How to Plan a Ski Trip on a Budget: Affordable Resorts, Lodging & Eats

The best ways to save money on your ski trip.

Skiers and Snowboarders know how expensive it is to plan a ski trip. Buying flights, hotels, Airbnbs, ski rentals, and of course, the high cost of lift tickets! We understand that these trips can take a toll on the wallet, so let’s discuss the best way to save money, but still have a fun-filled adventure.

The best way to approach a budget friendly ski trip is first deciding where you want to go, and how luxurious you want to be. Driving to a destination can cut costs significantly, and depending on where you live, there are plenty of good resorts that can help turn your weekend into the perfect getaway. On the east coast of America there are resorts that cater to all kinds of skiers. Easy greens and blues for families and more advanced runs for those who want a little thrill. Places like Snowshoe in West Virginia or Holiday Valley in New York are great options for families and friends wanting a convenient ski trip.

Lift tickets in Holiday Valley range from $48 for an adult on weekend night all the way to $110 for an all day weekend ticket while junior tickets are even less than that. Compared to lift tickets at big resorts out west, a lift ticket here is significantly less expensive. Now lets talk lodging. Airbnb’s are great for a group of friends or family and range from $100 dollars to $200 a night depending on how large and how close to the resort you want to be. On-site hotels are similar in price ranging from $116 to $190 a night. Again, this is not the cheapest vacation in the world, but compared to resorts out west you can bring the whole family out for just over $500. “But what about food and drinks?” I’m glad you asked! This depends entirely on what you want to drink and eat while you’re on your trip. On some of our trips we have done a simple taco night and fed up to 10 people for cheap! Ground beef, tortillas, lettuce and salsa is all you need to refuel everyone after a long day out on the slopes. For lunch, bringing a couple sandwiches in a packed lunch can help you avoid the $25 meals that the resorts serve at the top of the mountain.

 East coast skiing is a great way to ditch the flight expenses and drive to affordable resorts, but what if you don’t live in driving distance of the east coast? Lucky for you there are some affordable resorts out west that offer world class skiing without the painful pricing. Locations like Bridger Bowl (Bozeman, Montana) have lift tickets under $100 for adults and offers beautiful scenery along with great skiing. Same with Brian Head resort in Utah, known for having affordable skiing at the same $100 mark. Our last recommendation would be Ski Cooper in Colorado. Weekday ticket rates are around $50 while weekend rates are around $100. You can still benefit from the beauty and fun runs out west without breaking the bank.

Overall, it is very possible to have a ski filled weekend without spending thousands. Taking advantage of cheaper lift tickets at any of the listed resorts can cut the cost of a trip in half compared to some of the bigger, more well known resorts. Planning ahead to pack lunches, grocery shopping for group dinners, and finding lodging off mountain can bring the cost of your weekend to under $500, which is this day and age, isn’t too bad to have the best weekend ever with family and friends.