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SNOWWAY

How to Save Money on a Ski Trip: 20 Practical Ways

By · Updated

Justin McKelvey snowboarding off a powder jump in the trees

Short answer: the biggest savings come from timing and planning: ski midweek or outside holidays, buy lift access in advance (or a pass if you'll ski enough days), stay in a nearby town or a rental with a kitchen, and rent gear off-mountain. Small choices like packing lunch and carpooling add up fast for families.

Timing

  1. Avoid holiday weeks. Christmas, New Year's, Presidents' Day, and spring break bring the highest lodging and ticket prices and the biggest crowds.
  2. Ski midweek. Weekdays are usually cheaper and less crowded than weekends.
  3. Consider early or late season. Lodging is often cheaper outside peak months. Check snow history first with the Powder Calendar so you're not trading savings for thin coverage.
  4. Book flights and lodging early, ideally with flexible cancellation so you can adjust.

Lift tickets and passes

  1. Never buy lift tickets at the ticket window if you can avoid it. Many resorts price tickets lower when bought online in advance.
  2. Do the pass math. If you'll ski more than a handful of days in a season, a multi-resort pass can cost less than daily tickets. Compare options on Ikon vs Epic.
  3. Buy passes early. Season pass prices typically rise as the season approaches.
  4. Look for kids' and beginner deals. Many resorts and passes offer discounted or free tickets for young kids, and beginner-area-only tickets cost less than full access.
  5. Try smaller mountains. Independent and local areas are often much cheaper than destination resorts and great for learning.

Lodging

  1. Stay in a nearby town rather than slopeside, and drive or take a shuttle to the lifts.
  2. Choose a place with a kitchen so you can cook breakfast and dinner.
  3. Split a bigger rental with friends or another family.
  4. Read the fine print on resort and parking fees before you book.

Weighing the convenience of staying at the base? See is ski-in/ski-out worth it.

Gear and lessons

  1. Rent in town, not at the base, and reserve online for discounts.
  2. Buy used outerwear at ski swaps or secondhand stores, and borrow gear from friends for a first trip.
  3. Bring your own goggles, gloves, and helmet if you have them; buying them at the resort costs more.
  4. Book group lessons, which cost less than private lessons and work well for most beginners.

More on the trade-offs in rent or buy ski gear.

Food and getting around

  1. Pack lunch and snacks. On-mountain food is expensive; a backpack lunch for a family saves a lot every day.
  2. Bring a refillable water bottle and a thermos of hot cocoa.
  3. Carpool and use free shuttles. Many resorts and towns run free buses, and some charge for parking or reward carpools.

Put it together

Use the budget worksheet in the free Ski Trip Planner to estimate costs before you book, and read how to plan a ski trip for the full step-by-step.

FAQ

What is the cheapest time to go on a ski trip?

Midweek outside holiday periods is usually cheapest. Early and late season can also be cheaper, but check snow history so coverage is good.

How can I save money on lift tickets?

Buy online in advance, look at multi-resort passes if you'll ski several days, check for kids' and beginner discounts, and consider smaller independent mountains.

Is it cheaper to stay in town or slopeside?

Staying in a nearby town is usually cheaper than slopeside lodging, especially with a kitchen, though you trade some convenience for the savings.