Planning Early has huge rewards

Did you know there are 2 types of skiers?: “the quick and the dead”.

The “quick” skier is quick off the mark to pick up all the “hot deals” to ski North America and Japan, where every day is a guaranteed ski day. This saves them a heap of cash on the way and they get what they want when they want it.

The “dead unlucky” skier procrastinates, and by the time they get around to actually booking a ski holiday, they find the early bird specials and cheap seats on planes are all sold out.

At Dive Fish Snow Travel we want to help you get the very best deals and biggest savings so you can carry on skiing addiction in the “Promised Land”, where you can spend all day, every day, carving up the perfectly groomed, uncrowded slopes then spend your evenings relaxing in hot tubs, bars and restaurants.

So next weekend while you’re waiting for 20 minutes in a lift line somewhere in NZ, stop and reflect on the “Promised Land” where every day is a guaranteed ski day, no ice, no lift lines, just lovely snow and wide open runs.

“Earlybird specials” are called “earlybird specials” because they need to be booked early! 

While most specials expire at the end of October, in reality specials are very hard to get any time after August, as the rooms and seats are mostly sold out.  Specials such as “Buy 6 nights accommodation, get 1 extra day free”, “kids ski and/or stay for free” and “buy 10 days lift passes and get 4 more days free” are available at most Ski Resorts, but only if you book early enough. By booking early you can often also receive further discounts off accommodation.

The cheap seats on planes always sell out first.
Everyone wants a bargain, but there are a very limited number of cheap seats available on flights. Once the “quick” skiers have snaffled up their cheap seats, and the North Americans who swarm to Australasia in our summer have all bought their tickets, there’s often nothing cheap left for the procrastinators.

The cheap seats between December 20 and January 15 are already very tight and you need to be flexible with your dates. Plus, flights from North America to Auckland and Sydney in late January – early February are also very tight for space as families return in time for the next school year.

Kiwis can fly as high as our exchange rate
By booking early before the expected drop in our exchange rate in Sept/Oct, you can save even more money, by locking your holiday in at today’s good exchange rate. Apart from your airfares you actually pay for your holiday 90 days prior to departure.

Kids ski and stay for free in North America
Canada and USA ski resorts are fantastic for families. The snow is so easy to learn on, kids lessons and childcare facilities are great and there are often some really neat features and facilities for children. Best of all, they can often  stay for free and ski for free, but you do need to book early.

Availability Status. Helping you to decide

Christmas/ New Year:

This is high season so is the most expensive time of the year to travel. Even so, accommodation is very tight and most of the cheap seats on flights have gone.

3 Jan - 15 Jan.

Cheaper Options are getting harder to find

This is value or low season so accommodation and lift passes are more affordable. Earlybird specials are still available, but cheaper rooms with kitchens are getting hard to find.  Most cheap seats on flights are already sold out, but if you are flexible on dates, we may still be able to find you a cheap seat.

15 Jan – 7 Feb.

Cheaper Accommodations are still available, flights becoming tight

It’s value or low season for accommodation and lift passes, and there is still good availability, and you can still get some earlybird specials. However we expect these to be snaffled up in the 2 - 4 weeks. Seats on flights back to NZ and Aust are very tight as everyone wants to be home for school.

February + March.

Cheaper Options easily Available

This is prime snow time, and NOW is the time to be booking it. The best priced airfares are available, and there is still a good range of accommodation to be found – except the cheaper kitchen units which are filling up fast.

• Plenty of earlybird specials to be found.
• Good choice of cheap flights
• Good variety of accommodation options to choose from

But you do need to act now. By the end of August options will be running out.

Victoria Ski Sports
130 Victoria St
Christchurch

Friday 25 July 4pm – 7pm
Saturday 26 July 10am – 4pm.

Hurry limited space!

We have limited group space held with Air NZ on the direct Auckland/Vancouver service, but you will need to book soon if you want to take advantage of the group rate. Plus if there are any more major exchange rate drops, the accommodation and lift passes will be more expensive. Save money by booking now.

• Park City
• The Canyons
• Deer Valley
• Solitude
• Brighton
• Snowbird
• Alta

Departs 23 Jan 2009 Returns 8 Feb 2009

$ 6695pp ex AKL

Includes: Return Airfares, 14 night Condo Accommodation, 12 days Lift Passes, Airport Transfers, 17 days Ski Holiday Travel Insurance.

Tour Leader: Uli is now General Manager at Porters Ski Area in Canterbury, Uli grew up amid the ski fields of Bavaria and took up ski instructing and racing at the age of 16. Since then he has spent many years skiing, coaching and instructing in Germany plus North and South America. He's lived in NZ since 1981, married a Kiwi and has 2 teenagers who are also into skiing and racing.

Uli is a very experienced tour leader and for this amazing ski tour, you will be in great hands. He knows about getting the best out of the mountains, and would love to share his wealth of expertise and experience with you. You will benefit from casual lessons, tips and helpful advice from him. Whether you're into long cruisers, or steep and deep runs, this tour has 7 awesome mountains to discover with this one amazing tour leader. All this adds up to a fantastic fun filled holiday.

Kids Ski & Stay for Free in Canada & USA

Forget the stress, hassle and expense of Christmas shopping. Shout your family 1 massive Christmas present: A Dive Fish Snow Travel family ski holiday in the winter wonderland of North America.

BONUS
PLUS kids stay and ski for free at many of the Ski Resorts in USA & Canada* Some resorts even chuck in free kids ski hire.

So get a special present this year which everyone will enjoy.

There’s never been a better reason to pack up the family and take them on a snow holiday they’ll never forget.

Flights and accommodation availability during Christmas and January school holidays is already very tight. So please enquire now and give your kids the best Christmas present ever.

Details on Kids ski and stay for free »

Family Friendly Ski Resorts

• Big White »
• Silver Star »
• Sun Peaks Resort »
• Whistler Blackcomb»
• Panorama »