15 US Ski Destinations That Are Cheaper Than You Probably Think

Aspen and Deer Valley are overrated and overpriced. Get your ski fix here instead.

1. Loveland Ski Area — Georgetown, Colorado

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Just 53 miles west of Denver, Loveland Ski Area claims they get “more snow than any Front Range or Summit County resort” which is saying a lot considering they also have some of the best lift ticket rates around. Oh, and if that doesn’t convince you, they include free snowcat skiing along the Continental Divide.

Ski and stay package: as low as $192/night, includes two lift tickets per day and lodging for two guests

2. Bristol Mountain — Canandaigua, New York

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With the highest vertical between the Rockies and the Adirondacks, this upstate resort is perfect for New Yorkers craving time in the mountains. When the East Coast cold becomes too much, slip into the on-mountain waffle house — Morning Star Café — for Belgian waffles doused in local maple syrup.

Ski and stay package: $115.50/night, includes one lift ticket per day and lodging for two guests

3. Brian Head Resort — Brian Head, Utah

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Skiing doesn’t get much cheaper than this. For a mere $45 a day you can get high in Utah’s backcountry. According to the resort's website, Brian Head has the highest base in Utah at an impressive 9,600 feet in elevation. For even more savings, wait till after dark when you can shred for the cost of a pizza and beer.

Lift tickets: $45/day ($25 for night skiing)

Lodging: starting at $43/night for up to three guests

4. Bolton Valley Resort — Richmond, Vermont

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If you’re smart, you can ski this Vermont resort for cheap. Early season skiing (until December 6) is $40, night skiing is $25, and most Mondays are $29. If all else fails, the ski and stay deal below works out to less than $90 per person, per day. Side note: The Ben & Jerry’s headquarters is 20 minutes away.

Ski and stay package: $99/night for a midweek stay for two guests, with lift tickets an additional $40 per person, per day

5. Homewood Mountain Resort — Homewood, California

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An easy 15 minute drive from Tahoe City, this little gem of a resort sits right on Lake Tahoe. It may get overlooked by the hordes headed to Squaw Valley, but the ski area offers the region’s best lift ticket value — and thanks to its proximity to Tahoe City, you can usually find a moderately priced Airbnb.

Lift tickets: $64/day

Lodging: $125/night for up to four guests

6. Greek Peak Mountain Resort — Cortland, New York

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Kids — and more importantly, kid-like adults — will feel right at home at this winter wonderland. Just over three hours from New York City, the resort has 33 ski trails, an arcade, indoor waterpark, and alpine slide.

Ski and stay package: $89/per person, per night

7. Whitefish Mountain Resort — Whitefish, Montana

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This ski resort’s location near Glacier National Park is only part of its draw. Whitefish Mountain Resort boasts 105 marked trails, vast amounts of bowl and tree skiing, and four terrain parks.

Ski and stay package: as low as $89/per person, per night

8. Lookout Pass Ski Area — Mullan, Idaho

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Sitting on the border of Idaho and Montana, this little ski area claims to have the best priced lift tickets in either state — and we think they may be right. The resort gets an average of 400 inches of powder annually, and if you come on your birthday, you ski for free.

Lift tickets: $45/day

Lodging: as low as $45/night for two guests

9. Labrador Mountain — Truxton, New York

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A $61 lift ticket is hard to beat, but at Labrador Mountain, you can cut that price almost in half by strapping in at night. Starting at 4 p.m. you can shred the resort’s 17 lighted runs for $35.

Lift tickets: $61/day ($35 for night skiing)

Lodging: as low as $116/night for two guests

10. Wolf Creek Ski Area — Pagosa Springs, Colorado

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Considering this hidden-away ski area typically gets the most snow in Colorado, the lift ticket prices are more than reasonable. Plus, you can soak in one of Pagosa Springs’ natural hot springs after a long day on the hill.

Lift tickets: $76/day

Lodging: as low as $109/night for two guests

11. Sugarloaf Mountain — Carrabassett Valley, Maine

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Considering its size — 1,240 skiable acres and 162 runs — the rates at Sugarloaf are hard to beat. And if you need a break from your skis, the resort has everything from fat biking to dogsledding.

Ski and stay package: as low as $90/per person, per night

12. Beaver Mountain Ski Area — Garden City, Utah

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Sure, you could empty your wallet at the renowned Deer Valley resort, but why pay up to $200 for a lift ticket, when you could ski all day for $50? This northern Utah resort first opened 80 years ago and is found in the Bear River Mountains between Logan, Utah, and the Idaho border.

Lift tickets: $50/day

Lodging: starting at $59/night for two guests

13. Bogus Basin — Boise, Idaho

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Bogus Basin is all about making skiing affordable. That means every dollar you spend goes back into the nonprofit organization’s equipment, facilities, education, and outreach. It also means you can ski for cheap.

Lift tickets: $67/day

Lodging: as low as $130/night for two guests

14. Cranmore Mountain Resort — North Conway, New Hampshire

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Depending on the day, you can ski this New Hampshire resort for as little as $15 — yep, adults too. But even if you end up paying $40 a day, it’s money well spent. The resort has 56 runs and plenty of intermediate terrain.

Lift tickets: as low as $15/day

Lodging: as low as $100/night for two guests

15. Mt. Hood Skibowl — Government Camp, Oregon

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Ever considered skiing a potentially active stratovolcano? Yep, it’s a thing. And if you want to take it up a notch (and save a few bucks) Skibowl also has the largest night ski area in the U.S.

Lift tickets: $57/day ($36 for night skiing)

Lodging: $65/night for two guests

Check out our tips for a budget-friendly ski trip — or head to Bring Me for more travel inspiration!