8 affordable ski resorts in the US and Canada

Skiing has long been famous as a sport for the rich. Since its introduction to North America in the early 20th century, it has often been reserved for those who could afford to take time off from work to spend exorbitant amounts of money to travel to far-flung destinations such as ColoradoIdaho and New England.

Today, not much has changed except that the cost of skiing has increased exponentially. During the 2022-23 ski season, 47% of skiers earned $100,000 or more, according to American Snow Sports IndustrySkiers and bikers on tighter budgets must find alternatives from the big resorts, as they can expect to pay closer to $300 per person per day, according to the study’s annual participation study. in popular destinations like Vail, Colorado; Deer Valley, Utah; and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, even if tickets are purchased in advance online. Factor in lodging, food, travel and equipment rentals, and the costs start to get out of reach.

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Luckily, there are many ways to cut costs. Most ski resorts encourage skiers to purchase season or day passes in advance by offering discounted prices. Passes with many mountains such as Epic And Icon tickets are priced at $1,025 through October 9 and $1,359, respectively, providing unlimited access to their resorts. But even those offer cheaper prices when you buy early. The Epic Pass has several options like the Northeast Value Pass, which costs $626 through October 9 and gives skiers unlimited and limited access to select ski resorts in Northeast. And then there are passes like Indy Passoffers two days a day at more than 200 resorts (although it’s currently only a waitlist purchase option for the 2024-25 ski season), and Mountain collectivegives passholders two days at each of the 25 resorts for $659.

But for those who don’t want to commit to a multi-day or multi-mountain pass, there are plenty of smaller ski-and-ride areas that offer lift passes without requiring a loan to pay. And you don’t have to sacrifice snow quality, terrain or coolness to save a little money.

Below, we round up some of the resorts with the cheapest cable car tickets in North America.

Burke Mountain, Vermont

Vermont is known for having the heaviest and most reliable snow on the East Coast. And while BurkeNew England’s 217 inches of annual snowfall isn’t the most in the country – or even the state – it’s more than most New England resorts typically receive.

Located in northern Vermont, two hours from Burlington, Vermont and less than seven hours from New York City, Burke Mountain offers 53 named and shaded trails on 270 acres of terrain and more vertical elevation 2,000 feet. Cable car tickets for adults cost only $89/day on weekends and $45 midweek.

Mount Abram, Maine

Mount Abram is a sleepy little hill just south of Bethel, Maine and popular with locals. You won’t find the luxury resorts and all that glamor in places like Park City, Utah or Aspen, Colorado, but you also won’t find the crowds or lift lines.

Like most New England resorts, Mount Abram isn’t the place to find bottomless powder or steep chutes and open bowls, but with 42 trails and shade on 450 acres and steep slopes. 1,150 vertical feet, enough to hold most skiers and cyclists. happy for a few days. There are plenty of short-term rentals around the resort and several hotels and motels in nearby Bethel, Maine, where the larger (and much more expensive) Sunday River is located. Mount Abram is also only an hour away Portland, MaineIt is a worthy destination in itself. If commute times aren’t a big deal, staying in the city – which has more breweries per capita than any other and the average lobster roll – is worth considering.

Cable car tickets at Mount Abram are only $39/day thanks to a partnership with LL Bean, but the mountain is closed Monday through Wednesday in the winter. Indy Pass holders also get two days at the ski area.

Willamette Pass, Oregon

With only 555 acres of skiable terrain, Willamette Pass is a relatively small resort, but the annual snowfall of 430 inches, thanks in part to the high base located 5,120 feet above sea level, makes up for it.

This resort is just an hour from the small city of Eugene, Oregon and features 1,563 vertical feet, 225 acres of terrain, and more than 12 miles of Nordic trails. Like many smaller resorts, there is more accessible terrain, perfect for beginners and families, but Willamette Pass is also home to RTS – one of the resorts the steepest access road domestic. In fact, nearly half of the resort’s trails reach or exceed 35 degrees at some point, which is steeper than you might expect, making this a great resort for advanced skiers and riders intermediate and advanced. There isn’t much accommodation at the resort, but the nearby towns of Oak Ridge and Crescent, Oregon, have some options. Or you can drive an hour to Eugene, where there are plenty of restaurants and lodging.

Lift passes at Willamette Pass start at $19 and are expected to operate daily during the 2024-25 ski season for the first time in 20 years. Children 12 and under and adults 75 and older ski free of chargebut tickets must be “purchased” online for $0.

Howelsen Hills, Colorado

With just 50 skiable acres and less than 440 feet of vertical drop, Howelsen Hill It’s not worth flying across the country for, but its location in downtown Steamboat Springs, Colorado and its free Sunday lift tickets (with non-Sunday tickets costing just $47 during 2023-24 ski season) makes it worth checking if you happen to be in the area and want to save a few dollars on lift tickets for a day or two.

The city-owned hill, which opened in 1915, is also the longest continuously operating ski area in North America. It is known as the Olympic training ground thanks to its impressive ski jumping complex.

Brian Head, Utah

Partly because it has the highest base in Utah, Brian Head Resort receives more than 360 inches of dry, powdery snow each year, making it a great spot for skiers and riders looking to make the most of their ski days and minimize their credit card balances. Located in southern Utah, just an hour away Bryce Canyon National Park (well worth a visit in winter!) and three hours away Las VegasBrian Head offers 650 acres of skiable terrain and 71 named runs across two interconnected mountains.

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The mountain operates a lodge just a two-minute shuttle ride from the slopes. Elevator ticket prices vary but when buy online ago, they could be as low as $52 on Saturday and $24 midweek. Early and late in the season, lift tickets can be purchased for under $20. Children 12 and under ski free Power Kids Cardalso valid at 12 partner resorts, including Willamette Pass. Adults 75 years and older ski free.

Cooper skiing, Colorado

Established in 1942 as a training ground for the 10th Mountain Division, Cooper skiing is one of the oldest and most affordable ski resorts in Colorado. The resort has an average annual snowfall of 260 inches, which is good because you won’t have to compete with huge crowds for the first races. And with a base elevation of 10,500 feet, you’re almost guaranteed soft, dry turns.

Ski Cooper’s 480 skiable acres are considered quite small by Colorado standards, but it has many beginner-friendly runs with some challenging runs in the catchment area Tennessee Creek.

Amenities at Ski Cooper are few – there’s no on-site lodging – but it’s only 15 minutes from Leadville, Colorado, a mid-19th-century mining town with many restaurants, shops, hotels and motels . Check Melanzana if you want to shop for locally made outdoor clothing, but make an appointment in advance to get access to their entire product line.

Weekend passes at Ski Cooper cost $95 during the 2023-24 season (pricing is not yet available for this year, though they are unlikely to change much) and adults 75 and older can get passes according to season for just $10. It also delivers $30 Thursdaywhere skiers and cyclists can get $30 lift tickets, $30 ski rentals and $30 discounts if purchased two days in advance.

Bridger Bridge, Montana

With 2,700 feet of vertical drop, 2,000 skiable acres and 300 inches of snow annually, bridge bowl competes with the largest resorts in North America. Montana’s much larger and more expensive Big Sky receives the majority of the attention, allowing Bridger to maintain a laid-back, “locals” feel. But that doesn’t mean the group’s expert skiers will be stuck all day with winding pruners – Bridger has some extremely difficult terrain, including a mountainside with steep descents, cliff ranges and open snowfields requiring extensive avalanche and backcountry knowledge and equipment.

Bridger Bowl has a few basic motels where you can grab a snack, tune up your skis, or warm up with some hot chocolate, but most lodging options are in the nearby town of Bozeman, Montana , just 25 minutes away.

Day tickets at Bridger Bowl are $82 for adults when purchased in advance online.

Mount Baldy, British Columbia

British Columbia is known for its rugged terrain and dry, uniform, and powder snow Baldy Mountain Resort is no exception. Baldy’s base area, located at 5,665 feet above sea level, is the sixth highest in Canada, so you can expect to see high-quality snow cover from top to bottom. It also gets between 300 and 420 inches of snow each winter, turning 600 acres of natural and groomed terrain into a skier’s and rider’s paradise.

Baldy has many Vacation homes and rentals around the resort, including Tinhorn Lodge with ski-in, ski-out access in the upper village. It also has partnerships with several nearby accommodations, offering “ski and stay” packages that get you discounts on accommodation when you show your lift ticket.

An adult day pass costs $87 on weekends, but the resort is also located on Indy Pass, giving you two days on the hill. It’s closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during ski season, so if you can get here on the Thursday after the storm you’ll have a great time!

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