Passengers disembark from a plane in Mt. Tremblant, Quebec.
Unless you’re going somewhere warm with sandy beaches and an open bar, chances are there will be few dirt cheap flights to your destination.
One of the biggest challenges for people going on a ski or snowboard trip is that it’s tough to find cheap flights.
So here are some tips to get the best possible price and snag the cheapest flights for your next winter trip.
1. Be flexible
Flying out on a Friday night and flying back on a Sunday afternoon would seem to be the best bet, if you’re looking to make the most of your vacation days.
However, this is also when seats are traditionally the priciest. Bumping your travel days up or down – to a Thursday or Tuesday, for example – could save you hundreds of dollars.
Several travel websites let you check a box to show ‘flexible’ dates within one to three days of your intended departure and arrival dates. Give it a shot – you might have a whole lot of extra money left for apres.
2. Watch the trends
Sometimes, prices for flights can fluctuate up or down within a matter of days or weeks after you book your ticket, leaving you with buyer’s remorse even before you arrive at the gate.
Kayak.com, however, has a price graph to help solve the mystery of ticket price algorithms.
Kayak’s flight price prediction model can indicate whether you should book now or wait for prices to drop. The tool also shows its confidence, because really – who knows how an airline will adjust prices.
The prediction graph is easy to miss on the site, but be sure to check it out. It’s a great alternative after Bing shut down it’s price prediction tool almost a year ago.
3. Compare flights, airlines
This seems like a no-brainer, but Google your flight options.
That’s right. Use Google Flights for an easy-to-use flight comparison tool when looking for the best deals. It compares options from different airlines, with different connections and travel times.
It’s kind of like the other flight websites, but a lot more aesthetically pleasing and more user friendly.
