Skiing’s brutally expensive, or so they say. Sure, it’s true that without shelling out for a multi-pass, day tickets at popular North American destinations will dig far deeper into your snow pants pockets than they have any right to. But these pricey passes only account for part of the North American ski experience.

When it comes to mountainside bargain hunting—without investing in a time machine, that is—you just need to know where to look. That might be in southern Idaho or just outside Albuquerque, New Mexico. Investigating ski areas that others might not consider pays dividends.

Many of these affordable resorts don’t have the bells and whistles of their larger, more established counterparts. You probably won’t find heated toilets or excessively fancy chairlifts, but when you just want to make a few turns in fresh snow, none of that stuff is super important.

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So let’s get into it. These are 10 of North America’s most affordable ski areas and resorts, in no particular order. Come for the cheap tickets—stay for the skiing. (Note: The usual caveat must be added here, which is that prices are subject to change.)

1. Brian Head Resort, Utah

Utah’s best-known ski resort cluster exists around Salt Lake City, encompassing world-famous destinations like Deer Valley, Alta Ski Area and Snowbird. These spots are well-deserving of the praise they receive, but they aren’t necessarily the cheapest places to ski. But Brian Head Resort—in the southern reaches of the state—is an excellent place to visit if you’re hoping to save a few bucks.

Like other Mountain Capital Partners (MCP) resorts, Brian Head uses a demand-based pricing model that offers steep discounts on lift tickets purchased in advance. Ahead of the 2024 season, for example, tickets dropped below $20 on select dates at Brian Hand.

While these prices fluctuated to a more normal range around the holidays and hovered between $90 and $100, plenty of cheap dates remained throughout the season. Thirty-two bucks for a mid-season day in January is nothing to scoff at.

Brian Head is also a member of the MCP Power Pass, which nets access to several other southwestern destinations—like Lee Canyon, Nevada, and Arizona Snowbowl, Arizona—and simplifies the affordability equation.

2. Ski Cooper, Colorado

Last season, Ski Cooper, Colorado, made a bold play. It slashed midweek ticket prices to $45 a day, vastly undercutting Coloradan stalwarts like Vail Mountain and Aspen Snowmass. These prices jump back up to a more normal range for Fridays, weekends and holidays, but the allure of Ski Cooper’s midweek deal remains undeniable.

“It’s time to take the stress out of getting on the ski hill,” Ski Cooper CEO Dan Torsell told The Vail Daily, referencing the midweek discount. “We have decided to stop playing follow-the-leader in the season pass/day pass game and simplify day pass purchasing while promoting affordability in our sport.”

As a ski area, Ski Cooper is humble, much like many of the other destinations on this list. It offers 480 acres of skiable terrain serviced by five lifts. While much of this terrain is beginner-friendly, Ski Cooper also has a zone that caters to expert skiers serviced by the Little Horse T-Bar. Skiing might feel expensive and overly glamorous these days. At Ski Cooper, it isn’t.

3. Donner Ski Ranch, California

Donner Ski Ranch, California, is one of several ski resorts clustered around Lake Tahoe. It provides an alternative to the chaos of a Tahoe powder day and has a unique, affordable ticket program to boot.

Last season, lift tickets on regular days ran $109 at Donner Ski Ranch, putting it at the lower end of “normal” ski area lift ticket pricing. But during Old School Days—which occurred on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays starting January 7th, 2025—ticket prices dropped to $69. For comparison’s sake, a lift ticket at perhaps Lake Tahoe’s most popular destination, Palisades Tahoe, will set you back somewhere between $180 and $260.

4. Bridger Bowl, Montana

At Bridger Bowl, Montana, affordability doesn’t come with terrain compromises. This non-profit ski area opened for Bozeman locals in 1955 and has since evolved into a popular, well-known Montana haunt. The Schlasman’s chair, which provides access to the mountain’s upper terrain, is the place to go if you’re looking for something to test your mettle.

Year after year, this famed terrain plays host to some of the rowdiest skiing out west. And thanks to affordable advance tickets (last season they were priced at $82), visiting Bridger for a day or two won’t break the bank. Bridger’s decision to completely eschew multi-pass programs is another factor that sets it apart.

5. Discovery Ski Area, Montana

Just outside Phillipsburg, Montana, stands Discovery Ski Area. Affectionately known by locals as “Disco,” this 2,200-acre hill covers a wide variety of terrain. The frontside is beginner-friendly, while the backside’s Limelight lift accesses a slew of steep runs, including Guns & Roses.

Last year, season passes came in well below par at $665, and in the town of Phillipsburg, you’ll find plenty of cheap places to crash. The Inn at Philipsburg starts at $65 a night, while the Broadway Hotel offers slightly more expensive lodging options. You can expand your tour of off-the-beaten-path ski areas by staying in Missoula, Montana, too. Montana Snowbowl’s one to hit, as is Lost Trail.

6. Sandia Peak Ski Area, New Mexico

Sandia Peak Ski Area, New Mexico, has a question on its FAQ page that you might already be wondering. “Is there really snow that close to Albuquerque?” it poses. The answer to that question is yes, thanks to Sandia Peak, which receives 117 inches of fresh flakes each season on average.

In 2023, Sandia Peak returned to life under the banner of MCP after an operational hiatus. The news presumably thrilled Albuquerque skiers hoping to score turns close to home and carried with it a development that should draw the attention of bargain-hunting skiers: As with Brian Head, Sandia Peak would adopt a demand-based pricing model.

Again, it’s all about acting fast here. Those who think ahead will be rewarded with some of the cheapest lift tickets in the game. Plus, skiing outside Albuquerque is a novelty in and of itself.

7. Echo Mountain, Colorado

Denver, Colorado. It’s a sprawling metropolis that borders ski country. World-class destinations, like Arapahoe Basin or Breckenridge, are a day trip away, but the real deals and steals are found closer to home. Just outside Denver’s outskirts stands Echo Mountain, which first opened in 1960.

This ski area bills itself as Denver’s closest and cheapest. It offers night skiing, 226-plus acres of skiable terrain and, yes, affordable tickets. Last season, full-day tickets ranged between $59 and $77. Unlimited season passes were only—get this—$349. And night skiing season passes were just $99.

It’s places like Echo Mountain that issue an important reminder: Skiing might seem overpriced, but even in a destination-crowded state like Colorado, it’s possible to hit the hill for less than you might expect.

8. Hoodoo Ski Area, Oregon

Last season, Hoodoo Ski Area, Oregon, kept ticket prices down with its aptly named Thrifty Thursdays program. Each Thursday, lift tickets cost $33. The normal lift ticket price of $75 isn’t too much more.

You’d be correct if you thought that those low prices suggest that Hoodoo exudes welcoming and funky yesteryear ski charm (there should be a lift ticket price to charming, humble ski area graph). It does—so much, in fact, that it became a featured location in Accidentally Wes Anderson, an online compendium and book series that highlight spots that look like they should be in a Wes Anderson film. One of Hoodoo’s first aid shacks made the cut.

9. Pajarito Mountain, New Mexico

Pajarito Mountain, New Mexico, is up the road from Sandia Peak, offering a wintertime getaway for Santa Fe skiers and snowboarders. The ski area tends to run between mid-December and mid-March, but in 2024, it opened unusually early on November 9th, thanks to an enormous early-season storm.

On the slopes, Pajarito Mountain offers 280 acres of terrain served by six lifts. This small fleet is more than enough for the New Mexico ski hill, which, according to its website, rarely sees lift lines or crowds. The cheap tickets, of course, are also part of the appeal. Pajarito Mountain is on the advance ticket program, too, so selecting a date to hit the slopes days or weeks beforehand will pay dividends.

Pajarito Mountain pushes the affordability factor further with Bird Bucks (available on green dates on Pajarito’s purchase calendar). With the purchase of a lift ticket, you’ll score 10 of these avian dollars, which can be used at the cafe or store.

10. Pomerelle Mountain Resort, Idaho

Established in 1963, Pomerelle Mountain Resort, Idaho, keeps its ticket and season pass prices low; last season they were $50 (pre-purchased) and $599, respectively.

What isn’t low, though, is Pomerelle’s average annual snowfall, which tops out at around 500 inches. Several terrain parks and night skiing round out the bargain.