If you want to do some Colorado skiing but are concerned about the cost, you're in good company.
The recession, or depression, or whatever its called these days, has taken its toll on everyone’s pocket books.
And let’s face it—skiing isn’t exactly an inexpensive way to spend your time.
But it’s also not necessary to spend $300/night on a 5-star hotel room that puts you slopeside at a $120/day mountain.
There are plenty of mountains in Colorado! And good news —the snow falls from the same sky.
So you don’t need to empty your bank account to experience amazing powder days, you just have to get creative. Here are some tips on how to get your Colorado skiing buzz on a budget.
GEAR
If you’re just starting out, I highly recommend buying used gear. That way you can try the sport out before making a huge financial investment.
My first snowboarding set-up cost $75 for the board, boots, and bindings at a rummage sale. When I decided to upgrade a few weeks later, I sold it all for the same price.
These days, craigslist makes it a lot easier to find used skiing and snowboarding equipment in your area. Other options include physical stores like Play It Again Sports, or online you can try usedsports.com, or the always popular Ebay.
Renting equipment is also a good way to go if you’re new to the sport. Even in Colorado, skiing and snowboarding equipment can easily run hundreds or thousands of dollars, so dropping an extra $30-$40 for rental gear isn’t so bad.
SEASONAL SKI PASSES
Seasonal ski passes are a sure way to save money on lift prices, but only if you know you’ll be hitting the slopes frequently. These passes offer a one-time fee for the entire season, and many of them offer unlimited skiing and snowboarding with no blackout dates.
So if you ski several times a week, you’re going to get a screaming deal. If you only go a few times per year, you might want to skip this option.
Remember the public service commercial from the 70s, where Noah is promoting riding together? He calls it “Kalaka,” which he says is ancient Babylonian for carpooling. Funny stuff. But don’t underestimate the power of Kalaka.
From Colorado Springs, most Colorado ski resorts are at least 90 minutes away, so if you can get in on a carpool, you’ll save plenty in gas and wear on your vehicle. Also, it’s nice after a day on the mountain to relax in a car instead of driving at night.
I know Monarch offers bus ride packages, which include the cost of the bus fare, lift ticket, and even equipment rentals. A nice option if you don’t mind getting up early.
AFFORDABLE SKI AREAS
We know-- the super resorts like Vail, Beaver Creek, Aspen, and Breckenridge are amazing. They are huge and glitzy and offer a ton of amenities. But they’re also expensive.
If you don’t mind your sidewalks unheated, and it’s not absolutely necessary that you go shopping for designer coats nearby, then consider the very affordable (and very friendly) ski resorts in Colorado.
Places like Wolf Creek and Monarch are very popular with the locals for a reason. They are a bit off the beaten path, have a laid back vibe, and don’t support a massive resort with lodging and stores.
This makes for a very affordable skiing and snowboarding option, with lift tickets being close to 50% cheaper than the big resorts.
And the biggest secret is that the snow is incredible! Our best Colorado skiing experience was at Wolf Creek, with 19” of snow falling on a Thursday, and so few people around that it felt like the entire ski area was ours. Talk about epic.
If you absolutely need lodging, Wolf Creek is only 15 minutes from the cozy town of Pagosa Springs, and Monarch has a hotel nearby, or the always friendly town of Salida is only a short drive away.
BROWN BAG IT
Yes. Brown baggin’ it! Just like grade school. It worked then and it works now. You pack what you want to eat, hit the parking lot, and fuel up. You just saved yourself a ton of cash.
Some resorts even allow you to bring your brown bag lunch into their dining room. Sure, eating hot gourmet chili in a bread bowl is nice, but peanut butter sandwiches are good too. And 1000% cheaper.
BUDGET LODGING
Our best tip for lodging is to search Craigslist, Ebay, or VRBO.com, where people are always selling off their time share weeks at cut rates. Many people even make their living renting out their homes to vacationers.
We’ve gone this route numerous times with great success.
Otherwise, an easy way to save money is to stay a few miles away from the resort. Your costs will drop dramatically.
If you want to ski Winter Park, stay in Granby. If you want to ski Aspen, stay in Basalt or Carbondale. Remember, the drive is bound to be a beautiful one in Colorado, and the slight inconvenience is worth it money-wise.
Hope these tips help you have an amazing and affordable Colorado skiing experience. Now get out on the slopes, carve it up, and save some money!
