Top Budget-Friendly Ski Resorts in the U.S.
While the cost of heading to a ski resort can add up quite quickly, these budget-friendly options are here to help ski lovers hit the slopes for less.
In search of the most affordable options, Holidu, a vacation rental search engine, surveyed more than 500 American ski resorts to create its U.S. Ski Price Index to help avid skiers unearth the best deals out there.
Top Affordable Ski Resort Recommendations
At the top of the list is Powder Mountain, located between Eden and Paradise in Utah. This resort sees about 500 inches of powdery snowfall a year, available for an average of $74 per person each day—equivalent to less than $2 per skiable kilometer—thus including ski passes and accommodations.
“You are sure to get your money’s worth on this mountain,” Holidu’s report states.
The second spot is taken by Schweitzer Mountain in Sandpoint, Idaho, with an average cost of $78 per person daily. The mountain even offers twilight skiing in the evenings, enhancing your skiing experience.
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Moreover, for those interested in east coast skiing, Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine is recommended, where a day on the slopes and evening of apres-ski activities costs just under $120 per person. “Sugarloaf is the best bang for your buck with the lowest cost per km of skiable slopes,” Holidu noted.
Affordability Across Locations
Utah, Washington, Oregon, and Colorado are home to several of the most affordable ski trip options in the U.S. However, it is important to note that Colorado also hosts some of the most expensive ski destinations in the country.
The average cost of a ski trip to Vail, Colorado, comes in just under $400 per person, according to Holidu. Meanwhile, skiing in Aspen averages just under $302 per person each day.
Complete List of Top 10 Budget-Friendly Ski Resorts
- Powder Mountain, Utah
- Schweitzer Mountain, Idaho
- Mt. Hood Meadows, Oregon
- Alta, Utah
- Purgatory, Colorado
- Mt. Baker, Washington
- Sugarloaf, Maine
- Mission Ridge, Washington
- Mt. Bachelor, Oregon
- Winter Park Resort, Colorado
