PHOENIX — The ski and snowboard season has arrived in Arizona and for those hoping to save some money while hitting the slopes, there are some quick tips.
Avid snowboarder Brenden O’Brien hits the slopes whenever he can. When he's looking to save money on the gear he needs to look his best and stay safe on the mountain he heads online.
“A good place is Facebook Marketplace,” O'Brien said. “You can usually find some good stuff on there.”
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But he says be sure you look it over before making the purchase.
“Sometimes it’s a little dinged up,” said O’Brien. “I would also just totally recommend, if you’re trying to save money, season rentals.”
O’Brien also shared some tips if you’re looking to save on lift tickets.
“Anytime you can get a season pass or a 12-day pass or a weekday pass, that's when you're going to save the most money,” said O’Brien. “…and buy in advance. Those prices always go up.”
Up at Arizona Snowbowl, they’re already open, which employees tell us means you need to act fast to save some cash.
“We do use a demand-based pricing model, and so the earlier you buy, the more than you’re going to save here at Snowbowl,” said Angie Grubb, marketing manager.
She says that if you plan ahead and buy lift tickets, you’ll get the lowest prices.
“Lift tickets do start as low as $19, but they won’t last long, because people are going to start purchasing for those dates,” Grubb said. “The more people that purchase, the higher the price will go, so buying online and in advance is the key to saving at Snowbowl this year.”
And if Sunrise Park Resort is more your style, their opening day is on November 29 this year. General manager Todd Clarke shared how you can get the most for your money on lift tickets.
“If it’s midweek, they’re in the $70s, and the low $80s on weekends,” Clarke said.
Clarke says they don’t have a demand-based pricing model, so as long as you buy more than 72 hours in advance for day lift tickets, you’re always going to get your best price.
“Best deal is always going to be online,” said Clarke.
And if you plan to hit the slopes around the holidays, snowboarders like O’Brien says if you don’t purchase tickets in advance and wait until a big storm rolls in you may end up paying more for the tickets.
Of course, that all depends on where you go, but he says snowboarding in fresh powder is always well worth it.
“Of course, good snow it always worth putting a little bit more into,” O'Brien said. “We’ve definitely caught ourselves chasing a storm and paying for it.”
If you have any Money Saving Monday ideas you would like us to cover, email us at money@12news.com.
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