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Affordable ski destinations in the US, such as Wildcat Mountain and Magic Mountain, offer plenty of mountain adventures. Step into a winter wonderland with all the thrills of a world-class resort for a fraction of the cost.
If you love skiing but have a budget, don’t worry. Several amazing ski destinations in the US won’t drain your finances.
There are almost 500 ski resorts open in the US. Out of these top ski destinations are a dozen affordable places that stand out and won’t break the bank.
We looked at ski pass prices, reviews from expert skiers, and the number of trails to make the ultimate list. Below are 12 affordable ski areas in the US not to miss this season.
Enjoy this article in podcast form—perfect for staying informed or listening on the go.
Magic Mountain Ski Area, Vermont
Ski Pass $116
39 trails
205 acres
130 inches of average snowfall
Magic Mountain Ski Area is one of Vermont’s top ski areas for expert skiers and novices alike. You’ll enjoy 1,500 feet of mountain and some of the best snow on the East Coast.
The area’s longest trail is 1.6 miles. You’ll enjoy almost 40 trails, each with a varying degree of difficulty.
Depending on the year, you should enjoy deep, powdery snow from December to February. In some seasons, it lasts from November to March.
Travel Tips
Lift Line Strategy: The Red Chair tends to have the longest wait times on weekends. Use the Green Chair to access less crowded runs and reduce lift line delays.
Après-Ski at Black Line Tavern:This spot at the base lodge serves great local craft beers and hearty meals. Their burgers and live music on Saturdays make it a solid post-ski stop.
Beaver Mountain Ski Resort is one of the West’s top affordable ski resorts. You’ll enjoy over 800 acres of skiable terrain.
There are 48 runs and 10 advanced courses. You’ll experience intense vertical drops over 1,700 feet. What makes this resort even more impressive is its annual average snowfall of over 400”.
Ski passes run for around $70 for adults. Half-day passes are also available. Book your tickets early if you can because this mountain fills up with incredible skiers.
Travel Tips
Night Skiing at Cherry Peak: Beaver Mountain doesn’t offer night skiing, but Cherry Peak Resort, about 40 minutes south, does. It’s a great option if you want to extend your ski day.
Best Parking Strategy: The lot fills up fast on weekends. I arrived before 9 AM to get a close spot, but if you’re late, park near the exit for an easier getaway.
Food Options Are Limited: The lodge has basic fare like burgers and chili. I packed snacks and a thermos of hot cocoa to avoid long cafeteria lines.
49 Degrees North Ski & Snowboard Resort, Washington
Ski passes between $50 and $80
300” inches of annual snowfall
Over 90 trails
2,300 acres
49 Degrees North is an iconic ski destination in the Pacific Northwest. It has over 90 trails expertly groomed for all levels of skiers.
You’ll enjoy over 300” of annual snow. Two peaks tower over the snowy landscape at an elevation of over 5,000 feet.
As impressive as the resort is, it’s also incredibly affordable. Ski passes run from $50 to $80 for adults, although they sell out fast!
Travel Tips
Midweek Deals: Lift tickets are cheapest on Wednesdays and Thursdays. I saved about 20% by skiing midweek when crowds were also thinner.
Best Tree Runs: If you love glades, Sunrise Basin has some of the best tree skiing on the mountain. I found untouched powder there even days after a storm.
Bring Your Own Lunch: The lodge gets packed with steep food prices. I brought a small backpack with snacks and ate at one of the picnic tables near the lodge.
Brian Head Resort in Utah’s stunning mountains is not worth missing if you love skiing. It has some of the best powder in the nation. Ski enthusiasts of all levels flock to the resort to enjoy its terrain parks.
One of the biggest draws is the resort’s night skiing. From 4 PM to 9 PM, you can take on the exciting slopes under the twilight.
Ski passes run for as low as $40 for adults. If you buy your tickets early, you can get limited offers for as low as $19.
Travel Tips
High-Altitude Adjustment: Brian Head sits at over 9,600 feet, and I felt the altitude on my first day. I drank extra water and took it easy to avoid altitude sickness. If you’re coming from lower elevations, consider arriving a day early to acclimate.
Best Night Skiing Runs:Giant Steps Express has the longest and most well-lit night runs. I found it less crowded than Navajo, making for a smoother ride after dark.
Stay in Cedar City for Cheaper Lodging: Hotels and cabins in Brian Head can be pricey. You can stay in Cedar City, just 40 minutes away.
Bridger Bowl in Montana is an epic ski area in the heart of the state’s rugged mountains. You’ll climb over 2,700 feet at 8,800 feet in elevation. When you reach the top, choose from over 75 trails.
The mountain has over 2,000 acres of skiable trails to choose from. It gets over 300” of annual snowfall, making it one of the snowiest mountains on the list.
Passes run from $82 to $95 for adults. Book early for extra savings. You can also enjoy a 3-day pack for even cheaper rates.
Travel Tips
Avalanche Gear Required for Ridge Terrain: If you plan to ski the expert-only Ridge terrain, you must have an avalanche beacon, probe, and shovel. I rented mine at Round House Sports in Bozeman to save time.
Best Powder Stashes: After a storm, I found some of the best untouched powder in the Bridger Gully and North Bowl areas. These spots hold fresh snow longer than the main runs.
Parking Fills Up Fast: The main lot fills by 8:30 AM on weekends. I arrived early or used the free Skyline Bus from Bozeman to avoid parking hassles.
You’ll have over 730 acres of diverse terrain, with over 2,000 feet of vertical drops. There are endless trails that zig-zag down the mountain. On top of offering plenty of challenges are incredible views.
Wildcat Mountain Resort is another top New England ski area. It has over 2,10 feet of vertical drops and slopes. You’ll scream through powdery snow unmatched in most of the US.
There are over 225 acres and 48 trails to explore. About 20% of the terrain is for beginners and 47% for intermediate skiers. If you’re advanced, you’ll get 33% all to yourself.
The resort is generally open from December to March. At over 4,000 feet, the mountain collects one of the biggest snowfalls in the state.
Travel Tips
Best Views of Mount Washington: The Polecat Trail is the longest run and offers stunning views. I took my time on this scenic intermediate trail to soak in the landscape.
Avoid Wind Hold Delays: Wildcat’s lifts, especially the high-speed quad, can shut down due to strong winds. Before heading up, I checked the resort’s snow report.
Stay in North Conway for More Options: Lodging at Wildcat is limited, so I stayed in North Conway, just 30 minutes away. It had better hotel deals and great après-ski spots like Moat Mountain Brewery.
Whitefish Mountain Resort is another popular Montana ski destination with perfect snow and endless trails. The rugged terrain makes some of the most challenging trails for expert skiers to test their might on.
You’ll enjoy over 3,000 acres with beautiful views of the mountainous landscape. There are 111 trails, each with varying difficulty. After taking the lift to over 6,000 feet, you’ll race down 2,200 feet of perfect powder.
Ski passes run between $100 and $110 for adults. Book them early during peak season because this resort fills up quickly.
Travel Tips
Fog Can Be Intense—Use the Trees for Visibility: Whitefish is known for “Snowghost” fog, which can reduce visibility at the summit. I stuck to tree-lined runs like Big Creek and Connie’s Coulee for better contrast and clearer skiing.
Best Après-Ski Spot:The Bierstube is a classic ski bar at the resort base. I enjoyed their local Montana brews and lively atmosphere, especially on Wednesdays for “Stube Night.”
Free S.N.O.W. Bus from Town: Parking fills up fast, so I took the free S.N.O.W. Bus from downtown Whitefish. It runs regularly and saves the hassle of driving in icy conditions.
Ski passes for $115 or as low as $50 when purchased ahead of time
230 inches of snowfall on average
If you’re an expert skier or want to scare yourself, head to Mad River Glen. The mountain gets over 230 inches of snow, which creates intense runs of deep powder.
If you’re advanced, you can take on the over 2,000-foot drop and its trails that weave through the forest. It has a laid-back vibe that most skiers will enjoy.
Book your ski pass ahead of time to take advantage of extra savings. Nearby are tons of incredible places to stay and fantastic restaurants and bars.
Travel Tips
Single Chair Experience: Mad River Glen’s iconic single chairlift is a must-ride. It’s slow but gives you an incredible, quiet ride up the mountain with stunning views—perfect for soaking in the old-school ski vibe.
No Snowboarding Allowed: This is one of the only resorts in the U.S. that bans snowboarding. If you’re traveling with snowboarders, they’ll need to head to nearby Sugarbush instead.
Best Après-Ski Spot:General Starks Pub has a great local feel at the base lodge. I grabbed a Lawson’s Sip of Sunshine IPA and enjoyed the cozy, no-frills atmosphere.
Donner Ski Ranch near Lake Tahoe is one of California’s best and cheapest ski destinations. You’ll enjoy world-class skiing and see some of the state’s top athletes compete in the near-perfect snow.
The ranch is family-owned and operated and has a popular bar and grill to enjoy after skiing. There are over 500 skiable acres to enjoy, so you’ll be hungry.
Ski passes run for just over $100 for adults. This makes the Donner Ski Ranch one of the most affordable ski areas in Tahoe.
Travel Tips
Historic Bar with a View:The Old 40 Bar & Grill at the base has a classic ski lodge vibe. I enjoyed a burger and beer while looking out at Donner Summit’s historic train tunnels.
Cash-Only on Some Days: The resort’s ticket office and bar sometimes operate on a cash-only basis if the card machines go down. I brought cash to avoid any hassle.
Devil’s Head Resort is one of the Midwest’s premier ski destinations. It has over 260 acres of skiable trails.
You’ll get to choose between several advanced trails and more beginner-friendly options. There are 30 trails in total.
You’re guaranteed to enjoy quality snow for most of the winter. Plus, ski passes run around $85 to $95 for adults, making it one of the cheapest options.
Travel Tips
Great for Beginners: The South Face area is perfect if you’re new to skiing. It had some of the most forgiving slopes with less traffic, so I could practice without feeling crowded.
Avoid the Weekend Crowds: Devil’s Head can get busy on weekends, so I aimed to ski first thing on Friday mornings. I enjoyed shorter lift lines and quieter trails.
Best Après-Ski Spot: The Devil’s Head Pub offers good food and drinks after a long day of skiing. Their pizza and hot chocolate were the perfect way to unwind.
Ski pass for $100 to $130, depending on when you book it
160” of annual snowfall
192 skiable acres
Cannon Mountain is another affordable ski destination on the East Coast. It features 98 trails, 50% beginner to intermediate level. Around 33% of its trails are for expert skiers looking to push their limits.
The mountain has 10 lifts that take you to over 4,000 feet in elevation. From the peak, you’ll drop down over 2,000 feet.
Purchase day tickets at the window for around $130. Or, book ahead of time and get tickets for as low as $100.
Travel Tips
Best Views on the Tram:I recommend taking the Cannon Mountain Tram to the top for incredible views. The ride gives you panoramic vistas of Franconia Notch and the surrounding mountains, making it worth the slow ascent.
Avoid Crowds with Early Morning Skiing: Cannon Mountain gets busy in the afternoons. Right when the lifts opened, I arrived early and found the trails much less crowded, especially on the front side.
Budget-Friendly Lodging in Franconia: If you’re looking to save on accommodations, I stayed in Franconia, just a 10-minute drive from the resort. It had affordable lodging and quiet nights after skiing.
Matt Dursum is a writer from Michigan. His work has appeared in dozens of magazines and blogs, such as Condé Nast Traveler, Travel Off Path, and The Collector. He has traveled to over 46 countries and loves to share his passion for travel with others.