Top tips to ski & save this winter

Online ski tour operator, Directski.com, has come to the aid of cash-strapped skiers with top ten tips to ski & save both in resort and before travel, from borrowing ski gear to packing tea-bags.

Coming to the aid of cash-strapped skiers the company is also offering ski holidays from just £229 per person this season, based on four to sharing an apartment at Le Grand Chalet in France's Méribel Valley, departing on 9th January including Gatwick flights and transfers. (The same holiday costs £239 flying from Manchester, €305 from Dublin, £249 from Belfast).

BEFORE YOU SKI:

1. Bag ski clothing bargains on E-bay, in charity shops, or borrow.

2. Don't skimp on eye protection, take summer sunglasses rather than new ski goggles.

3. Look out for bargain end of season high factor summer sun tan creams.

4. Book to self cater, it's cheaper to eat in and the holiday price tumbles for a group.

5. Ask for ski gloves, socks, hats and accessories for Christmas.

6. Take a poly-bag of instant coffee and tea-bags with you instead of buying in resort.

7. Don't buy skis or boots, hire in resort.

8. Do some online research, find out the best value bars and restaurants before you fly.

9. Book to ski in mid January or late March when ski holidays are least expensive.

10. Pack all liquids in your suitcase, airports will still confiscate perfumes and cosmetics.

AT THE RESORT:

1. Beware of expensive mountain restaurants, fill up at breakfast.

2. Carry water with you rather than buying on the mountain, (Austrian tap water is better than bottled).

3. Stock up in the duty free and hold your own apres ski parties.

4. Avoid impulse buys in resort, they are the most expensive places to buy.

5. Invest in a really good pair of ski socks, it'll save pounds in resort on blister plasters.

6. Don't buy ski boots on impulse, keep hiring until you can afford the best.

7. If you're not going to ski the full area, then only buy a local area lift pass.

8. Go to the tourist office when you arrive, it's where local discounts are advertised.

9. Pack a disposable camera, no need to buy a digital as they're never the same when you drop them from the ski lift.

10. Organise picnics on the piste from the local supermarket, rather than eating in high priced mountain restaurants.