When everyone’s favorite British royal family released photos of a recent ski holiday with their children in the French Alps, the world was abuzz. As their first documented holiday as a family — and the first time it appears Prince George and Princess Charlotte played in the snow — the family seemed to be the picture of a perfect long ski weekend. While they might have stayed at a five-star resort, brought along a professional photographer, and potentially flown via private jet, royal #vacationgoals are totally within your reach. With a little ingenuity, you can recreate the royal weekend on an average person’s budget. Here’s how!

Pick a Ski Resort Close To Home

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You don’t have to fly to the French Alps to have a ski weekend like the royals. Before you write off a snowy getaway as too expensive for your whole family, do a quick search of ski areas closest to you. If you can drive, you can save a great deal of cash, and still take the whole family.

Consider a Mid-Week Ski Break Instead of the Weekend

It appears the royal family chose to travel over a long weekend, but from flights to accommodations, visiting on a weekend can end up being quite costly. Lift tickets, flights, and hotels can all sometimes be cheaper should you choose to go during the week. Plus, it’ll be less crowded. Score!

Pack Your Selfie Stick and Tripod for Wintry Family Photos

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William and Kate brought along their own personal photographer to capture some of the family’s moments in the snow — but we imagine bringing your own photographer might set you back a large chunk of change. Instead, pack along a selfie stick or a tripod, so you can capture those moments without help from a professional. Better yet, ask a nice passerby to take a few shots of you and your family in the snow.

Pick a Smaller Hotel or Resort for a More Exclusive Feel

Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte reportedly stayed at a ski resort known for its exclusivity and celebrity clientele. Even if you can’t afford to stay with the stars, you can still find a more exclusive feel by selecting smaller resorts and hotels. Smaller hotels will often lend you more personalized attention that might just make you feel like royalty.

Rent Equipment at Local Shops Instead of Resorts

While it isn’t clear if William and Kate actually skied during their family romp in the show, if they did, they probably used some pretty expensive equipment. If you don’t have your own gear, you can always rent skis at your resort. However, this will end up costing you a royal paycheck. Usually local ski shops in town can offer a much better price on equipment than those on the mountain.

Simply Play in the Snow

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One of the biggest expenses of a ski weekend is the skis and gear. If you don’t want to fork over an arm and leg to ski, you can always just play in the snow. Even royal families don’t have to pay to toss snowballs at one another or frolic around in winter wonderlands. Take a hike with the little ones in their snowsuits, and just play in the powder!

One look at the royal family’s ski weekend photos could have you pining to head for the hills — and you can! Even if you don’t have a bank account the size of Prince William’s, you can still have a royally awesome ski weekend away putting these tips to use.

How would you recreate the royal family’s winter vacation on your, ahem, non-royal budget? Share your tips with us in the comments below!