How to hit the slopes without breaking the bank.
We’ve been a ski family for more than 12 years. My husband used to be a ski patrol; our two kids, now 16 and 12, started skiing at age 4; and while I didn’t start learning until I was 30 years old, I’ve since skied everywhere from Jackson Hole, WY, to Switzerland. (Full disclosure: I still can’t keep up with my husband and kids on the slopes, but that’s okay.)
I often hear people say they never tried skiing because it’s too expensive—but I’m here to let you know that it can cost less than you think. Here are my best bits of guidance for getting on the slopes and enjoying it—all without breaking the bank.
How to save on the mountain
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The cost of lift tickets is where you’ll find the biggest fluctuation in prices. It’s also where you can save big by choosing a smaller, lesser-known ski resort. Instead of a biggie like Vail, CO, for instance, try Cooper Mountain. The resorts are less than half an hour apart and have similar snow conditions, but Cooper’s lift tickets are about half the price. In the same region, you’ll find Echo Mountain, where lift tickets start at just $59 for a full day of skiing.
Once you pick your location, you’ll want to check out the resort website to look for cost-saving options like night skiing, mid-week prices, and kids-ski-free offerings. (And for additional ideas in the go-here-not-there vein, be sure to check out Tripadvisor’s complete guide to underrated, budget-friendly ski towns.)
More ways to save:
- ‘Learn To Ski’ programs: If you’re new to skiing, lessons will help build your confidence and keep you safe—and they can also help you save big. Resorts like Sugarbush in Vermont offer Learn To Ski packages which include your lift tickets, equipment rentals, and a free season pass after completing three lessons.
- Canada’s Never Ever Days: If you’re a complete newbie, ski and snowboard areas across Canada offer the chance to learn at the low rate of $25—which includes lift tickets, rentals, and a lesson—on certain days throughout the season. You can’t find a better deal anywhere else.
- Night skiing: Night skiing (which usually starts around 4 p.m.) is offered at a bunch of resorts, and often, it’s a whole vibe, complete with music blasting and fun activities at the base of the hill. The rates are also often a whopping 50 percent less. At Angel Fire Resort, which offers the only night skiing in New Mexico (from 4 to 7 p.m.), rates are just $35.
- Kids ski free: The Inn at Holiday Valley in New York has a fantastic kids’ learning program, and up to two kids under 17 can ski for free through the resort’s Kids Stay & Ski free deal.
Pay once, ski all year
If you see yourself visiting the same mountain a few times in a single season, don’t waste money on single-day lift tickets; instead, invest in a season pass. The Ikon pass is a great option for avid skiers who want to check out different resorts worldwide, or you can look into national programs like the Canadian Lift Pass.
How to save on gear
Before you run out and buy expensive ski gear, know that there are reliable ways to save—and a lot, at that—on clothing and gear. Look around for ski swaps, either at home or once you arrive at your destination. And if you’re just planning to hit the slopes once or you’re skiing with fast-growing kids, consider going the secondhand route, tapping either friends or consignment shops. Case in point: Aside from boots, I didn’t buy new ski stuff for my kids until they turned 13.
I also often check Costco for basics like warm, moisture-wicking base layers and hand and feet warmers. And even if you plan to rent your gear, you’ll want to buy a good pair of goggles (new or used) because they aren’t usually included in rental packages.
More ways to save:
- Sports store warranties: Some sports stores like Canada’s Skiis and Bikes will take back your old equipment and give you a discount on new purchases. Check independent stores in your area for similar policies.
- Demo days: Vermont’s Smuggler’s Notch Resort offers a Demo Day every Tuesday of the season where you can try out equipment before you buy. This is a great way to try equipment at a low cost of $30.
- Trade shows: Even if you don’t live near a mountain, odds are there will be a ski and snowboard expo in your area. You may be able to nab discounts on used ski gear—just be sure to arrive early because deals tend to go fast.
How to save off the mountain
Lodging can feel like one of the most expensive costs when it comes to ski getaways. If you’re dead set on visiting a popular spot, plan to stay off the main resort, but close enough that you can take a shuttle to the hill.
Around Wyoming’s Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, for example, one great spot is Snow King Resort in nearby Jackson, where you’ll have access to the town and programs in the area, plus a bus system that’ll take you to Jackson Hole for a reasonable $1–$3. And at Lake Louise Ski Resort in Canada’s Banff National Park, there are city buses that pick up and drop off from downtown straight to the hill.
More ways to save:
- Use those loyalty programs: Some ski resorts like Mont Tremblant, in Quebec, are part of large hotel chains that can be booked using loyalty points. These resorts usually have many lodging types, from hotels to cottages, with the advantage of a full kitchen to save on food costs.
- Pay once and relax: All-inclusive ski resorts are rare in North America, so look for a Club Med property (either in Quebec or around Europe), which has everything you need—meals, lessons, and rentals—included in the nightly rate. Save even more by booking during one of the brand’s seasonal sales.
How to save with kids
A passport—no, not that kind—will offer the opportunity to ski at a bunch of resorts for a low fee. With a little research, you can find the pass applicable to your home state or your favorite resort. Here are some examples:
- With a one-time fee of $30, the Canadian Grade 4 and 5 SnowPass allows fourth and fifth graders to ski and snowboard for free across Canada.
- With the SKI NY pass, kids in third and fourth grades from any state can ski for free in participating ski areas, after a one-time $41 processing fee.
- The Winter Kids App offers more than 50 free admission tickets to ski resorts across Maine and is available to kids under 17. A $40 fee covers families of up to five kids.
- For $69, local fourth, fifth, and sixth graders can get three lift tickets through the Ski Utah passport to use across 15 resorts over 45 days.
