The Most and Least Affordable Ski Destinations in America, Ranked

by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 10:20 AM ET, Wed December 4, 2024

With winter finally bringing snow to much of the nation, a new study by Upgraded Points might just help you choose where your next ski trip will be—and how much you could save by staying away from the priciest places to ski.

The study analyzed 50 of the top ski destinations in the nation by the cost of lift tickets, vacation rentals, flights, rental cars and more to create a 50-point scale: the higher the points, the more affordable the destination.

"Skiing is one of the more fun and exciting ways to embrace winter, but the costs can quickly add up, especially during peak season," said Keri Stooksbury, editor-in-chief at Upgraded Points. "We hope our study can inform travelers about which ski towns offer the best bang for your buck so they can enjoy their favorite slopes without the financial stress."

The Priciest Places to Ski

No surprise here, the top six most expensive destinations to ski are also some of the most well-known, including those in Colorado and California.

Park City, Utah takes the cake as the most expensive, with an affordability score of just 10.6, mostly due to the high lodging prices: it is, after all, known for its luxury accommodation offerings.

The other most expensive ski trip destinations include

Truckee, California
Mammoth Lakes, California
Beaver Creek, Colorado
South Lake Tahoe, California
Aspen, Colorado

The Most Affordable Spots for Skiing

The most affordable destinations are a bit more widely dispersed, geographically: three are located in Montana, one in Washington State and another in Pennsylvania.

Topping the list for the most affordable is Missoula, Montana, with an overall affordability score of 40.6. Home to the Montana Snowbowl (an awesome name for an awesome ski destination), it offers cheap accommodations, car rentals and lift tickets.

The other five most affordable ski destinations include