5 Ways to Make Your Next Ski Trip Better Than Ever
Let's be real: Skiing is great, but it's a lot of work — and we don't just mean shredding down the slopes. Proper ski clothing is expensive; skis, boots and poles are a pain to lug around; and all those après-ski Champagne cocktails can really add up. But planning a ski vacation doesn't have to induce a massive stress headache. Armed with the right gear, technology and a perfect place to stay, getting fresh pow is easier than ever.
Whether you're trying to squeeze in more ski vacations this season or are already planning for next winter, these are a few great ways to improve your next ski trip.
Rent Your Clothes
Ski rentals are a de facto part of life for all the but the most hardcore ski bums. But for the same reasons people don't like to travel with their own skis (expensive baggage fees; heavy and cumbersome to carry), it may make sense to rent ski clothing, too.
Powfitter, a Rent the Runway-style start-up, offers short-term rentals of quality ski clothing. Two East Coasters — sick of lugging bulky clothing on their weekend trips — started the service, which provides gear from brands such as Smith, Trew and the North Face. You can rent single pieces (jackets, snow pants) or the Alpine bundle, which includes goggles and gloves. If you’re skiing in the US, Powfitter ships your new duds directly to your hotel, including a postage-paid label to return items when you're done: no valuable luggage real estate necessary.
Book an All-Inclusive
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the all-inclusive is a stalwart of the travel industry for a good reason: It’s easy. Generally, the term “all-inclusive” conjures images of palm trees, Piña Coladas and powdery sands, but soon your idea of an all-inclusive might include a different kind of powder.
Club Med, which has dominated the all-inclusive throughout Europe and parts of the Caribbean for more than 50 years, runs 18 Alpine ski resorts, the newest of which, Club Med Les Arcs Panorama opened in France in December. An all-inclusive vacation at a ski-in, ski-out resort takes much of the pain out of skiing: You submit your sizes and experience level to the resort before checking in, and your gear magically appears in your locker at the resort’s ski room. Lessons and lift tickets, two of the most expensive parts of skiing, are already rolled into your room rate.
The concept hasn’t completely taken off in the US yet, but if you’re looking to simplify your ski trip, all-inclusives are among the best option.
Download the Latest Apps
Apps and services can make finding ski buddies — and getting off-piste — easier than ever.
If you’re looking to explore new runs, check out Skadi. Think: Waze for your day on the slopes. You input your level and any waypoints you want to check out, and the app uses audio to guide you down the mountain. For tracking runs, Ski Tracks, a Strava-style app, uses GPS to track runs and speed, but can be of limited use in areas with poor cell reception. If you’re skiing with a big crew, download SkiLynx, which lets you see in real-time what run or lift your friends and family members are on.
If you’re an advanced skier and are looking toward your next adventure, enlist Heli, a start-up founded by friends who were sick of lift lines and straight-forward runs and wanted more. Heli matches skiers with helicopter operators who can drop you off for a day of unadulterated pure powder with nary a soul in sight.
Upgrade Your Gear
If you do splurge on ski clothes, invest in gear that could literally save your life.
Helly Hansen, the long-revered Norwegian brand that’s popular among serious shredders, introduced the LifePocket in 2018. Your phone dying on a run seems minor (no Instagrams from Corbet's Couloir in Jackson Hole!), but if you’re skiing off-piste and have an accident, it could be the difference between life and death. The LifePocket is a special pouch that uses technology to regulate its temperature, thus extending the battery life of your phone in subzero temperatures.
In the same vein, the pricey HydroBot jacket, made by KJUS, uses an app to eliminate sweat. The app sends small electrical pulses through the fabric’s high-tech membrane, and the porous fabric then uses the small jolts to pump sweat and moisture away from the body. Even if you're not stranded outside, you'll be far more comfortable after you get off the slopes and start cooling down.
Get an AI Instructor
If you’re a confident skier who just needs a little refinement on the slopes, new technology makes it easier than ever to get coaching and feedback without shelling out for an instructor.
The endearingly-named Snowcookie is a smart tracking system that consists of three sensors that dock on your skis and torso. The sensors give you feedback on your skiing, ranging from style and turn quality to stamina, and the device even tracks your progress so you can gauge whether you're finally ready to tackle that Black Diamond run.
A similar product, Carv, uses less clunky boot inserts and a Bluetooth tracker to evaluate your skills, but also has the added perk of providing real-time audio feedback while you’re on the slopes.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.