5 Ski Resorts You Can Rent Out for the Day

In the wide world of skiing, there’s a divide. Most commercial mountains are public—you still have to buy a pass, of course—but a select few are private, like the Yellowstone Club , only opening their gilded doors to serious high rollers. Most skiers reside on one side of this chasm, tangling with fellow multi-pass holders to score fresh snow before it's all tracked out. In these crowd-choked moments, a perhaps silly dream prevails: What if you could rent out an entire mountain for just you and your pals?

It’s not just a dream. Across North America, a few ski resorts offer private day rentals. Yes, the price tags aren’t always cheap—meaning scrolling this list may just be another exercise in fantasy—but if you happen to work for an organization looking for a team-building opportunity, these resorts are worth a look. Plus, some ski area rentals aren’t staggeringly expensive if you have a large crew of friends to split the cost between.

That’s the thing about renting resorts. There's a spectrum here. A few winters ago, I had the pleasure of visiting Pine Creek—which is actually affordable at $4500 a day—with a group of ski shop employees who let me tag along. The terrain layup was no frills, the snow wasn’t great that day, and I ate it on a backflip, but those quibbles paled in comparison to the broader experience, which, in summation, was really special and oddly luxurious. The bottom line: You don’t have to be Bill Gates to get a taste of that resort rental magic—you just need to know where to look.

1. Pine Creek Ski Resort, Wyoming

Price: $4,500

Located outside Cokeville, Wyoming, Pine Creek Ski Resort offers a reasonably priced rent-out program. Starting at $4,500 , the ski area rental lets you and your crew enjoy the day at your own pace. That price is higher if you’d like to increase the number of attendees from the usual 50 or camp in the parking lot with outdoor cauldron usage.

Pine Creek fully embodies a rustic vibe—it has no Wi-Fi, and cell phones only work at the summit. You won’t find towering hotels or enormous gondolas here, but that’s part of the charm. And cruising the slopes with your buddies alone is, in our opinion, more opulent than dining at a Michelin-star restaurant.

Who’s It For?

As far as we know, Pine Creek is one of—if not the—cheapest available ski area rentals in North America. That alone makes it worthwhile, but the ski area’s laid-back vibe is another selling point.

2. Magic Mountain Ski Area, Vermont

Price: Undisclosed

Like Pine Creek, Magic Mountain, Vermont, isn’t glitzy or glamorous. It’s a classic Northeast hill that oozes soul and boasts steep, committing terrain. For a day, you can have the place to yourself. The ski area caters to individuals, charities, small businesses, and large companies—among others—and has five lifts, including the recently opened Black Line Quad Chair.

Who’s It For?

Magic Mountain is known for being a lesser-trafficked Vermont gem with loads of challenging, gladed terrain. Renting it out thins those crowds further.

Related: 7 of the Most Scenic Ski Resorts in North America

3. Pico Mountain, Vermont

Price: $9,500

Killington, Vermont, tends to steal the limelight , but its neighboring resort—Pico Mountain—is the place to look for private rentals. During rent-outs, the ski area opens two of its lifts: Golden and Summit Express Chairlifts, which, together, span the totality of Pico’s nearly 2,000-foot vertical drop. The rental starts at $9,500 , with the option to add additional attendees for $15 a head.

Who’s It For?

Pico's another chilled-out Vermont destination. Come for the tree skiing, stay for the empty lift lines.

4. Silverton Mountain, Colorado

Price: Undisclosed

Silverton Mountain, Colorado, isn’t your average ski area . Aside from avalanche mitigation work, the mountain is left untouched without cut runs. Skiers looking to live a ski movie fantasy can also book a helicopter ride starting at $199 for a single run (with the purchase of a lift ticket).

The ski area rental program hews closely to this backcountry-style ethos, allowing groups to enjoy private guided access. And yes, you can get a helicopter in the mix, too. Silverton Mountain can accommodate groups of between 20 to over 100 skiers. Pricing varies depending on the time of year, day of the week, and group size.

Who’s It For?

If you happen to have a large crew of experienced skiers, Silverton Mountain is worth a look. The ski area is rugged, wild, and utterly unique.

5. Eagle Point Ski Resort, Utah

Price: $15,000

Starting at $15,000 , Eagle Point Ski Resort, Utah, offers 650 acres of skiing, 40 runs, five lifts, and a terrain park for private rentals. The base area’s Canyonside Lodge can be used to host the performer of your choice, too (anyone want to put up on DJ Diesel?).

One group brought along three-time Grammy-nominated country duo Big & Rich, but your friend who says “they DJ sometimes” would probably fit the bill, too. Ski-in ski-out lodging is available at Eagle Point, with more economical places to stay outside the ski area in nearby Beaver.

Who’s It For?

Eagle Point might be pricey, but it boasts numerous amenities and is fully equipped to facilitate the creation of a pretty memorable ski area rental experience.

Related: 9 of the Most Challenging Ski Runs

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