Feb 16, 2025
The seven most affordable ski resorts in the United States. | Image: Brian Head Resort, Edited By Alfred Arnaud
Despite the anticipation for the upcoming season, nobody looks forward to opening up their wallets for all of the expenses of the ski and snowboard season. With inflation on the rise and many resorts jacking up their lift ticket prices, finding an affordable spot to book your next ski or snowboard vacation can be a challenge. To help you and your wallet out, we narrowed down the seven most affordable ski resorts in the United States.
Whitefish Mountain Resort | Image: TripAdvisor
#7 Whitefish Mountain Resort, MT
Whitefish Mountain Resort is a ski resort in Montana, just south of the Canadian border.
The mountain boasts over 3,000 acres of terrain and receives nearly 300 inches of snow each year. The resort offers night skiing and has terrain for all different ability levels, making it a very family-friendly resort.
Adult Lift Ticket Price: $97
Megapass: None
Vertical: 2,353 feet
Skiable Acres: 3,000
Lifts: 12
Closest Airport: Glacier Park International Airport
Website: https://skiwhitefish.com/
Palisades Tahoe | Image: Palisades Tahoe
#6 Palisades Tahoe, CA
Palisades Tahoe, located on the Sierra Crest in California, receives more than 400 inches annually and has fantastic skiing throughout the entire season.
Situated about 20 minutes from Truckee and about an hour from Reno International Airport, Palisades Tahoe is a great mountain to go chase a powder day or enjoy the groomers with the family. Although the ticket prices start at $179 per day at Palisades Tahoe, the resort is on the Ikon Pass, which allows unlimited days for skiers and riders who have the pass.
Adult Lift Ticket Price: $179
Megapass: Ikon Pass
Vertical: 2,850 feet
Skiable Acres: 3,600
Lifts: 29
Closest Airport: Reno-Tahoe International Airport
Website: https://www.palisadestahoe.com/
Bridger Bowl | Image: Visit Bozeman
#5 Bridger Bowl, MT
Bridger Bowl, Montana, is located just outside of Bozeman and is a small but impressive mountain.
The mountain gets around 300 inches of snow each year, and when it does snow, it is low-density blower snow, what many Montanans refer to as “cold smoke.” Bridger Bowl is a locally owned, non-profit ski area that places emphasis on providing locals with fabulous but affordable skiing.
Adult Lift Ticket Price: $77
Megapass: None
Vertical: 2,700 feet
Skiable Acres: 2,000
Lifts: 8
Closest Airport: Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport
Website: https://bridgerbowl.com/
Arapahoe Basin | Image: Evo
#4 Arapahoe Basin, CO
Arapahoe Basin is your best bet if you are looking to ski affordably in Colorado.
Arapahoe Basin’s base area has activities and terrain for the whole family, but head up the mountain a bit and you will be instantly immersed in challenging terrain. Located just over 60 miles outside of Denver, the Colorado Arapahoe Basin is a popular Colorado ski and travel resort.
Adult Lift Ticket Price: $79
Megapass: Ikon
Vertical: 2,530 feet
Skiable Acres: 1,428
Lifts: 9
Closest Airport: Denver International Airport
Website: https://www.arapahoebasin.com/
Mt. Baker Ski Area | Image: awalkandlark.com
#3 Mt. Baker Ski Area, WA
Mt. Baker Ski Area in Washington receives on average over 600 inches per year, which is the highest average snowfall in the United States.
Situated approximately 130 miles north of Seattle, the mountain provides skiers with the quintessential features expected from a locally owned and private resort.
Adult Lift Ticket: $91
Megapass: None
Vertical: 1,500 feet
Skiable Acres: 1,000
Lifts: 10
Closest Airport: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Website: https://www.mtbaker.us/
Taos Ski Valley | Image: Ski New Mexico
#2 Taos Ski Valley, NM
When most people think about New Mexico, skiing is not the first thing that comes to mind. Taos is located just 72 miles north of Santa Fe and offers some of the most challenging and intense terrain.
Over 40% of the marked terrain is expert terrain. The Blake Hotel is a great place for out-of-town guests to stay. The hotel has 80 rooms and is well-known for its excellent spa services, impressive art collection, and reasonable prices.
Adult Lift Ticket: $95
Megapass: Ikon
Vertical: 3,281 feet
Skiable Acres: 1,294
Lifts: 13
Closest Airport: Santa Fe Regional Airport
Website: https://www.skitaos.com/
Brian Head Resort | Image: Brian Head Resort
#1 Brian Head, UT
Brian Head, located in southern Utah, takes the top spot on our list of the most affordable ski resorts in the US.
With lift tickets as low as $29 and located within close proximity to major cities and states (four hours from Salt Lake City, Utah, and three hours from Las Vegas, Nevada), the resort is the perfect destination for those looking for a weekend excursion out of the city.
Adult Lift Ticket: $29
Megapass: None
Vertical: 1,548 feet
Skiable Acres: 650
Lifts: 8
Closest Airport: Cedar City Regional Airport
Website: https://www.brianhead.com/