The Most and Least Affordable Ski Towns in America [2024 Study]

As winter approaches and ski season looms, many of us are dreaming of hitting the slopes, but how much will it cost? If you’re planning a snowy getaway, be prepared — daily lift tickets at top ski resorts can cost over $200, and vacation rentals near popular ski areas often average more than $350 a night during peak season, so finding an affordable ski destination matters. 

This study ranks the most and least affordable U.S. ski towns for tourists based on 7 cost-related factors, including daily lift ticket prices, average vacation rental rates, flight costs, and rental car expenses. If you’re looking to maximize your ski trip dollars, this ranking will help you find the perfect winter escape that won’t blow your budget.

America’s Most Affordable Ski Towns

These are the 6 most affordable ski towns in America:

1. Missoula, Montana

• Nearby Ski Area: Montana Snowbowl
• Affordability Score: 40.6

If you’re craving fresh powder without draining your bank account, Missoula, Montana, is calling your name. Missoula takes the top spot as the most affordable ski town in America. Just 15 miles from Montana Snowbowl, Missoula offers peak season Airbnbs for $199 a night (46% lower than the study’s average), year-round Airbnbs as low as $135 a night, $79 lift tickets, and $59 daily car rentals, earning an impressive affordability score of 40.6 out of 50.

2. Bellingham, Washington

• Nearby Ski Area: Mt. Baker Ski Area
• Affordability Score: 39.5

Coming in second on the list of America’s most affordable ski towns is Bellingham, Washington, a little over an hour away from Mt. Baker Ski Area. With peak season Airbnbs priced at $219 a night, $94 lift tickets, and round-trip flights averaging $359 (13% lower than the study’s average), it earns an impressive affordability score of 39.5 out of 50 — proving you don’t have to rack up credit card debt to hit the slopes in the Pacific Northwest.

3. Logan, Utah

• Nearby Ski Area: Beaver Mountain Ski Resort
• Affordability Score: 39.0

Logan, Utah, home to Utah State University, claims the #3 spot on the list, offering a cost-efficient alternative to pricier destinations like Park City, Utah. Close to Beaver Mountain Ski Resort — one of Utah’s most affordable ski areas — Logan has peak season Airbnbs at $185 a night and $70 lift passes for a full day, the second-lowest in the study. With a cost of living 6% below the national average, it’s no surprise Logan scores an impressive 39.0 out of 50 for affordability.

4. Spearfish, South Dakota

• Nearby Ski Area: Terry Peak Ski Area
• Affordability Score: 38.3

Nestled in the scenic Black Hills, Spearfish, South Dakota, lands at #4 on the list of most affordable ski towns, offering budget-conscious travelers access to Terry Peak Ski Area. With peak season Airbnbs averaging $204 a night, year-round Airbnbs as low as $152 a night, $71 daily lift tickets, and dinner for 2 costing just $63, it’s an ideal destination for a wallet-friendly winter escape.

5. Bozeman, Montana

• Nearby Ski Area: Bridger Bowl Ski Area
• Affordability Score: 36.6

Coming in fifth on the list is Bozeman, Montana, thanks to its proximity to Bridger Bowl Ski Area, just 16 miles away. This ski destination features 2,000 acres of maintained trails along the Bridger Mountains. In Bozeman, peak season Airbnbs average $223 a night, daily lift tickets cost $97, and rental cars can cost $64 per day, resulting in an affordability score of 36.6. With its breathtaking scenery and vibrant downtown, Bozeman perfectly balances adventure and charm.

6. Palmerton, Pennsylvania

• Nearby Ski Area: Blue Mountain Resort
• Affordability Score: 36.3

Palmerton, Pennsylvania, secures the #6 spot on the list of most affordable ski towns. Home to Blue Mountain Resort — rated the best ski resort in Pennsylvania — Palmerton combines affordability with unbeatable accessibility. Peak season Airbnbs average $242 a night, daily lift tickets cost $94, and rental cars are a steal at just $56 per day, the third-lowest rate in the study. With its affordability score of 36.3, this town proves you don’t need to head west for a budget-friendly ski trip.

America’s Least Affordable Ski Towns

These are the 6 most expensive ski towns in America:

1. Park City, Utah

• Nearby Ski Area: Deer Valley Ski Resort
• Affordability Score: 10.6

Park City, Utah, takes the top spot as the least affordable ski town in America. Known for Deer Valley Ski Resort, often voted one of the best ski resorts in the U.S., this luxury destination comes with a steep price tag. Peak season Airbnbs average $875 per night — the highest in the study and 136% above the study’s average — while daily lift tickets top the charts at $299. With a cost of living 32% above the national average, Park City earns an affordability score of just 10.6, making it a prime destination for those who don’t mind splurging on their winter getaway.

2. Truckee, California

• Nearby Ski Area: Northstar Ski Resort
• Affordability Score: 13.7

Truckee, California, claims the #2 spot among the least affordable ski towns in America. Just a stone’s throw from Northstar Ski Resort, this picturesque mountain town comes with sky-high costs. Peak season Airbnbs average $657 per night, while daily lift tickets at Northstar will set you back $265. Even outside of peak season, Truckee remains pricey, with year-round Airbnb rates averaging $319 per night — the second highest in the study. Add a cost of living 37% above the national average, and Truckee lands an affordability score of just 13.7.

3. Mammoth Lakes, California

• Nearby Ski Area: Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort
• Affordability Score: 17.2

Home to the iconic Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort, Mammoth Lakes, California, is as expensive as it is breathtaking. Peak season Airbnbs average $819 per night — the second-highest in the study — while round-trip flights cost $468, 14% above the study’s average. Rental cars are no bargain either, averaging $100 a day. With an affordability score of just 17.2, Mammoth Lakes is a high-end spot for skiers who don’t mind paying top dollar for their ski trip. 

4. Beaver Creek, Colorado

• Nearby Ski Area: Beaver Creek Resort
• Affordability Score: 17.6

Beaver Creek, Colorado, takes the #4 spot as one of the priciest ski towns in the country. Renowned for the upscale Beaver Creek Resort, this ski destination doesn’t come cheap. Peak season Airbnbs cost an average of $709 per night, and daily lift tickets are priced at $295 — the second-highest in the study, tied with Vail. With a cost of living 30% above the national average, Beaver Creek stands out as a premium mountain escape, earning an affordability score of just 17.6.

5. South Lake Tahoe, California

• Nearby Ski Area: Heavenly Ski Resort
• Affordability Score: 17.7

South Lake Tahoe, California, ranks #5 among the least affordable ski towns, offering access to Heavenly Ski Resort. This destination combines world-class skiing with a vibrant après-ski scene, making it a magnet for travelers seeking both adventure and luxury. Its premium status comes at a cost: peak season Airbnbs average $706 per night, daily lift tickets are $255, and dinner for 2 at a mid-range restaurant costs $85.

6. Aspen, Colorado

• Nearby Ski Area: Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort
• Affordability Score: 18.8

Aspen, Colorado, rounds out the list at #6. Home to the iconic Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort, Aspen has earned its reputation as a high-end winter destination. Peak season Airbnbs average $479 per night, while year-round rates hover at $320, reflecting the constant demand for this glamorous locale. Daily lift tickets cost $254, and with the cost of living 34% above the national average, Aspen’s exclusivity comes at a premium.

How To Save Money With Ski Passes

Investing in an Ikon Pass, Epic Pass, or Mountain Collective pass can be a game-changer for frequent skiers looking to cut down on costs. These multi-resort passes offer significant savings compared to buying daily lift tickets, especially in pricier destinations like Park City or Aspen. 

The Ikon Pass, priced at $1,449 for adults over 23, provides access to nearly 60 resorts worldwide. In contrast, the Epic Pass starts at $1,047 for adults and covers unlimited skiing at 50+ resorts like Vail, Beaver Creek, and Heavenly all season long. Mountain Collective has a smaller footprint covering nearly 30 resorts and is only $659 for adults.

For avid skiers planning multiple trips in a season, these passes reduce the per-day cost and often include perks like discounts on food, rentals, and lodging. While the upfront price may seem steep, they quickly pay for themselves for those who plan to hit the slopes regularly.

Where Vacation Rental Prices Spike the Most During Peak Season

Our analysis of vacation rental prices reveals some jaw-dropping surges for Airbnb stays in America’s favorite ski towns during peak season. Mammoth Lakes, California, leads with a 255% increase, jumping from an average of $230 per night year-round to $819 during peak ski season. Not far behind, Park City, Utah, sees rates soar by 218%, while Breckenridge, Colorado, rounds out the top 3 with a 211% price hike during peak season.

Luxe destinations like Vail, Colorado, and Big Bear Lake, California, see vacation rental prices nearly triple during peak season, with increases of 201% and 190%, respectively. These price spikes are a reality check for anyone planning a winter escape. For skiers on a budget, being flexible with your dates or exploring lesser-known destinations could save you hundreds.

Your Guide to Budget-Friendly Ski Towns

Interested in diving deeper into the numbers for the most and least affordable ski towns, or want to see how the ski town near you stacks up? We’ve compiled our full data study for all 50 U.S. ski towns analyzed into the interactive data table below. Click on the heading of each column to sort by specific cost factors.

Methodology

To find the most and least affordable ski towns in the U.S., we started with a list of 50 of the most popular ski towns and towns with the highest-rated ski resorts nearby, according to Travel & Leisure, Ski Magazine, and Peak Rankings.

We then identified 7 cost-related ranking factors most relevant to ski tourists. We assigned ski towns with a score of 0 to 5 for each cost factor, with a score of 5 representing the most affordable. We determined each city’s total score from the total of its individual factor scores, which were weighted according to their impact on a ski trip’s cost. Individual factor scores were then added together to give each town a final affordability score from 0 to 50. Higher scores indicate that towns are more affordable, while lower scores indicate that towns are less affordable.

The ranking factors and their respective sources and weights are listed below.

Lift Ticket Prices and Airbnb Rates

Daily lift ticket prices in this study reflect the cost of a full-day pass on a Saturday during peak ski season at the highest-ranked ski resort in each town. For Airbnb rates, we analyzed both year-round average nightly prices and peak season rates, with peak season defined as stays during Presidents Day weekend in February 2025 — one of the busiest times for skiing, according to On the Snow. We applied the “entire home” filter for all Airbnb price data.

Additional Cost Factors

The study’s cost of living metric represents the general affordability of essentials like food, transportation, and housing, shown as a percentage above or below the national average. Flight costs reflect round-trip airfare to the nearest major airport for each ski town, while dinner costs indicate the price of a meal for 2 at a mid-range restaurant.

Final Thoughts

This study highlights just how much a ski trip can vary depending on where you go. On one end, you have affordable spots like Missoula, Montana, where you can enjoy the slopes without stretching your budget. On the other, there are luxury hubs like Park City, Utah, where the high costs match the exclusive experience.

If you’re planning winter 2025 ski trips, think strategically. Passes from Ikon, Epic, and Mountain Collective can offer serious savings for avid skiers, and avoiding peak season might help your budget go further. Whether you’re chasing fresh powder or cozy après-ski vibes, there’s a ski town that fits your vibe (and wallet).