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It’s a known fact that ski vacations are expensive. However, there are budget-friendly ski resorts waiting to be found. You may not find the same vertical drop, acreage, or the bells and whistles of mega resorts, but you can still have fun and enjoy good conditions without breaking the bank. The most affordable ski resorts are generally small and mid-sized ski areas, though some are on the Epic or Ikon Pass. Multi-resort passes like Epic and Ikon Pass are your best value as long as you purchase them soon after they go on sell in the spring and ski at least a few days every winter at participating resorts. Although the upfront cost is higher, they save money in the long run if you ski enough.
If you’re looking to try a bunch of smaller ski areas on a budget, then you won’t go wrong with the fast-growing Indy Pass, with its wide network of generally affordable independent ski areas across the country. You can learn all about these and other multi-resort ski passes here.
Without any further ado, let’s get to our list of the most affordable ski resorts in America. Make sure to leave a review after your ski trips here.
The Most Affordable Ski Resorts in America
East
Tucked away in Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire, Wildcat Mountain is a classic East Coast ski area. With a vertical drop of 2,112 feet, Wildcat is one of the steepest mountains in the region. It has 225 skiable acres, ranging from beginner to advanced, and the longest summit-to-base novice trail, at 2.75 miles, in the state. Wildcat Mountain is now on the Epic Pass, making it a great choice for New England Epic Pass holders. If you’re not a pass holder, you can ski for as low as $109 a day. You may even save more by purchasing lift tickets early or buying lift tickets for multiple days.
Mad River Glen, in Fayston, Vermont, has a “ski it if you can” moniker. The trails are challenging, thanks in part to a vertical drop of 2,037 feet, though snowboarders will have to leave their board at home, since Mad River Glen is one of just a few skier-only resorts in North America. The vibe is very laid back and there aren’t the crowds that you’ll find at other Vermont ski resorts, but don’t expect a high-speed chair or machine-made snow. Full-day lift tickets for the 2025-26 season are as low as $125 for adults and $100 for those under 18 and older than 65. Only shredding for a half day? You can save even more money by purchasing a half-day or late-afternoon ticket.
Magic Mountain, an Indy Pass ski area, is one of a triangle of Vermont resorts consisting of the destination resort Stratton Mountain and venerable Bromley. Magic Mountain is another throwback New England ski area, though relatively new owners have improved the ski area considerably. The resort has 1,500 feet of vertical, 50 trails, 11 glades, 5 lifts, and a lot of terrain for advanced skiers (28% is expert terrain). Online lift tickets start at $65.
If you live in Connecticut you needn’t go far for a good deal. Mohawk Mountain in Cornwall is a fun ski area with a 650-foot vertical drop, 8 lifts, and 27 trails over 107 acres. Mohawk is also an Indy Pass member. A full-weekday lift ticket begins at $45 for those between 13 to 64, while weekend and holiday tickets are as low as $81. Half day and night skiing passes are also available.
» View Mohawk Mountain Lodging Options
Cannon Mountain is one of the beauties of Franconia Notch State Park in New Hampshire. Located just off I-93, in the White Mountain National Forest, Cannon is New Hampshire’s only state-owned ski area. This New Hampshire resort has some of the best expert terrain in the area, boasting a 2,180′ vertical drop and 10 lifts that serve 285 acres of skiable terrain. Purchased in advance online, lift tickets are as low as $99 for adults. At the window, they’re approximately $140. Cannon Mountain has a sweet deal for New Hampshire residents — $54 day rate on Wednesdays with valid proof of residency. Cannon Mountain is another Indy Pass ski area.
» View Cannon Mountain Lodging Options
Midwest
Chicago and Milwaukee residents only need to travel three hours to ski at Chestnut Mountain in Galena, Illinois. While it’s a small ski area with 475 feet of vertical, 18 trails, and 10 lifts, it’s still a good time for a great price. It’s just $55 for an adult ticket Monday through Thursday and $87 on holidays and weekends.
Shanty Creek Resort’s Schuss Mountain in Bellaire, Michigan is one of the most affordable options in the state. Lift tickets are just $90 Sunday through Tuesdays, while on Saturdays and holidays they’re $109. Schuss Mountain’s 7 lifts lead to 42 runs when the conditions are prime. Last but not least, Nub’s Nob, located north of Boyne in Northern Michigan, is tiny but packs in a lot of skiing and riding with its 53 trails served by 10 lifts. Adult tickets are as low as $60 when purchased in advance. Bonus: All these Midwest ski areas are on the Indy Pass.
Over in Wisconsin, Devil’s Head is a mid-sized, 260-acre Midwest ski area formed by a glacier in Baraboo Bluffs. Nine lifts (including 5 quads) move fairly quickly, while guests will appreciate the 100 percent snow coverage. Adult weekend and holiday rates are $97 and weekday rates are $87.
» View Devil’s Head Lodging Options
West
Bridger Bowl in Bozeman, Montana offers affordable skiing options without sacrificing vertical and terrain variety. It boasts a vertical drop of 2,600 feet and has 2,000 acres of terrain. Hardcore skiers should make a beeline for the new Schlasman’s Lift, accessing expert-only backcountry-esque terrain, and The Ridge, which is Bridger Bowl’s in-bounds hiking terrain. Lift tickets for adults start at $84 when you buy online, while they’re $99 at the window. If you plan on skiing more than a couple days at Bridger Bowl, consider the 3-day pack, which costs $225. They go on sale close to opening day and are a great value if you ski or ride all 3 days.
» View Bridger Bowl Lodging Options
Whitefish Mountain, which we named one of the best uncrowded ski resorts in the U.S., is another beloved Montana ski with affordable day passes. Guests can access 15 chairlifts, 111 runs, and 3,000 acres of skiable terrain for around $100. A summit elevation of 6,817 feet and an average of nearly 300 inches of snow per year makes Whitefish a great Montana ski getaway. Adult lift tickets are $115, two-day tickets are $99, and frequent skier cards or half-day tickets can help you save even more.
When you think Colorado ski resorts, you may not think “affordable skiing.” But, don’t sleep on Sunlight Mountain Resort, located just 45 miles from Aspen, and which has 730 acres of skiable terrain, 2,010 feet of vertical, and 72 trails. Lift tickets for adults start as low as $74 during the week and are between $90 to $109 on weekends. Kids 12 and under ski free at Sunlight with a paying adult on the Ski, Swim, and Stay program offered through hotel partners. Adults over 80 also ski free.
Donner Ski Ranch, near Lake Tahoe, makes a ski vacation in the California High Sierra affordable, especially by Lake Tahoe standards. An all-day adult lift ticket costs around $119 per day (or $69 on “Old School Days”). Donner is near the California and Nevada border and is one of the oldest ski areas in the U.S. It offers beginner and intermediate skiers excellent terrain across its 500 skiable acres, while more advanced skiers will also find plenty to love.
In Southern Utah, Brian Head Resort is your best bet for the state’s signature light, fluffy snow and affordable lift tickets. You won’t get the same views as you would in Northern Utah, but they’re still great since you’ll be surrounded by the region’s unique red rock. The earlier you buy, the more you save at Brian Head. Tickets start as low as $19, but these tickets go quick, and you’ll need to purchase them well in advance. If you don’t grab $19 lift tickets, then you’ll likely find weekday tickets between $25 and $90. Weekend lift tickets remain under $100. Bonus: Kids 12 & under always ski for free.
If you’re looking for an affordable Utah ski area closer to Salt Lake City, then check out Beaver Mountain, which is two hours north near the Idaho border. Online adult tickets are just $70 for a full day and $50 for a half day. Beaver Mountain is a more humble mountain than Utah’s most popular ski resorts, but it still enjoys generous snowfall (400-plus inches on average) and has a respectable 800 acres of skiable terrain and 1,700 feet of vertical. Located southwest of Beaver Mountain is Cherry Peak, which like Beaver Mountain, may not have the frills associated with Utah’s bigger ski resorts. Nevertheless, there’s still plenty to play on at Cherry Peak across more than 400 acres of skiable terrain. Lift tickets begin at $55 for a full day and $45 for a half day.
Both of these resorts offer night skiing.
» View Beaver Mountain Lodging Options
Like much of the west, Wyoming is generally not known for affordable skiing, but Snowy Range Ski Area is an exception. You won’t find the famous pitches of Jackson Hole but you will be able to snag a weekend lift ticket for $70 or less online. Weekdays start at $54 and weekends are $64, while children under four years old and adults over 70 ski free. Located in the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, it offers 27 trails and 990 feet of vertical drop.
» View Snowy Range Ski Area Lodging Options
Pacific Northwest
Just above Utah, Magic Mountain (not to be confused with Magic Mountain, Connecticut featured above) is a small, affordable ski area for those who live in Southern Idaho or who fly into Boise. An adult full-day lift ticket is $49 for access to its 11 trails across 120 acres of terrain.
Over in Washington, conveniently located an hour away from Spokane International Airport, 49 Degrees North is one of the Pacific Northwest’s best values with 2,300 acres of skiable terrain and 1,871’ of vertical. Tickets are around $50 on select days.Weekends are around $80. Nearby, Mt. Spokane is another gem of a Pacific Northwest ski area with 1,700-plus acres of skiable terrain and 2,000 feet of vertical. Lift tickets can be as low as $55 when purchased online, while weekend tickets are around $80.
Last, but not least, Mt. Hood Ski Bowl, near Portland, is one of Oregon’s best values. In total, it’s home to 1,500 feet of vertical and 960 acres of skiable terrain with 10 chairs and surface lifts. The area also has the largest range of night skiing terrain in the country. Lift tickets for the day are typically under $100, while tickets for night skiing are $64.
FAQ
Where is the most affordable ski resort?
The most affordable ski resort depends on the day, time of ski season, and other factors. Our pick for the most affordable ski resort and best value is Brian Head, which is about three hours south of Salt Lake City, Utah. Lift tickets can be scored for as low as $19, which is remarkably low in the age of lift tickets often being priced well north of $100. As a bonus, skiing in the red rock landscape is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
Where is the cheapest place to ski in the US?
Many of the most popular ski regions, such as Colorado, California, and Utah, are not your best bet for cheap skiing. However, you’ll find plenty of affordable ski areas in New England and the Midwest — those regions have higher concentration of ski areas with lift tickets under $100.
What is the cheapest month to go skiing?
Let’s start with when isn’t the most affordable skiing month. And that’s around holidays during the heart of winter, when lift tickets and accommodations can be the most expensive. Early January, with the exception of New Year’s Eve weekend and MLK weekend, is typically the best value during the heart of the ski season. This time, right after the holidays, is often the best flight and hotel prices of the year, too. Otherwise, your best bet is the first few weeks of the season and the end of the season for spring skiing. Finally, if you plan on skiing a lot, getting a major pass can save a lot of money on lift ticket prices and pay for itself after just a few days on the mountain. Don’t miss our guides on the Ikon, Epic, Mountain Collective, Indy, and Snow Triple Play passes.
Header image: ©Jay Dash Photography/Brian Head Resort
December 17, 2025
