Is there such thing as affordable skiing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

OP here. I agree. The lessons are just so pricey. We are paying $130 per hour for private lesson.

She’s at a level 4 (maybe 3.5) and she can definitely use a few more lessons.

Private lessons are a bit of a luxury -- group lessons/ski school can be considerably cheaper, depending on the resort. (Although if you are committed to private lessons, WV is waaay cheaper than California/Colorado/Utah!)

Aren’t group lessons at Timberline like 25$? A private lesson is totally unnecessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can’t believe it got to page 2 before the real answer - NO! There isn’t.

False. I said this on page 1 at 23:32.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Canaan is cheaper than timberline and it’s 5 mins away.

True, but Timberline has better snow-making capabilities and often has better conditions than Canaan even though they are only a short distance apart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter who is 8 enjoys skiing. It’s such an expensive activity. We are going to Timberline this weekend and staying one night at the lodge. Here’s our cost so far:

Lodging: $200
Ski lesson: $130
Lift ticket: $170 ($95 plus $65)
Rental: $138 (adult plus child)
Adaptive lesson for my son: $85

Total: $657 not including food.

Are there cheaper places or programs for students to learn skiing without breaking the bank?

We have another trip to Canaan Valley in February and I am thinking of cancelling. Some may suggest local resorts (Liberty/Roundtop/Whitetail), but these resorts have not been having snow this past 2 years.

I welcome suggestions and tips. I know skiing is a rich man’s activity, and we are far from it.

I understand. It is expensive. My son loves it and he has some mental health issues and it is one thing that makes him happy so we do it.

Once lessons stop it is cheaper. Also, we are not at the point yet, but my sister and her family eventually got their own gear (used) and season lift tickets.

I don’t think they pay much per day of skiing anymore and don’t have to deal with logistics (stopping to rent gear). They just drive to resort and go. They will do day trips - rarely overnights. I am guessing that helps with the cost too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Canaan is cheaper than timberline and it’s 5 mins away.

True, but Timberline has better snow-making capabilities and often has better conditions than Canaan even though they are only a short distance apart.

Of course, but OP was asking how to do it cheaper and there’s a cheaper option literally 5 mins away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know season pass friends who pack sandwiches to avoid the food costs.

True, if you own skis and go frequently enough to use a season pass, it’s okay. But around here there are no resorts worth a season pass.

[Anonymous]

Once you have your own equipment and don't need lessons it gets cheaper. With Epic you can either buy a season pass or a multi day pass. I got a pass for a specific number of days that covers the local areas (Whitetail, Liberty, etc) that worked out to about $45/day. I drive up for the day and pack my lunch. So it costs me $45 plus gas to ski at Whitetail for a day, assuming they have snow.

I also have an Ikon pass and take several trips west. Sometimes those are expensive and sometimes relatively reasonable. Last year I went to Deer Valley with one of my kids - it was about $2,500 for lodging and meals for 5 days of skiing, not including the Ikon passes that we had already broken even on. I did use miles for the flights so YMMV. Other times I have spent $15k for trips at Christmas.

[Anonymous]

Yes. It’s called cross country. New Germany State Park for DMV folks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. It’s called cross country. New Germany State Park for DMV folks

Good point. I am a downhill skier but still fondly remember a cute little cross-country trail system at a tiny resort in Michigan. The weather was lightly snowy and the woods were beautiful to ski through. And I enjoyed getting a fresh cocoa every time I completed a trail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. It’s called cross country. New Germany State Park for DMV folks

How often are those trails open in a typical winter? It's hard to even make snow in this area.

[Anonymous]

No way around it, skiing is expensive. We only go once or twice per year. Usually Timberline, Canaan or Wisp. I see a lot of people add on the cost of lessons. We got kids one lesson when they were younger, but after that, they are on their own. They aren’t world class skiers, but they can ski blues and some blacks, and enjoy themselves enough.

[Anonymous]

Seasons are short but if you really want affordable you are looking at someplace like whitetail or Liberty as a day trip. You can also do wisp on a budget.

[Anonymous]

If you are able to plan ahead, skiing can become slightly more affordable.

Here is what we do -

* Seasonal rentals - Our program was an upfront cost of $250 and then it's $30 a year. Once DS has outgrown the junior program we get a $250 credit to an adult ski package. We started at 3 and he will probably go until 12 with the program.
* Smaller resorts, family-owned, etc. to keep down lift ticket and lesson costs when younger, especially when it truly doesn't matter where they learn how to ski, it's muscle memory that matters
* Group lessons, not private
* Season pass once you get to the point of committing to a resort and/or group (like Epic, IKON, etc.). DS now has Epic, in this case it gives a discount on lessons if you want them
* Buy all needed gear, clothing, etc., off season and on Ebay. I find basically brand new ski stuff all the time for 1/10th of the price on Ebay because kids grow so fast.
* Drive instead of fly, day trips only
* Use hotel points - we are really good at maximizing points and only go to places where we can redeem them
* Use frequent flier miles as well
* Adults own equipment, no cost on rentals, all bought off-season new, but the previous years design
* Pack our own lunches to eat on the mountain

As an example with the above, our family of 3 skied in Steamboat for a week for $2200 - that included flights, hotel, transportation, lift tickets (passes) and food. DS had a single day group lesson so he could ski with kids his own age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter who is 8 enjoys skiing. It’s such an expensive activity. We are going to Timberline this weekend and staying one night at the lodge. Here’s our cost so far:

Lodging: $200
Ski lesson: $130
Lift ticket: $170 ($95 plus $65)
Rental: $138 (adult plus child)
Adaptive lesson for my son: $85

Total: $657 not including food.

Are there cheaper places or programs for students to learn skiing without breaking the bank?

We have another trip to Canaan Valley in February and I am thinking of cancelling. Some may suggest local resorts (Liberty/Roundtop/Whitetail), but these resorts have not been having snow this past 2 years.

I welcome suggestions and tips. I know skiing is a rich man’s activity, and we are far from it.

This is so cheap!!! You want cheaper? Skiing is not for your family, I'm afraid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are able to plan ahead, skiing can become slightly more affordable.

Here is what we do -

* Seasonal rentals - Our program was an upfront cost of $250 and then it's $30 a year. Once DS has outgrown the junior program we get a $250 credit to an adult ski package. We started at 3 and he will probably go until 12 with the program.
* Smaller resorts, family-owned, etc. to keep down lift ticket and lesson costs when younger, especially when it truly doesn't matter where they learn how to ski, it's muscle memory that matters
* Group lessons, not private
* Season pass once you get to the point of committing to a resort and/or group (like Epic, IKON, etc.). DS now has Epic, in this case it gives a discount on lessons if you want them
* Buy all needed gear, clothing, etc., off season and on Ebay. I find basically brand new ski stuff all the time for 1/10th of the price on Ebay because kids grow so fast.
* Drive instead of fly, day trips only
* Use hotel points - we are really good at maximizing points and only go to places where we can redeem them
* Use frequent flier miles as well
* Adults own equipment, no cost on rentals, all bought off-season new, but the previous years design
* Pack our own lunches to eat on the mountain

As an example with the above, our family of 3 skied in Steamboat for a week for $2200 - that included flights, hotel, transportation, lift tickets (passes) and food. DS had a single day group lesson so he could ski with kids his own age.

Good work. But, one needs hot food when skiing. No bag lunches.