Landscape design is expensive. So before you hire a designer, it pays to know what you actually want from your garden, to ensure that you really love the finished design.

You may find some cheap deals from overseas destinations such as New Zealand, Japan or Canada, but once you’ve factored in travel costs it’s generally hard to beat Australia’s snowfields for affordability.

Here are some tips on how to hit the slopes at home without seeing your budget crash.

When

The most affordable times to ski are early and late in the season. Avoid mid-July to the end of August and definitely school holidays if you can – at least if you don’t fancy a snowball striking you in the face when you least expect it.

Weekdays on the slopes also tend to be much less costly than weekends – and as a bonus they’re far less crowded too.

Where

Premium skiing destinations such as Perisher come at a steep price. Other resorts such as Mt Baw Baw (Victoria) or Selwyn Snowfields (NSW) offer much cheaper lift tickets and accommodation while still providing excellent skiing.

Package or plan-your-own

Some packages are just so cheap they can’t be beaten, but for your specific travel dates DIY might prove to be a better option. There’s a bit to remember though – you’ll need to plan for travel, accommodation, lift passes, insurance and equipment.

If you intend to visit the snowfields more than once in a season, you can save a lot on lift passes and resort entry by purchasing a season pass online during discount periods.

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Accommodation

Staying off the mountain in a satellite town, such as Jindabyne for Thredbo or Dinner Plain for Mt Hotham, means more commuting, but what you lose in sleep-in time you’ll make up for in cash to use on après-ski activities.

If it’s a family getaway then self-catered apartments are a good choice on a tight budget, but there are cheaper options. Thredbo has a YHA hostel where you cook your own meals.

Check out Jindabyne Sport and Recreation Centre, or if you’re tough enough you can even pitch a tent at Jindabyne Holiday Park – brrrrrr.

Gear

Save yourself the expense of hiring equipment and clothing on the mountain, where you’ll pay top dollar. Ski clothes, and even skis and boots, are often up for grabs at knockdown prices in op shops in upmarket suburbs, or on Gumtree and eBay.

If at all possible shop in spring, when ski stores go troppo with prices that are bananas.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for second hand, consider hiring your gear before you leave – the savings will more than offset the inconvenience of lugging it around.

Food

If self-catering, do a big shop far from the snowfields to avoid the nose-bleed prices nearer the slopes. Resort restaurants are notoriously pricey too, so make your own lunch each day and take it with you.

By choosing the right time, place and accommodation, you’ll find it is possible to get away to the snow without being buried in an avalanche of bills.