How Much Does It Cost to Ski? Complete 2026 Price Breakdown

Planning your first ski trip? Here's exactly what you'll spend, from the mountain to the hotel room.

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Quick Answer: Total Cost Per Person

Trip Type1-Day TripWeekend (2 days)Week Trip
Budget$150-250$400-600$1,500-2,500
Mid-Range$250-400$700-1,000$3,000-5,000
Luxury$500+$1,500+$7,000+

Cost Breakdown by Category

1. Lift Tickets ($80-250/day)

This is your biggest daily expense. Prices vary wildly by resort:

Resort TierWeekdayWeekendHoliday
Small/Local$50-80$70-100$90-120
Mid-Size$80-130$100-160$140-200
Major (Vail, Park City)$150-220$180-260$220-300+
Money-Saving Tips:

2. Gear Rentals ($40-100/day)

If you don't own equipment:

ItemBasicPerformanceDemo/Premium
Skis + Boots + Poles$40-50$60-80$90-120
Snowboard + Boots$40-50$55-75$80-100
Helmet$10-15$15-20Included
Pro tip: Rent in town, not on the mountain. Town shops are often 20-30% cheaper.

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3. Lessons ($100-300/session)

Lesson TypeGroup (4-8 people)Semi-PrivatePrivate
Half Day (2-3 hrs)$100-150$200-300$400-600
Full Day (5-6 hrs)$150-200$300-450$700-1,000+
Worth it? Absolutely for beginners. One lesson can prevent weeks of frustration.

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4. Lodging ($100-500/night)

TypeBudgetMid-RangeLuxury
Hostel/Budget Hotel$80-120--
Standard Hotel-$150-250-
Ski-in/Ski-out-$250-400$500-1,000+
Vacation Rental (split 4 ways)$40-80/person$80-150/person$150-300/person
Pro tip: Stay 10-20 minutes from the resort and save 30-50% on lodging.

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5. Food & Drinks ($30-100/day)

MealOn-MountainResort TownBrought from Home
Breakfast$15-25$10-20$3-5
Lunch$18-35$12-25$5-10
Après/Drinks$20-50$15-30-
Dinner-$25-60$10-20
Money saver: Pack a backpack lunch. A mountain burger can cost $25+.

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6. Transportation

MethodCost
Drive (gas + parking)$30-80/day
Shuttle/Bus$20-40 each way
Fly + Rental Car$300-600+
Parking tip: Resort parking is often $30-50/day. Look for free lots with shuttles.

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Sample Budgets

Budget Day Trip: ~$180

Weekend Getaway (2 people): ~$900 total

Week-Long Trip (2 people): ~$4,500

Hidden Costs to Watch

Hidden CostTypical Price
Ski lockers$10-20/day
Helmet rental$10-15/day
Goggles (if forgot)$30-100
Sunscreen$10-15
Hand/toe warmers$3-8
Resort parking$30-50/day
Tips (lessons, valet)15-20%

How to Save Money

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