The Best Value Ski Resorts in the Western U.S.

With remarkable snow scores and a plethora of ski resorts and runs to choose from, the western half of the United States dominates our list of the best ski resorts for a winter getaway. All 10 of the highest-ranking resorts are located in western states.

Brian Head Resort in southwest Utah claims the top spot due to its combination of affordable lift tickets (fourth cheapest nationwide) and reasonably priced travel costs for out-of-town visitors. The second and third best ski resorts in the U.S., Eagle Point and Beaver Mountain, are also situated in Utah. Silver Mountain in Idaho and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado round out the top five.

As expected, many well-known resorts rank at the bottom of our list as the least cost-effective ski resorts, relying on their reputation to justify high prices. Beaver Creek Resort in Colorado occupies the last position, with a two-day trip costing approximately $1,806.01. Other Colorado favorites like Keystone and Vail, as well as Sun Valley in Idaho and Northstar in California, also come with hefty price tags.

Additionally, popular resorts in the northeastern U.S. can significantly impact your budget. For instance, a two-day lift ticket in Stowe, Vermont, costs $390 before factoring in other expenses. Whiteface Mountain in New York, despite its lower snow score of 28.3, also costs $248, making it a less favorable choice compared to options out west that offer more for the same price or less.

Top 10 Best Ski Resorts For The Money

Brian Head Resort, Utah
Roughly equidistant from Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, Utah’s Brian Head Resort ranks the best value for money for a winter ski trip this year. The resort offers relatively low costs for two-day lift tickets and ski rentals ($228 combined) plus overnight accommodations on the cheaper end of the spectrum. That doesn’t equal a lesser experience, though: The region has a snow score of 71.2 and the resort itself has 65 runs to keep you making turns all day.

Eagle Point Resort, Utah Eagle Point tracks as the second-best ski resort in the U.S. for value, barely edged out by Brian Head. This location ranked second-lowest in the country for the average cost of a two night stay during ski season, based on data from Airbnb. Lift tickets are slightly more expensive here—though still less expensive than the national average—but the resort accepts the Indy Pass which could save you in the long run. And with a 72.8 snow score, you can count on a fun weekend.

Beaver Mountain Ski Resort, Utah
Much closer to Salt Lake City, Beaver Mountain ranks third on our list but the convenience might entice you to make it your top choice. This resort ranks third-lowest out of 51 resorts for both two-day lift tickets ($140) and two-day ski rentals ($60) before factoring in potential discounts from its accepted Epic Pass. However, the resort only offers three lifts and 23 runs. That should be plenty for a two-day trip but may be a miss for someone planning a longer trip or looking for the most epic terrain.

Silver Mountain Resort, Idaho
Just over the border from Spokane, Silver Mountain represents great value and markets in all-in-one vacation thanks to an indoor waterpark to contrast its 73 outdoor runs. Travelers heading here can expect to pay about $432 for peak season airfare, though an affordable $254 for two-nights of overnight accommodations helps balance that out. Lift tickets and ski rentals are also on the affordable side and could cost even less if you’re a Powder Alliance member.

Arapahoe Basin, Colorado
If your heart’s set on Colorado, A-Basin is your best bet for value. Vacation rentals here rank at the fourth-lowest in the country, costing just $200, and airfare and rental car expenses are also reasonable thanks to its proximity to Denver. The resort has the most runs of any in our top five options, with 108 to choose from. And those looking to take advantage of a multipass can rejoice: A-Basin accepts the Ikon pass.

Mt. Baker Ski Area, Washington
Skiers who want practically guaranteed fresh snow should head directly to Mt. Baker. With a snow score of 84.5—the highest of resorts that made our list for overall value—it’s sure to please. Plus, airfare to Seattle will only set you back about $361, the third-cheapest in the country which helps drive costs down. Keep an eye on the cost of ski rentals, though: at about $102 per two days, you may prefer to bring your own.

Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico
Those in the know realize that New Mexico has some phenomenal skiing. Taos Ski Resort, which participates in the Ikon Pass, offers more than 100 runs and has a snow score of 66.1 according to Zrankings. Those awesome credentials make it a good value for skiers even if you’re traveling since the average cost of airfare, accommodations and car rental combined cost less than $850.

Palisades Tahoe, California
With the most lifts and runs of any resort on our top 10 list, Palisades Tahoe will keep you busy for as long as you can afford to stay—and hopefully you can extend that visit since several costs here are well below average. Those who need rental equipment will be pleased to learn a two-day basic rental only costs $98. Accommodations, at $258, and car rental costs of $85 are also on the lower end of the range for an overall affordable ski getaway.

Snowy Range Ski Area, Wyoming
While it doesn’t have the prestige of Jackson Hole, skiing on the other side of the state will save you a ton of money. Snowy Range has the absolute lowest cost for two-day lift tickets ($118) and two-day ski rentals ($50) of any of the resorts we analyzed. Accommodations, at an average cost of $203, and car rentals are also affordable. So with good prices, why did it only claim the 9th position? Airfare is on the pricier side and there are only 27 runs. Nowhere’s perfect.

Whitefish Mountain Resort, Montana
Whitefish rounds out the top 10 best value ski resorts in the U.S., thanks to lift tickets and ski rentals that are priced reasonably (at least compared to its neighbors). However, travel could cost more than you’d like to spend: Airfare is steep at an average cost of $529 and accommodations fall in the middle of the pack at an average price of $322 for a two-night stay. This historic resort is worth the money, though, thanks to 98 runs to choose from.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, forbes.com