7 reasons to book your ski vacation early

Embrace the anticipation! If a ski trip to Banff & Lake Louise is on your travel bucket list, or you're thinking about where to use your 21/22 Ikon Pass or Mountain Collective Pass, getting a jump on your vacation plans can pay off in spades.

Early birds really do get the worm here. Here’s how you can save money, stress less and get the best by booking early.

Photo by Grant Gunderson

1. Save with early bird prices

For great deals and big savings in Banff and Lake Louise, it pays to book early and bundle your accommodation and lift tickets together as a package.

Booking your 2021/22 Ski & Stay Package before August 31, 2021, gets you the following perks:

• Save up to 40% at select lodging properties
• Save up to 40% on SkiBig3 Lift Tickets
• Kids ski free and rent free

Insider tip: if you are a Mountain Collective or Ikon Pass holder, you are eligible to access these same Early Bird accommodation deals. Book by August 31, 2021 and save up to 40% at select lodging properties.

Wide Open Mid-Week Skiing, photo by Jeff Bartlett

2. Best accommodation options: take your pick

Booking early means getting what you want. In Banff and Lake Louise, the most popular lodging options sell out with lightning speed during peak periods, especially with pent up travel demand from this past season. Whether it’s a specific condo, a certain bed configuration, or a sought-after room type, when you book early you get to choose from the best of the best. It could mean the difference between a bigger room, a better suite, or a grander view rather than settling for what’s available at the last minute.

Insider tip: if you’re considering a condo in Banff and Lake Louise this Christmas or March break, book as far in advance as possible – many specific lodging options sell out quickly.

Goat's Eye Suite at Sunshine Mountain Lodge. Photo courtesy of Banff Sunshine Village.

3. Flexible booking dates = nothing to lose

Need to extend your stay or change your dates? SkiBig3 offers complete flexibility with your booking so you have nothing to lose when booking early – and everything to gain. Book your vacation with just a 5% deposit and you can make changes until 3 days prior to arrival, at no extra charge.

Mt. Norquay - Photo by John Price

4. Embrace the Anticipation

For the past year travel has felt very far away, now suddenly the possibility to start exploring again looks very real! Booking in advance means your plans are committed to your calendar. Anticipating a vacation is often the biggest part of the excitement. Imagining the sights, sounds, tastes (and snow) will motivate you for months before you arrive! There's no better feeling than having an adventure to look forward to.

5. Maximize flight benefits

More often than not, flights are also cheaper when you book early. Sorting your vacation well in advance also means you can get the most out of your airline rewards and flight credits you may currently have on the books from any past cancellations. If you’re booking a flight using frequent flyer points, booking further in advance often means more options, better deals and greater flexibility.

Photo by Reuben Krabbe.

6. More time to perfect your itinerary

Getting the main parts of your vacation organized early gives you more time to plan the finer details and tweak them over time. When you lock in basic plans such as travel dates and accommodation early-on, you have a basic structure to work around. Then you can enjoy extra time in the lead-up to plan for bucket-list worthy activities, amazing restaurant visits and incredible photo opportunities. This way you’re organized yet flexible in case something unique comes up to slot into your itinerary.

High Rollers Banff, photo by Grant Gunderson

7. Maximize your travel buddy recruitment time

The sooner you book, the more time you have to convince your friends and family to join your adventure. There’s nothing worse than missing an adventure with your mates simply because it was too last minute for things to fall into place. The earlier you get the ball rolling, the more opportunities they’ll have to choose from the best deals and accommodation too.

Photo by Reuben Krabbe.

Ready to take advantage of these early bird benefits?

Our friendly Reservations Team is always happy to share their local knowledge and experience to help you find the best 21/22 Early Bird Vacation Packages for your style and budget. You can reach them via Live Chat (scroll up for the Live Chat link at the top of our website), or by calling 1-844-754-2443.