By Amanda Luhn, Food Drink Life
Dreaming of a family ski trip but worried about sky-high prices? We’ve found seven ski resorts that keep costs low without sacrificing fun. From free passes for kids to budget-friendly lodging, these affordable skiing spots can help you plan a terrific winter adventure for your family without the hefty price tag.
As a community-owned, nonprofit ski area, Bridger Bowl has some of the most affordable lift tickets around, but don’t let that fool you into thinking this is a small, beginner mountain. With over 2,000 skiable acres, including an expert-only ridge terrain and a large beginner area, all skill levels can enjoy skiing and snowboarding at Bridger.
For families skiing at Bridger, the perks include not only lift tickets under $100 for adults but also cheaper tickets for teens and kids, free passes for kids under 6, and affordable gear rentals. Although there are no accommodations at the mountain, Bozeman is only 25 minutes away and you’ll find hundreds of budget-friendly options there to choose from, from hotels to vacation rentals.
Plus, Bozeman has plenty of dining choices, including cheap student eats in this lively university town. Other fun activities in town include the world-renowned Museum of the Rockies with its large dinosaur collection, local hot springs and several outdoor ice skating rinks.
Brundage Mountain Resort is famed for having Idaho’s best snow and is just 15 minutes away from beautiful McCall, Idaho. With 1,920 skiable acres and inexpensive lift tickets that are often under $100, that’s a lot of skiing for a family on a budget. McCall has a charming downtown where you’ll find restaurants, hotels and vacation rentals as well as a snow tubing hill and an indoor skating rink.
Families will like Brundage’s inexpensive Beartopia Pass which gives you access to a large area of green and blue runs, perfect for a beginner. This pass is only $20 if purchased along with a free lift ticket for kids 6 and under, making Brundage one of the cheapest places to teach your little ones to ski.
Jay Peak is a beautiful Vermont mountain resort that gets more snow than any other resort in the East. It is particularly appealing to families because it offers far more to do than just skiing and snowboarding on its 650 acres.
The resort has a massive indoor waterpark featuring pools, slides, a lazy river and indoor surfing. You’ll also find a movie theater, a climbing gym, an indoor ice rink and a full-service spa, making Jay Peak a resort experience for the whole family, even those with no interest in skiing.
A core part of Jay Peak’s mission is affordability, with lift tickets for adults $129 or less, cheaper options available for kids and deals if you go midweek. For beginner skiers, buy the less expensive passes for The Zone, a large area that only has green and blue runs over four lifts.
If you are willing to drive just a little out of the way, then you will be thrilled to discover one of Montana’s best-kept secrets, Discovery Ski Area. With 2,200 acres of skiable terrain, there are plenty of runs for every type of skier, and the views from the top of the mountain rival any resort in the Rockies.
You won’t find fancy apres ski dining or luxury condos at Discovery, but rather fantastic skiing at unbelievable prices. Lift tickets are $78 or less for adults and $48 or less for kids ages 6-12. The best deal for families is the lessons for kids that will set you back $90 or less for a lift ticket, gear rental plus an hour-and-a-half group lesson.
Discovery doesn’t offer slopeside accommodations, but you will find inexpensive local hotels in the nearby small towns of Anaconda or Philipsburg. Many vacation rentals also surround the picturesque Georgetown Lake, just minutes from the mountain.
Brian Head Resort in Southwest Utah is a smaller resort at just over 650 acres but its high elevation means that the snow is great. For families, the resort is a favorite as kids 12 and under can always ski for free, unlike resorts near Salt Lake City. Adult lift tickets are usually less than $100 and can be as low as $30 if bought in advance online.
Other perks for families include snow tubing, ice skating, a slopeside lodge and a $25 gear rental for kids. If you want convenience, stay in one of the condos, lodges or houses at the resort itself or you can find cheaper options in nearby Cedar City, just 40 minutes away.
Donner Ski Ranch is a small, family-run ski resort on Lake Tahoe that prides itself on providing the classic skiing experience without the high price tag. Lift lines are not a problem at this under-the-radar mountain, despite being only 45 minutes from Reno.
Lift tickets for adults are under $110 with even cheaper options for teens and kids. The best deal for families is the Old School Days where lift passes midweek are just $69 for ages 12 and above and just $39 for kids. Families can also save money on accommodations as there are plenty of choices in the surrounding Lake Tahoe area or in nearby Reno.
Purgatory is lesser known than many other Colorado resorts but it shouldn’t be. It has 1,600 skiable acres and its variable pricing model means that families that book early online can pick up lift tickets for well under $100. Like Brian Head Resort, kids 12 and under can always ski free at Purgatory.
Other family-friendly perks include snow tubing, a mountain roller coaster as well as plenty of accommodation choices at the base of the mountain. Durango is just 30 minutes away too, and is one of USA Today’s Top 10 Best Small Towns In The West. With more lodging and dining options in Durango, it is easier for families to find options within their budget.
While a family ski trip is not often thought of as a budget vacation, finding affordable prices at these seven resorts is possible. Don’t forget to buy your lift tickets online and as early as possible to get the best deals. And don’t be afraid to venture a little off the beaten path to find your family’s perfect ski trip at a great price.
Amanda Luhn learned to ski on the tiny mountain of Ober Gatlinburg in Tennessee and has been making her way around ski resorts big and small since then. She writes for her blog Simply Awesome Trips, exploring fantastic family vacations around the world.
