So, if you want to ski in Vail but don't have a ton of money, all you really need to do is find the type of places that the the maintenance crew and secretaries usually go to buy the things they need. However, there are a few basic expenses you need to consider before leaving home:

Pack Heavily

If you don't live in a cold weather area and don't have appropriate clothes for the trip, then you need to deal with this before leaving home. It'll probably be much, much cheaper to find the things you need at a local department store than it will be to buy something you need once you arrive at the resort. Think about it and make a list of things that you'll need for the trip and get those things before you leave home.

Affordable Vail Accommodations

As with most ski resorts, you'll save by staying off mountain and skipping the ski-in/ski out condo. But, several lodging complexes in Vail Village and surrounding areas offer more affordable condo rentals and often run shuttles direct to the resort. 

Getting to Vail Cheaply

Depending on where you live, there are several ways to get to Vail. You can pack sandwiches and drinks then carpool with friends and share the cost of gas (just make sure you have enough for a bus ticket home if this doesn't work out). You can buy a round-trip bus ticket or shop around online for cheap airline tickets. Don't shy away from going directly to the airline websites, sometimes they have the best deals.

Where to Eat in Vail on a Budget

If you're staying in a place that has a fridge/microwave and/or stove such as a timeshare condo or a rental home, then buy your food at supermarket and cook meals yourself. There are three supermarkets in the Valley. Safeway and City Market are in West Vail on the North Frontage Road. City Market is also ;in Avon, and The Village Market is on Highway 6 in Edwards.

To save money during the day, either pack a lunch and bring it with you when you go skiing, or ski down to the valley, and eat at one of the restaurants at the base of the mountain that offer lunch specials for reasonable prices.

And don't forget the basics. Subway is only a short walk from the base of the gondola in Lionshead. In fact, you'll find loads of nice, yet affordable places to eat and drink in the Vail Valley. There are fast food restaurants such as, Denny's (Avon), Pizza Hut (Avon and Eagle), Burger King (Avon), Taco Bell (West Vail), Subway (West Vail, Lion's Head,and Avon), Domino's (Vail and Avon), and Mac Donald's (West Vail). The fast-food restaurants in this area do tend to have higher prices.

This real travel advice was contributed by R. Marie Taylor.