Many skiers have already made plans for this season’s ski vacation. But other have waited to see what would happen after the holidays.

I have to admit that except for an annual trip to Vermont to try out next year’s skis, my own planning is still completely flexible. For a number of reasons, there will be no western trip this year, so that means a few more days nearer home.

Recently, I received an interesting press release. It’s loaded with good advice for any skier planning a trip. “Six steps to a sound investment in a family winter vacation,” came from Smugglers’ Notch, a resort that has an exceptional and well-earned reputation as a family friendly ski resort.

Here they are with some of my own ideas included.

• “You select the dates.” They advise narrowing down the dates, but remaining flexible to take advantage of special offers and staying away from holidays. I would add shooting for mid week, always less expensive.

• “Compare package inclusions.” The suggestion is that discount packages may lack some desired amenities. This can vary greatly, depending on whether you’re flying or driving. Either way, check on rentals, lessons, meals and lift tickets, and ask what additional charges, taxes, etc. are added. If flying, make sure transfers to and from the airport are included. This can add $50-75 per person round trip. Also ask the airline about charges for luggage. An outfit such as Sports Express will pick luggage up at your home and deliver it to you at your destination. Also, check outfits such as www.skibutlers.com (run by Sugarloafer Brynn Carey) for rentals, and compare the costs.

• “Put kids first.” “If the kids are happy, parents will be happy.” I don’t think any ski resort understands this better than Smugglers. Their advice to learn all you can about what is included for the kids is sound.

• “Ask for guarantees.” This is where you need details.

• “Get high on activities, not altitude.” This one is obviously to get you to drive to a New England resort rather than flying West, but their point that you can lose time acclimating to high altitude is important. My recommendation for that first western trip is to avoid the high latitude resorts in Colorado and New Mexico (9,000-12,000 feet) and opt for lower altitudes in Tahoe, Utah, and Banff, Alberta (mostly 6,000-9,000.) It’s a lot easier to adapt to the latter than the higher altitude resorts.

• “Eliminate the lodging fear factor.” Here, the advice is to thoroughly check the details of your lodging. “Request assurances, view Web site lodging pages, discuss the resort’s policy on changing lodgings if you are unhappy or don’t receive the condo you were promised.”

The release went on to point out that in the current economic climate, resorts are hungry for customers. That gives you the upper hand in bargaining. It all comes down to asking the right questions, so don’t be afraid to ask.

Having skied most of the major resorts in North America, I have some of my own. Naturally, the choice of lodging will be determined by the number in your group. Families usually find condos better than hotel rooms. This is especially true if kids with large appetites are along. One bit of advice is to plan your menu and shop at your supermarket. Most ski areas are remote and offer neither the selection nor pricing that can be found nearer home.

On the other hand, many ski area hotels now offer kitchen facilities. The other services may be worth the extra cost. If you don’t get ski-in, ski-out, is there a shuttle service? Be sure to check this since negotiating some ski-area parking lots can be a hassle.

One practice that has worked for me is to arrive early. The last thing I want to do is to arrive after dark or worse, late at night. I try to arrive as early in the day as possible. This allows time to acclimate to the altitude by walking around the base village. This usually involves a very early morning flight, but the airports are quieter at 5 a.m.

Here, this simply means finding a way to leave early in the day. If I’m heading up to Quebec, I try to leave by 7 a.m. for the six-hour drive to Quebec City. And I make it a point to fill the gas tank in Jackman. My tank happens to be big enough that I can drive to the city, back and forth to the ski areas and back to Maine before buying more gas.

Last winter the difference was more than a dollar a gallon.

There are probably a few more, but between my suggestions and those from Smugglers’ these tips could save a few bucks and make your ski vacation more fun.

Dave Irons is a freelance writer who lives in Westbrook.