Industry News
Three-hundred-dollars. 300 big ones. A week’s pay or more for many full-time laborers in America—workers in the very same ski towns that charge these exorbitant prices for a day lift ticket. How do these honest people afford to go skiing? Or do they?
It’s happening; daily ski ticket prices are reaching unprecedented prices across the nation, breaking the 300-dollar mark in some instances. While season passes continue to offer better value, skiers still forking over for single-day access found themselves paying more than ever last season—especially during peak holiday windows where resorts use dynamic pricing models to sell lift tickets. All the resorts on this list are either in the Rocky Mountains region or west of it, however, many East Coast ski areas also used dynamic pricing last season, with Okemo, Stowe, Stratton Mountain, and Killington Resort charging over $200 for a day of skiing. So, without further ado, here are the nine priciest single-day lift tickets in the U.S. for the 2024–25 season, ranked from lowest to highest—aka nine reasons you should get your hands on an Ikon or Indy Pass this year.
9 Most Expensive Lift Tickets In The USA Last Season:
9. Aspen Snowmass, CO – $264
Still one of the most iconic names in American skiing, Aspen’s day ticket is eye-watering but no longer among the top five. That’s more a reflection of surging prices elsewhere than a drop in Aspen’s luxury experience.
8. Jackson Hole, WY – $269
Famous for its terrain and deep powder, Jackson Hole remains a top-tier destination. But it also means paying a premium to ski the steeps.
7. Big Sky, MT – $272
Montana’s biggest resort continues its push into luxury territory, with vast terrain, low crowds—and high prices to match.
6. Northstar California, CA – $294
Tahoe’s luxury contender nearly hits the $300 mark for peak-season access. Part of the Vail Resorts network, Northstar’s pricing reflects its polished, family-friendly experience.
5. Steamboat, CO – $299
A significant jump from last season’s $239, Steamboat’s 25% price hike reflects big investment in new lifts and terrain—and the growing demand for northern Colorado powder.
4. Arizona Snowbowl, AZ – $309
Arizona’s premier resort quietly entered the high-price tier this season, hitting a peak rate of $309 on busy weekends and holidays. While not traditionally known for sky-high pricing, Snowbowl’s top rate now rivals major Western destinations, reflecting its growing popularity and expanded terrain.
3. Deer Valley, UT – $299 ($326 with fees)
Skiers-only Deer Valley commands top dollar with its limited capacity, white-glove service, and exclusive feel. Factor in fees and the price hits $326—nearly the top of the list.
2. Vail Mountain & Beaver Creek, CO – $329
Vail Resorts’ flagship mountains have long led the industry in pricing. With base tickets at $329, they remain among the most expensive ski days in the country.
1. Park City Mountain, UT – $328 ($354 with fees)
Utah’s largest resort edges out Vail (although also owned by Vail Resorts) for the top spot when you include fees. Park City’s window rate technically comes in a dollar under, but once you’re at the register, it’s the priciest ski day in America.
The Season Pass Arms Race
With daily tickets now costing up to $354, the math overwhelmingly favors multi-resort season passes:
•Epic Pass: $1,051 (3 days breakeven at Vail)
•Ikon Pass: $1,249 (4 days breakeven at Aspen)
•Mountain Collective: $699 (3 days breakeven at Jackson Hole)
In the case of Vail Resorts, 62% of lift revenue from its ski areas come from the Epic Pass. Meanwhile, the company reported a 3.4% increase in lift ticket revenue despite 3.1% fewer skier visits in 2024-25.
Strategies to Avoid Exorbitant Day Ticket Prices
1. Book Early: 73% discounts available 90+ days out
2. Midweek Skiing: Tuesday-Thursday tickets average 41% cheaper
3. Resort Lodging Packages: 15-30% bundled ticket discounts
4. Spring Skiing: March rates drop 55% post-President’s Day
5. Military Discounts: 22% savings at participating resorts
The $300 ticket isn’t meant to be bought—it’s meant to make the $1,000 pass feel reasonable. This pricing psychology has increased pass sales since the COVID-19 pandemic, with the number of Epic Pass holders nearly doubling since 2020.
With daily ticket prices now topping $350 in some cases, the message from resorts is clear: plan ahead. Or get f*****. The good news? Multi-day and season passes like Epic, Ikon, and Indy passes now offer a better return than ever for regular skiers. For everyone else? That spontaneous weekend ski trip just got a lot harder to justify.
*2024-25 lift ticket prices data derived with the assistance of AI Deep Research programs.*
Remember the $6.00 daily lift ticket at Alta back in 1971. Great deal to say the least. Multiply that dollar amount times “40” and you hit just about today pricing $240.00. Thing about the inflationary pricing on that. Wow!!!
I just want to take my kid skiing once a winter as vacation like my dad use to. No chance of that at over $200 a day, plus gear, plus food plus travel. I get there are deals but finding is not practical or easy. Season pass holds no value to a weekend dad kids trip. Developing a love for the outdoors and skiing will die out for another generation if no one in middle class can afford to introduce them to activities. It was a nice dream while it lasted.
And then if you want access to the peak you add the $80 tram pass on at Big Sky making it a cool $295.
Steamboat was charging $245 during the xmas holidays.
It’s time for Vail Resorts to create a new Epic Pass that matches the Ikon Pass! Let’s race to the top instead of being alone in the race to the bottom. Let’s restore world class skiing to Vail and Park City with fewer crowds and safer skiing.
They have lost their way.
I boycotted destination resorts last season due to day ticket prices. If you don’t buy mega resort iKon pass now forget it. I have season pass at local resort for $479 for season. That’s pretty much my bar, if day ticket is 1/3+ the cost my pass I’m not going. On the bright side it has me checking out some local smaller resorts I’d never been to with day tickets less than $65. Scored two amazing pow days with no crowds, both during holidays. Stoked! Next year Indy Pass looks like the way to go.
Those are some crazy numbers! It’s always been expensive, but the deals have always been out there too. Finding them is part of the season to me. I got a $199 M-F season pass at Snowbowl Arizona (near my home), a 4 day pass online at Breckenridge avg $81 a day, and Wolf Creek’s day rate is $83. Good deals and a good season.
You missed Steamboat… On average was number 1 or 2.
I would like to see the top ten most expensive golf courses to play. They take a lot less investment, no high speed lifts and take a lot less land. And who pays list price to tow tickets?
I did about 42 days on my Ikon Pass this year and averaged about $24+- bucks a day. These were at Jackson, Atla, Aspen & Deer Valley as well as a few others. Everyone can hate the Ikon Pass all they want, I friggen love it!!!!!
A few years ago I rode the lift with a guy complaining about how expensive lift tickets were. Turns out he was on a 2 week trip and paying window price every day. Definitely ignorance tax. I explained to him about ski passes or at least advance purchase lift tickets. He literally had no clue.
A few years ago “the ski industry” was “dying.” Only baby boomers skied and (sniff sniff) soon they and the resorts would be gone. Really? Two factors account for the obscene day ticket prices. First, artificial snow is a lot more expensive than the real thing. Two, casual skiers were reportedly skiing just a few days a year. Enter the multi-resort pass. For the price of their usual low number of day tickets “concientious shoppers” could buy a pass good all over the place. Result massive crowds. The “ski industry” is still “dying.” Now it is being loved to death.
High prices thanks to people suing ski resorts without warrant. Take responsibility for you own actions.
Indy Pass $199 for the whole year.
I get an Epic Pass or another pass every year so still manage to ski quite a bit. Still I do find I’m much less willing to try other resorts lately because the day rates at even smaller resorts has gotten out of hand.
There are deals to be had online though if you know where to look. A few years ago I was able to ski both Alta and Solitude for less than $60. Because of the strong dollar Canadian resorts can offer some of the best values around.
Skied 48 days on my Epic pass at 3 of those which averages out to $18.75 a day. Great for me, but terrible for the casual skier who just wants to ski a couple of days a year without the big commitment of buying a pass. Luckily there are still plenty of places for people on a budget to go, but it sure discourages non-passholders from skiing the major resorts. Since most people at these places are dedicated avid skiers, that results in powder-frenzy crowds on powder days and pretty empty slopes when it hasn’t snowed recently. It’s a big change from 20 years ago when resort attendance was more evenly spread out.
I recently found a day ticket from Alta that I kept as a memento. $6.50 in 1974. The ticket specifies “Price $6.22. Sales Tax $.28”
Wow!
A season pass OR you could travel to the other 100 great smaller(cheaper) mountains around the country. I actually have an Ikon but we also have a 9 yr old and the lessons are what would kill us at a place like Vail. Even though Vail mountain is one of our favorites, because I lived there and know it well, we rarely go.
Guess you won’t see me in the Western US any time soon!
Not a great list to be on.
Well if I don’t get that 25% pay raise I was expecting no more skiing for me.
Oh stop it, you know just to get a season pass
Join a ski club and get group discount tickets!