BookYour Ski Trip Rental Now (NAPSA)—‘“S’now foolin”: Winteris coming. That means now’s a good time to book your ski vacation. Fj > If you wait until the first snowfall, advise the experts at the world’s lead- ing online vacation rental marketplace, HomeAwayvacation rental pickings will be slim. Vacation rentals are especially pop- ular in mountain destinations, and ski season bookings spike in thefall. “Vacation homesthat can sleep large groups go first,” explains HomeAway’s travel expert Melanie Fish. “If you're traveling with a smaller group, there is moreflexi- bility, but don’t wait too longto find that perfect ski-in/ski-out. By mid-Novem- ber, half of the mountain homes rented on oursite are already booked.” Hereare five reasonsto book a vacation rental this winter: 1. Better value. The average vaca- tion rental runs 1,850 square feet while the average hotel room is 325 square feet. For those keeping track at home, that’s more than five times the space of a hotel room. You can expect to get twice the space at half the cost per person when you rent a vacation homeinstead of a hotel room. Furthermore, ex- tra space means room for your skis and snow gear. 2. Access to amenities that you don’t have to share with anyone. Perhaps one of the most overlooked perks of a vacation rental is that you often get the amenities and perks of someofthe best hotels but without having to share them with anyone else. This can include anything from a hot tub to an outdoorfireplace. You don't have to reserveit, pay extra or visit only during certain hours. 3.Unique accommodations. A standoutof vacation rentaltravel is that it provides authentic experiences you cant have just anywhere. Each rental comes with its own unique qualities. Here’s a cool idea: Plan your ski vacation before the cold sets in and you'relesslikely to get frozen out of choice accommodations. Want a bunk room for the kids? Or a ski-in/ski-out on your favorite run? HomeAwayhasfilters that can help you find the right match according to where you're going, when you're going, how many people you're traveling with and what extras you want, such as a fire- place or hot tub. Each vacation rental is plotted on a map, so you can see exactly where youre staying. 4. Home cooking. A vacation rental is a home away from homeand that can include home cooking. Most vacation rentals come with full kitchens, which can mean big savings, especially on a ski vacation. Cooking breakfast before heading out and packing a lunchforthe mountain make it easier to enjoy that aprs-ski treat at a mountain restaurant. 5. Privacy. This comes in handy, especially during peak travel season. It’s your vacation, why shareit? Basically, the further out you book, the more options you'll have and the greater chance that everyone in your group will get the accommodations and experience they want. Learn More For more information orto view avail- able rentals, visit www.HomeAway.com/ skiseason.
