Skiing in Colorado, Utah, Vermont and Oregon—as with other world-class ski destinations in the United States—can be expensive. But it doesn’t have to be. We looked at some of the most underrated ski resorts located near well-known spots and found that you really can have an excellent, inexpensive ski vacation.
Check out these four ski mountain destinations perfect for cheap winter getaways, plus tips on how your NEA member benefits can help you save on travel expenses such as airfare, rental cars and more.
Arapahoe Basin in Colorado
Photo courtesy of Dave Camara/Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
Why ski here: Arapahoe Basin (or A-Basin to locals) ski resort near Keystone, Colorado, is a favorite of residents and visitors for its lack of glitz, glam and pretense. Located just 68 miles west of Denver, the mountain offers some of the highest skiable terrain in North America, peaking at 13,050 feet on its east wall and averaging about 350 inches of snow a year. Not an expert skier? No problem. You’ll find that 10% of the 145+ trails are beginner level and 30% are intermediate.
When to go: Arapahoe Basin, located in the Arapahoe National Forest, is known for having the longest ski season in all of Colorado (October to June, and sometimes even July).
What’s in the area: A-Basin does not have on-site lodging, but thanks to the free local bus system, called the Summit Stage, it’s easy to explore and stay in the nearby towns of Keystone, Dillon, Silverthorne, Frisco and Breckenridge that are filled with breweries, restaurants and shops.
Local discounts: Lift tickets should be purchased in advance online for the best prices (from $70). And if you have a friend or family member with a season pass, you can use their pass number to get a discount on your day pass (from $63). Beginners in your group? Score a cheaper ticket (from $49) for limited access to only the beginner areas, a great value for new skiers. There are also discounted half-day tickets (from $50) if you don’t have a ton of time.
NEA member travel benefits: Search for flights on NEA Travel: Flights to Denver International Airport (DEN) or Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) and book a rental car for the drive to the A-Basin. Look for affordable lodging options like Hyatt Place Keystone for an average of $194/night or Comfort Suites Summit County, which has an indoor pool and fitness center for an average of $188/night. Ramada by Wyndham Frisco is just $150/night on average and includes breakfast.
Plan your itinerary: Arapahoe Basin | Summit County Chamber of Commerce | Colorado Tourism
Bolton Valley Resort in Vermont
Photo courtesy of BoltonValley.com
Why ski here: Perfect for a family-friendly and affordable ski vacation, Bolton Valley Resort in Vermont, about 24 miles east of Burlington, is compact, and ski in/ski out lodging is close by. Bolton also has the most extensive backcountry skiing in the area, with more than 62 miles of Nordic trails for skiing and snowshoeing, and nine miles groomed. Bolton is the only ski resort in Vermont with lift-served night skiing (all the others have rope tows), open as late as 10 p.m. Bolton Valley might not have all of the extras that the larger resorts do, but the terrain is varied, and the 71 Alpine trails offer a great mix of beginner to expert level.
When to go: Visitors can ski Bolton Valley from the end of December through mid-March (weather permitting).
What’s in the area: Your first stop should be in nearby Waterbury, Vermont, for a tour of Ben & Jerry’s Factory because it’s never too cold for ice cream! The small town is also the crossroads of Vermont’s hopping craft brewery scene where you’ll find breweries, shops and eateries along the quaint New England-style downtown area.
Just 30 minutes away, nestled along the shores of Lake Champlain, is the much larger city of Burlington. Head to Church Street Marketplace in the heart of downtown to find unique boutiques as well as live entertainment and great dining options.
Local discounts: Single-day lift tickets are between $49 and $129, and tickets are discounted if you buy them in advance online instead of at the ticket window. Non-peak Mondays are always $49 and half-days start at $59. Anyone over the age of 75 can get an all-day lift ticket for just $20. Active military and their dependents get 50% off specified tickets and passes (most resorts only give the discount to the person in the military). Keep an eye out for packages that can cover accommodations, lift tickets, breakfast and access to lots of other amenities.
NEA member travel benefits: Through the NEA Travel Program, you can search for flights to Burlington International Airport and book a rental car for the 30-minute drive to Bolton Valley Resort. Look for affordable lodging options on NEA Travel, such as Best Western Plus Waterbury-Stowe, which averages $130 per night for a spacious room and it includes breakfast and an indoor pool and gym. If you’re a Marriott loyalist, there’s the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Waterbury Stowe, for an average of $178 per night.
Plan your itinerary: Bolton Valley | Hello Burlington, VT | Vermont Vacation
Mt. Bachelor in Oregon
Why ski here: How often can you say you skied off a volcano? Mt. Bachelor in Oregon is a dormant volcano, allowing you to ski 360 degrees in any direction. Even though its highest skiable elevation tops out at 9,000 vertical feet, Mt. Bachelor is a fairly intermediate mountain, making it a great choice for families.
Located in the Deschutes National Forest, Mt. Bachelor is the one of the largest ski resorts in the U.S., with more than 4,300 acres of skiable terrain.
When to go: The ski season at Mt. Bachelor generally runs from late November through May.
What’s in the area: The nearby village of Bend has transformed from a sleepy lumber town to a place filled with quirky shops, restaurants and the famous Deschutes Brewery. If you’d prefer to keep playing outdoors, consider taking a sled-dog ride through the snow-covered Cascades, go cross-country skiing on the Nordic trails of Mt. Bachelor, or snowshoe nearby Virginia Meissner Sno-Park.
Local discounts: Children under 5 are admitted for free and children 6-12 ski free the same days as their parents on flexible multi-day packages. Discounted tickets available for children 6-12, , teens 13-18, and seniors, as well as for online purchases vs. the walk-up window rate. If you need to rent gear, you’ll most likely find better rates in town than on the mountain itself.
NEA member travel benefits: Through the NEA Travel Program, you can search for flights to Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) or Bend Municipal Airport (KBDN) and book a rental car for the drive to Mt. Bachelor ski resort (be sure to check which roads are open). Search for hotel deals on NEA Travel: Hotels to see prices like an average of $96 a night for a room at the boutique Waypoint Hotel in Bend or the adventure-themed LOGE Bend, which is just a 22-minute drive away and averages $87 a night.
Plan your itinerary: Mount Bachelor | Visit Bend | Travel Oregon
Solitude Mountain Resort in Utah
Photo courtesy of Solitude Mountain Resort
Why ski here: The snow at Solitude Mountain Resort in Utah is the same light and fluffy stuff that falls at nearby Park City and Deer Valley but you’ll pay half the price for a lift ticket, and accommodations are also less expensive. Forget about long lift lines or battling for seats at lunch. The vibe at Solitude is relaxed and welcoming without all the crowds.
Solitude’s best-kept secret—and a rarity for resorts in Utah—is the Nordic Center. Easily accessible from the Village, the Nordic Center has nearly 13 miles of groomed trails connected to the resort.
When to go: Solitude’s ski season begins in mid-November and runs through mid-April (weather permitting).
What’s in the area: Solitude has an on-site spa as well as restaurants and pubs, but you’ll want to head to nearby Park City for shopping along its picturesque, historic Main Street. Salt Lake City is only 30 minutes away if you’re looking for a metropolitan area with lots to do.
Local discounts: Contrary to other resorts where online tickets are cheaper, at Solitude you can only get certain discounts at the window, including All Day Beginner, 4 and Under, and Patrol & Military discounted passes. If you really want to save money on your trip, consider staying in Salt Lake City and making the 30-minute commute every day. If you buy a 3–4 day Salt Lake Ski Super Pass, you’ll have the option to ski at Solitude plus three other local resorts, enjoy free public transportation and get 25% off rentals.
NEA member travel benefits: Use the NEA Travel Program to search for flights to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and then book a rental car for the drive to Solitude. Although hotels in Park City in winter are expensive, you’ll see some deals on NEA Travel: Hotels such as an average of $254 per night at Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Park City, an IHG Hotel, which includes breakfast and an indoor pool, sauna, and fitness center. Otherwise, staying around Salt Lake City will save you some money, with prices like an average of $83 per night for the Hampton Inn Draper Salt Lake City, which has a pool and gym. Or, to stay in downtown Salt Lake, try the Residence Inn by Marriott Salt Lake City - Downtown, for an average of $133 per night.
Plan your itinerary: Solitude Mountain Resort | Visit Park City |Visit Salt Lake| Visit Utah
