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 bells and whistles of the 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 the Epic and Ikon Pass are your best value as long as you buy them soon after they go on sale 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, 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.
A note on prices: The lift ticket prices below are from the 2025–26 season. Most resorts use dynamic pricing, so rates vary by date and tend to rise a little each year. Buy online in advance for the best deal, and check each resort’s site for current prices.
Without further ado, here’s 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 in the state, at 2.75 miles. Wildcat is on the Epic Pass, making it a great choice for New England Epic Pass holders. If you’re not a passholder, lift tickets started around $109 a day last season, and you can save more by buying early or purchasing multiple days.
Mad River Glen, in Fayston, Vermont, is famous for its “ski it if you can” motto. The trails are challenging, thanks in part to a vertical drop of 2,037 feet, though snowboarders will have to leave their boards at home, since Mad River Glen is one of just a few skier-only resorts in North America. The vibe is laid back, and there aren’t the crowds you’ll find at other Vermont ski resorts, but don’t expect a high-speed chair or much machine-made snow. Last season, full-day lift tickets started at $125 for adults and $100 for skiers under 18 and over 65. Only skiing for a half day? You can save even more with a half-day or late-afternoon ticket.
Magic Mountain, an Indy Pass ski area, is part of a trio of southern Vermont resorts along with destination resort Stratton Mountain and venerable Bromley. Magic is another throwback New England ski area, though its owners have improved it considerably in recent years. It has 1,500 feet of vertical, 50 trails, 11 glades, 5 lifts, and a lot of advanced terrain (28% is expert). Online lift tickets have started 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, and it’s an Indy Pass member. Last season, weekday lift tickets started at $45 for ages 13 to 64, with weekend and holiday tickets from $81. Half-day and night skiing tickets are also available.
Cannon Mountain is one of the beauties of Franconia Notch State Park in New Hampshire. Located just off I-93 in the White Mountains, Cannon is New Hampshire’s only state-owned ski area. It has some of the best expert terrain in the region, with a 2,180-foot vertical drop and 10 lifts serving 285 acres of skiable terrain. Bought in advance online, adult lift tickets have started around $99, versus roughly $140 at the window. Cannon also has a sweet deal for New Hampshire residents: discounted Wednesday lift tickets with valid proof of residency. Cannon is another Indy Pass ski area.
Midwest
Chicago and Milwaukee residents only need to travel about 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. Last season, adult tickets were $55 Monday through Thursday and $87 on weekends and holidays.
Shanty Creek Resort’s Schuss Mountain in Bellaire, Michigan, is one of the most affordable options in the state, with lift tickets around $90 on weekdays and $109 on Saturdays and holidays. Its 7 lifts serve 42 runs when conditions are prime. Last but not least, Nub’s Nob, located north of Boyne in Northern Michigan, is small but packs in a lot of skiing and riding, with 53 trails served by 10 lifts. Adult tickets have started around $60 when purchased in advance.
Over in Wisconsin, Devil’s Head is a mid-sized, 260-acre ski area in the Baraboo Bluffs. Nine lifts (including five quads) move skiers fairly quickly, and guests will appreciate the 100 percent snowmaking coverage. Last season, adult weekend and holiday rates were $97 and weekday rates were $87.
West
Bridger Bowl in Bozeman, Montana, offers affordable skiing without sacrificing vertical or terrain variety. It boasts a 2,600-foot vertical drop and 2,000 acres of terrain. Hardcore skiers should make a beeline for Schlasman’s Lift, which accesses expert-only, backcountry-style terrain, and The Ridge, Bridger Bowl’s in-bounds hike-to terrain. Adult lift tickets have started around $84 online and $99 at the window. If you plan on skiing more than a couple of days, look for Bridger’s 3-day pack, which goes on sale close to opening day and is a great value if you use all three days.
Whitefish Mountain, which we named one of the best uncrowded ski resorts in the U.S., is another beloved Montana ski area with affordable day tickets. Guests can access 15 chairlifts, 111 runs, and 3,000 acres of skiable terrain for around $100 to $115 a day, and frequent skier cards and half-day tickets can help you save even more. A summit elevation of 6,817 feet and nearly 300 inches of snow per year on average make Whitefish a great Montana ski getaway.
When you think of Colorado ski resorts, you may not think “affordable.” But don’t sleep on Sunlight Mountain Resort, located about 45 miles from Aspen near Glenwood Springs, with 730 acres of skiable terrain, 2,010 feet of vertical, and 72 trails. Adult lift tickets have started around $74 midweek and $90 to $109 on weekends. Kids 12 and under can ski free with a paying adult through Sunlight’s Ski, Swim & Stay packages with partner hotels, and Sunlight is on the Indy Pass.
Donner Ski Ranch, on Donner Summit near Lake Tahoe, makes skiing the California High Sierra affordable, especially by Tahoe standards. An all-day adult lift ticket has run around $119, with tickets as low as $69 on its “Old School Days.” One of the oldest ski areas in the U.S., Donner 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 at affordable prices. You won’t get the same views as in Northern Utah, but they’re still great, since you’ll be surrounded by the region’s red rock. The earlier you buy, the more you save at Brian Head: tickets have started as low as $19 for the earliest buyers, though they sell out quickly. Otherwise, weekday tickets have generally run between $25 and $90, and weekend tickets have stayed under $100. Bonus: Kids 12 and under ski free with the Power Pass’s free Power Kids pass.
If you’re looking for an affordable Utah ski area closer to Salt Lake City, check out Beaver Mountain, about two hours north near the Idaho border. Online adult tickets have been around $70 for a full day and $50 for a half day. Beaver Mountain is more humble 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. Southwest of Beaver Mountain is Cherry Peak, which, like Beaver, doesn’t have the frills of Utah’s bigger resorts but offers more than 400 acres of skiable terrain, with lift tickets that have started around $55 for a full day and $45 for a half day. Both resorts offer night skiing.
Like much of the West, Wyoming isn’t generally 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 find lift tickets that have started around $54 on weekdays and $64 on weekends when bought online, and young children and seniors over 70 ski free. Located in the Medicine Bow National Forest, it offers 27 trails and 990 feet of vertical drop.
Pacific Northwest and Idaho
Just north of the Utah border, Magic Mountain (not to be confused with Magic Mountain in Vermont, featured above) is a small, affordable ski area for those who live in Southern Idaho or fly into Boise. Adult full-day lift tickets have been around $49 for access to its 11 trails across 120 acres.
Over in Washington, about an hour 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 feet of vertical. Tickets have been around $50 on select days and around $80 on weekends. Nearby, Mt. Spokane is another gem, with 1,700-plus acres of skiable terrain and 2,000 feet of vertical. Lift tickets have started as low as $55 online, with weekend tickets around $80.
Last but not least, Mt. Hood Skibowl, near Portland, is one of Oregon’s best values. It’s home to 1,500 feet of vertical and 960 acres of skiable terrain served by 10 chairs and surface lifts, and it’s known for having one of the largest night skiing operations in the country. Day lift tickets are typically under $100, and night skiing tickets have been around $64. See more on our list of the best resorts for night skiing.
FAQ
Where is the most affordable ski resort?
The most affordable ski resort depends on the day, the time of the season, and other factors. Our pick for the most affordable ski resort and best value is Brian Head, about three hours south of Salt Lake City. Lift tickets have been available for as little as $19, which is remarkably low at a time when many lift tickets run well over $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 U.S.?
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, which have a higher concentration of ski areas with lift tickets under $100. For more state-by-state picks, see our guides to the most affordable ski resorts in Colorado, Utah, and California.
What is the cheapest month to go skiing?
Let’s start with when isn’t the most affordable time to ski: the holidays in the heart of winter, when lift tickets and accommodations are at their most expensive. Early January, with the exception of New Year’s weekend and MLK weekend, is typically the best value during the heart of the season, and the weeks right after the holidays often have the year’s best flight and hotel prices, too. Otherwise, your best bets are the first few weeks of the season and spring skiing at the end of the season. Finally, if you plan on skiing a lot, a major pass can pay for itself after just a few days on the mountain. Don’t miss our guides to the Ikon, Epic, Mountain Collective, Indy, and Snow Triple Play passes.
Header image: ©Jessee Lynch/Brian Head Resort
