It's important to budget for a variety of expenses to ensure you have a good plan before you go and are not surprised by unexpected expenses. The average price per person per day ranges from as low as $180 to more than $800. It can easily cost a family of four more than $10,000 to go on a weeklong ski vacation in the United States.
Here are the expenses to consider.
Transportation
- Airfare: if you're planning to fly, you should also plan how much it will be to check your luggage and if you're bringing your own skis, how much you will have to pay the airline for special luggage. There are also airport parking fees or rideshare, taxi, or public transportation fares to think about, depending on how you are planning to get to and from the airport.
- Car Rental: if you're renting a car, make sure to find out if you have the option to get a vehicle with snow tires and 4-wheel drive and if there's an extra fee for that. You don't want to endanger yourself or others by making a cheap choice about a car rental that isn't equipped to handle extreme winter road conditions. Many ski resorts offer a shuttle service so you can check with them to see if there's a free or paid shuttle you can take that will allow you to forego renting a car. You will also have to pay attention to whether your accommodations offer parking and if there's an additional fee involved. Many resorts also charge a parking fee and require paid parking reservations made in advance.
- Public Transportation: since many ski towns offer free or low-cost public transportation, you may opt to skip the car rental and pay the fares for local public transportation.
- Fuel and Tolls: check ahead to see if where you're going has toll roads and, if so, how it works and how much you can expect to pay. It's also a good idea to research what the cost of fuel is in the area since the price per gallon varies widely. AAA reliably tracks fuel prices and is a good resource for determining how much you might pay for fill-ups in the United States.
Accommodation
- Lodging: prices for hotels and other accommodations usually shift during high and low seasons. You'll pay much more for a hotel during President's Day Weekend than at the end of March.
- Extra Fees: what are the potential extra fees associated with your stay? Is there a resort fee? Is there a cleaning fee? Is there a fee for extra guests or pets? What other incidental fees are not included in the room rate?
- Tips: don't forget there are people you'll need to tip during your stay including the valet, bellhop, housekeepers, and restaurant staff. Keep cash on-hand.
Ski Passes and Lift Tickets
- Lift Tickets: many resorts shift their pricing depending on high and low seasons as well as many other factors. Some resorts limit the number of tickets they sell daily. Buying in advance is almost always the best way to ensure you're getting the best price. Resorts often offer a bonus day of skiing with certain packages, 2-for-1 deals, lodging package deals, and free or low-cost skiing for kids so check resort websites for deals.
- Season Passes: keep in mind that sometimes it's surprisingly less expensive to purchase a season pass than to buy a week's worth of lift tickets. Season passes for the following season are often available in late spring.
Ski Equipment
- Ski Rentals: if you want high-performance skis and snowboards, you should plan to pay for the premium pricing. If you have a pair of ski boots you prefer, it's better to bring them with you than to try and find a rental pair that suits you at least as well.
- Other Rentals: usually, ski rental packages include skis, boots, and poles, but there's an extra rental charge for helmets and most places do not offer gloves or goggles for rent, so if you don't have any, you'll have to buy them at a resort ski shop.
- Here are the apparel basics:
- Helmet.
- Balaclava or Neck Gaiter.
- Goggles with interchangeable lenses for low light and other variable light conditions.
- Top and Bottom Base Layers that are breathable and moisture-wicking.
- Gloves or Mittens.
- Ski or Snowboard Socks.
- Top Mid-Layer - this can be a down or synthetic insulated jacket if you are going to pair it with a waterproof outer shell or something like a vest if your jacket is already insulated.
- Bottom Mid-Layer - if your pants are already insulated, it's unlikely you will need another layer in addition to your base layer.
- Waterproof Ski or Snowboard Jacket and Pants.
- Ski backpack (optional).
- Lip Balm (optional).
- Hand Warmers (optional).
- If you are planning to bring your own skis and boots, don't forget about the ski bag and boot bag to carry them.
Ski Lessons and Guides
- Ski Lessons: there are a lot of choices for lessons, whether you want private lessons, group lessons, or multi-day lessons, and if you prefer full-day, half-day, or even just an hour of instruction.
- Ski Guides: ski guides are usually available to help guide you around the resort but are not necessarily instructors. Some resorts offer free mountain host programs.
- Guide or Instructor Tips: tip your guides and instructors and tip extra if you think they did a great job.
Food and Beverages
- Restaurants: meals at on-mountain restaurants and lodges cost more than shopping and cooking if you have accommodations with a kitchen. Ski resort restaurants are not known for their budget-friendly pricing, but there are always happy hours, early bird specials, and special offers to consider.
- Snacks and Drinks: don't forget to account for coffee breaks, snacks, and après drinks.
- Tips: the servers, bartenders, baristas, and other restaurant staff rely on tips, don't forget to plan for this expense.
Other Expenses
- Travel Insurance
- Pet-Boarding or Pet-Sitting rates
- Souvenirs and Gifts
- Spa or Wellness Treatments
- Off-Mountain Entertainment
Related: 25 Fun Facts About Skiing
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