip between January 28 and February 3, 2018 costs only a fraction of a cost at $3,680. Book this trip by December 19, 2017 on Ski.com and save an additional 35 percent on accommodations, making total savings almost $2,500 or 45 percent. A six-night ski, five-day ski vacation for two with lift tickets and accommodations at Capitol Peak at Snowmass costs over $5,000 during Presidents Day week. The same vacation over Ski.com’s recommended time period will save skiers and riders $1,500.

Light Crowds

Crowd-free slopes mean less time standing in line and more time enjoying wide-open groomers and untracked powder. Ski.com recommends the week of January 28−February 3, 2018 due to a noticeable dip in reservation arrival dates at resorts across ski country. By traveling during this week, skiers can enjoy resorts like the locals do, without the crowds and lift lines that can be common during the busiest times of the winter season.

Great Conditions

To gain input on when to find great snow conditions, the final criterion for the best ski week, Ski.com turned to meteorologist and trusted snow forecaster for leading snow forecasting site OpenSnow.

January and early February are great times to ski, as most resorts have built up their base depths to above-average levels. Compared to early and late season months, the majority of a resort’s terrain is usually open and the risk of terrain closures due to snow conditions is limited. This time is also prime for powder days. Last year during the January 28–February 3 week, Jackson Hole reported 17 inches of new snow, while Squaw Valley reported a base depth of 112 inches.

Ski.com’s Mountain Travel Experts are here to help you plan and book everything for the perfect ski vacation. Call 800-610-8911 or fill out a brief from to receive a quote in your inbox >>.

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