VISA / ESTA
The US has some pretty intense border control, so it is essential to make sure you are fully prepared and have all the relevant paperwork before leaving the UK. The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) has massively simplified travel to the US for most UK citizens, allowing you to enter the country for up to 90 days, so long as you have an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation).
Costing just $14, you can apply for an ESTA in minutes online. The ESTA is valid for two years from the approval date and you can apply up to 72 hours before you are due to travel. It’s worth noting that Canada also offers a similar system called the eTA, so if you are heading to Canada rather than the US, you’ll need to apply for one of these, which again takes only minutes.
However, if you are travelling to the USA on a non-electronic passport, you have a criminal record, are seeking work in the USA or have previously been denied entry into the USA, you will need a visa. Information on visas can be found at: https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/tourism-visitor/overview/
With all the confusion around visas and ESTAs, other considerations can get left by the wayside, but it’s important to remember that you need an e-passport in order to gain an ESTA, and you also need to ensure your passport is valid for 6 months after your return date, in order to enter the US. Otherwise all those ESTA applications will have been for nothing!
Travel within USA
So, now you’ve conquered the paperwork and made it out of the airport without a hitch. But how do you get to your preferred ski resort? The option most people take is to hire a car as this is one of the simplest and easiest ways to reach the ski resorts. Unlike many European resorts, most US ski resorts are easy to reach via main roads, so you don’t have to worry about driving up those windy, snowy mountain passes! While hire car companies in the US are happy to accept UK driving licenses, be aware that most companies do require the driver to be over 25 in order to rent a car, so it’s important to check the terms and conditions before you book. Furthermore, each person driving is required to have a valid driving license and be registered with the hire company.
Hiring a car can also be fairly expensive, so if you’re trying to ski stateside on a budget, it’s definitely worth looking into shuttle or train services. If you are set on driving, make sure you are well versed on your existing insurance policies to make sure you are not convinced to purchase pricey, unnecessary insurance. Furthermore, sites such as kayak.com allow you to compare car hire rates in advance in order to find the best deal.
If you really want to save money, you can plan to get the train. Denver International Airport is within distance of many ski resorts, and the Amtrak Winter Park Express allows you to travel 2 hours by train from Denver Union Station directly to Winter Park resort. The Metro North Ski Train allows you to connect from New York City to Thunder Ridge (why not get a taste of the big apple before heading off to the slopes?!) while Amtrak’s California Zephyr connects Sacramento to Truckee Station, where a free shuttle takes you on to Squaw Valley resort.
It is also possible to take internal flights to get you closer to your destination by air, though this may set you back a little. Resorts such as Jackson Hole, Aspen, Park City and Vail, to name but a few, have airports nearby offering connecting flights from larger international airports
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