The Best Affordable, Under-the-Radar Ski Resorts in North America, According to a Writer Who Loves to Ski
You don’t need a trust fund to get some turns in this winter.
Getty Images/Paul Biris
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We’re in the thick of fall, and while everyone else is talking about pumpkin spice lattes and Thanksgiving plans, I’ve got snow on the brain. As a writer who loves to ski (and spends all of winter and some of spring at or near a ski resort) I’m gearing up for yet another season on the slopes. Only this time, I’m on a budget. Because the only thing scarier than my form on an icy black diamond? The price of lift tickets at most big-name resorts.
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I’ll be the first one to say that skiing is an insanely expensive sport, and that’s just to get on the mountain. Add on travel and accommodations (if you don’t live nearby), rental gear, food, and your aprés budget, and the bills add up fast. Needless to say, it can be frustrating trying to find a mountain that doesn’t drain your savings account—especially if you have a family with kiddos, or are in a large group with some folks who want to shred all day and others who just want to take a few laps before posting up in the lodge with a hot toddy.
The good news? You don’t need a trust fund to get some turns in this winter. These affordable, under-the-radar resorts prove that great snow and cozy mountain vibes don’t have to come with luxury-level price tags.
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Northeast
Looking towards Sugarbush ski resort in Warren Vermont.
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Sugarbush Resort – Warrent, VT
Sugarbush is a big resort that still has that intimate, family-owned feel. Located in Warren,
Vermont, it spans two mountains and 2,000 acres of skiable terrain, including sporty terrain parks, groomed trails, wooded glades, and more. Tickets start at $129 on Tuesdays and Wednesday for access to both peaks (which is affordable compared to other resorts), but if you really want a deal, you can snag online tickets for midweek skiing on Mt. Ellen for just $49. Or, you can plan ahead and buy a “TBD Ticket”; for $99, you can buy a ticket ahead of time and redeem it any day during the 25/26 season.
Vermont, it spans two mountains and 2,000 acres of skiable terrain, including sporty terrain parks, groomed trails, wooded glades, and more. Tickets start at $129 on Tuesdays and Wednesday for access to both peaks (which is affordable compared to other resorts), but if you really want a deal, you can snag online tickets for midweek skiing on Mt. Ellen for just $49. Or, you can plan ahead and buy a “TBD Ticket”; for $99, you can buy a ticket ahead of time and redeem it any day during the 25/26 season.
Ski Butternut – Great Barrington, MA
This cozy Berkshires ski hill proves that fun skiing can exist on a budget. Nestled in the mountain town of Great Barrington, MA, Ski Butternut has fun for the whole family. Skiers and snowboarders can explore 22 trails over 100 acres, including two terrain parks and beginner learning areas. For the non-skiers, there’s a tubing hill, a charming lodge, and even a waffle stand at the base. Best of all, online lift tickets start at $40 for midweek skiing, making it perfect for New Englanders who want a day of casual turns without the crowds.
USA, New York, Whiteface Mountain
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Whiteface Mountain – Wilmington, NY
For serious skiing on a budget, a trip to Whiteface Mountain is always worth it. Surrounded by the vast Adirondack wilderness, this stunning mountain has hosted two winter olympic games thanks to its massive vertical drop (3,430 feet—the largest in the northeast). It’s a fun mountain that skis hard and is still reasonably priced; you can snag an adult lift ticket Monday-Thursday for just $80. Prices on the weekend vary between $107-$114 depending on dates. And if you don’t ski, be sure to take a trip up the gondola anyway for the views of Lake Placid and the Champlain Valley—it’s breathtaking on a clear day.
Tripadvisor
Bolton Valley – Bolton, VT
Bolton Valley’s independent roots and night skiing make it a hidden hero for Burlington-area skiers. The Green Mountains are home to some of the best skiing in the Northeast, and Bolton is proof you can get great snow and terrain without draining your bank account. Lift tickets start at $89 midweek, but you can also find deals on half-day tickets, night-skiing sessions, and more. It’s affordable, scenic, and opened after dark, making it great for folks who work 9-to-5s or students on a budget who want to get out after class.
Rocky Mountain West
Brian Head Resort – Brian Head, Utah
Utah is arguably home to some of the best skiing in the country, and with that comes the luxury prices. This season, skip the lines and triple-digit lift tickets at Park City or Deer Valley and check out Brian Head Resort. For as little as $14, you can ride 650 acres of skiable terrain, including 71 runs and 8 lifts. The prices aren’t the only thing unique–Brian Head sits a bit more southern in the state, meaning the geography swaps traditional granite cliffs for red rock and ancient lava flows. For high-altitude views and powder at a fraction of the cost of luxury competitors, it’s worth a visit.
Winter Panoramic view of the back of the Wasatch Mountains Utah from the top of Brighton Ski Resort in the Rocky
Brighton Resort, Utah
If you do want to stick closer to Park City and Salt Lake City, check out Brighton Resort. This laid-back, locals’ favorite sits high in Big Cottonwood Canyon (which is worth a drive up itself) and consistently gets some of the best snow in Utah—often more than 500 inches per year. It’s known for its relaxed, unpretentious vibe and approachable terrain that caters to everyone from first-timers to experts. Tickets start around $60 on weekdays when you buy online, and you can ski under the stars thanks to extensive night skiing—one of the few places in Utah that offers it.
Sunlight Mountain Resort – Glenwood Springs, CO
If you’ve ever dreamed of skiing Colorado without the sticker shock, head to Sunlight Mountain. Just down the road from Aspen, this under-the-radar spot offers 2,010 feet of vertical, 730 acres of terrain, and tickets that start around $74 on weekdays—less than half the price of its glitzy neighbor. The vibe is chill, the lift lines are short, and the terrain is surprisingly diverse, with everything from wide-open cruisers to intense, off-piste steeps and trees. Add in nearby Glenwood’s hot springs for après, and you’ve got the makings of a perfect (and affordable) Colorado ski escape.
Grand Targhee – Alta, WY
On one side of Teton Pass lies arguably one of the fanciest, most expensive ski resorts in the country: Jackson Hole. It’s a great time, sure, but if you want world-class skiing and to not empty come away broke, drive over Teton Pass to Grand Targhee. This no-frills destination is known for its deep powder (an average of 500+ inches a year), uncrowded runs, and laid-back, old-school ski culture. The resort offers 2,600 acres of skiable terrain with long, rolling cruisers, fun tree skiing, and views that rival Jackson’s—just without the crowds or the couture. Adult lift tickets start around $125 online midweek, but you can save even more by booking in advance or snagging one of Targhee’s multi-day deals. And if you don’t ski? Hanging in the Trap Bar and listening to live music is arguably more fun than a day on the slopes.
California + PNW
Donner Ski Ranch – Norden, CA
This family-owned resort has been getting folks on the slopes for almost 90 years, no matter their age or level. Starting January 6, 2026, the resort will host “Old School Days” every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, where you can snag lift tickets for as low as $39 (just like you could back in the day!). Weekends are a little more expensive with tickets from $119, but for the throwback feel and all around good vibes, it’s worth it.
Athletic Snowboarder with Backpack Riding a Snowboard over Fresh Untouched Powder Snow in the Backcountry Open Forested Terrain on Mount Shasta California
Mt. Shasta Ski Park – McCloud, CA
Mt. Shasta Ski Park has that big mountain feel at a small mountain price tag. The mountain delivers 425 acres of skiable terrain, 1,435 feet of vertical, and lift tickets starting around $99—a steal compared to most other mountains in California. There’s even a backcountry cabin you can book if you and your friends are feeling adventurous. The scenery alone is worth the ride—on a clear day, you can see for miles across the Cascades—but the real draw is the mellow, inclusive atmosphere.
Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort – Wenatchee, WA
Perched on the east side of the Cascades, Mission Ridge resort serves up 2,000 acres of skiable terrain, 2,250 feet of vertical, and crowd-free runs that are hard to come by these days. Weekday lift tickets run $75–$95, depending on when you buy, and the consistent weather means some of the driest, fluffiest snow in the PNW.
Willamette Pass Ski Resort – Crescent, OR
Willamette Pass is just an hour outside Eugene, Oregon and one of the last places in the country where you can ski a full day for less than a night out to dinner. With 555 acres of terrain, a 1,563-foot vertical drop, and lift tickets starting as low as $17, it’s a nostalgic nod to when skiing was more accessible. The terrain offers a little of everything—long groomers, steep, off-piste glades, and even 20km of Nordic skiing if that’s more your speed.
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