Knowing the seasons for the destination of your choice is a great way to enjoy wonderful travel on a budget.
The high season for a particular destination varies quite a bit from location to location. For some locations, the high season can be as short as a couple of weekends throughout the year, while for other locations high season can last all summer (or all winter) long.
It is also important to know, however, when low season is low for a reason. There are certain locations you definitely to not want to visit in the off season.
For instance, in August, most locations in Egypt approach the temperature of an oven, while hurricane season in Florida or the Caribbean can definitely put a crimp in your vacation.
In addition, many beach towns, and some parts of Europe, just about close down in the off season. It is important, therefore to plan smart to get the best travel bargains while still enjoying your vacation.
The best choice for budget minded travelers is often the shoulder season, that magical time of year when bargains are plentiful but destinations are still very enjoyable.
The period between high season and low, known as the shoulder season in the travel industry, is the time when prices have begun to drop, but for reasons that are related to the demand for the destination, not on its underlying value or lack of value.
For many locations, the shoulder season begins in the fall, when the college students and vacationing families that kept demand high begin to go home.
For instance, fall is a great time to visit many European locations. The temperatures are cooler, the crowds are gone, and the prices on lodgings and meals are lower.
In the Caribbean and Mexico, the shoulder season covers the late spring season.
Prices drop at this time since most tourists from colder climates are enjoying better weather at home and no longer dreaming of escaping to a warmer climate.
Most guidebooks and travel related web sites will have information on the best time to go to each location for maximum value, so if you are unsure exactly when the high, low and shoulder seasons occur for your destination be sure to check one of these sources for further information.
Finding great deals is possible in all seasons, of course, but it is generally most difficult in the summer time, when interest in vacationing reaches its peak.
The winter is an excellent season to visit many locations, but remember that it is high season for destinations like ski resorts.
The winter season can be a magical one for many locations that are on sale, however. For instance, travel to Asia is often markedly cheaper in the winter, but the sight of a snow covered Shinto temple is a remarkable sight, and one not to be missed.
Many locations in Asia and Europe have winters that are less harsh than those in many parts of the United States, so a winter vacation can still be quite magical.
Let's take this question step by step. If you are coming for the skiing on and Blackcomb mountains, you can really only choose sometime between November and April. Although skiing is available up until July, it is not for the serious skier, due to the combination of marginal snow cover and limited terrain availability. Within this time, don't bother with November, when the risk of little or no snow will be considerable. So your choice is effectively between the months from December to April. What are the main pros and cons of each month?
December is a curate's egg. The early part will find empty slopes, great deals on lodging and in the restaurants, but a bit of a gamble with respect to the snow. If the snow gods are smiling on you, this will be an excellent time to visit. If not, bring your oldest skis and set aside some time for treatments in some of Whistler's legendary spas. Later in the month, and especially over Christmas and New Year, you will pay the highest prices of the season, have to fight for a table in any of the most sought-after restaurants and stand in some very long queues on the Harmony Chair. However you will experience the adrenalin which goes with the height of the season in Whistler: the buzzing atmosphere, the parades, the firework displays etc. If you can afford it, this is a wonderful time to come.
January frequently offers the heaviest snowfalls of the year (in 2006 January was the snowiest month since record-keeping began). It also offers great prices on accommodation (you can safely wait to the last minute to look for deals), and no lift lines, except perhaps on weekend powder days, when the cognoscenti will queue up early to leave their mark on the mountain. On the other hand it can occasionally be extremely chilly, and it tends to get dark very early. If you are a true enthusiast, January may be the month for you.
February and March see bigger crowds, but are more laid back. You might want to avoid both Presidents Week in February and Spring Break in March; if your family schedule will allow this you could have the best of all worlds: lots of snow on the ground, a good chance of sunshine and easier access to the best restaurants in town.
April appeals primarily to the British and Mexican markets, who come over for their Easter vacations. However, take care on your accommodation choice if you come in April: there may be lots of snow at the top but a shortage at the bottom of the hill, so don't bother to pay the premium for ski-in, ski-out accommodation.
As far as the non-skiing season is concerned you can write off the fall if you are interested in any form of watersports: the lakes are too cold. On the other hand the restaurants offer some great deals. A meal that would set you back $60-$70 in February can be had for $29. May and June can offer great weather; the conditions are ideal for white-water rafting in the snow melt and lovely cool, temperate days for golf. But if you want to swim in Lost Lake or sunbathe on your deck you should probably leave your trip until July or August.
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