This Ski Resort Is the Most Affordable in the U.S.—and Day Passes Start at $9

With frigid temperatures sweeping much of the U.S. and snow blanketing New England and the Rockies, most people might be tempted to hibernate until spring—unless, of course, you’re a skier or snowboarder. The slopes are open, and after last season became the second-busiest in U.S. history, crowds are expected to return in full force this winter.

So instead of heading to just any mountain, why not choose one where your dollar stretches the farthest? Skiing and snowboarding have grown increasingly expensive over the past few decades. According to Unofficial Networks, a single day at Vail cost just $9 in 1972; last season, peak-day tickets reached $329—a staggering 3,600 percent increase.

Much of that jump, the outlet notes, stems from industry consolidation, rising operating costs, dynamic pricing, and skiing’s shift toward luxury. Still, new data from Casino.org shows there are a few resorts where hitting the slopes can still feel like a deal.

Knowing that lift tickets are just part of the equation, the team at Casino.org looked at the average daily costs of a one-day lift ticket, one-day equipment rental, average nightly lodging rates, average cost of meals and drinks, and half-day group lessons at resorts across the U.S. After adding all that up, it named Purgatory Resort in Colorado the cheapest place to ski for a day in the nation at a cost of just $489.

Here, the team found that the average cost of a day pass was still under $100, specifically at $91 a day. The cost of equipment at Purgatory for a day will set you back just $64, while the average overnight costs $140. Food and drink are $25, and the half-day lesson is the most expensive at $169. 

But, again, remember that these prices are based on peak dates. At Purgatory, if you time your stay right, you could snag tickets for as low as $9—yes, $9—to hit the slopes.

Next on the most affordable list is Copper Mountain, also in Colorado. However, even at second place, it still saw a significant jump with a total cost of $675 for the day. That’s because the average day ticket is going for $214. 

Rounding out the top three is Palisades Tahoe in California, which comes with an average one-day cost of $711. It also came with a higher ticket price of $246.

Still, this is nothing compared to the most expensive place to ski for the day in the U.S. According to the data, a single day skiing or riding in Aspen could set you back about $2,004. However, that’s not due to the ticket to ride, which is a relative deal at $279. It all came down to its average nightly hotel cost, which can run you $1,168. 

There was, however, some good news in the data. As the team found, despite high costs, the average daily ski resort experience declined by 11 percent from last year. And if you’re willing to share a room with a friend (or two … or five), it could be a rather affordable experience no matter where you go.