Who doesn’t love an adventurous getaway to the mountains? Skiing and snowboarding are excellent ways to enjoy the great outdoors while burning calories! This pastime has also been known to burn a hole or two in our pockets and put pressure on the budget…
Here are 3 ways to maximize your trip (and your dollar) when whisking yourself off to the mountains:
- Check for deals
Costco often sells lift passes to a number of mountains at a discounted rate. Another option is to call the resort ahead of time to see if they have any promotions going on. - Bring snacks
Riding all day takes a lot of energy! Packing a couple power bars and some carrot sticks in your jacket will keep you energized and save you from spending $20 on a heavy poutine that will just weigh you down in the afternoon. - Be your own chef
This will all depend on your accommodations… (Breakfast and dinner should be easy to take care of yourself whereas lunch will vary depending on the mountain and your on-hill or off-hill stay.)
Full kitchen: Bring a cooler full of your favourite foods and take advantage of the amenities! Include hearty items like eggs for breakfast and frozen meals to cook/reheat in the oven for dinner.
Fridge & microwave: Pack a cooler with some pre-made meals to keep in the fridge and warm up in the microwave. Some ideas include:
- Pasta with a veggie & meat sauce
- Canned soups
- Quiche
No kitchen, fridge or microwave: This can be a situation that will tempt you to eat out at many (if not all) meals. Resist the urge and stock up on mixed nuts, dried fruit, dried beans, peanut butter, protein powder, canned tuna and fruits and veggies that don’t require refrigeration (apples, bananas, oranges, peaches, pears, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, avocados, carrots, etc.).
Get creative! Grab some bread, rice cakes or wraps and spread some combinations of the above listed items on top. Some ideas include:
- Breakfast: Oatmeal with apples, nuts and protein powder.
- Lunch: Peanut butter and banana sandwich.
- Dinner: Tuna with avocado and shredded carrots on bread, rice cake or in a wrap.
Getting outdoors is a great way to pass time but it doesn’t have to hurt your budget.
