Is your family dreaming of a ski vacation but shocked by the high prices for skiing? Don’t give up! A family ski vacation doesn’t have to break the bank. Whether youโre seasoned skiers or first-timers hitting the slopes, this guide will help you craft the perfect family ski getaway without sacrificing funโor your wallet. Letโs hit the slopes and save big!
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1. Think Small: Opt for Lesser-Known Ski Resorts
Big name resorts like Aspen and Vail have big reputations and huge prices, but they certainly aren’t the only resorts out there with great skiing and snowboarding. In fact, some of the smaller resorts can offer truly exceptional skiing for a fraction of the price.
Smaller resorts can feel more approachable, with smaller footprints, and an overall more relaxed atmosphere.
However, bigger resorts do have the advantage when it comes to amenities. Smaller resorts are unlikely to have on-site lodging, top-of-the-line chairs, high-end dining, spas, etc.
Small resorts often still have the necessities- excellent ski lessons, delicious dining, lodging near by, and transportation to the resort.
Here’s an example: two ski areas near Bozeman, Montana– Big Sky Resort (big name resort) and Bridger Bowl (smaller, locals resort). Big Sky is much bigger with 8800 skiable acres, and 39 lifts. Bridger is 2000 skiable acres and 11 lifts- but it still feels like lots to ski! Big Sky claims a 50/50 split on beginner/advanced terrain. Bridger Bowl doesn’t publish the stats, but it appears to have a similar split.
Lift Tickets:
- Big Sky (prices are variable)
- Adult: ~$200/day
- Child: ~$130/day
- Bridger Bowl
- Adult: $82
- Child: $38
Lessons:
- Big Sky (prices are variable)
- Adult: $210/half day, $250/full day
- Child: $300/full day
- Bridger
- $95/half day all ages
Lodging:
- Big Sky
- $~500+ for onsite lodging
- Bridger Bowl- no onsite lodging. You will have to drive 20 minutes from Bozeman or catch the shuttle
- Bozeman hotel with breakfast included ~$140/night
So if you add everything up, including discounts for multi-day etc., a 5 night, 3 skiing day vacation for a family of 4, including 3 days of lessons would cost around $7,000 at Big Sky, and $2,500 at Bridger Bowl.
I have skied both resorts, and my humble opinion- I prefer Bridger Bowl! Plus the prices at Bridger Bowl make skiing so much more feasible for families!
Here are a few of our favorite smaller name, but still great skiing resorts:
- Bridger Bowl- Montana
- Crystal Mountain – Washington
- Solitude– Utah
- Sundance -Utah (this is admittedly small resort with easier runs, but the atmosphere is superb)
- Attitash– New Hampshire
2. Save Big on Ski Passes
Lift tickets are a major expense for a ski vacation, but the good news- there are discounts to be found!
Multi-Resort Ski Passes
One surprising way to save a ton is a multi-resort pass: Ikon, Epic, Mountain Collective, and Indy Pass. The basics of these programs is that each one has a list of resorts at which their passes work (though there may be restrictions depending on the resort and the type of pass you buy so read the fine print!) You can buy a season pass, or just a multiday pass (2, 3, 4+ days depending on which program).
You’ll need to do the math for your specific plan, but it can end up saving you a TON of money, even if you aren’t a serious skier going 30+ days a year. One SUPER IMPORTANT caveat- you have to book early! These programs stop selling tickets in mid-December, and they may sell out of various options even earlier.
Season Passes or Multi-day packages
Be sure to check prices for a season pass at the resort you intend to visit. Sometimes the season pass can be surprisingly affordable, especially for kids and can pay out in just a few days.
Multi-day ski passes will often save you considerably on cost per day, so make sure you take a look at all the options.
Book early!
Many resorts increase prices as you get closer to the date. In addition, most resorts charge more at the resort than if you book online. Save yourself some money and book as soon as you can!
Kids Ski Free
Many ski resorts allow kids under 6 or 7 to ski free! If you have a younger child, double check that they can ski for free!
3. Choose your Dates Wisely
Lift ticket prices, lodging, and flight costs will vary widely depending on the dates you chose for your ski vacation. Many of us don’t have the luxury of flexibility when it comes to scheduling our family vacations. But for those who do, avoid higher cost days like holiday weekends. Presidents Day week and Christmas week are usually the highest priced weeks. Instead opt for mid-week and non-peak holidays. Spring time is a great time to find deals on a ski vacation, but it is not without risk. You never know when the snow will stop falling and when the resorts will close for the season.
4. Save on Rental Gear
Save on rental prices by renting before you get up to the mountain. Off mountain rentals are discounted compared to the on-mountain rates. And you can usually get a multi-day discount, saving you the hassle of having to wait in line for ski rentals every morning.
Make sure you shop around for the best rates and the best equipment. Some ski shops are ultra budget friendly, but won’t offer the nicest equipment, while others may have higher-end equipment, or demos, available for those who prefer nicer equipment.
5. Lodging for Less!
Ski resort lodging prices can be so high that it feels completely infeasible for most families. But, look a little farther out, and prices often look a LOT better. And, while lodging right on the mountain can be convenient, lodging offsite can work out great as well.
Check out nearby Airbnb’s- off mountain but nearby rentals can save you big on lodging costs. Plus having your own kitchen helps you save big on restaurants.
Hotels that are nearby, but not right on the mountain are often significantly discounted from ski-in/ski-out lodging. Look for hotels that have shuttles or other transportation to the mountain, or hotels that are near ski area shuttles. While its not quite as easy as ski-in/ski-out, its still a pretty convenient way to get up to the ski hill.
Pro Tip: Walking while carrying skis is SO much easier with these amazing ski straps! Its easy even if you end up carrying EVERYONE’S skis!
6. Save on Meals
One of the ski vacation costs that is easy to forget- meals! Ski resort cafeterias are notoriously expensive. And resort pricing for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and probably some snacks) for a family can add up fast.
Save some serious money by finding lodging with a kitchen or at least a mini fridge and a microwave. Making even a few meals and snacks will make a huge difference in the ski vacation budget. Plus, eating in often feels a lot more convenient during a ski vacation. Do you really want to get up extra early to sit down at a busy restaurant with a million other people on the exact same schedule, or, after a long day of skiing, go out to a restaurant with your exhausted children? Simple meals in the room/condo work out perfectly for a much lower price.
And don’t forget the snacks! Ski lodge cafeterias will have basic snacks (Clif bar or a bag of chips) for 3X+ the grocery store price. Avoiding those convenience fees can save a ton!
7. Skip the Resort Prices on Gear
It’s so easy to run into the resort pro shop and get whatever gear your realized you forgot. But prices there are guaranteed to be extremely high and may cause you to blow the budget.
Instead, make sure you pack carefully, and make sure you have everything you need before you arrive at the ski area. If possible, pack extra gear just in case its colder than you expected, or some of your gear gets really wet and needs extra time to dry.
In the market for some good ski gear for your trip? We love Ikspor for base layers for kids and adults! They are super warm and so comfortable your kids might want to wear them everyday! (I also want to wear mine everyday!)
For kids ski gear, we love Reima because its the best waterproofing we’ve found, warm, comfortable, and tons of great colors and fun patterns.
8. Book early to save
Like any type of vacation, book early- or at least starting to watch the prices early- can help you save a ton. That means booking your rental car, if you need one, lodging, flights, lift tickets, maybe even reserving rental gear. Often there are discounts for booking early. And even if there aren’t, you don’t want to make a reservation last minute, and being forced to accept any price for whatever is left.
A family ski vacation can become a reality for your family. With some strategic planning, you can save big and make sure that ski vacation you and your kids have been wanting is in the budget this year! Start planning your affordable ski adventure today and before you know it, you and your kids will be out enjoying the snow!