For many ski enthusiasts, the dream of a ski trip to a top-level ski resort is often dimmed by concerns about high costs. Fear not, because fantastic skiing doesn’t have to come with a quite so hefty price tag. Across the United States, there are hidden gems where the snow is just as fluffy, the runs just as exhilarating, but the prices far more wallet-friendly. In this guide, we’ll take you on a tour of some of the best ski resorts that offer a great ski experience a a major ski resort without burning a hole in your pocket. From the powder-rich grounds of Montana to the serene slopes of Utah, and the unique terrain of New Mexico, we’ve covered a range of destinations that cater to every skier’s desires – all while keeping an eye on the budget. So make that big trip to a major ski resort without blowing you budget.

Top Affordable Ski Resorts Across the USA

Whitefish Mountain Resort, Montana: Whitefish Mountain Resort is a haven for skiers who watch their wallets. Not only does it offer affordable lift tickets, but its variety of terrains suits all levels of skiers. The charming town of Whitefish enhances your experience with its budget-friendly accommodations, perfect for family trips or solo adventures.

Bridger Bowl Ski Area, Montana: A short drive from Bozeman leads you to Bridger Bowl, a non-profit ski area known for its cost-effective pricing and excellent powder skiing conditions. It stands as a competitive option against pricier resorts.

Grand Targhee Resort, Wyoming: Experience less crowded slopes and heavy snowfall at Grand Targhee Resort, located on the beautiful western slope of the Teton Range. Its affordability shines in comparison to the famed Jackson Hole, offering value-for-money lodging and lift tickets.

Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico: Taos Ski Valley is more than just a ski resort; it’s a culturally-rich experience blending challenging terrains with a unique ambiance. It’s a budget-friendly alternative for skiers seeking something different from larger, commercial resorts.

Solitude Mountain Resort, Utah: In the heart of Big Cottonwood Canyon lies Solitude Mountain Resort, a serene skiing destination with modest pricing compared to other Utah resorts. It’s ideal for those seeking tranquility on a budget.

Sugarloaf, Maine: For East Coast skiers, Sugarloaf offers fantastic skiing conditions and varied terrain at a fraction of the cost of more famous resorts in Vermont or New Hampshire.

Wolf Creek Ski Area, Colorado: Known for the highest snowfall in Colorado, Wolf Creek provides an ideal setting for powder enthusiasts. Its competitive lift ticket prices and relaxed atmosphere make it a standout choice for budget-conscious skiers.

Embarking on a ski adventure in the USA doesn’t have to deplete your savings. Our guide to budget-friendly ski destinations shows some good opportunities for enjoying world-class skiing without the world-class prices. Each of the resorts we’ve highlighted offers a unique blend of affordability, quality, and memorable experiences. Whether you’re carving down the slopes of Whitefish Mountain or basking in the cultural richness of Taos Ski Valley, you’re bound to find a destination that aligns with both your skiing aspirations and budget constraints.

Remember, the key to a successful budget ski trip lies in careful planning. Keep an eye out for package deals, explore off-peak seasons for the best rates, and don’t shy away from lesser-known resorts. These hidden gems often provide the best value, offering lower prices and fewer crowds, enhancing your skiing experience.

As you prepare for your next ski journey, think beyond the price tag. Focus on the experiences, the joy of skiing, and the beauty of the mountains. With the options available across the USA, you’re sure to find a resort that not only fits your budget but also enriches your love for skiing. So, gear up, choose your destination, and get ready to hit the slopes in a way that’s both economically and experientially rewarding. Happy skiing!

The following message from the Washington State Department of Transportation is directed at drivers traveling over I-90 Snoqualmie Pass but it applies to everyone on the roads this winter. As skiers and snowboarders, we often hit the roads in the worst winter conditions imaginable and its important to take ever precaution possible to ensure we safely arrive at our destinations. Remember folks, be prepared, drive for the conditions and be patient…its never, I repeat never, worth risking on the roads to get first chair. Getting to the ski resort safe is the #1 priority, everything else comes after:

Camille Larmoyeux, the Instagram influencer who handles luxurytravelmedia, went on a tear as to why a ski trip to Europe is better than a ski trip to Colorado for East Coast skiers particularly those living in New York City.

This video is obviously geared towards East Coast skiers but the points are valid and the skiing in Europe is truly incredible.

“Expandable apartment house fits to your existing van.”

The ioCamper is an concept mobile living solution that has a clever way of pulling up stakes and heading to the next destination….you just stuff your entire house in the back of a van. The telescoping living area includes four beds, a kitchen, a shower, and even a dining room. They failed to reach their crowd funding goal on IndieGoGo but with the recent craze of intinerant living and tiny homes this stealthy camper may still have a future:

FAQs

-Why people NEED THIS instead of a caravan or motorhome?

​The main benefit of the ioCamper is that the small size closed box can be put into almost any existing van. You do NOT need to transform your van to a motorhome spending plenty of money, and do NOT need to modify anything on your van. So you won’t lose your van’s original functions, you’ll be able to carry goods or people with it in the future. Also an important preference is the additional possible usage of the ioCamper. You can use it as a
standalone apartment in your courtyard, or as a fishing bungalow, or many other ways. Perhaps you want to invite your friend or family members but you don’t have enough space.Just open the ioCamper in your garden and use it as a small guest-house.

-What kind of VAN can be loaded with ioCamper?

​​The standard model – just like the prototype – has a size of 2.5 x 1.3 x 1.7 m (l x w x h), which can be fitted to any L1 H2 (or bigger) van such as Fiat Ducato, Citroen Jumper, Peugeot Boxer, Renault Expert, Iveco Daily, Volkswagen Crafter, Mercedes Sprinter, etc …

-Do you need any skills or training to use the ioCamper?

​​No. It is enough to follow the user guide. The process is operated by a mobile device which is connected to ioCamper’s own Wi-Fi network, such as a mobile phone, tablet, laptop, or smartphone. Naturally it is possible to operate manually upon your request.

-How long does it take to open and use it?

​​The apartment can be used within 5 to 10 minutes, depending on which way we want to use the ioCamper.

-Different variants available?

​​You can choose between 3 different height sizes depending on your van (H1, H2 or H3), so as the appearance of the ioCamper (modern, vintage, country, summer style). Inner height up to 2,1 m. Of course, we’ll be able to customize the sizes in the future on demand.

“28 ton snowhopper. We dare you to find another glacier truck – this size in Iceland that can keep up in with the Sleipnir Red Monster Truck.”

I’ve always wanted to visit Iceland and now I have another strong incentive…to take a ride the most badass tour bus on the planet. In Norse mythology the Sleipnir is the horse with 8 legs and its the perfect name for this monster glacier truck the folks at this Icelandic touring company use to get customers off the beaten path and into the some incredible glacial terrain. Options range from 4 hour excursions for around $163 USD to 10 hour trips for $252 USD. Particularly interested in one of their winter trips where you can hop out of this juiced up tour bus and check out the Northern Lights. Check out their offerings HERE:

About Sleipnir Tours:

With over 30 years of experience, Sleipnir Glacier Tours offers safe and awe-inspiring journeys across Iceland’s majestic Langjökull Glacier. Our unique Red Monster Trucks ensure a comfortable and unforgettable glacier experience, validated by our high ratings on Trip Advisor. For unparalleled Icelandic Glacier exploration, choose Sleipnir.

Here’s a 360 walk around the Sleipnir Red Monster Truck:

Images from Sleipnir Iceland Facebook

Did you know the steepest railway in the world hits a dizzying pitch of 47.7º? This is the The Stoos Bahn connecting the Schwyz Valley and the car-free city of Storrs in the Swiss Alps. To keep passengers from falling over during the severe climb, the floors tilt, adjusting to the slope as the funicular climbs at a gradient of 110% at its steepest point (think hamster wheel on a rollercoaster climb). This wonder of alpine engineering took 14 years to build at a cost of $53 million. If you’re afraid of heights you might want to just keep your eyes closed the entire time, its usually only a 4 minute ride:

POV FULL RIDE:

STOOS BAHN FACTS: 

110 percent maximum incline can be overcome by the Stoos railway. World record! No other funicular railway in the world is steeper.

1,500 passengers per direction of travel can be transported in one hour. That is 500 passengers more than with the old funicular railway.

4 – 7 minutes is the travel time. Much less than with the old funicular railway. Much more important: The mountain station of the new funicular railway is located in the middle of the village directly within the ski area – a huge plus in terms of comfort!

744 metres elevation gain the railway goes from Schwyz-Schlattli to Stoos. The best part: Thanks to the automatic level compensation of the cabins you always stand horizontally – really comfortable! The railway is wheelchair accessible.

1,740 metres is the distance of the route from the valley station to the mountain station.

34 passengers fit in a cabin. Four cabins per wagon amounts to a transportation capacity of 136 passengers per ride.

↓↓↓ORIGINAL CABIN DESIGN BELOW↓↓↓

images from swissinfo.ch

What optimal combination of settings will defog your windows the quickest? The answer may surprise you. 

It comes done to 4 scientifically proven steps that can produce defog times twice the speed you are used to:

This may sound a little labor intensive but if you need your car defogged in a hurry this hack just may come in handy! 

Condé Nast Traveler has released their Readers’ Choice Awards for 2023, including a category for best ski resorts. After reviewing their top picks, I have to wonder who is doing the voting at Condé Nast. Sure, there are some heavy-hitters on the list that make sense (such as Snowmass for #1, which is pretty consistent with Ski Mag’s annual top list). Overall though, there were some insane choices. Here are some call outs that I noticed:

• Colorado’s rankings are all over the place. Keystone ahead of Winter Park? Aspen Mountain ahead of Aspen Highlands? No Copper Mountain? And who even refers to Purgatory as a part of “Durango Mountain” anymore?
• I’m all for you East Coasters getting some love, but Bretton Woods in the top 10? Ranking just above Killington and Telluride? What?
• Anyone willing to put Deer Valley over Alta or Snowbird for the best of Utah tells you exactly what the demographic is. Bougie amenities over real skiing…
• Why are Park City and The Canyons listed separately?
• Camelback in Pennslyvania ranked 26th. That’s right, a resort in PA outranks places like Steamboat, Taos, and Alta.

Anyway, I have more questions than answers. Apparently, this isn’t the first time the rankings have left readers confused. I guess they are consistent in being strange? Here is the full list of top 40 with their scores:

1. Snowmass 90.27
2. Deer Valley 89.81
3. Smugglers’ Notch 89.69
4. Aspen Mountain 89.65
5. Sun Valley 88.91
6. Bretton Woods 88.83
7. Killington Resort 88.19
8. Telluride 88.11
9. Jackson Hole 87.67
10. Aspen Highlands 86.77
11. Waterville Valley 86.49
12. Whitefish Mountain Resort 86.36
13. Breckenridge 86.35
14. Beaver Creek 86.21
15. Vail 85.52
16. Park City Mountain 85.33
17. Crested Butte 85.09
18. Big Sky 84.73
19. Okemo Mountain Resort 83.91
20. Palisades Tahoe 83.57
21. Sunday River 83.05
22. Keystone 82.96
23. Wildcat Mountain 82.66
24. Mt. Bachelor 92.96
25. Stowe Mountain Resort 82.66
26. Camelback Mountain Resort 82.09
27. Steamboat 81.90
28. Heavenly Mountain Resort 81.61
29. Taos Ski Valley 81.55
30. Winter Park 81.52
31. Whiteface Lake Placid 81.26
32. Snowbird 81.16
33. Purgatory at Durango Mountain 80.36
34. Mammoth Mountain 80.07
35. The Canyons 79.84
36. Stevens Pass 78.44
37. Alta 78.15
38. Schweitzer Mountain 77.35
39. Northstar California 77.33
40. Mt. Baker 77.14

Photos Courtesy of Condé Nast Traveler and skiingsolo, Gifs Courtesy of GIPHY & GIPHY

A depleted workforce led to a 50% reduction in the Utah Transit Authority’s (UTA) ski buses during the 2022-23 season. This was due to worker shortages, caused by a lack of hiring during the pandemic, and employees leaving UTA (retirements and resignations) over the past couple of years. In spite of moving to bigger buses, this led to huge lines.

Due to a lack of funding from the State of Utah (UTA is government-run), they’ve been forced to double down on this bizarre strategy that hurts Utah’s winter tourism industry. The Salt Lake Tribune reports that UTA’s bus services will have fewer routes and departure times for the second straight winter. This comes after UTA told KSL around a month ago that they’ll “be in a much better position for this [upcoming] season.”

UTA has a lot of job openings, with 864 job positions, 101 of which are for bus operators. Andreas Colman, who is the regional general manager of UTA, described what they’re going through at the moment:

“We’re on the right path, but it is a slow path. Our turnover as an agency is around 10 operators a month just due to retirements. And so we need to hire that, and then above that, in order to have those net increases.”

This move is in spite of the Cottonwood ski resorts, especially in Big Cottonwood, doubling down on paid parking. Solitude is transitioning from paid parking to parking reservations on weekends and holidays this winter, while Brighton is going from free parking to parking reservations every day. Over in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Alta already has paid parking reservations on weekends and holidays, and Snowbird has paid reservations in a few of their lots.

These efforts by the four ski resorts were simple: for people to carpool and use mass transit. With more cuts, it seems like carpooling will be promoted by the resorts. In addition, the private bus services that were introduced last season will return, but these come at a cost for riders. They could also try enforcing the tire traction law for once but don’t count on it.

For employees at the ski resorts, they’ll continue to rent out vanpools from UTA, where they bring workers up to the mountains instead of having them park there. Travis Holland, who’s the Communications & PR Manager over at Solitude, told the Tribune that they’re looking at alternative options to bring employees up.

The 2024-25 season will be a big one for the Cottonwood Canyons. A toll system will likely be introduced, likely adding another fee for drivers. This is also when bus service is supposed to be brought back to normal during the 2024-25 season. In addition, a new parking lot/transit hub will be added. Skiing in the Cottonwoods, which is known for having arguably the best snow on the planet, is now also recognized for its mind-numbing traffic and crowds.

Will UTA be able to bring bus service back to normal in 2024-25? I have my doubts. In the meantime, the State of Utah needs to step up and help UTA out, and give more incentives to hire people. If you do take a UTA trip in the near future: be nice to your driver and thank them for what they do, because they’re going to have their hands full this coming winter. Perhaps even give them a tip.

In terms of how the State can barely run a functional ski bus service, yet expect to be able to run a ginormous gondola up Little Cottonwood Canyon… We’ll let you draw your own conclusions.

Image Credits: UDOT Cottonwood Canyons (Featured Image), Utah Transit Authority

Berthoud Pass, a popular backcountry destination and the main roadway to Winter Park, was riddled with potholes during last ski season. The potholes were more than just uncomfortable to drive over; they were dangerous. One driver even flipped his vehicle after hitting one of these potholes:

As someone who visited Winter Park numerous times last season, I can personally attest to the severity of the road damage. 4-wheel drive and snow tires didn’t matter when it came time to cross this pass. Well my fellow ski bums, we no longer need to fear the potholes! I’m happy to report that Berthoud Pass has been repaved.

I visited Winter Park over the weekend, and there wasn’t a single pothole in sight. The drive was smooth in both directions over the pass. Although the construction won’t be completed until the end of October, the road conditions are already a massive improvement from this past spring. Let’s hope it holds up through the upcoming winter!

Don’t forget, you can check Colorado road conditions and traffic on COtrip. Here’s a look at one of the live cams set up on this pass:

Photos and Video Courtesy of FOX31 Denver, COtrip, and skiingsolo