In recent years, ski resorts have become notorious for their high prices. Over the past 25 years, the cost of ski passes nationwide has risen 500 percent, increasingly turning the sport into a vestige of the rich. Even sacrificing the stability of a 9-to-5 for a seasonal job and a rented room near the slopes often isn’t enough. As ski bums face extinction and the average American can only dream of affording a Vail holiday, we present the most affordable resorts and second-hand ski shops.
Get ready with preloved gear
Buying used skis and boots can be a risky business. Without solid technical knowledge, it is easy not to spot crucial signs of wear that can affect your experience and safety on the slopes. With skis, always focus on the quality of their base – scratches to the top are of little consequence but the bottom side must remain smooth but any scratch penetrating beyond the outer layer of material means a costly repair. Make sure to run your fingers along the edges, checking for unevenness as well as excessive thinning as skis sharpened too many times won’t have much life left in them.
Remember that most bindings older than five years might not be serviced at your local ski shop due to insurance issues. (Here’s a binding indemnification list for 2025.) Buying second-hand gear that’s not older than that also ensures you’re less likely to run into problems related to simple age-related material degradation.
With ski boots, pay attention to heels and fronts – the parts where the boot attaches to the binding need to be in good shape. Broken buckles are not a dealbreaker and can be replaced cheaply, unlike a worn liner which is likely to cause discomfort.
If you’re feeling unsure of yourself, turn to trusted retailers dealing in reconditioned skiing gear. (Skioccas and Merecyclers are just two of many.) Ski clothes can also be bought second-hand, not only directly from the previous owner but also reconditioned by the manufacturer.
Hit the (affordable) slopes
The average single-day lift pass might set you back as much as 250 USD, but many less popular resorts offer quality skiing for much less. The first rule of affordable skiing is easy: always buy online in advance. The second one is harder to follow as not many skiers can choose weekdays over the weekends, but the non-holiday weekday prices may just warrant taking PTO.
In Colorado, skip the overpriced Frisco in favor of Ski Cooper. Saturday passes at this cooperative resort start at 110 USD (and non-holiday weekdays are less than half that). In Nevada at Tahoe’s Mt. Rose, you can ski from 69 USD during the week and there are weekend discounts for locals. Across the country, only two hours from New York, Belleayre offers passes for 103 USD and up-to-date infrastructure thanks to the state’s investment.
As many resorts offer dynamic pricing changing according to demand, it is difficult to pinpoint the cheapest skiing destination in the US but it might just be Utah’s Brian Head, where last season you could grab a day-pass for the astonishing price of 20 USD.
To find affordable skiing near you, check out Powder Magazine’s and The New York Times’ lists of budget-friendly resorts, and make sure to take advantage of the reduced spring skiing prices.
