Budget Skiing – Colorado Under $100 Per Day
Budget skiing Colorado takes some research and preparation. Ski prices seem to be going through the roof with each passing season. Now, many Colorado ski resorts lift ticket windows charge more than $150 per day for an adult lift ticket. Add on ski gear rental costs, travel expenses and food costs for the day and you’re looking at more than $200 for a single day on the mountain. Luckily, there are a few ski areas in the state that have more affordable pricing. Here are our recommendations for budget skiing Colorado for under $100 per day.
These budget ski resorts in Colorado present big skiing and riding at a fraction of the cost of other resorts. Our list of best skiing under $100 per day was based on convenience, overall ski terrain and amenities, and current lift ticket prices. Look at our list – and don’t forget we have specials and deals for every destination on our site here. Yes! You can save even more with a deal from our site. For true budget skiing Colorado, save on every aspect of your vacation, from lift tickets and ski rentals to overnight lodging and fine dining.
Loveland Ski Area
The love for Loveland is two-fold. First, it’s an easy day drive from Denver. Next, it’s affordable. All-mountain lift tickets run about $89, and the best lift ticket price is always available right here on our site.
Loveland Ski Area has one of the longest ski seasons in Colorado. The season is typically from mid-October through May. The resort has a nice mix of terrain across close to 100 trails. From long cruisers to challenging short runs, Loveland gives a lot of different terrain for all abilities.
There aren’t a lot of services at Loveland, just hardcore budget skiing Colorado at the Continental Divide. You’ll need to go to nearby Georgetown or Silverthorne for that – but there’s lots of affordable dining and lodging in both towns.
Ski Granby Ranch
Ski Granby Ranch is a family-owned ski resort just north of Winter Park. This ski area offers lift tickets for less than $85 per day during peak times, but there are usually more savings to be had at our site here that can push down the price considerably for budget skiing in Colorado.
The resort has two mountains with more than 400 skiable acres. One mountain is geared toward beginners and intermediates while the other is perfect for advanced skiers and riders. The lifts are smooth and uncrowded, and there’s plenty of fun tree trails to explore. There’s also a nice base village area with everything you need in one place. Children under age 5 ski for free.
You can also night ski at Granby Ranch, so it’s easy to cram in a lot of skiing on a short vacation. The runs are well-lit and provide an intimate and unique skiing experience.
Wolf Creek Ski Area
Southern Colorado’s best ski experience on a budget might just be Wolf Creek Ski Area. The unique resort gets ample snow on its challenging and fun terrain. Wolf Creek provides big skiing, huge views and tiny lift ticket prices. The resort is known to have daily lift tickets around $76 during the season with further discounts for the budge conscious right here on our site!
Wolf Creek has a good mix of terrain: 20 percent is beginner while 35 percent is intermediate, and another 25 percent is for advanced skiers. Expert terrain covers 20 percent of the resort. The good mix assures a wide variety of skiers on the mountain and plenty of uncrowded trails and lifts.
The resort is all about skiing – there are no real services or lodging at the base, but there are plenty of options nearby. (Looks for discounts on SkierDeals.com!) Skiers can hit the slopes one day and spend another day exploring the nearby Pagosa Springs Hot Springs, Indian ruins or Rocky Mountain Wildlife Park.
Silverton Mountain
Southwestern Colorado is known for massive powder and extreme terrain, and Silverton Mountain provides plenty of both. The lesser-known ski area is a local’s favorite with expert Colorado budget conscious skiers – especially with lift ticket prices well under $100.
This ski area was originally known for its snowcat and heli skiing. (Both are still available if you’re interested.) These days, the experts-only ski area presents both guided and unguided skiing experiences. Unguided skiing at Silverton Mountain runs about $84 for a single day. It’s a great way to explore all the terrain at your own leisure. Just be sure to make your reservations in advance to ski this exclusive mountain. Unguided skiing is usually only available from mid-March to late April.
Get your fill at the no-frills ski area, then kick back in the cool town of Silverton or drive a little further to stay and play in Ouray. The beautiful San Juan Mountains provide lots of indoor and outdoor activities for those on a budget. Take in the majestic scenery for free or walk the cute shops and galleries in town. There are plenty of delectable dining options nearby that are reasonably priced.
Sunlight Mountain
Sunlight Mountain has great skiing right not too far Interstate 70 on the Western Slope just outside of Glenwood Springs. The ski area has awesome skiing at a great rate well under the $100 mark. In fact, single-day adult lift tickets can hit as low as $68 during peak times and $55 during the week with deals through us here on our site!
There are about 500 acres of skiable terrain to conquer at Sunlight Mountain. The crowds are smaller, lift lines are shorter, and the resort is a must on a powder day. The ski area is best known for its sweet tree runs and patient ski school instructors.
Sunlight is a great family vacation getaway spot. There’s great skiing on the mountain and lots to do in town. There’s excellent shopping and a quaint downtown, the popular hot springs, the grave of legendary gunfighter Doc Holliday, movie theaters and the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. Glenwood Springs is one of the most affordable ski towns in the state.
Powderhorn
Far West, Powderhorn has both affordable lift tickets and epic skiing near Grand Junction. The ski area serves up single-day adult lift tickets for about $79 through SkierDeals.com. You may even find a better deal than that if you purchase online in advance.
Powderhorn has a reputation for hassle-free skiing, deep powder and smiling faces. The 1,600-acre ski resort in Grand Mesa to the east of Grand Junction provides easy access and exciting trails in a laid-back environment. There’s something for everyone at the resort, and it’s an ideal destination for families, couples, groups and friends what want a unique and authentic skiing adventure.
The ski area has been open for more than five decades, but recent improvements and a cool rebranding ensure the resort will be a popular – and inexpensive – ski destination for seasons to come. Nearby Grand Junction has plenty of cheap lodging choices and a plethora of dining picks. It’s easy to save money in Grand Junction because it’s more of a blue-collar town than a ski town.
Ski Cooper
Ski Cooper outside of Leadville is a low-key resort that’s our top pick for the most affordable skiing in Colorado. The vintage resort – opened in 1941 – offers a single-day adult lift ticket for a whopping $62 through us, here. It’s easily the biggest bang-for-your-buck deal out there.
The ski area has a throwback feel, but changes are on the way and the resort is growing and adding new terrain all the time. Get your turns in now before Ski Cooper becomes a must on everyone’s list. The resort has some of the highest peaks in the state and the snow is aplenty. There are currently a little under 500 acres of terrain mostly for beginners and intermediates, but new terrain in Tennessee Creek Basin is strictly for experts.
Nearby Leadville is a historic mining town that doesn’t have the polish of other ski towns like Aspen. It’s a friendly town where everyone says hello and waves. Everything in town is simple and laid-back and at an affordable price. It’s easy to grab a tasty meal or lay your head at one of the town’s best hotels on a budget.