Many people don't consider using a travel agent to book ski trips, but a new report in Forbes says they should.
"Unlike cruises or safaris or complex itineraries, many never consider using a travel agent or specialist when planning a ski trip. That's a big mistake, especially if you are headed someplace like Europe or Japan - skiing's hottest destination - but it also applies if you are doing your annual trip to a place you think you "know," like Vail or Aspen," writes Larry Olmsted.
Travel agents can save travelers a significant amount of money on ski trips.
"In general you save 8 to 10 percent over what you would pay doing it yourself," Rick Reichsfeld, co-owner of Alpine Adventures, tells Forbes.
There is also additional value from using an expert.
"[Reichsfeld] saves money for people who don't need to save money, but many also choose him because he can also do the seemingly impossible - like booking a dozen rooms at the swank Montage in Deer Valley for Matt Damon at the worst possible time, during the height of the Sundance Film Festival," writes Olmsted.
For planning his own bucket list trip to ski in Japan, Olmsted used the services of Sarah Plaskitt, founder of Scout Ski.
"My priority is getting my customers the perfect fit of resort and hotel," Plaskitt tells Forbes.
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She sees every resort she books personally for clients to gauge exactly what the experience is going to be like for them.
"A lot comes down to really knowing the geography, and a hotel described as 'a short walk to the lifts' is very different if the short walk is up a steep hill and you've got three kids under ten. Google maps doesn't show uphill. There's no substitute for having been there," she tells Forbes.
For more on booking ski travel with an expert, read on here.
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