Ski resorts in Central Oregon are still waiting for enough snow to open this season, but that does not mean it’s too soon to start planning ahead for the best deals.

While many local skiers and snowboarders purchased their season passes months ago — which is typically the prime money-saving option for avid snow riders — skiing on a budget is still possible.

Plan ahead

Planning in advance is crucial to saving cash when it comes to Mt. Bachelor ski area, which had to postpone its originally scheduled opening date of Friday due to a lack of snow. Yes, I know planning ahead means you might not be able to time your visit for a sunny powder day, but the savings cannot be ignored.

Skiers can purchase lift tickets in advance online at mtbachelor.com and save up to 40%, but there are limited quantities.

Adult lift tickets purchased early online range from $84 to $139 (peak holiday), while day-of rates at the ticket window are $159 to $224 (peak holiday), according to the Bachelor website. Don’t be the person who pays $224 for a one-day lift ticket.

Bachelor is also still offering its restricted four-day pass for $409, which gives you any four non-holiday days on the mountain. The unrestricted four-day pass is $509, but who wants to ski during the holidays when you have to spend more time in the chairlift lines than actually skiing?

Aim for Thursday or go at night

Thrifty Thursday is a staple at Hoodoo ski area near Sisters. Yes, it used to be called Tightwad Tuesday back when Hoodoo was open seven days a week. Now Hoodoo, operates Wednesdays through Sundays (except for holidays when they are open all week), hence Thrifty Thursday, when lift tickets are $32.

“We’re famous for Thrifty Thursday,” said Hoodoo general manager Matthew McFarland. “Every Thursday in January and February, and the first two Thursdays in March, so you get 10 or 11 Thursdays when you can ski for $32.”

Regular rates for adult lift tickets at Hoodoo are $69 to $79, and that includes skiing from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., because Wednesdays through Saturdays Hoodoo offers night skiing. A night skiing lift ticket for 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. ranges from $38 to $48.

McFarland said Hoodoo is hoping to have enough snow to open by early to mid-December.

“That could keep getting pushed back until Mother Nature says we’re going to open,” he said. “It’s her decision, not ours. We’re ready. It kind of looks like we’ll be open by mid-December.”

Mt. Bachelor is also offering a Thursday deal this season: $99 all-ages lift tickets every Thursday in January, February and March. And $5 from every ticket purchase goes to a local nonprofit as a part of Mt. Bachelor’s Play Forever initiative. The Play Forever lift tickets must be purchased in advance online.

What’s the conditions?

Find out the situation before heading into the outdoors with The Bulletin’s Conditions Report.

Take the kids

However expensive skiing has become for adults, it seems ski resorts always try to keep it somewhat affordable for kids.

At Hoodoo, kids 10 and under ski for free no matter what, according to McFarland.

Bachelor offers a “Kids Ski Free” three-of-three day adult lift ticket, through which kids 12 and under ski free the same number of days as their parent. The ticket is valid for any consecutive three-day period and must be purchased online at least seven days in advance.

Hoodoo Wintervention

Skiers and snowboarders can win free lift tickets, gear, skis, boards and more and Hoodoo’s Wintervention events held at venues in Bend, Redmond and Sisters.

The events include silly games, winter trivia and bingo, and help raise funds to get underprivileged youth on the slopes at Hoodoo.

Attendees can win free lift tickets to Hoodoo, Mount Ashland and Mount Shasta.

Upcoming Winterventions are scheduled for Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at General Duffy’s in Redmond, Dec. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Volcanic Theatre Pub in Bend, and Dec. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Three Creeks Brewing in Sisters.

“We want to be a family-friendly place,” McFarland said of Hoodoo, “and nicer on your pocketbook.”