Cheap Skiing in Colorado: Where to Hit the Slopes for Under $100

Many regard skiing as a sport reserved for the wealthy. But there are, in fact, ways to get on the slopes without breaking the bank. Independent ski areas almost always beat out larger resorts’ rates. However, you may be surprised that even those owned by the likes of Vail Resorts and Alterra Mountain Company offer killer deals on select dates. Half-day passes and beginner-area tickets are also a great way to save.

Believe it or not, you can experience the majority of Colorado’s ski resorts this season for less than $100 a day. Here’s where to go if you’re on a budget:

Arapahoe Basin
28194 U.S. 6, Dillon
888-272-7246
This is the first season that Arapahoe Basin is operating under Alterra Mountain Company — but despite joining the giant ski conglomerate, pricing has remained consistent overall with previous years. Full-day lift ticket costs vary by date and start at $56. A-Basin also offers half-day passes for as low as $40 per person, which provide lift access from 1 to 4 p.m. Note that all tickets must be purchased online and $20 parking reservations are required prior to 1 p.m. on weekends and holidays between December 21 and May 4. But if you carpool with four or more people, parking reservations are free. Additionally, the Snowstang bus from CDOT has a route connecting Denver to Arapahoe Basin. Round-trip fare is $25 per adult and $12.50 per child ages two to eleven.

Copper Mountain Resort
509 Copper Road, Frisco
970-968-2318
Aside from the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s, Copper Mountain Resort offers $99 lift tickets every Thursday through April 10. The discount is part of its Play Forever Thursdays program, which benefits various nonprofits dedicated to local relief efforts, recreation accessibility and environmental projects. Be sure to book online in advance, as the rate is not honored day-of or at the ticket window. Parking is always complimentary in the Alpine and Far East Lots, and all others become free after 2 p.m. Keep in mind that the Snowstang bus also connects Denver to Copper Mountain. Crested Butte Mountain Resort
12 Snowmass Road, Crested Butte
888-539-6068
Vail Resorts, which owns Crested Butte Mountain Resort, holds a reputation for being unaffordable. However, if you purchase an Epic one-day pass for non-peak dates, it comes out to just $98 per adult and $48 per child ages five to twelve. Restricted dates include holidays and January 18, as well as February 15 and 16. The resort offers free base-area parking, and there’s also a complimentary shuttle with stops between it and downtown Crested Butte.

Echo Mountain
19285 CO-103, Idaho Springs
720-615-0019
When purchased online and in advance, lift tickets to Denver’s nearest ski area cost between $50 and $83 per adult. Children ages six to fifteen are priced at $30 to $50 per, while those under six get in free with an adult ticket purchase. These day passes also grant night skiing access at Echo Mountain, available Wednesdays through Saturdays. While parking is complimentary, note that it’s limited. Carpooling and ridesharing are recommended on holidays and the weekends. Eldora Mountain
2861 Eldora Ski Road, Nederland
303-440-8700
Eldora Mountain offers half-price day passes on select Wednesdays through March 26, 2025. For this $99 lift ticket rate, you must purchase online no later than 11:59 p.m. the day prior to arrival. Half-day tickets are also deeply discounted on certain Wednesdays, starting at $89 and offering lift access after 12:30 p.m. Note that on weekdays with ten or more inches of new snow, weekends and holidays, Eldora charges a $10 parking fee for single-occupancy vehicles. Carpool with each other to avoid this, or take the complimentary shuttle that departs from the free Boulder County Justice Center parking lot.

Granby Ranch
1000 Village Road, Granby
888-850-4615
Outside of the holiday corridor and spring break, Granby Ranch has $99 lift tickets available every Monday through Thursday until April 3, 2025. Night skiing passes are also offered on select Fridays and Saturdays throughout the season, as well as New Year’s Eve. These cost $54 per and provide lift access from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Parking at Granby Ranch is free.

Hoedown Hill
1781 RainDance National Drive, Windsor
970-833-1720
Set in the Eastern Plains, the state’s newest ski area offers budget-friendly half-day passes. Weekday sundown passes cost $35 per and provide terrain access from 4 to 9 p.m. Weekend sunup tickets offer access from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and sundown tickets apply from 3 to 9 p.m. Both weekend options cost $51 per person, and parking at Hoedown Hill is always complimentary.

Howelsen Hill Ski Area
845 Howelsen Parkway, Steamboat Springs
970-879-8499
Colorado’s oldest continuously operating ski area is always affordable, with adult lift tickets priced at $49 each. Seniors and youth ages five to eighteen are $36 per, while children under five come at no cost. However, consider visiting on a Sunday, as the entire family can ski for free from open to close. Parking is also complimentary at Howelsen Hill. Keystone Resort
1200 County Road 8, Keystone
970-496-4170
Like Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Keystone is owned by Vail Resorts and offers Epic one-day passes. Purchase one online outside of peak dates for $98 per adult and $48 per child ages five to twelve. Aside from the Mountain House West A and B base-area lots, all other parking areas at Keystone Resort are free.

Loveland Ski Area
216 I-70, Keystone
800-736-3754
When purchased online in advance, adult lift tickets to this independent ski area are as affordable as $76 per person. Passes for children ages six to fourteen start at $50, while those under six ski free. Loveland also offers tickets exclusively for its learning area, which cost $50 per adult and $30 per child. Base-area parking is complimentary, and the Snowstang bus offers rides to and from Denver.

Monarch Mountain
23715 US-50, Salida
719-530-5000
Online lift tickets at Monarch Mountain start at $69 per adult, $59 per senior and per teen ages thirteen to seventeen, $49 per junior ages seven to twelve and $5 per child under six. Parking at this independent ski area is free. Take advantage this season, as Monarch will undergo a major expansion in 2025, increasing terrain by nearly 50 percent — and it's unknown whether pricing will follow suit.

Powderhorn Mountain Resort
48338 Powderhorn Road, Mesa
970-268-5700
Powderhorn Mountain Resort has implemented a price freeze, maintaining or even reducing lift ticket rates compared to last season. Adult full-day passes are $89 Monday through Thursday, and tickets for juniors ages six to twelve cost $39. Friday through Sunday, adults are priced at $99 per person and kids at $49. Discounted half-day passes are also available, as is a learners’-area pass for a reduced price. Park at Powderhorn’s base area for free.

Purgatory Resort
1 Skier Place, Durango
970-247-9000
Like many ski areas, Purgatory operates on a demand-based pricing model. But unlike most competitors, its base rate is unbelievably low — hardly more than what lift tickets cost when the resort opened in 1965. Currently, you can snag them for as little as $11 per. Plus, kids ages twelve and under ski free every day of the season, and no purchase is required. Additionally, take note of its Spring Fling deal available from March 17 to April 13: During this period, lessons and rentals are buy one, get one free. Purgatory Resort offers complimentary parking, to boot.

Ski Cooper
232 County Road 29, Leadville
719-486-2277
Apart from holidays and spring break, this independent ski area is offering $45 adult day passes Monday through Thursday. Youth ages fifteen to 21 cost $40 per, while children ages six to fourteen are $35 each. Additionally, children under six and seniors over 75 can purchase a season pass for just $10. These discounted weekday rates also apply from April 7 to 13 and are consistent whether you purchase online or at the ticket window. Parking at Ski Cooper is free.

Sunlight Mountain Resort
10901 County Road 117, Glenwood Springs
970-945-7491
Adult lift tickets at Sunlight Mountain Resort start at $70 per adult, $54 per senior and $45 per child ages six to twelve. Mark your calendars for January 10, 2025, as the resort will celebrate skier appreciation day with $25 all-ages lift tickets. Parking is free but limited. If staying in Glenwood Springs, consider taking a shuttle to the ski area. One-way fare is $5 per person, and round-trip is $10. The shuttle is complimentary when booking a “ski, swim and stay” package, available in partnership with one of the state’s best hot spring resorts. Winter Park Resort
85 Parsenn Road, Winter Park
970-726-5514
Denver’s world-class ski resort isn’t particularly budget-friendly. but toward the end of the season, online lift ticket rates drop to as low as $57 per adult and $40 per child ages five to twelve. The resort has several free parking lots but when visiting, consider taking the Winter Park Express train from Union Station. It operates through March 31, with one-way fares priced at $19 per adult and $9.50 per child ages two to twelve.

Wolf Creek Ski Area
U.S.160 East, Pagosa Springs
970-264-5639
Wolf Creek was the first ski area in Colorado to open this season, and outside of peak dates, adult lift tickets cost just $91 per. Children ages six to twelve are priced at $45 per, while those under six are complimentary. Seniors ages 65 to 79 are $60 each, and those over eighty ski free. This independent mountain also offers a pass exclusive to its beginners’ area, priced at $50 per, as well as discounted half-day passes that provide lift access after 12:30 p.m. All rates are consistent whether bought online in advance or at the ticket counter day of. Parking at Wolf Creek is complimentary.