Let's face it. A ski vacation to the world-renowned Whistler resort in BC, Canada is expensive. The stunning mountain vistas, unique restaurants, and various types of accomodation will have you wondering what happened to your money.

Yet, like all premiere vacations, where there's a will, there are tips to stretch your dollars and still enjoy your trip.

Tip 1 - Avoid Hotels & Book Your Whistler Accommodation Directly with Homeowners

Booking your Whistler accomodation directly with homeowners and small companies saves you money by avoiding layers of middle agent fees. Most owners also do not charge the non-refundable 10% hotel tax, and prices are quoted for up to the maximum sleeping capacity of the property, not per person.

Renting a vacation condo instead of a hotel room also gives you the option to cook your own savory meals, saving you heaps of money on restaurant bills. You can save even more on groceries by ordering them online, or by buying them in Squamish on the way up to Whistler. And don't forget, most owners have free parking, whereas most rental managers and hotels have additional nightly parking fees.

Tip 2 - Plan your Whistler Accommodation Dates Around Seasonal Lift Ticket Pricing

Did you know that that your Whistler lift ticket's total price depends on the season in which your start day falls? Shifting your Whistler accomodation dates by as little as one night can save you hundreds of dollars due to seasonal nightly pricing.

Even if your ski ticket starts on the last day of a cheap price season but the majority of your skiing/riding days fall in an expensive one, your entire ticket will be priced based on the cheap season pricing. Plan your skiing/riding start day in a cheap season date, and you could ski/ride through the most expensive seasons at a fraction of the price.

Tip 3 - Plan Your Vacation Around Special Whistler Accomodation & Resort Promotions

Plan your dates around Whistler promotions to layer more savings onto your early booking discounts. For example, during Discover Whistler Weeks you can save up to 50% on adult and kids snow school programs. It's by far the least expensive way to introduce yourself to the slopes and learn to ski or snowboard.

Tip 4 - Don't Rule Out Lofts Or Dens As Bedrooms In Your Whistler Accomodation Choices

Did you know that lofts and dens can often serve as comfortable bedrooms? Don't rule out this option, because booking a 2 bed + loft home, rather than a 3 bedroom home, could save you thousands of dollars. After all, there are a lot more interesting ways to spend a thousand dollars.

Tip 5 - Consider Alternative Locations To Ski-In/Out Or Slope side Accommodations

Whistler's excellent free shuttle system quickly links most areas to the Village and the gondola bases. You'll end up paying a lot less money while remaining close to everything, or at least a short shuttle ride away. As well, it's possible to score a bigger property and more amenities for the same amount of money.

Remember, slope side locations are only valuable when there is sufficient snow. With downloading in effect for most of November, December and April, you may be paying a lot of money for poor ski-in/out conditions.

Tip 6 - Invite More Friends And Share The Cost

When searching for your Whistler accommodation, check out the larger properties and consider inviting a good friend, another family or favorite family member! Getting a bigger property and adding an extra two people could save you a few hundred dollars by spreading the cost out. This is especially true if the larger property is almost the same price as the slightly smaller one.

Tip 7 - Take a Limo or Charter A Van Instead of Renting a Car

Whistler's excellent free shuttle system means that renting a car may not be necessary while you are in the resort. If you don't rent a car, how do you get there? Consider sharing a limo or chartering a van. It is often cheaper than renting a car or taking the bus, when divided among all the people in your group or family. You can relax and enjoy the scenery on your way up to Whistler, after your exhausting travel day.

Tip 8 - Watch For Typical Whistler Accomodations Scams

There are many Whistler promotions out there that either sound too good to be true, or weren't quite what you expected. Here are some things to watch out for:

• Hidden nightly parking fees
• Prices quoted per person, and not for up to the total maximum sleeping capacity of the property
• Deals where availability is suddenly sold out, so you have to call someone-watch out, you will be upsold.
• Hidden sales taxes, like the 10% non-refundable sales tax.
• Blind booking, where you are not given the name of the property you are staying in until after you have paid for it.

About the Author

Devon O' Malley is a staff writer for AlluraDirect.com, a vacation rentals website offering powerful search and instant booking features for owners and guests alike. On your next Whistler vacation, check out their Whistler discount lodging directory and Whi