How Much Does a Ski Trip Cost?
Photo by Sunshine Village
Tl;dr: This article will serve as a guide to help gauge how much a ski trip usually costs and share some tips for those looking to keep expenses down on their next ski trip.
Ski trips can range immensely in price. I will touch on budget-friendly options and some opulent ski trips, yet we will focus on what lies in between. I believe that there is a ski trip that fits into most people's budget.
Many variables will determine how much a ski trip will cost you, including where you live, where you'd like to go, where you'll stay, and how you'll get there. If you drive to the mountains, camp out in your vehicle, and hike your own lines, it's essentially free - now that's ski bum math.
Let's look at the more typical options and how much they may cost you. I'll help you find some fun and relatively affordable ways to have a great time on your next ski trip!
Travel Costs
Travel costs may be one of the most critical elements in determining the cost of a ski trip. Some details to think about are: How many people are going? Are you going solo, with a group of friends, or family?
Driving
What you drive, how far you’re driving, and the number of people in your party will determine how much this will cost or if it is even a realistic option. Yet, the average new vehicle in the US in 2021 gets 25 miles per gallon and a trip to a ski area 200 miles away would cost you in the ballpark of around $70 round trip. Driving can be a very cost effective option where applicable.
Flights
Flying is usually going to be the most convenient way to travel to a ski destination. However, unlike driving, your travel expenses will increase with each person in your party. Airfare prices can range dramatically, and if you're looking to save money, book in advance, avoid peak season, and, if possible, fly midweek versus on weekends. Also, if your trip requires a vehicle to get around, factor in a rental car or ensure reliable public transport options in the area. Additional research here can go a long way, but you can expect to pay $300 to $700 on average for a round-trip domestic flight.
Car Rental
Depending on where you are traveling, you may want to rent a car or organize transportation to the ski resort. Find out if your destination has shuttle services or viable public transit options to save money before committing to rent a car. In off-peak times, a compact rental car from Hertz can be around $200 a week.
Accommodations
Each group's accommodation needs and expectations will be different. Personally, I usually sleep in my van or roll out my shikifuton (Japanese-style mattress) on a friend's living room floor, but this isn't realistic for most.
Hotels are relatively affordable and reliable, but be sure to check reviews before booking. Staying in hotels has its limitations; the most notable is the lack of a full kitchen and some other comforts of staying in a home or apartment. Some tips for saving on hotel rooms are booking during the off-season for better rates and booking with name-brand hotels since they are typically cheaper and more reliable.
Booking a vacation rental or "entire house" AirBNB may provide the most comfort for your dollar, especially for larger groups. Having a kitchen stocked with all the wares to prepare meals can help balance out the additional costs. Multiple bedrooms and plenty of living space help with comfortability while on extended trips. While it is fairly normal to find "private rooms" for a better rate than a hotel room, many prefer a setting where you aren't sharing the home with the owner or other guests and should expect to pay more to rent an entire house than you would on a hotel room.
Location, location, location. It's typical that the closer you are to the ski hill, the more you will pay for lodging. Ski-in ski-out accommodations provide the most convenient and immersive lodging experience on a ski trip, yet may come at a premium. Staying off the ski resort in a ski town can come as a saving compared to being slopeside while still offering many conveniences nearby. However, if you're willing to travel a bit further each day to go skiing, you will most likely find better deals on lodging. This may present added logistical hurdles to get to the mountain, and you may have to rely on a rental vehicle. If you are looking for the best balance between pricing and convenience, it may take a little additional research on the area you are planning to visit.
Lift Tickets
Of all the things affected by inflation, lift ticket prices have risen faster than most other items. A single-day ticket in the US today can range from $10 to $300 per person. The average is in the $125 to $225 range.
The lowest lift ticket price in the USA is at Washington's Badger Mt. Ski Hill, and day tickets are still only $10 a person. Badger offers visitors three surface lifts and five designated ski runs; it's not exactly known as a "ski destination," yet what it lacks in snowfall, terrain, and amenities, it most definitely makes up for in vibes. There are still small ski hills offering lift tickets around the $ 50-a-day mark, and if you don't seek the plush amenities or huge vertical feet, these are well worth visiting.
On the other hand, Arizona's Ski Bowl day passes can be found in excess of $300 per person per day. Most world-class or at least decent-ski resorts are offering single-day lift tickets in the $150 to $250 range. There are still some gems out there that bring you world-class skiing for under $100, yet every year, there are fewer & fewer of them, and I'm going to leave it up to you to find these precious places. The more of a "resort" feel you are looking for, the more money you will typically pay for a lift ticket.
There are bundled season passes, such as the Epic Pass and Ikon Pass. These "mega-passes" get you access to a plethora of ski resorts and are a way to save money if you are planning to ski a fair amount during a season or if you're looking to visit numerous ski areas in one season. This is a way to purchase a season pass to multiple ski areas for a relatively small price tag for such large offerings. If you're interested in learning more about the Epic and Ikon passes, it's worth reading more about.
Ski Rentals
If you're a beginner or even intermediate skier or snowboarder, renting equipment can save you some hassle when traveling and the upfront costs of purchasing equipment. How many times you ski each winter is a good way to gauge if you should rent or buy gear, and if you only go a few days a year, I would suggest renting. If you plan on skiing 10+ days a year on the slopes or live relatively close to the mountains, I recommend buying your own. The daily rate of a complete rental setup is usually around $50, so after two weeks of renting, you could own your own setup that will last for years to come. If you are thinking of buying your own equipment, there are experts here at Curated that can help you get the best gear for your individual needs.
Ski Lessons
I recommend lessons if you've never skied or snowboarded or haven't been in ages. A refresher lesson on your first day of a trip can set you up for a smoother transition back into shredding. Group lessons are more affordable than private lessons, yet they won't help you progress as quickly. Group lessons at places like Timberline, OR, and Whitepass, WA, are just under $100 for a 2-hour lesson. Prices of a private lesson are quite a bit more expensive, and some of the most affordable one-hour lessons may start at around $100, whereas a full-day private lesson can be upwards of $1,000. Read up on 10 pieces of advice about ski lessons from an actual ski instructor.
Food and Drink
Food and especially drinks are going to be more expensive at the ski resort. If your lodging is equipped with a kitchen, the best bet for a cost-conscious consumer is to prepare your meals yourself and pack lunches to avoid ski lodge food prices. Groceries for a week to feed a family of four can range from around $300 - $600, depending on where you are.
Unless you are taking notes adding up all the different costs associated with a big ski trip, you may find this helpful. Below is a table to help estimate travel costs, as well as a table to help you budget once you arrive at your destination.
Transportation Costs Estimate
Expense | Price Range |
Compact Car Rental | $23 - $105 per day |
Flight | $300 - $700 |
Gas per 100 miles | $14 - $35 round trip |
Price Per Person Per Day Estimate
Expense | Price Range |
Accomodation | $80 - $300 per night |
Day Ski Pass | $55 - $275 |
Food and drink | $25 - $105 per day |
Lessons (optional) | $80 - $200 per hour (private) or $70 - $130 per 2-hours (group)(doesn't count in total cost) |
Equipment Rentals | $30 - $110 per day |
Total | $200 - $790 |
Tips to Save Money
Possibly the biggest factor is avoiding peak season. This is typically Christmas vacation, New Year's, and most holidays or long weekends. Avoiding these times cuts costs on flights, lodging, lift tickets, and vehicle rentals. Visiting early or late in the season will help you miss the peak times.
Book your trip well ahead of time to save. Depending on the airline, you could find a bargain by booking in advance. There's potential to save on lodging and lift tickets when purchased online, ahead of time.
Avoiding food from the ski resort and preparing your own meals when possible are great ways to save money. It is important to experience tasting some of the local fare. However, the ability to skip ski lodge lunch and not eat out every meal will save you.
Look for package deals or promos that ski areas offer, or plan your trip with extra friends or family to help distribute some of the costs.
Last Run
Whether with airtime or the cost of a ski vacation, the sky is certainly the limit. That being said, it is possible, with some planning, research, and budgeting, to keep the costs low where the altitude is high. Without extreme craftiness, you can keep a trip under $200 per person per day. If that's out of your budget, many Ma and Pa ski hills can accommodate you for less.
Reach out to me directly if you want more help getting the most for your money on your next trip and please never hesitate to contact a Curated Ski Expert for help getting you the right gear for this winter.