Lift ticket prices seem to get higher every season, causing many skiers and riders to experience what we call “window shock.” At several major ski resorts, particularly around peak holiday periods, a single-day lift ticket at the window can top $300. Ski for the weekend and you could be looking at more than $600 just for two days. So how do you really save money? Believe it or not, there are ways to get around high window prices and find discounted lift tickets that suit your skiing plans and budget.
For starters, the best way to save is to purchase one of the major ski passes. Ikon Pass, Epic Pass, Mountain Collective, and Indy Pass are some of the more notable options, and you can see more ski passes on our page here. While a multi-resort ski pass has its own high price tag, it typically pays for itself after just a few days of skiing or riding. It also gives you the benefit of exploring multiple resorts for a fraction of the cost.
That being said, a multi-resort ski pass doesn’t make sense for everyone, and not every ski area is on a pass program. So here’s our guide to the best ways to save money on skiing. Keep reading for our tips and tricks on how to find discounted lift tickets.
How to Find Discounted Lift Tickets
Do Your Research
Like it or not, ski pass products are here to stay. Looking to the future, Kelly Pawlak, former president and CEO of the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), told OnTheSnow, “I expect that the best values for the consumer will continue to be in the season pass products and midweek, non-holiday vacations. As the U.S. shifts to more remote work, that could be an advantage to skiers and riders who have a little more flexibility to get away at off-peak times.”
You might be an individual or a family planning to ski just a few days close to home, and perhaps you’re also planning a week to ski somewhere fun that’s farther afield. Doing some research before you arrive at the mountain is a great way to score some savings, as long as you don’t wait until the last minute. “The ski industry is like the rest of the travel industry,” said Amelia Richmond, a California video producer with ties to the ski and travel industry in Lake Tahoe. “If you book a last-minute trip to Hawaii, you’ll pay more. With lift tickets, discounts are out there, but you have to prepare.” Some people start planning winter ski trips the prior summer or earlier. While that may be a bit early, the sooner you get a jump on things, the more you’re likely to save.
Search the Web for Lift Ticket Deals
Start by searching the web. Most ski areas put their latest deals and limited-time offers on their home page, and many resorts also have dedicated “special offers” pages. Ski Vermont’s Bryan Rivard has some advice on saving money in Vermont, which may translate to other states as well. “Areas around the state offer military, senior, and (in some cases) Vermonter discounts on tickets—and free or discounted skiing for young children. Skiing at off-peak times is another great option; midweek, early- and late-season ski trips can offer serious savings. There are also often options to buy multi-day or group passes at a discount,” Rivard says.
He adds:
“It’s also a good idea to keep an eye out for ski area promotions throughout the season—if you know which mountain you’re traveling to, getting on their email list is an easy way to take advantage of any special offers. SkiVermont.com also has a ‘Deals’ section that’s worth keeping an eye on. If nothing else, be sure to pre-buy tickets online to beat the walk-up price and get to the chairlift as easily as possible.”
Buy in Advance for More Savings
As Rivard pointed out, purchasing lift tickets online ahead of time is one of the best ways to save on your ski trip. Most ski resorts across North America use dynamic pricing, which means tickets are typically cheapest when you buy early and most expensive at the window on the day you ski. However, sometimes there’s a catch. Single-day tickets aren’t always much cheaper online, and some discounts don’t kick in until you buy two or more days. Reading the terms and conditions carefully will help ensure you’re choosing the most cost-effective option.
Discounts are often even bigger before the season starts and during the early season, when ski areas launch promotions to build enthusiasm for the winter. Some of the biggest savings can come from buying tickets or multi-day packs during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.
Shop Around
Resorts aren’t the only ones selling lift tickets. Third-party vendors, such as ski shops, convenience stores, supermarkets, and gas stations near ski areas, sometimes offer them at prices lower than the resort’s window rate. Some local ski shops offer discounted lift tickets when you buy at the shop. For example, Canyon Sports and See N Ski have offered discounts for resorts in Utah. REI and Costco members can sometimes purchase discounted tickets, too, but you’ll need to check with your local store to find out which tickets are available and when.
If you’re a college student, your school may also offer discounted lift tickets. For example, the University of Utah’s Outdoor Adventures desk has offered discounted lift tickets to Solitude and Brighton. Check with your school’s student life office to find out if they offer any discounts. You may also be able to rent gear at a cheaper rate.
Watch for Special Promotions
For beginners, January is a good time to learn if you’re on a budget, thanks to Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, a national program in the U.S. that encourages people to try winter sports. Participating resorts often offer reduced-cost lift ticket, rental, and lesson packages so newcomers can learn without too much stress on their wallets.
Mary Jo Tarallo, who ran the program for many years, said, “The initiative focuses on motivating children and adults to learn how to ski or snowboard by taking lessons from professional instructors.” The program has introduced well over a million newcomers to the sport and remains one of the longest-running learn-to-ski and snowboard programs in the industry.
Finally, look for free and discounted skiing programs for kids. Steamboat was one of the first ski resorts to offer a Kids Ski Free program for children 12 and under, typically tied to a parent’s multi-day lift ticket purchase, so check the current terms before you book. Alterra Mountain Company has also held a Kids Ski Free Week in early December at many of its North American resorts. Several resorts have similar ski for free programs for young children or skiers over a certain age.
Statewide passport programs are another great deal for families. Colorado Ski Country USA’s Ski Passport covers kids in kindergarten through sixth grade for $76, with four days at each of 19 participating Colorado ski areas, and Ski Vermont’s Fifth Grade Passport offers free skiing across the state for the cost of enrollment. Similar programs exist in Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, and other states. Some passes even offer free skiing for kids: the Power Pass’s Power Kids pass is free for children 12 and under, with no purchase required and no blackout dates, and includes unlimited skiing at all Power Pass mountains, plus Valle Nevado and La Parva in Chile.
Pair Lift Tickets With Lodging and Airfare
Many ski areas offer discounts on lift tickets when you also book lodging, while some ski resorts, hotels, and destinations even offer free lift tickets with special lodging offers. This can significantly reduce the cost of a ski trip. Kalispell, Montana, for example, has offered free adult lift tickets to Blacktail Mountain Ski Area with a two-night stay at a Kalispell hotel.
Airlines have gotten in on the action, too. Alaska Airlines’ Atmos Rewards Alpine Getaways program (formerly Fly Alaska Ski Free) gives travelers free or discounted skiing when they show their Alaska Airlines boarding pass at partner resorts. Last season’s partners included Bogus Basin near Boise, Schweitzer near Spokane, Sun Peaks via Kelowna, Alyeska near Anchorage, and Eaglecrest in Juneau. The list of partners changes from year to year, so check Alaska Airlines’ website for this season’s offers.
Conclusion
It’s no secret that skiing and snowboarding are expensive. The cost of gear, lift tickets, lodging, and travel can really add up. However, if you follow the advice above, there are definitely ways to cut the overall price tag. Smaller, independent resorts often have lower ticket prices than those on the major passes, and many of them are on the Indy Pass. Packing lunches and snacks for the slopes, or investing in your own gear to cut out rental costs, will also help (see our article on finding discounted and used ski gear). And don’t forget to stay up to date on specific resort deals, ticket packages, and sales to make sure you’re getting the best price possible.
