These Are the Best Value Ski Destination Lift Tickets In North America This Winter
By the time you’re reading this, the window to get the best deals on access to destination ski resorts has long been over. But even with the prices at most destinations rising to astronomical levels, there are still deals to be had—even during peak times. In fact, several destinations offer many of the qualities desirable in a ski vacation for only a fraction of the cost of competitors.
We’ve independently reviewed over 75 different ski resorts in North America, and in this video, we’ll go through the ones we believe, on average, offer the best bang for your buck. Some of the resorts on this list even offer good values on the busiest weekends and holidays, so if you’re still aiming to book a trip this season, this list might be for you.
A few quick notes before we jump in—we’ll be mentioning a number of average 1-day ticket prices in this piece; these are weighted averages designed to reflect the purchase behavior of a typical consumer, with weekend and holiday tickets rated more heavily than off-peak weekdays, and advance ticket purchases weighted more heavily than window rates.
And we’ll also caveat that we made sure to cover a variety of resort regions to make sure this piece would be reasonably practical. If we went strictly by price alone, nearly every mountain on this list would be in Western Canada. Enjoy!
#10: Alta/Snowbird
Average 1-Day Ticket Price at Alta: $163
Average 1-Day Ticket Price at Snowbird: $162
It’s probably a stretch to say that these visiting either of Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon mountains is economical in the traditional sense—but both Alta and Snowbird are so much less expensive than their similarly-sized Rockies competitors that they had to make this list.
The AltaBird duo offers the highest-quality snow we’ve tested anywhere, regularly seeing some of the highest snow totals of any North American ski resorts and maintaining a light and dry consistency that so many other mountains lack. Terrain uniqueness is top notch at both resorts, especially for experts, and the footprints at both mountains make for some of the most amazing vibes one can find in-bounds at a ski area.
But what’s the asking price for these incredible strong suits? Well, an average 1-day adult ticket price at Alta costs $163, while the 1-day ticket at Snowbird just undercuts it at an average rate of $162. Alta tickets can go for as low as $135 on off-peak weekdays, while the cheapest 1-day Snowbird ticket drops as low as $142. These rates are by no means trivial, but they are much cheaper than the majority of well-known Rockies competitors, which now go for closer to $200 per day on average. And despite the cheaper price tag, Alta and Snowbird trounce these competitors in snow quality and ease of access while maintaining similar or better combinations of terrain and overall resort aesthetic.
So why are these resorts more reasonably priced than competitors? Well, it really comes down to the on-mountain towns—or lack thereof. There’s very little going on directly off the slopes at both Little Cottonwood Canyon resorts, and the limited accommodations that do exist are expensive and book up quickly. While the more expensive destinations offer extensive ski towns or villages to walk around in, Alta and Snowbird really don’t. Alta also has a significant catch—it doesn’t allow snowboarders, meaning that riders who make their way up the canyon will have to stick to Snowbird.
Ultimately, a trip to Alta or Snowbird means paying for the top-tier skiing experience alone—and not an associated ski town or village. Not everyone will like this, but if the slopes are what you care about, this area is a great value for what you get.
1-Day Ticket Range at Alta (Core Season):
Adult 13+: $135-$174
Child 0-12: $68-$87
1-Day Ticket Range at Snowbird (Core Season):
Adult 13-64: $142-$196
Child 7-12: $85-$118
Senior 65+: $121-$167
Child 0-4: Free
#9: Whistler Blackcomb
Average 1-Day Ticket Price: $145 USD ($196 CAD)
Whistler Blackcomb is a similar story to Alta/Snowbird—not cheap on its own, but so much better and less expensive than all even remotely close competitors that it had to make this list. Whistler offers the largest skiable footprint with a lift ticket in North America, as well as a top-tier lift system, top-notch terrain for visitors of all ability levels, and a one-of-a-kind aesthetic. There’s also an excellent slopeside village to boot. So what does all of this cost for 1 day of access? Well, on average, $196 CAD, or $145 USD with today’s exchange rates. This is well below any even remotely competitive Colorado and Utah competition. Whistler is still the most expensive ski resort in Canada, but it’s by far the best for the average vacationer.
So what’s the catch? Well, besides the favorable Canadian exchange rate for US travelers, Whistler does occasionally see rain spells, especially in lower mountain areas. While the upper mountain, which is home to the resort’s most unique terrain, is more reliable, this can mean you’re taking a bit of a risk with an in-advance vacation here. But even on days where it’s raining at the bottom, providing it’s snowing at the top (which it typically is), Whistler is still well worth the visit and a strong value for what you get.
1-Day Ticket Range (Core Season):
Adult 19-64: $125-$171 USD / $167-$229 CAD
Child 7-12: $63-$86 USD / $84-$115 CAD
Senior 65+: $112-$154 USD / $150-$206 CAD
Teen 13-17: $106-$146 USD / $142-$195 CAD
Child 0-6: Free
#8: Arapahoe Basin
Average 1-Day Ticket Price: $134
Arapahoe Basin has seen some of the most substantial improvements of any Rockies ski resort over the past two decades. The resort has long provided demanding high-alpine terrain and a local feel, but it’s now gone from a no-frills hill with 100% slow chairs to a modern mountain with two high-speed lifts—and has seen its skiable footprint essentially double with two major terrain expansions since 2007. And at least during non-peak times, A-Basin maintains one of the characteristics it’s long been known for—an excellent ticket value.
Weekend and holiday prices can get up to $209, which is completely absurd. But if you go on a weekday—even if you buy your ticket only a few days in advance, 1-day adult tickets go for as low as $89. The average 1-day lift ticket now goes for around $134, which is still a solid value for the quality snow and terrain this epic mountain provides.
The low weekday prices are really a facet of Arapahoe Basin’s nature as a day-trip mountain. A-Basin doesn’t have any on-site lodging, which means it doesn’t attract the destination crowd as much as Denver-area folks when they’re off work. As a result, the resort doesn’t see that much traffic on off-peak weekdays, and offers much cheaper lift tickets accordingly. For those who choose to visit during these less busy times, the complete lack of lift lines is an added bonus.
If you’re looking for solid slopes for great prices on a weekend or holiday, the nearby Loveland ski area is also an excellent choice.
1-Day Ticket Range (Core Season):
Adult 19-69: $89-$209
Child 6-14: $59-$79
Senior 70+: $99-$129
Teen 15-18: $79-$99
Child 0-5: Free
#7: Banff Sunshine / Lake Louise
Average 1-Day Ticket Price at Banff Sunshine: $109 USD ($146 CAD)
Average 1-Day Ticket Price at Lake Louise: $107 USD ($143 CAD)
Even on their own merits, Banff’s destination ski resorts are very compelling alternatives to the much better known US Rockies destinations. The two mountains offer an extensive variety of terrain, excellent snow preservation, and some of the most incredibly beautiful ski slopes out there. But Lake Louise and Banff Sunshine also stand out with their lift ticket price tags. At just $109 USD for an average 1-day ticket at Sunshine and $107 USD for an average 1-day at Lake Louise, these resorts charge far less than several of their American counterparts, even some that aren’t even close in on-mountain comparability.
So what’s the catch? US visitors will benefit from the exchange rate, which accounts for some of it. But there are a few other circumstances that might give some vacation-bookers pause. First off, the nearest airport is Calgary, and flights—especially convenient ones—can get fairly pricey. Depending on where you’re coming from and how close to your date you book, this can cancel out the price savings from the tickets. Secondly, the Banff region occasionally undergoes extreme cold spells, with temperatures dropping as low as negative 30 degrees for days at a time. If you book a vacation at the wrong time, it can become a complete bust. And finally, very limited lodging options directly at the mountains exist—and there are none on-site at Lake Louise.
But there are plenty of ways to work around these downsides. The town of Banff is a charming, beautiful place, and shuttle services to the mountains are readily available. In addition, the region’s cold spells rarely occur after January, paving the way for more palatable temperatures later on in the season. If you book your flights with reasonably advanced notice—and choose your dates wisely—Lake Louise and Banff can be absolute steals for what you get.
1-Day Ticket Range at Banff Sunshine (Core Season):
Adult 18-64: $108-$116 USD / $146-$156 CAD
Child 6-12: $40-$44 USD / $54-$59 CAD
Senior 65+: $82-$90 USD / $110-$120 CAD
Teen 13-17: $82-$90 USD / $110-$120 CAD
Child 0-5: Free
1-Day Ticket Range at Lake Louise (Core Season):
Adult 18-64: $97-$115 USD / $129-$154 CAD
Child 6-12: $37-$45 USD / $49-$60 CAD
Senior 65+: $74-$89 USD / $99-$119 CAD
Teen 13-17: $74-$89 USD / $99-$119 CAD
Child 0-5: Free
#6: Brighton
Average 1-Day Ticket Price: $119
While it might not have the raw acreage to beat its Little Cottonwood Canyon cousins, Brighton offers nearly as good snow for a solid discount. The average 1-day lift ticket goes for just $119, while tickets can go for as low as $95 on off-peak weekdays—these rates are far below both Alta and Snowbird, as well as most of the well known Rockies destinations. The resort is also one of the most family-friendly in Utah, with plenty of easier terrain that some of its neighbors lack in large quantities, and one of the best for terrain parks—making the resort an especially good value for those who value mellower slopes and freestyle terrain.
Brighton’s size is really the main drawback for its lower ticket rate. The resort’s 890-acre footprint and 2,000-foot vertical drop aren’t bad, but many competitors offer more. Additionally, on-site lodging is quite limited. But the unparalleled Cottonwoods snowfall can’t be had for a cheaper ticket rate anywhere else, and unless there’s been a serious snow drought, it’s hard to leave Brighton feeling like you didn’t get more than your moneys’ worth.
As a quick note, Brighton unfortunately no longer offers free lift tickets for kids aged 7-10; we’ve touched on other options for this age cohort here.
1-Day Ticket Range (Core Season):
Adult 13-64: $95-$159
Child 7-12: $63-$109
Senior 65+: $63-$109
Child 0-6: Free
#5: Sierra-at-Tahoe
Average 1-Day Ticket Price: $108
If you’ve been following the Tahoe ski scene recently, you’ll know that Sierra-at-Tahoe has not had an easy go of it in recent years. The resort was ravaged by a massive wildfire in August 2021, and the damage was so bad that the resort was forced to close for an entire season to restore operations.
But Sierra-at-Tahoe is back this year, and while its footprint may look quite a bit different, one thing hasn’t changed—a reasonable value proposition. 1-day adult tickets average just $108 per day, with the rate going for as low as $86.40 on off-peak weekdays. The resort still boasts the local feel and family-friendly slopes it’s long been known for, and, for the first time this season due to the fire aftermath, it now boasts true bowl terrain.
With the exception of some remaining fire recovery work that’s expected to wrap up by next season, the one real catch to Sierra is its lack of good nearby lodging. There aren’t any accommodations on-site, and the few inns and lodges within close proximity have very little going on. The best accommodations are arguably in South Lake Tahoe, which is half an hour away. But Sierra is arguably a better resort than many Tahoe competitors on merit alone, and with the ticket rates it has, the mountain makes for an excellent value proposition.
1-Day Ticket Range (Core Season):
Adult 23-64: $86-$135
Child 5-12: $50-$60
Senior 65-69: $77-$109
Senior 70+: $50-$60
Teen 13-22: $77-$109
Child 0-: Free
#4: Jay Peak
Average 1-Day Ticket Price: $99
While East Coast resorts are generally worse values than their Rockies and West Coast counterparts, there are some gems out there. And there’s no better mountain that exemplifies quality East Coast terrain for a reasonable asking price than Jay Peak.
Jay Peak not only enjoys the highest average snowfall totals on the East Coast, as well as some of the best expert and tree terrain as well as Vermont’s aerial tram, but the average 1-day adult ticket price goes for just $99. Even on a peak holiday at the ticket window, you’ll never pay more than $109, making Jay’s lift rates over 40% cheaper than some of its most expensive competitors.
So what’s the catch? Well, reliability. Jay Peak sees some of the most variable conditions in the region, with regular wind holds and less strong snowmaking operations than other Vermont mountains. Additionally, Jay’s lift system isn’t as modern as some competitors, and truly frigid cold spells throughout the season compound the issue. Finally, Jay is just too far from most metropolitan areas to be practical for many vacation-goers, with the resort located further north than every other Vermont ski area. The journey takes at least six-and-a-half hours from New York City, and four hours from Boston.
But if you can handle the drive—and you book close to your trip date with a good sense of the conditions—there’s no better value mountain in Vermont than Jay Peak.
1-Day Ticket Range (Core Season):
Adult 19-64: $89-$109
Child 6-18: $69-$79
Senior 65+: $69-$79
Child 0-5: $31-$41
#3: Mount Baker
1-Day Ticket Price: $95
Mount Baker is one of the most insane ski areas we’ve ever visited. This no-frills Washington state mountain boasts gargantuan snowfall totals, dangerously technical terrain, easy backcountry access, and some of the most breathtaking scenery out there, with no sign of civilization visible from basically anywhere at the resort. But Baker is also some to one of the best value lift tickets in North America, with 1-day adult tickets going for just $95—no matter when you go. Tickets are only available at the window with no advance-purchase option, so there isn’t even a need to plan ahead to get these astonishingly low rates.
But there is a need to plan for a couple of things if you choose to visit Mount Baker. On-site lodging is non-existent—in fact, there’s essentially nothing within 30 miles of the mountain. If you plan on a trip here, be prepared for at least an hour-long round-trip drive every day you ski—and if it’s near freezing, the access road can be really sketchy. Baker does allow overnight parking, so you may want to bring a tent and sleeping bag if you’re doing multiple days. In addition, conditions can be quite variable at times—visibility is often low, snow quality becomes icy or really heavy if it hasn’t snowed in a few days, and rain isn’t out of the question, even in December or January.
Finally, Mount Baker isn’t the largest or fanciest ski area out there; with just a 1,500-foot vertical drop, little grooming, and 100% slow lifts, Baker isn’t exactly a substitute for a typical destination. But if you go in prepared for the mountain’s eccentricities, and you hit it at the right time, it’s hard to find a better deal for the experience anywhere else.
1-Day Ticket Price:
Adult 16-59: $95
Child 7-10: $40
Senior 60-69: $79
Senior 70+: $56
Teen 11-15: $59
Child 0-6: Free
#2: Wolf Creek
Average 1-Day Ticket Price: $89
Wolf Creek provides a much different experience than the traditional Rockies destinations. Despite a short vertical drop and limited amenities, this remote southern Colorado resort experiences some of the most consistent snowfall and reliably open slopes in the region, with excellent tree terrain and nonexistent lift lines to boot.
And to top it all off, a Wolf Creek lift ticket is an excellent buy, with a 1-day average lift ticket going for just $89. Even on peak holidays at the ticket window, prices never rise above $95, which is insane for a mountain with such consistent powder and low crowds.
Besides the short vert, Wolf Creek’s low ticket costs can arguably be attributed to its incredibly remote location and lack of on-site lodging. Wolf Creek is several hours from the nearest major cities, with Santa Fe, Colorado Springs, Albuquerque, and Denver all about three-to-five hours from the resort. The resort is also at least 20 miles from the nearest lodging options, so it takes quite a bit of driving each day you decide to ski.
But if you’re looking for high-quality snow at a reasonably solid resort for a bargain-basement price, few mountains are better choices. In fact, Wolf Creek tops all the other mountains we’ve visited in terms of overall ticket value—except one.
1-Day Ticket Range (Core Season):
Adult 13-64: $85-$95
Child 6-12: $42-$52
Senior 65-79: $54-$64
Child 0-5: $6
Senior 80+: Free
#1: Whitefish
Average 1-Day Ticket Price: $86
It might be a stretch to say Whitefish is objectively the best mountain we’ve ever been to. It’s not the biggest resort out there, although it does boast over 2,000 skiable acres, and this northern Montana mountain almost entirely lacks bowl terrain and can face extremely tough visibility or variable weather throughout the core season.
But the resort is easily the best value of any mountain we’ve ever been to, with 1-day adult ticket prices averaging $86—and topping out at just $94—for what’s some very solid, decently sized Montana skiing. There are even better rates for in-advance and multi-day pass purchases. And what’s even crazier is that now that the new Snow Ghost Express six-pack has been installed, the resort rarely faces significant lift lines, even on peak holidays.
For reference on how insane this value is, 1-day Whitefish tickets sell on average for about 57% less than in-state rival Big Sky. Whitefish still boasts incredible tree skiing, some gnarly expert lines, and a charming town, and it’s hard to resist taking such a significant discount when directly comparing the two mountains for a Montana ski trip.
Whitefish is quite remote, and the nearby Glacier Park International Airport isn’t the easiest to book flights out of—with direct flights from many major cities almost non-existent. But despite this, Whitefish has no business selling lift tickets under $100 for the quality of its slopes, and the mountain is truly an incredible deal.
1-Day Ticket Range (Core Season):
Adult 19-64: $85-$94
Child 7-12: $42-$47
Senior 65-69: $72-$80
Senior 70+: $29-$32
Teen 13-18: $72-$80
Child 0-6: Free
Final Thoughts
So those are 10 of the strongest value destinations we’ve visited in North America. All of these resorts offer well-above-average on-mountain experiences for lift ticket prices that undercut scores of similarly good competitors. Many of the resorts on this list are still expensive on their own—paying over $100 per day for any mountain is not trivial—but if you’re going to be dropping the money, it’s hard to have your dollar go further than at these peaks.
We also wanted to mention ten other mountains that weren’t highlighted in this article, but are also fantastic deals for what you get:
You might be noticing a theme here: for the most part, the best value mountains either have very limited on-site lodging or are in Canada. So if you want the best deals, make sure to go to a chiefly “drive-to” mountain on an off-peak weekday—or get your passport renewed.
For more information on these resorts, check out our full Rockies, West Coast, and East Coast rankings.
