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Lift ticket prices seem to get higher every season, causing many skiers and riders to experience what we call “window shock.” At several ski resorts, particularly around peak times, you could be paying $250 for a single 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 high window prices and find discounted lift tickets that suit your skiing desires and financial needs.
For starters, the best way to save is to purchase one of the major ski passes. Ikon Pass, Epic Pass, The 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 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 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 let us help with our guide to finding the best ways to save money 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. When looking to the future, Kelly Pawlak, a 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.
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 further 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 greater savings you’ll likely find.
Search The Web For Ski Pass 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, 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—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.”
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, or passes, in advance. However, sometimes there’s a catch. Single-day tickets aren’t always cheaper online. Sometimes 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 that you’re 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 in hopes of fueling enthusiasm through the whole winter. Some of the biggest savings can come by purchasing tickets or pass packs on Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
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. Additionally, 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’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 offers 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, which is a national program in the U.S. that encourages people to try winter sports. Oftentimes, related promotions 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.
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.
Finally, look for free skiing programs for kids. Steamboat was one of the first ski resorts to offer free lift tickets to children aged 12 and under when their family stays at the resort for five or more days. 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 for 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, 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, for example, had a great offer for the 2025-26 ski season, in which travelers could 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. 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. Packing lunches and snacks for the slopes or investing in your own gear to cut out the cost of rentals will also help save money (See our article here about finding discounted and used ski gear). 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.
November 14, 2025
