How to plan a ski trip with friends

Ski prices follow the calendar. The Christmas, New Year, carnival and Easter weeks cost far more than a week in mid January or mid March, when snow is usually still reliable in the Alps. Ask everyone for their free weeks before talking about resorts; in 4trips each person marks their availability and the app shows the weeks where most of the group overlaps.

Mixed groups are the norm: a couple of experts, some intermediate skiers, someone on their first week. Look for resorts with plenty of wide blue and red runs, a ski school, and lifts that bring everyone back to the same place for lunch. Linked ski areas are great for strong skiers but not essential for everyone.

Write this in the survey notes ("ski week, two beginners, one snowboarder") and 4trips will suggest resorts that fit, each with a reason and an estimated budget per person. The group votes and the organizer confirms.

A shared apartment or chalet is usually cheaper than hotel rooms and makes the evenings: cooking together, one table, one sofa. Being close to a lift matters more than the size of the living room, especially with ski boots on. Check what is included: final cleaning, linen, a ski room and parking can add up.

• Lift passes are often cheaper online and in advance, and many resorts sell group or multi-day discounts.
• Rental shops near the lifts can take bookings for the whole group, so skis and boots are ready when you arrive.
• Book lessons for beginners early in high season; a few days of group lessons are the best investment for a good week.

Ski weeks have many shared costs paid by different people: the chalet deposit, fuel and tolls, the big supermarket shop, a dinner out. Log each one in 4trips as it happens and choose who it is split between, so the person who doesn't drink isn't paying for the wine. At the end, 4trips shows the fewest transfers needed to settle up. More on this in our guide to splitting travel expenses with friends.