Best Ways to Find Discounted Lift Tickets

Newsroom Lift Passes Best Ways to Find Discounted Lift Tickets

Walking up to a resort window to buy a lift ticket can often come with what we’ll call “window shock.” Lift ticket prices are more daunting than ever. At several ski resorts, particularly around peak times, you could be paying $250 for a lift ticket. Ski for the weekend and you’re looking at $500 just for two days. So how do you really save money? Believe it or not, there are ways to get around pesky window prices and find discounted tickets that suit all your skiing and financial needs.

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, though you can see more ski passes on our page here. While a major ski pass has its own high price tag, it typically pays for itself after just a few days of skiing or riding.

That being said, a major ski pass doesn’t make sense for everyone, and not every ski resort is on a pass program. So let us help break down the best ways to make sure this season’s ski trips don’t completely break the bank. Keep reading for all our tips and tricks on how to find discounted lift tickets.

Do your research

Like it or not, ski pass products are here to stay. When looking to the future, Kelly Pawlek, former President and CEO of the National Ski Areas Association (NSSA), 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,” she said.

Lift tickets waiting area, Colorado.
©Shutterstock

You might be an individual or a family planning to ski just a few days at a nearby area, and perhaps you’re also planning a week to ski somewhere fun that’s further afield. Researching before you hit the hill 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 folks start planning winter trips the prior summer or earlier. While that may be a bit early, the sooner you get a jump on things the greater savings you’ll likely find.

Search the web for deals

Start by searching the web. Most ski areas put their latest deals and limited-time offers on their home page. Many resorts also have specific “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 or early and late season trips can offer some savings, and there are often options to buy multi-day or group passes at a discount,” Rivard says.

“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—and programs like the Ski Vermont Fifth Grade Passport program that provides any fifth grader more than 90 days of skiing across the state for the cost of enrollment. 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,” Rivard explains.

Spring skiing at Stratton.
Take advantage of the deals available in Vermont ©Hubert Schreibl/Stratton Mountain Resort

Buy in advance for more savings

As Rivard pointed out, purchasing lift tickets online ahead of time is one of the best money-saving ways to plan your ski trip. Most ski resorts across North America offer savings for purchasing tickets in advance. However, sometimes there’s a catch. One-day tickets aren’t always cheaper online. Sometimes the discounts don’t kick in until you buy a pass for two days or more. Planning effectively and reading through the exact terms and conditions carefully will help ensure you are choosing the most cost-effective options when buying lift tickets online.

Discounts are even bigger prior to the season and during the early season when ski areas launch promotions that they hope will fuel skier/rider enthusiasm through the whole winter. Some of the biggest savings come by purchasing tickets or pass packs on Black Friday or Cyber Monday when ski resorts have some of their steepest discounts.

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 that are lower than the resort’s window rate.

Some local ski shops offer discounted lift tickets when buying at the shop. For example, Canyon Sports and See N Ski often provide discounts for resorts in Utah. REI and Costco members can sometimes purchase discounted tickets in stores, but you will need to check with your local store to find out which tickets are available and when.

Watch for special promotions

Learn to Ski and Ride Month each January is a nationwide program offering excellent beginner packages and promotions. These typically include lift tickets, rentals, and lessons at a reduced cost so that newcomers to the sport can learn without too much stress on their wallets. Check the websites and Facebook pages of your local ski area as this promotion has become a mainstream option all across the country.

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. As the longest-running learn-to-ski and snowboard program in the industry, this initiative has played a crucial role in growing both sports in a way that promotes having fun and staying safe.

Steamboat Springs, CO kids ski program school
Kids Ski Free program, Steamboat Springs, CO @Shutterstock

Finally, look for Kids Ski Free programs. Steamboat was one of the first ski resorts to offer free lifts, lodging, and lessons one-on-one with parents for vacation stays of five days or longer. Several resorts have similar ski for free programs for children under 5 or adults over the age of 75. Statewide programs enabling 5th graders to ski free are also an option in Colorado, Vermont, Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, and others. Some passes even offer free skiing for kids that qualify. The Power Pass has an incredible pass for kids 12 & younger, who can enjoy unlimited skiing at all of its ski resorts, including Valle Nevado and La Parva in Chile, for FREE.

Pair lift tickets with lodging and airfare

Many ski areas offer discounts on lift tickets when you also book lodging. This can significantly reduce lift ticket prices, and some accommodations even offer promotions featuring free lift tickets. Note that during the holidays, these packages are sometimes the only savings available — especially around Christmas and New Year’s. Kalispell has a great offer for the 2024-25 ski season, in which travelers can book a two-night stay at a Kalispell hotel and receive two adult lift tickets to Blacktail Mountain Ski Area.

Airlines, too, have started offering discounted and even free lift tickets in some cases. Alaska Airlines, for example, has a Ski Free program. With your Alaska boarding pass, you can ski free at multiple partner resorts, including Jackson Hole, Bogus Basin, Red Mountain, Steamboat, and more. Find more details on their website.

Conclusion

It’s no secret that skiing and snowboarding are expensive sports. The cost of gear, lift tickets, lodging, and travel expenses can really add up. However, if you follow the advice we’ve compiled above, there are definitely ways to minimize the overall price tag. Additionally, smaller, independent resorts often have lower ticket costs than ones on the major passes. Bringing lunches from home or investing in your own gear to cut out the cost of rentals will also help save money. Don’t forget to stay up to date on specific resort deals, ticket packages, and sales to ensure you’re getting the best price possible.

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