Let’s face it: skiing is an expensive sport. Between gear, lift tickets, travel, lodging, food, and drinks, the costs of a ski trip can add up quickly. California is no exception, but by sticking mostly to small and mid-size ski areas, you can ski and ride affordably in California.
For more affordable ski resort recommendations, check out our roundup of the most affordable ski resorts in America. After your trip, rate and review the ski areas you visited here.
A note on prices: The lift ticket prices below are from the 2025–26 season. Ticket prices change with the time of season, snow conditions, and special promotions, and most resorts use dynamic pricing, so buy online in advance and look for deals early and late in the season and on weekdays.
The Most Affordable Ski Resorts in California
Boreal Mountain
Lake Tahoe may not be known as an affordable ski destination, but there are some good values in the area. Boreal Mountain, just north of Lake Tahoe on Donner Summit, is a smaller Tahoe ski area with six chairlifts, two surface lifts, and 41 trails across 380 acres. It’s one of the few Tahoe ski areas with night skiing, has extensive snowmaking, and is often one of the first in the region to open for the season. Boreal is also home to Woodward Tahoe, with plenty of terrain park features for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities.
Last season, Boreal’s lift tickets started around $99 midweek early in the season, with typical prices around $119 midweek and $124 to $139 on weekends and holidays. Boreal has also offered Play Forever Fridays on select weeks, with lift tickets for just $35 and a portion of each sale going to a local nonprofit.
Soda Springs
Boreal’s sister resort, Soda Springs, is quite literally down the road, and it’s one of the oldest ski areas in California. Dubbed “Tahoe’s Best Kept Secret,” it’s a humble ski area with 15 trails, five lifts, and snow tubing. Much of its terrain is geared to beginners and intermediates, making it an affordable, less crowded choice for families and new and progressing skiers. Last season, lift tickets typically ran about $94 to $99 on non-holiday weekdays and about $104 to $119 on weekends and holidays. Soda Springs has also offered the same Play Forever Friday deal as Boreal; those tickets go fast, so buy online ahead of time.
Donner Ski Ranch
Donner Ski Ranch is another historic, affordable ski area in the Lake Tahoe region. Atop Donner Summit, this family-owned ski area has eight lifts serving about 500 acres of terrain. More than half of it is geared to beginners and intermediates, making it a great pick for families and California locals just getting started, though advanced skiers can still find worthwhile terrain on the backside and upper mountain. Donner Ski Ranch is also relatively uncrowded compared with Tahoe’s bigger resorts.
Last season, full-day lift tickets started around $119 and half-day tickets around $99, with discounts for kids and seniors and affordable rental packages. Midweek Old School Days, on Tuesdays through Thursdays, have offered tickets for just $69 and discounted rentals.
Mt. Shasta Ski Park
Northern California is home to many world-renowned ski resorts, but you’ll have to head far north, to Mt. Shasta, for one of the state’s best affordable ski areas. On the slopes of the Mount Shasta stratovolcano, Mt. Shasta Ski Park has about 635 acres of skiable terrain, with 38 runs served by six chairs and roughly 2,000 feet of vertical. It also has terrain parks and night skiing. Last season, adult full-day tickets started around $99. Mt. Shasta caps daily ticket sales, so crowds are minimal compared with California’s bigger ski areas, and it’s on the Indy Pass, a great option for skiing on a budget.
Badger Pass Ski Area, Yosemite
The quaint, historic Badger Pass Ski Area, also known as the Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area, has been welcoming skiers and riders in Yosemite National Park since 1935, making it California’s oldest ski area. It’s small, with about 90 acres, 10 runs, five lifts, and roughly 600 feet of vertical, mostly suited to beginners and intermediates, plus a huge network of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails. Shuttle buses have run between the ski area and park lodging. Badger Pass’s season depends heavily on snow and typically runs from late December into March, so check the opening date before you go.
Badger Pass has some of the lowest lift ticket prices in California, with full-day adult tickets in the $60s and discounted tickets for kids, plus deals for locals who live near Yosemite. It’s not just anywhere that you can ski and explore such an iconic national park in the same trip.
Mt. Baldy
Don’t sleep on Southern California ski areas. Mt. Baldy is one of the closest ski areas to Los Angeles, about an hour from parts of the city. With a summit around 8,600 feet and about 2,100 feet of vertical, it’s a fun place to rack up vertical. The Sugar Pine Chairlift takes you up to the Top of the Notch restaurant, with incredible views of the surrounding mountains. New skiers can enjoy Mt. Baldy’s learning terrain, while advanced skiers will find their share of steeps.
While walk-up lift tickets have been around $120, Mt. Baldy often discounts online tickets significantly, sometimes to under $50.
Snow Valley
Part of the Big Bear Mountain Resort family, Snow Valley has been rated the top small ski area in California by our readers and app users. While a ticket good at all of Big Bear Mountain Resort costs well over $100, skiers and riders can buy a ticket just for Snow Valley’s roughly 240 acres. Last season, Snow Valley tickets started around $89 midweek and topped out around $105 on holiday weekends, so buy online ahead of time for the best price. One of Southern California’s longest-operating ski areas, open since 1937, Snow Valley has an easygoing vibe, terrain for all abilities, a lift-served tubing park, and the Snow Valley Express high-speed six-pack.
FAQ
Where is the most affordable California ski resort?
Badger Pass in Yosemite and Mt. Baldy are among the most affordable ski areas in California, with lift tickets that have run in the $60s, or even under $50 with online deals at Mt. Baldy. Badger Pass is a great add-on to a trip to Yosemite National Park, while Mt. Baldy is ideal for L.A. locals and visitors looking for a winter fix.
How do you ski in California on a budget?
Buying discounted lift tickets online is usually the best way to save on a day on the hill, and if you plan to ski several times in a season, a ski pass will save even more. Some resorts sell lodging packages that include lift tickets, often for off-peak days. Packing a lunch helps, too, since resort food and drinks add up. Finally, shop locally or rent gear away from the base area for better deals.
One California-specific option for locals is the Cali Pass, which has offered unrestricted access to several California ski areas, including Bear Valley, China Peak, Dodge Ridge, and Mountain High, plus days at Powder Alliance partner resorts. Check the Cali Pass website for this season’s partners and pricing. The Indy Pass, which includes a number of independent California ski areas, is another affordable option, though it’s only on sale for a limited time each year.
How do you find lodging deals in California?
Check hotel and lodge websites for ski vacation packages, and sign up for ski resorts’ newsletters and follow them on social media, where they often post special offers. You can also save by staying at a bed and breakfast or vacation rental, many of which are just minutes from the slopes. Head to OnTheSnow’s California page to see the latest lodging deals.
Leave a resort review after your California ski trip to help other travelers plan their next vacation.
Header image ©Soda Springs
