The Best U.S. Ski Resorts For The Money

• Brian Head Ski Resort in Utah is the best ski resort for the money, with an average cost of $981.11 for a quick winter getaway. Two other Utah destinations, Eagle Point Resort and Beaver Mountain Ski Resort, also make our top five list and cost under $1,000.
• With more selection in resorts overall, plus more consistent high-quality snow, the western U.S. dominates all 10 positions for best value ski resorts in the country.
• Beaver Creek Resort in Colorado claims the title as the worst ski resort for the money. A visit costs nearly double that of our best value, adding up to $1,806 for an adult skier.
• Thirty-nine out of the 51 ski resorts evaluated accept a multi-pass, such as Epic or Ikon, allowing skiers or snowboarders to enjoy expanded access or discounts at partner resorts.
• Seven of the 51 ski resorts considered offer over 150 runs, ranging from beginner to expert level. Park City Ski Resort in Utah tops the list with a whopping 324 runs.

With record-high snow scores and sheer quantity of resorts and runs to choose from, the western half of the U.S. commands our list of the best ski resorts for a winter getaway. All 10 of the highest ranking resorts can be found in western states.

Brian Head Resort, in southwest Utah, tops our list due to the balance of affordable lift tickets (fourth cheapest nationwide) and reasonably priced travel costs for those coming from out of town. The second and third best ski resorts in the U.S.—Eagle Point and Beaver Mountain—are also in Utah. Silver Mountain, Idaho and Arapahoe Basin, Colorado round out the top five.

Unsurprisingly, many big name resorts rank at the bottom of our list as the worst ski resorts for the money, drawing on their reputation to justify high price tags. Beaver Creek Resort in Colorado is dead last, with a two-day trip costing roughly $1,806.01. Other Colorado favorites Keystone and Vail, as well as Sun Valley, ID and Northstar, CA, also cost a small fortune.

Popular resorts in the northeast will also set you back significantly: A two-day lift ticket in Stowe, Vermont costs $390 before factoring in other expenses. And Whiteface Mountain in New York costs $248 despite only having a snow score of 28.3, a far cry from what you’ll find for the same price (or less) out west.

1. Brian Head Resort, Utah

Roughly equidistant from Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, Utah’s Brian Head Resort ranks the best value for money for a winter ski trip this year. The resort offers relatively low costs for two-day lift tickets and ski rentals ($228 combined) plus overnight accommodations on the cheaper end of the spectrum. That doesn’t equal a lesser experience, though: The region has a snow score of 71.2 and the resort itself has 65 runs to keep you making turns all day.

2. Eagle Point Resort, Utah

Eagle Point tracks as the second-best ski resort in the U.S. for value, barely edged out by Brian Head. This location ranked second-lowest in the country for the average cost of a two night stay during ski season, based on data from Airbnb. Lift tickets are slightly more expensive here—though still less expensive than the national average—but the resort accepts the Indy Pass which could save you in the long run. And with a 72.8 snow score, you can count on a fun weekend.

3. Beaver Mountain Ski Resort, Utah

Much closer to Salt Lake City, Beaver Mountain ranks third on our list but the convenience might entice you to make it your top choice. This resort ranks third-lowest out of 51 resorts for both two-day lift tickets ($140) and two-day ski rentals ($60) before factoring in potential discounts from its accepted Epic Pass. However, the resort only offers three lifts and 23 runs. That should be plenty for a two-day trip but may be a miss for someone planning a longer trip or looking for the most epic terrain.

4. Silver Mountain Resort, Idaho

Just over the border from Spokane, Silver Mountain represents great value and markets in all-in-one vacation thanks to an indoor waterpark to contrast its 73 outdoor runs. Travelers heading here can expect to pay about $432 for peak season airfare, though an affordable $254 for two-nights of overnight accommodations helps balance that out. Lift tickets and ski rentals are also on the affordable side and could cost even less if you’re a Powder Alliance member.

5. Arapahoe Basin, Colorado

If your heart’s set on Colorado, A-Basin is your best bet for value. Vacation rentals here rank at the fourth-lowest in the country, costing just $200, and airfare and rental car expenses are also reasonable thanks to its proximity to Denver. The resort has the most runs of any in our top five options, with 108 to choose from. And those looking to take advantage of a multipass can rejoice: A-Basin accepts the Ikon pass.

6. Mt. Baker Ski Area, Washington

Skiers who want practically guaranteed fresh snow should head directly to Mt. Baker. With a snow score of 84.5—the highest of resorts that made our list for overall value—it’s sure to please. Plus, airfare to Seattle will only set you back about $361, the third-cheapest in the country which helps drive costs down. Keep an eye on the cost of ski rentals, though: at about $102 per two days, you may prefer to bring your own.

7. Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico

Those in the know realize that New Mexico has some phenomenal skiing. Taos Ski Resort, which participates in the Ikon Pass, offers more than 100 runs and has a snow score of 66.1 according to Zrankings. Those awesome credentials make it a good value for skiers even if you’re traveling since the average cost of airfare, accommodations and car rental combined cost less than $850.

8. Palisades Tahoe, California

With the most lifts and runs of any resort on our top 10 list, Palisades Tahoe will keep you busy for as long as you can afford to stay—and hopefully you can extend that visit since several costs here are well below average. Those who need rental equipment will be pleased to learn a two-day basic rental only costs $98. Accommodations, at $258, and car rental costs of $85 are also on the lower end of the range for an overall affordable ski getaway.

9. Snowy Range Ski Area, Wyoming

While it doesn’t have the prestige of Jackson Hole, skiing on the other side of the state will save you a ton of money. Snowy Range has the absolute lowest cost for two-day lift tickets ($118) and two-day ski rentals ($50) of any of the resorts we analyzed. Accommodations, at an average cost of $203, and car rentals are also affordable. So with good prices, why did it only claim the 9th position? Airfare is on the pricier side and there are only 27 runs. Nowhere’s perfect.

10. Whitefish Mountain Resort, Montana

Whitefish rounds out the top 10 best value ski resorts in the U.S., thanks to lift tickets and ski rentals that are priced reasonably (at least compared to its neighbors). However, travel could cost more than you’d like to spend: Airfare is steep at an average cost of $529 and accommodations fall in the middle of the pack at an average price of $322 for a two-night stay. This historic resort is worth the money, though, thanks to 98 runs to choose from.

The most expensive ski resorts might be worth the cost to some for the experience, but you’ll want to double check your budget before committing to a trip at one of these spots.

Northstar, California: Most Expensive Ski Resort Vacation

Overall, the most expensive ski trip destination is Northstar, outside of Lake Tahoe, California. A two-night stay there with flights, accommodations, rental car, two-day lift pass and two days of equipment rental will cost an average of $2,046.24. The cost of your overnight stay jacks up the overall price tag. According to data provided by Airbnb, you should expect to spend about $912, making it the most expensive option out of 51 resorts analyzed.

Beaver Creek Resort Offers the Worst Value

Though not the most expensive trip, Beaver Creek came in last in our rankings when weighing both the costs and the quality of your potential ski experience. A two-day lift pass alone rings up at $538 here. Though snow is reliable and this popular Colorado resort offers plenty of lifts and runs, that’s not enough to justify the cost of admission compared to other options.

10 Worst Ski Resorts in the U.S. for the Money

Overall, these resorts represent the worst ski trip destinations in the U.S. when accounting for average expenses as well as the ski experience once there.

Joining Beaver Creek with charges over $500 for two-day lift passes are Vail, Breckenridge and Deer Valley, contributing to their rankings as costly options.

This isn’t deterring from their popularity, though, and you may find that the setting or specific ski runs are worth it for you. For example, Vail has 31 lifts and 193 runs, more than nearly anywhere else in the nation (Park City Mountain Resort takes the lead in both categories) and the abundance clearly justifies the price for some travelers. Additionally, lodging in some areas may offer an upgraded experience, helping you swallow the overall expense.

Though we’ve collected average costs for multiple ski resorts, your exact expenses will vary based on your travel plans.

Given the high cost of flying to some of these destinations, the value proposition could change drastically if you can eliminate the cost of airfare either by driving or redeeming frequent flyer miles. When that’s not possible, considering alternate airports could save you, too. For example, making the less than three-hour drive from Denver to the #9 most affordable Snowy Range instead of flying to Cheyenne could save you nearly $250—per person.

The most dedicated skiers might also have access to discounts that shuffle rankings around. Multi-passes can be well worth the cost thanks to savings on lift tickets, ski or snowboard rentals, partner lodging and food and beverages. Passes like Epic or Ikon can also offer access to multiple locations throughout the ski season, though you needn’t worry about getting bored if staying in one place: Seven of the resorts we evaluated offer over 150 runs.

Taking advantage of discounts available to you can also improve your budget. Planning smartly and checking for limited-time promotions can also lead to significant discounts even if you don’t hold ski passes or memberships. At times, pre-paying for lift tickets and bundling your equipment rental and lodging into a single package could also save you money overall.

If you’re hoping to redeem points to cover a winter vacation in 2024, you’ll most likely need to work with the balances you already have or plan on a trip that comes later in the season. It takes time to accumulate enough rewards for a free flight or overnight stay and many cards don’t post the earnings for use until after your billing statement closes. Either way, it might be a good idea to make your plans soon.

While travel rewards cards may be the obvious choice, don’t limit yourself. The best rewards credit cards come in many forms, including cash back. With cash rewards, you can redeem them for whatever expenses you like. That allows you to use credit card points to pay yourself back for lift tickets, après-ski cocktails or filling up your rental car. There are also no blackout dates to worry about with cash-back or flexible rewards cards.

On the other hand, if you understand how travel credit cards work (or are willing to learn), your points could be worth more than the 1% to 2% typically offered by cash-back credit cards. It can be worth the effort to pursue points rather than pennies. Beginner travel credit cards make it easy to get started.

Credit cards can make a big difference when it comes to ski trip affordability, thanks to built-in card benefits. Nearly all airline credit cards include a free checked bag and luckily many airlines consider a ski bag as a standard checked item despite seemingly being oversized. Bringing your own equipment could save you up to $238 over two days at Sun Valley, which had the most expensive rental prices.

The best travel credit cards may also include travel insurance benefits. Trip delay or trip cancellation insurance comes in handy more often than you might think, especially in winter where flight delays from a blizzard could wipe out your entire getaway. Travel accident insurance is another possible card insurance benefit that could save your bacon. Though we hope no one has an injury while skiing, it can help cover medical costs.

And if you do plan on booking a luxury ski vacation, premium credit cards can be an asset. There are a surprising number of credit cards with concierge services that can help line up lift passes, dinner reservations and spa treatments. On top of that, some of the top hotel credit cards come with sumptuous benefits and even free night certificates worth hundreds of dollars.

One of the top ways to save on travel is to choose your destination carefully. There are literally hundreds of places you could ski this winter but not all of them offer the same value. Selecting one of the more affordable ski resorts can help you achieve the experience you’re seeking without wasting money along the way.

To determine the best ski resorts for the money, Forbes Advisor examined data for 51 of the most popular ski resorts across the continental U.S. We considered nine relevant metrics in our rankings:

• Lift tickets for two days (20% of total score): Data comes from each ski resort’s business website and is for the year 2023. With the exception of the cost of lift tickets for Sugar Bowl, CA, data comes from Snowonline.com.
• Ski rentals for two days (20% of the total score): Data comes from each ski resort’s business website and is for the year 2023. With the exception of Mt. Hood Meadows, OR, data comes from Snowonline.com. Ski rentals include boots and optional poles.
• Average cost of two-day accommodations (15% of total score): Data comes from Airbnb. We gathered the average cost of a two-night stay near the resort location for the weekend of Jan 13, 2024–Jan 15, 2024 (weekend of Martin Luther King Day).
• Average airfare (10% of total score): Data comes from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics and is the average airfare for Q1 2023.
• Two-day car rental (10% of total score): Data comes from the Business Travel News Corporate Travel Index and is for 2023. We used the nearest major city to the resort with available data.
• Multipass availability (e.g. Epic Pass, Ikon Pass, etc.) (8% of total score): Data comes from each ski resort’s business website as well as zranking.com and is for 2023.
• Snow score (7% of total score): Data comes from Zranking.com’s Best Snow in North America list.
• Number of lifts (5% of total score): Data comes from Zranking.com.
• Number of runs (5% of total score): Data comes from Zranking.com.