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The Pacific Northwest boasts some of the best skiing and top destination resorts in North America. However, a ski trip to many of the Pacific Northwest’s biggest, most popular resorts isn’t very affordable unless you have a multi-resort pass or snag an early-season deal. Yet there’s still a lot of great skiing to be found if you’re traveling on a budget. We’ve got you covered with our guide of the most affordable ski resorts in the Pacific Northwest.
Before we jump into the list, note that in this case, when we say the Pacific Northwest, we mean Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. For affordable ski resorts in Canada, see our article here. You can find more recommendations of affordable ski resorts in America in this article. After your trip, rate and review the ski areas you visited.
Note: Ticket prices change with the time of the season, snow conditions, and during special promotions. As such, these prices may fluctuate during the season. Look for deals early in the ski season, late in the season, and on weekdays.
The Most Affordable Ski Resorts in the Pacific Northwest
Washington
Bluewood Resort
Located 20 miles east of Dayton, Washington, Bluewood Resort, known as being a great under-the-radar Washington ski area, boasts amazing tree skiing and off-piste cat-accessible terrain. Advanced skiers and powder chasers will have no trouble finding plenty to love, while beginners and intermediates will also appreciate the fact that two of its lifts are easily accessible from the learning areas. Bluewood has 26 runs, nearly 400 acres of skiable terrain, and receives 300″ of snowfall annually on average. Adult lift tickets start at $69, and by purchasing ahead of time, you’ll get 20% off weekend ticket prices. Those who plan on skiing for more than one day can score a three-pack for $169. Bluewood was voted the no. 2 family-friendly resort in Washington by OnTheSnow readers.
» View Bluewood Lodging Options
Mission Ridge
Built into a basin in the eastern Cascade Mountains outside Wenatchee, Washington, Mission Ridge has 70 runs and seven lifts (including two rope tows) and receives a generous 200″ of snowfall per year on average. Skiers and snowboarders can explore 2,000 acres, including chutes, bowls and backcountry glades during the day and 50 acres of night skiing terrain. Tickets are as low as $89 but typically cost about $150 during peak season. Bonus: Mission Ridge enjoys 300 days of sunshine, making for lots of bluebird days.
» View Mission Ridge Lodging Options
49 Degrees North
Don’t overlook 49 Degrees North, a hidden gem of the Pacific Northwest with 2,325 acres of lift-accessed terrain. Considering its size, 49 Degrees North is very reasonably priced, with lift tickets available for as low as $47. Weekends are around $69, with discounts available for college students and military with a valid ID. Holiday lift tickets often reach $79. 49 Degrees North has 3 basins, 2 peaks, 7 lifts, 90 trails, multiple terrain parks, and 1,871’ of vertical. 49 Degrees North is conveniently located just over an hour away from Spokane International Airport.
Note: While 49 Degrees North is a lesser-known Washington ski resort, it’s home to the longest high-speed lift in the state. The 7-minute ride brings guests up 1.25 miles from the base to one of the summits.
» View 49 Degrees North Lodging Options
Summit at Snoqualmie
Just 50 miles east of Seattle, the Summit at Snoqualmie is a 1,994-acre resort in the heart of the Mt.Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The resort has three base areas; Summit West, East and Central, which grant skiers and riders access to 65 runs of varying difficulty. Each base area has something unique to offer guests. Summit Central is the main hub of the resort, where you’ll find the most varied terrain, as well as shopping and dining options. Summit West, known for its convenient family-friendly zone, is the perfect place for beginners to get their ski legs under them. Finally, Summit East is where you’ll find Snoqualmie’s 50 kilometers of Nordic trails and other varied alpine terrain.
Lift tickets start at $85 with weekends and holiday often being higher. Afternoon tickets, valid from 12-4 p.m., start at $60 and night skiing tickets, valid from 4-9:30 p.m., start at $43.
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Mt. Spokane
Mt. Spokane is a unique, community-owned, non-profit ski area that helps keep skiing and riding affordable. Located 25 miles from Spokane, it’s the region’s only resort that offers 12-hour ski days, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eight lifts serve 55 trails spread over 1,704 acres of skiable terrain. During the week, tickets are as low as $67 for adults. They go up to $89 on weekends and holidays. Youth, college, senior, and military discounts are also available online and at the ticket window.
» View Mt. Spokane Lodging Options
Oregon
Willamette Pass
Oregon’s Willamette Pass is a great mid-size resort just 70 miles from Bend and Eugene. Although ticket pricing is dynamic and changes based on demand, early-season tickets sometimes drop as low as $19. Even holiday prices typically don’t exceed $50. Willamette Pass has a great program called “Shred it Credit,” in which guests who purchase a ticket online ahead of time, from opening day until March 14, receive $20 in Shred Credit that can be redeemed at the Sport Shop and the Mountain Restaurant and Lounge (for food and non-alcoholic drinks) on the day of their lift ticket.
All total Willamette Pass has 30 trails spread across 555 acres. It receives an impressive 430″ of snowfall annually on average. Advanced skiers will find a lot to love, including 8 challenging black runs and 1,563 feet of vertical. There’s plenty of beginner and intermediate terrain, too.
Mt. Ashland
Just north of the California border is Mt. Ashland, where locals claim that it “skis a lot bigger than it looks,” due to its elevation at 7,533′. Adventure seekers will appreciate the challenging cirque, a glacial bowl with plenty of steep, bumps, and demanding terrain. Mt. Ashland also has a great ski school and a lot of terrain for beginners and intermediates. On weekends, adult lift tickets are $82, and on weekdays, they’re priced at $55. Discounts are available for youth, children, and senior skiers. Mt. Ashland is full of character, just like the town of Ashland, with runs and lifts named after Shakespeare plays and characters, including the Elizabethan Lodge and Balcony and Upper Balcony trails.
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Hoodoo Ski Area
Hoodoo Ski Area is just 44 miles northwest of Bend, atop Santiam Pass, and features 800 acres of skiable terrain. Five lifts bring skiers and riders to 36 runs—everything from wide-open groomers on the frontside to playful powder stashes on the backside. Adult full-day tickets are $79, while half-day tickets are $66. At peak times prices jump to $89 and $76 respectively. Hoodoo also has night skiing Wednesday to Saturday from 4-9 p.m. Night skiing tickets range from $39 to $49. Hoodoo Ski Area also has Thrifty Thursdays, when guests can purchase all-day lift tickets for $35.
» View Hoodoo Ski Area Lodging Options
Anthony Lakes
We’ll end this section in Eastern Oregon at Anthony Lakes, an 1,100-acre ski area with three lifts, 21 runs, a terrain park full of features, and cat skiing through untracked powder. Adult tickets are $50, while there are discounts for students and military. Anthony Lakes’ best deal is on Thursday with $30 lift tickets. The ski resort offers some fun programs, like the Save Our Sanity (SOS) promotion, designed specifically for families with non-skiing infants and toddlers. An SOS ticket can be used alternatively by one parent at any time so they can enjoy some ski time and save on one-day tickets. Staying at one of its lodging partners also gets guests 10% off a lift ticket.
Idaho
Bogus Basin
While Idaho is known for big-name resorts like Sun Valley and Schweitzer, Bogus Basin is a can’t-miss non-profit, featuring 2,600 acres of skiable terrain and more than 90 trails just outside of Boise. Adults can ski for $84, teens for $62, juniors for $37, and children 6 and under for $10. Note that Bogus Basin operates on an RFID card system, so ticket prices will incur a $5 new card charge fee—keep your ticket and reload it to save money.
» View Bogus Basin Lodging Options
Pebble Creek
Pebble Creek, located on the northwestern slopes of Mont Bonneville within the Caribou National Forest, is home to 1,100 acres of skiable terrain and 2,200 feet of vertical. It has three chairs that serve 54 runs with a range of beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain. What’s most unique to Pebble Creek is a 1,098-meter USAA Giant Slalom run and a 565-meter USAA Slalom run. Adult day tickets for a full day are $83 and half-day tickets are $63. Night skiing and beginner-only lift access tickets are $35.
FAQs
Where is the most affordable Pacific Northwest ski resort?
Washington, Idaho, and Oregon all have affordable options for those looking to travel on a budget. The best bang for your buck can be found at Willamette Pass in Oregon if you can snag their midweek tickets that can be under $25. Many resorts, including Hoodoo Ski Area and Anthony Lakes in Oregon, have discounted mid-week riding promotions where guests can ride lifts for around $30. In Washington, 49 Degrees North has adult full-day tickets for under $50, which is a pretty solid deal, especially considering the amount of terrain it has.
The best way to save money at Pacific Northwest ski resorts is to look for deals like these, ski mid-week, and buy tickets ahead of time online. Smaller, independent mountains are always going to be the best for saving money as opposed to the bigger resorts on one of the major multi-resort ski passes.
How do you ski in the Pacific Northwest on a budget?
Buying discount lift tickets online is typically the best way to save if you don’t have a season pass. Mid-week, non-holiday tickets are usually cheaper and a better time to avoid crowds. In late fall and spring, many Pacific Northwest ski resorts offer beginning and end-of-season deals to entice people to head to the mountains. Families should check resort websites to see if kids ski free at some resorts. Alternatively, if you plan on skiing more than a few days this season, purchasing a season pass, either at one mountain or a multi-resort pass, is the most cost-effective way to save. If you typically stick to independent ski areas, then check out the Indy Pass when it goes on sale. Additionally, you can often save by staying at a nearby boutique hotel or vacation rental rather than staying on property. Nevertheless, some ski areas offer discounted or free lift tickets when you stay at the ski area.
Finally, rather than purchasing ski gear from a major retailer, consider renting ski gear for your trip. Often, ski rentals are cheaper at an independent ski shop nearby than at the ski resort itself. Alternatively, if you do plan to purchase gear, then consider purchasing your gear before the season starts, or at the end of the season, when gear is often heavily discounted.
How do you find lodging deals in the Pacific Northwest?
Staying on the mountain can sometimes be more affordable than looking for lodging elsewhere. Many of the best budget ski resorts offer ski and stay bundles to help keep costs down. Check hotel and lodge websites for ski vacation packages. Sign up for ski resorts’ newsletters and follow them on social media, since that’s where they’ll often post special offers. Head to OnTheSnow’s Pacific Northwest page to see the latest lodging deals.
After your Pacific Northwest ski trip, leave a resort review and help other travelers plan their ski vacation.
October 18, 2025
