15 Most Expensive Ski Resorts In The United States
The United States is home to hundreds of ski resorts, ranging from budget-friendly local spots to world-famous, high-end destinations.
I’ve experienced both types and in this article, I’ll explore the country’s most expensive ski resorts, highlighting what makes them stand out and why they attract so many visitors.
1. Aspen, Colorado
Without a doubt, Aspen is leading the pack. The town actually consists of four different ski resorts: Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk. Each offers different terrain, but all are expensive to ski.
If you’re curious about what makes Aspen so expensive, it really boils down to the town. The town of Aspen is ritzy, filled with fancy restaurants, 5-star hotels, luxury shopping, and celebrities.
It’s one of the priciest ski destinations I’ve ever visited, but as the ski capital of the world, it’s a dream spot for skiers from around the globe. Living in Colorado, I knew I had to cross it off my bucket list, and it absolutely lived up to the hype.
2. Telluride, Colorado
Next up on the list is Telluride Ski Resort. While you won’t necessarily find boujee shopping here, it’s one of the most expensive ski destinations in the United States for several reasons.
The first that stood out to me was how secluded it is. It takes a lot of effort to get to Telluride. It’s about 6 hours and 15 minutes from Denver, so there’s no huge airport to fly into. You either have to commit to the drive or fly into the local airport, so right away, it’s fairly expensive to reach.
The next is the four and 5-star hotels that surround Telluride. You won’t find a budget-friendly accommodation option nearby, with many people opting for lavish ski chalets to rent for the week.
3. Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is another expensive ski resort in the United States. What’s cool about Jackson, though, is that you can choose to stay in downtown Jackson Hole or by the ski slopes in the Teton Village area. I’ve explored both areas and while budget-friendly options are scarce, the hotels are truly exceptional.
One of the key reasons Jackson Hole is so expensive is its luxury accommodations. Another major factor is its remote location. The small airport means flights are pricey, and you’ll likely need to rent a car to explore Teton Village, downtown Jackson, and nearby national parks like Grand Teton and Yellowstone.
Dining is another cost to consider, both on and off the mountain, restaurants are pricey but serve some of the best food I’ve had in the United States. Though expensive, the culinary scene here is well worth it.
4. Big Sky, Montana
It probably comes as no shock that Big Sky Resort is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country. The state of Montana is famous for its high-priced land and upscale cowboy atmosphere.
Aside from being in Montana, which definitely contributes to its costliness, the resort is also so expensive because of the high-end dining and accommodation costs in the area. You won’t find a budget-friendly option nearby, so you can expect to spend a pretty penny while skiing at Big Sky.
5. Vail, Colorado
Vail Ski Resort is another well-known expensive destination, but its proximity to Denver, just two hours away, isn’t what drives up the cost. The high prices stem from other factors.
Vail is renowned for its charming Vail Village, one of my favorite ski towns to explore, but it comes with a hefty price tag. Shopping, dining, and après-ski activities in the village are expensive, and staying slopeside will cost even more. Even Airbnbs in the area are pricey, though I’ve stayed in a few and found it worth the splurge if you have the budget.
Another factor that makes Vail costly is the price of winter lift tickets. To get more value, I highly recommend considering an Epic Pass or Ikon Pass, as these passes allow you to ski at multiple resorts for a single price throughout the season.
6. Breckenridge, Colorado
Next up on this list is Breckenridge, which is probably another resort that doesn’t surprise too many. Breck is Vail’s sister resort and another one of the most popular in Colorado. Skiers and snowboarders come from around the world, and each pays a hefty price to ski.
Much like Vail, the cost doesn’t really come from its location because it’s fairly easy to get here from Denver. Where the cost does come from, however, is the lift tickets, accommodations, dining, and shopping.
7. Park City, Utah
As one of the largest ski resorts in North America, Park City is also among the most expensive places to ski and snowboard. Fortunately, travel costs aren’t a major factor since it’s only a 40-minute drive from Salt Lake City, making it easy and affordable to fly in and reach the resort.
However, the high costs come from elsewhere: pricey lift tickets, luxurious accommodations, expensive dining both on and off the mountain, shopping, and the cost of other winter activities in the area.
8. Alta Ski Area, Utah
You might or might not be surprised to see Alta Ski Area on this list, but I wasn’t, given how exclusive the resort is. I’ve always found their ski-only policy interesting, and it says a lot about their exclusivity when they don’t feel the need to include snowboarders. It suggests they don’t rely on the extra income from allowing them, and this is definitely the case.
Alta is expensive due to its lift tickets, accommodations, and dining. One reason they can charge so much is that it’s one of the snowiest resorts in the world, and they know people are willing to pay for the chance to experience its legendary powder and fun atmosphere. Having skied here myself, I can say it’s one of the best resorts in Utah for skiers, especially on a powder day.
9. Snowbird, Utah
Snowbird, located next to Alta, is also one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country. Unlike Alta, Snowbird allows snowboarders but still comes with steep prices for lift tickets, accommodations, dining, shopping, and equipment rentals.
With an annual average of 500 inches of snowfall, it’s a paradise for powder chasers. It’s one of my favorite resorts in Utah, but enjoying the slopes here does come at a premium.
10. Deer Valley, Utah
Next up on this list is Deer Valley. This is another ski-only resort that doesn’t allow snowboarders. Much like Alta, you know it’s expensive when they don’t rely on the extra income from snowboarders each year.
Deer Valley is also expensive because of its celebrity appeal. The rich and famous love to come here for its excellent skiing, 5-star hotels, and fancy restaurants, like the Michelin-starred J&G Grill.
11. Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Steamboat Springs is one of my favorite ski towns in Colorado. It requires more effort to reach, as it’s about a three-hour drive from Denver, which can add to the overall cost. However, this longer journey means you’ll encounter fewer crowds than I-70 resorts like Vail and Breckenridge.
The primary reason Steamboat is so expensive is its remote location, which often requires staying in town and paying higher prices for accommodations, dining, and shopping. Lift tickets and equipment rentals are also pricey here.
That said, the town is charming, and powder days are truly magical. If you can stretch your budget a little bit, Steamboat Springs should definitely be on your bucket list!
12. Beaver Creek, Colorado
Are you surprised to see yet another Colorado ski resort on this list? Colorado truly is the best state for skiing, and resorts take advantage of that, charging higher prices because people are willing to pay for its incredible snow, excellent slopes, and overall ski culture.
Beaver Creek is no exception. Although the resort welcomes both skiers and snowboarders, it has a more exclusive atmosphere. Locals love to frequent this spot, and it doesn’t attract the same crowds as Breckenridge and Vail, which is a nice perk.
However, since Beaver Creek is owned by Vail Resorts, you can expect elevated prices for lift tickets, accommodations, dining, and shopping. One of my favorite features of Beaver Creek is that they serve warm chocolate chip cookies every day at 3:00 PM, which might make you forget about the high price for a second.
13. Palisades Tahoe, California
The Lake Tahoe area is known for being quite expensive, so it’s no surprise to see Palisades Tahoe on this list. The resort’s location is a major factor contributing to its high costs.
In addition to its prime location, Palisades Tahoe’s Olympic legacy significantly influences its pricing. Having hosted the Winter Olympics in 1960, many skiers and snowboarders are willing to pay a premium to ski in a place with such a rich history.
With steep prices for accommodations, dining, shopping, and equipment rentals, it can be an expensive destination to ski, but it’s also incredibly beautiful and offers an amazing experience.
14. Heavenly, California
Another popular resort in the Lake Tahoe area is Heavenly. Skiing in Lake Tahoe is generally pricey due to its location, but keep in mind that Lake Tahoe sits between Nevada and California, both of which are known for their high costs, so it’s a double whammy.
What sets Heavenly apart for me is its stunning views and prime location. You can enjoy spectacular views of Lake Tahoe from the summit and ski down to downtown Lake Tahoe, where you are just minutes from the casinos.
Because of these factors, Heavenly knows that skiers and snowboarders are willing to pay a premium for lift tickets, accommodations, dining, and shopping. However, if you’re looking for an overall experience with views like no other, it’s worth the cost, at least for one big ski trip.
15. Mammoth Mountain, California
Mammoth Mountain is another ski resort recognized for its high costs. Located in Mammoth Lakes, California, it’s about 4 and 30 minutes from Fresno and 5 and 40 minutes from San Francisco, making it quite remote and contributing to its expense. Additionally, California is known for its high cost of living, further driving up prices.
When you factor in the costs of accommodations, shopping, dining, and lift tickets, you can expect to shell out more money at this resort. However, one significant advantage of skiing at Mammoth is that its remote location means you won’t encounter the same large crowds as at resorts like Palisades or Heavenly, which is a nice benefit.
Have You Skied At Any Of These Pricey Resorts? If So, Did You Think The Cost Was Worth It?
Let us know in the comments!
