How to Find Discount Lift Tickets

Finding a deal on lift tickets can be tricky. With so much competition online, it can be difficult to sift through all of the clutter to find a special that can actually save you money. But, with lift ticket prices at a premium these days (more than $100 per day at some ski resorts), any sort of bargain to be had online is worth the digging.

Luckily, websites like ours can streamline the comparison shopping by presenting the best deals and coupons. But while there usually lots of discounts for things like ski rentals and resort lodging, specials on lift tickets are more scarce.  Ski companies are known for keeping their lift ticket prices at a premium, but there are ways to save money. Here’s 11 ways to save money on lift tickets:

#1 – Buy a Season Pass

This is the easiest and best way to save money on lift tickets. Season passes at most major ski resorts are much cheaper than day passes.  

One of the hottest season passes is called the Epic Pass.  The Epic Pass offers skiing at 69 major ski resorts worldwide, and unlimited skiing with no restrictions at 18 ski destinations. Ski or ride all season – seven days a week with no blackout dates – for a little over $900. A season pass for a child (age 5-12) is under $500. At $100 per day for an adult single-day lift ticket, you can see how this is an amazing deal.

The Epic Pass offers a who’s who in ski resorts. Here’s just a few:

• Breckenridge
• Crested Butte
• Heavenly
• Keystone
• Northstar
• Park City
• Stowe
• Vail
• Whistler-Blackcomb

You also get seven days unrestricted access to Telluride (plus 50% off additional ski days), plus seven days unrestricted skiing at Sun Valley and Snowbasin (and 50% off additional days).

If you’re headed north of the border, enjoy seven days of skiing at Resorts of the Canadian Rockies with no restricted dates. Choose from Fernie Alpine Resort, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort, Mont Sainte Anne, Nakiska Ski Area and Stoneham Mountain Resort. (Enjoy 50% off any additional days at these resorts as well.) There are also many ski resorts in Europe and Japan that are part of the Epic Pass. New resorts are added to the Epic Pass each year, and there’s even a special Epic Pass for seniors.

You also get Buddy Passes and Ski-With-A-Friend vouchers as part of the Epic Pass (more on that later). Learn more about the Epic Pass and Senior Epic Pass on our website.

#2 – Purchase a Multi-Pack

Can’t swing the price tag for a season pass? Or maybe you can’t get away for that long? No worries, there are plenty a passes that offer multiple days and a more flexible plan. The Epic Pass offers day passes up to seven days. You still get all of the resorts and perks, just choose the number of days that’s best for you. Here’s Epic Pass multi-day pricing for the 2019/20 ski season:

• 7 Days for $731 (adults); $380 for children (ages 5-12)
• 6 Days for $645 (adults); $335 for children
• 5 Days for $553 (adults); $285 for children
• 4 Days for $456 (adults); $237 for children
• 3 Days for $352 (adults); $183 for children
• 2 Days for $242 (adults); $126 for children
• 1 Day for $125 (adults); $65 for children

If you know how many days you plan on skiing during your vacation, this is a great choice. It gives you the flexibility of dates and a variety of ski resorts. If you’re the type of skier that likes new challenges and exploring new terrain, this is the way to go.

The Epic Pass is just one of several great multi-day passes available at a discount through our website. Once you’ve decided on your destination, find savings online through our site. Or, browse our deals during the planning stages of your trip and build your vacation around one of our specials. Each year we are seeing more and more ski areas offer prepaid 4-packs of lift tickets discounted deeply from the single day price. So, keep your eye out for them!

#3 – Score a Buddy Pass or Ski-With-A-Friend voucher

Get by with a little help from your friends, or be everybody’s best friend. Some seasonal lift ticket deals like the Epic Pass offer Buddy Passes and Ski-With-A-Friend tickets as part of the special. Buddy Passes and Ski-With-A-Friend tickets are two great ways to get on the slopes with friends and family at a cheaper rate. Here’s more:

• Buddy Pass: A Buddy Pass is a discounted flat-rate ticket that is the same price all season. They do not change price. Buddy Passes are priced the same all season, but if you buy a season pass you may earn additional Buddy Passes by purchasing early.
• Ski-With-A-Friend tickets: A Ski-With-A-Friend ticket is a discounted single-day lift ticket that passholders can purchase for friends and family. These tickets are discounted from the original window price, which can fluctuate during the ski season. The current Epic Pass offers six Ski-With-A-Friend tickets.

If you purchase a season or multi-day pass, there may be some Ski-With-A-Friend benefits or Buddy Passes included. (Tickets are loaded on the season pass of the purchaser.)

#4 – Buy Lift Tickets Early and Online

Let’s face it: Most of us either can’t afford a full season lift ticket, or don’t plan on skiing that much. So you won’t be purchasing a seasonal or multi-day pass. And, most skiers have their favorite destination (or at least one picked out) already. You don’t need all the destinations and frills, and can’t earn any free perks like Buddy Passes. You’re just looking for a cheap lift ticket for three, four or five days. … Something like that, right?

Purchasing lift tickets online in advance is the most common way to save money on a ski trip. If you know your destination and your dates, and can book your lift tickets at least seven days prior to your arrival, then you can save money. The more ski days you book, the more you can save. Sometimes the savings can help you afford  another day on the mountain. You can also earn other free perks like complimentary meals and drinks, or discounts on ski lessons and equipment rentals.

Buying your lift tickets in advance will also save you from long lines at the ticket window when you get to the resort. With a little pre-planning and a great deal from our website, you save at least 20 percent off of the retail price of lift tickets. Be sure to check the ski areas on our website often for current specials on lift tickets.

#5 – Pair with Lodging

Another way to save a bundle on your vacation is to select a special that offers both lodging and lift tickets. There are tons of great deals out there that offer top-notch accommodations close to the ski lift or gondola, and come with lift tickets for your entire stay.

For example, Rocky Mountain Getaways currently offers savings on a ski vacation to Northstar Resort at Lake Tahoe in California. One current special offers up to 45% off of lodging and lift tickets that comes with free nights of lodging.  The special also includes a “Kids stay, rent and ski free” promotion.

To find a package special on our website, first choose the state you’d like to visit, then pick your resort. There are sections for deals on Ski Shops and Rentals, Lift Tickets & Season Passes, Transportation, and Ski Vacation Packages. Select “Ski Vacation Packages” to view lodging and ski lift pairings. Once you’ve found a deal that you like, click “View Deal.” This will take you to a page with more details, contact information, and a Book Now button. There’s even a link to more deals offered by the company.  Questions? You can call the company directly. All of the information is right there. It’s a great way to one-stop shop and save big on your ski trip.

#6 – Last-Minute Deals and Flash Sales

Feel like rolling the dice? Booking a last-minute deal or flash sale online can result in huge savings. If you just freed up a few days to get away and need something fast, it’s easy to grab a reservation on our website. Just choose the “Last Minute Deals” button at the top of our homepage on your cell phone, tablet or desktop computer. Here, you can view all of our specials and book from any device. 

You have to be crafty and flexible if you want to snag a last-minute deal, because they go quick. Flash sales pop up from time to time as well. If you’re always looking for a deal, bookmark our page and check back daily or weekly for the most current deals.  If you get lucky, a lift ticket special may come through.

Another way to stay in the loop is to follow our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. Any deals that come across our desk will be promoted heavily online. If you have us in your feed, you’ll see all of the specials first. To cover all your bases, subscribe to our newsletter for the best up-to-date bargains and promotions. We’re here to pass on the information and savings to you, so stay tuned in to our social channels for the latest and greatest.

#7 – Giveaways

You can’t beat free, right? We have seasonal promotions and giveaways on our website, so bookmarking our homepage and following our social media will keep you informed about any freebies that we offer. From time to time, we will give away trips, lift tickets, ski rentals and other vouchers. Our team is constantly working with the nation’s top ski resorts and vendors to offer the best specials and savings, and we love to pass it on to you! Be sure to check our “Giveaways” section regularly.

#8 – Mid-Week Deals

If you want to save on lift tickets, look into skiing during the week instead of on the weekends. Saturdays and Sundays are the busiest days on the slopes, when everyone has the weekend off and looking for a little R&R. Some resorts will offer cheaper lift tickets during the week, so planning a ski outing on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday can sometimes save you money. Be sure to check lift ticket pricing during the week as you’re planning your ski trip.

#9 – Late-Season Deals

Many ski resorts will offer specials later in the season, usually in late-March and April after Spring Break. February and March can be peak times, when students are on break and many take vacation time. Later in the season, the slopes are less crowded and lift tickets can be cheaper, if the resort offers a deal or special to interest skiers. Our website updates regularly with the latest mid-week deals and late-season specials.

#10 – Try a Smaller Resort

Sometimes smaller ski resorts can offer lift ticket specials to generate interest and get new visitors. Smaller ski resorts still offer big skiing – some of the best-kept secrets in skiing and snowboarding are at these lesser-known destinations. If you feel like mixing it up and trying something new, think about a smaller ski resort. Lesser crowds and a more intimate skiing experience await.

#11 – Canadian Exchange Rate

Ever thought about a Canadian ski trip? Currently, the Canadian Exchange Rate is very favorable. The Canadian dollar is presently about 76% of the U.S. Dollar, meaning that your American cash goes a little further north of the border.  Does that equate to more skiing, cheaper lift tickets, better accommodations, fancier dining, or more savings in your wallet or pocketbook? You decide. The one thing you won’t have to worry about is world-class skiing. Canadian ski resorts like Whistler-Blackcomb are some of the best in the world. Oh, and don’t forget: You can still use a deal, special or coupon from our website!  Pretty sweet deal, eh?