Spend any time on YouTube, Reddit or any other social site and you might be forgiven for thinking that North American lift prices for ski resorts are insane. Actually, yes they are. Especially if you go to the big and famous resorts. A day at Aspen, Vail, Whistler or Breckenridge will easily set you back the cost of one week in an equivalent or bigger ski resort in Europe or Japan.
And lets not even get into the issues with queues, parking, on mountain prices etc.
And for those despairing that its cheaper to fly to Europe and ski for a week than to take a ski trip within the USA or Canada – actually there are still some affordable skiing opportunities in North America.
Full disclosure: I’ve never skied (snowboarder me, but y’know what I mean) in North America. But thanks to the magic of the internet, I’ve done my research and found a list of 20 decent sized ski resorts where you can ski for under $100 for a one day pass. OK sure, $100 is still more than a day in Zermatt, Verbier or Courchevel – but at least you don’t have to fly across the pond. Right?
Finding cheap ski resorts in US & Canada
As a general rule, the cheap ski resorts in the USA and Canada tend to be smaller and probably have nothing to do with Vail. Many of them are family owned and they might not – or most likely won’t have the hotels, restaurants, parking or other amenities of your bigger resorts, BUT. They do have snow and lifts.
While there are some cheap ski resorts in places like Colorado and Utah, the best value spots tend to be away from the obvious Rocky Mountain hotspots. Look to places like the Pacific Northwest or the wilds of Idaho and Montana.
Also, booking online and in advance is often the best way to get the cheapest lift tickets, I’ve linked to many of the resorts listed on here so you can check lift prices yourself, If you find any good ski resorts I should mention drop a comment – or better still @ me on social media cos the comments are packed full of spam on here.
Hit me up on Insta or YouTube.
OK – lets go find some cheap skiing in the USA!
Pacific Northwest: Pockets of affordable powder
The Pacific Northwest offers some of the best snow conditions in North America on it’s day. And, perhaps surprisingly, some of its most affordable skiing. When it comes to great powder conditions, the headline winners are places like Whistler and Mount Bachelor.
Oregon
Oregon offers some tempting yet modestly sized ski areas. Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort, offering the region’s best value at just $50 per day – and despite its modest size of 100 hectares – it boasts an impressive summit elevation of 8,000 feet (2,438 m), ensuring excellent snow conditions. You might not make a week long trip here, but if you’re heading to the PNW, or you’re close by then it’s definitely worth a visit for that price.
While we’re talking of modest but cheap ski resorts, we need to mention Willamette Pass. With 555 acres of lift served terrain and a high point of 6,683 ft – this is a pocket sized yet fun packed resort. And with lift ticket prices starting from $19 (yes really), it might actually be worth packing your winter gear for a tour of Oregon. Oh and kids under 12 are free all season – which could tempt families looking for cheap skiing in North America!
For a slightly larger option, Hoodoo Ski Area provides 325 hectares of skiable terrain for $85 per day, with a summit elevation of 5,703 feet (1,738 m). Hoodoo is just over 2 hours drive from Willamette Pass, so you could make a PNW road trip and hit them both! Base yourself in Eugene, OR for access to both.
Washington State
Washington State maintains competitive pricing at its non-corporate resorts – and there are some great options here too. Mt. Baker Ski Area, famous for holding the world record for annual snowfall, offers access to 405 hectares for $95 daily. White Pass is another solid option at $85 per day during the week, rising to $95 on weekends, providing 485 hectares of varied terrain reaching 6,550 feet (1,996 m).
The Northern Rockies: The land of affordable skiing
If you’re looking for the cheapest, or certainly the best value ski resorts in the USA, it has to be the Northern Rockies. Montana and Idaho skiing offer some of the best value terrain in the US.
Montana
Montana might be more remote, but the distance inland makes it less prone to rain and wind, therefore slightly more consistency with the snow cover. Lost Trail Powder Mountain offers an incredible value at $68 per day for 405 hectares of terrain, topping out at 8,200 feet (2,499 m).
Discovery Ski Area provides even more terrain – 850 hectares – from just $50 daily, making it one of the best value-for-size ratios in North America.
Idaho
Idaho skiing deserves special attention for its combination of excellent snow conditions and reasonable prices. Idaho’s ski resorts are attracting top skiers, not just because of the exceptional terrain, but also because of the lack of overcrowding and long lift lines. Unlike the more commercialized resorts, Idaho’s ski areas offer a more relaxed, authentic experience, where you can enjoy the slopes without the chaos and expense that often comes with the larger ski resorts in other states.
Tamarack Resort has emerged as one of the best options for both locals and national visitors alike. Located just 90 miles north of Boise, Tamarack is quickly gaining a reputation as a top ski resort destination. It offers 1,020 skiable acres of diverse terrain, with everything from beginner-friendly groomers to expert-level steeps and terrain parks. With an annual snowfall averaging 300 inches, Tamarack’s powder conditions are perfect for skiers and snowboarders seeking fresh snow all season long.
Another excellent option for a cheap ski resort is Lookout Pass. Straddling the Idaho-Montana border, it offers an impressive 540 hectares of terrain for just $58 during the week, or $69 on the weekend, with a summit elevation of 5,650 feet (1,722 m). The resort is known for receiving some of the region’s best powder, averaging 400 inches annually.
For those seeking a more off-the-beaten-path experience, Soldier Mountain provides 445 hectares of uncrowded slopes for a mere $59 per day. Rising to 7,177 feet (2,188 m), this hidden gem offers both groomed runs and excellent backcountry access. Its location, just a few hours from Boise, makes it an excellent option for Idaho residents and visitors looking to avoid the crowds and high prices of more famous resorts.
Alaska
It might not be seen as a ski destination, despite the obvious snowy benefits. But Alaska proves that great skiing doesn’t have to be expensive. Eaglecrest Ski Area in Juneau offers 259 hectares of terrain for $75 daily, while Anchorage’s Hilltop Ski Area provides an ultra-affordable option at just $49 per day. Though smaller at 30 hectares, Hilltop’s proximity to Alaska’s largest city makes it an excellent choice for budget-conscious skiers.
Yes, to be honest, Alaska is more of a heli-skiing destination. And that ain’t cheap.
The Rockies: Budget ski options
Yes, Colorado and Utah get all the snow. And yes, they also have the mega expensive resorts. But they also have a few hidden gems in terms of affordable ski resorts. Sorry to the locals for spilling the beans here.
Eagle Point, Utah: Looks like an awesome resort, covering 600 acres and offering 43 ski trails. And with a summit at over 10,000 ft, you’re getting some incredible snow here for the lift price of $64 for the day ($84 on the weekends).
Nordic Mountain, UT: Offering 900 acres and a peak elevation of over 7,000 feet – this might be one of the best value per mile ski resorts in Utah, possibly the USA. Lift tickets go as low as $19 per day when bought in advance online, although the list price seems to be between $69-89. Which is still a great price for a cheap ski resort in the USA.
Sunlight Mountain, CO: Close to Glenwood Springs, this affordable Colorado ski resort offers just over 700 acres of skiing for a relative bargain of as low as $70 for one day when bought in advance. With 75 trails and a peak elevation of almost 10,000 ft, it might be worth skipping the queues at Vail and enjoying the views here instead.
Donner Ski Ranch, CA: This might be the best value ski resort in California! With 500 acres of trails and a cheap midweek ticket, Old School Days costs just $69. Although regular days (Friday to Monday) are full price at $109.
Ski Santa Fe, NM provides access to 279 hectares reaching 12,075 feet (3,680 m) but falls just outside our $100 threshold – but at $102 for a day we thought we’d include it anyway.
Red River Ski Area, NM: Offers a more intimate experience across 93 hectares, still reaching an impressive 10,350 feet (3,155 m). Again, it falls just the wrong side of $100 – with tickets coming in at $104 for the day pass during the week, or $116 on weekends.
Canadian Rockies
It ain’t all about Whistler-Blackcomb! Thanks to favourable exchange rates, British Columbia offers some of North America’s best value skiing for those earning in USD.
Phoenix Mountain charges just CAD 53/57 (about USD 41) for access to 121 hectares of terrain. Mount Timothy provides even more terrain at 147 hectares for CAD 79 (approximately USD 58).
There are of course plenty of smaller and affordable ski resorts across Canada. Powder King (C$107) and Sasquatch ($69) are worth a mention too…
New England
While the East Coast gets nicknamed the Ice Coast – which seems to be true about half the time – it does offer some good value ski resorts. And for those who don’t want to make the journey across the US to ride snow, sometimes local is best.
Saddleback Mountain in Maine offers 220 hectares for $139 daily. However, you can also access the lower half of the mountain for a more wallet friendly $59 per day.
New Hampshire provides two excellent options. Black Mountain, offers tickets from $59 per day, while Cannon Mountain offers more challenging terrain for $99 daily.
In summary
It is possible to find affordable ski resorts and cheap ski holidays in the USA and North America. Yes, you might sacrifice the bigger resort feeling – but actually you might find a nicer resort, and support an independent or family owned business too!
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