In addition, ski trips vary in length, e.g., a single day, two days over a weekend, or longer periods on more extended vacations. The distance people are willing to travel for skiing depends in part on how long the ski trip will last. The longer the ski trip, the greater a skier's willingness to travel. In addition, skiers on longer trips generally demand more options in terms of the number of trails and chair lifts, the variety of difficulty levels, accommodations, nightlife and other amenities. Consequently, depending on, among other things, the duration of a given ski trip, the number of resorts practicably available to a skier will vary according to the time and expense required to travel to, and the qualitative aspects of, the possible alternatives.
Ski resorts sell skiing to groups, such as ski clubs, and to families, couples, and individuals.
These sales are made both directly and through tour operators, travel agents, and wholesalers. The duration of a ski trip and the distance traveled by the skier can be identified easily by ski resorts. As a consequence, ski resorts can and do offer different prices to skiers depending on where they come from and how long they plan to stay at the resort. For example, consecutive-day passes can be offered at a discount off the single day ticket to attract weekend skiers. Discounts can be given to a skier who presents a drivers license from a more distant state without the same discounts being offered to local residents, who may have fewer choices.