Anonymous
Post 11/06/2025 15:12     Subject: Are ski/snowboard family vacations crazy expensive?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The prices have gotten totally out of hand. My husband and kids ski/snowboard and I don't, but I come for the trips. We've gone to Steamboat Springs and Crested Butte in Colorado, plus Snowbird in Utah. Steamboat Springs is my favorite for the setup - cute town plus lots of activities for non-skiers - but dear god this vacation is expensive. Plane tickets are $1k+ each for the 4 of us and lodging is $700-1,000 a night. We are spending $8k-$12k for a 5-night vacation. I also hate that Maryland schools don't have a winter break so we're stuck traveling over Christmas. Steamboat Springs especially jacks up their prices over the holidays.

We literally don't go on another vacation the whole year to be able to do this trip. This might be the last year...starting next winter we're going to go to Europe instead for skiiing. At least I'll be able to get on a train to see something besides ski slopes (my kids are in high school now and don't need me there the whole trip) and my understanding is that we can probably spend less than half per day for an equally good or better skiing experience.


Yeah if you are already spending $1k each on flights to CO, go to Europe! But I agree it is too bad DMV schools don't have the February break. Usually better ski conditions then too.


We are going for a week in Feb over the Presidents’ Day holiday weekend so I’m pulling my kid from school for 3 days in addition tot he days off he has.

Plan to take a break that Saturday because slope will be crowded and ski rest of 5/6 days
Anonymous
Post 11/06/2025 15:04     Subject: Are ski/snowboard family vacations crazy expensive?
Anonymous wrote:The prices have gotten totally out of hand. My husband and kids ski/snowboard and I don't, but I come for the trips. We've gone to Steamboat Springs and Crested Butte in Colorado, plus Snowbird in Utah. Steamboat Springs is my favorite for the setup - cute town plus lots of activities for non-skiers - but dear god this vacation is expensive. Plane tickets are $1k+ each for the 4 of us and lodging is $700-1,000 a night. We are spending $8k-$12k for a 5-night vacation. I also hate that Maryland schools don't have a winter break so we're stuck traveling over Christmas. Steamboat Springs especially jacks up their prices over the holidays.

We literally don't go on another vacation the whole year to be able to do this trip. This might be the last year...starting next winter we're going to go to Europe instead for skiiing. At least I'll be able to get on a train to see something besides ski slopes (my kids are in high school now and don't need me there the whole trip) and my understanding is that we can probably spend less than half per day for an equally good or better skiing experience.


Yeah if you are already spending $1k each on flights to CO, go to Europe! But I agree it is too bad DMV schools don't have the February break. Usually better ski conditions then too.
Anonymous
Post 11/06/2025 14:22     Subject: Are ski/snowboard family vacations crazy expensive?
The prices have gotten totally out of hand. My husband and kids ski/snowboard and I don't, but I come for the trips. We've gone to Steamboat Springs and Crested Butte in Colorado, plus Snowbird in Utah. Steamboat Springs is my favorite for the setup - cute town plus lots of activities for non-skiers - but dear god this vacation is expensive. Plane tickets are $1k+ each for the 4 of us and lodging is $700-1,000 a night. We are spending $8k-$12k for a 5-night vacation. I also hate that Maryland schools don't have a winter break so we're stuck traveling over Christmas. Steamboat Springs especially jacks up their prices over the holidays.

We literally don't go on another vacation the whole year to be able to do this trip. This might be the last year...starting next winter we're going to go to Europe instead for skiiing. At least I'll be able to get on a train to see something besides ski slopes (my kids are in high school now and don't need me there the whole trip) and my understanding is that we can probably spend less than half per day for an equally good or better skiing experience.
Anonymous
Post 11/06/2025 14:09     Subject: Are ski/snowboard family vacations crazy expensive?
I love to ski, but can’t justify the prices. It’s still expensive, but I stick with Vermont or WV for my family ski trips. Not only is it cheaper, but logistically it’s much easier IMHO. Flying with all your ski gear and clothes is a PIA. I have skied out west and I loved it. Don’t laugh, but if I do it again, I might drive to Colorado. I can make it to Denver easily in two days, which means I can get to the slopes in three days. My kids are older- college age. This wouldn’t work with younger kids.
Anonymous
Post 11/06/2025 13:50     Subject: Are ski/snowboard family vacations crazy expensive?
Anonymous wrote:Skiing is very expensive. The Ikon and Epic pass help, but it seems that every step of the trip is expensive (flights, lodging, gear, lift tickets)


And if I were trying to do it somewhat economically while still have decent snow, I would probably try Seven Springs or Holiday Valley, or somewhere like that
Anonymous
Post 11/06/2025 13:48     Subject: Are ski/snowboard family vacations crazy expensive?
Skiing is very expensive. The Ikon and Epic pass help, but it seems that every step of the trip is expensive (flights, lodging, gear, lift tickets)
Anonymous
Post 11/06/2025 12:58     Subject: Are ski/snowboard family vacations crazy expensive?
Anonymous wrote:Go to Europe. It’s much, much cheaper.


No. Go to Liberty. This is from the OP.

"
3 younger kids, nice family friendly accommodations, lift tickets, etc. I used to go a lot when I was younger, but this will be the first time for the kids."
Anonymous
Post 11/06/2025 11:46     Subject: Are ski/snowboard family vacations crazy expensive?
Go to Europe. It’s much, much cheaper.
Anonymous
Post 11/06/2025 09:14     Subject: Re:Are ski/snowboard family vacations crazy expensive?
I didn't read all the responses so apologies if this is repetitive.

Some of this depends on whether or not you want to go over winter break. If so, get ready to spend between $15k - $20 for 5 days of skiing.

I just priced out a trip to Deer Valley with relatively affordable accommodations ($700-$800 a night) for a family of five (older kids), 3-day lift tickets, rentals for 3 teens, and airfare (no lessons at all) and it was just shy of $15,000.

Three-day lift tickets for a family of five are between $4,000 - $5,000 alone.

If you go during a random week in January or February, you might be able to do it for less than $13,000. And that may include lodging that's not walking distance to the lifts, always tougher with young kids IMO.

Skiing is insanely expensive.
Anonymous
Post 11/06/2025 06:42     Subject: Are ski/snowboard family vacations crazy expensive?
I think you are looking closer to $12-15k. Nice lodging will run you at minimum $1k a night but prob more if you want walkable to mountain. Lessons in Vail are about $400-500 a day per kid, and if you want private it’s some crazy amount well over $1000. The younger the kid, the more the group lessons are. Airfare and car rental will be several thousand dollars. It is an expensive trip…
Anonymous
Post 11/05/2025 20:56     Subject: Are ski/snowboard family vacations crazy expensive?
Anonymous wrote:I have very fond memories of day trips to Liberty and Whitetail when the kids were little.

And I’m so glad we travelled west to ski when the kids were in elementary and middle and it was okay to pull them from school for a day or 2. We skied outside of holiday weekends and it was gloriously not crowded, and relatively affordable.

Now they’re in high school and don’t want to miss school (and work, sports). I just booked 2 hotel rooms for between Christmas and New Year, 5 nights, $12,500 (!!!). Flights are on points and we all have equipment. No lessons needed. But that hotel fee (Marriott) is painful.


Yep. We are a Disney family and a skiing family. I always laugh when people think Disney is soooo expensive - they obviously don’t ski.
Anonymous
Post 11/05/2025 18:59     Subject: Are ski/snowboard family vacations crazy expensive?
I have very fond memories of day trips to Liberty and Whitetail when the kids were little.

And I’m so glad we travelled west to ski when the kids were in elementary and middle and it was okay to pull them from school for a day or 2. We skied outside of holiday weekends and it was gloriously not crowded, and relatively affordable.

Now they’re in high school and don’t want to miss school (and work, sports). I just booked 2 hotel rooms for between Christmas and New Year, 5 nights, $12,500 (!!!). Flights are on points and we all have equipment. No lessons needed. But that hotel fee (Marriott) is painful.
Anonymous
Post 11/05/2025 02:37     Subject: Are ski/snowboard family vacations crazy expensive?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I am re-reading the OP. I would not schlep 3 kids who haven't skied before out West. I would start small and local- snowshoe is a great rec. See if you are a 'ski family', and if you are, start planning starting next year for more affordable ways to do this - collecting points for flights, planning out budgeting for passes, getting used gear, etc.


Agree, and go when the conditions are good. The first few days of skiing are hard enough. A lot of kids will hate it if it's rainy or icy or very cold.

You could also go to Liberty or Whitetail midweek sometime. Missing a day of school here and there is fine, especially with young kids.


OK, but more times than not conditions are not good on the East Coast especially when it comes to ice for a beginners learning to ski. Most people can’t just wait until they’re sure of good conditions. They need to pre-plan a specific weekend. Our kids learned to ski in Vail and had an incredible time. Well worth the cost.


My oldest mostly learned at Whitetail and Timberline. Like someone else said, you can go to Liberty/Whitetail as a daytrip. Watch the weather/conditionas and pull your kids out of school on a weekday when it's less crowded. If you can't take a day off with short notice then I guess that won't work for you, but it will for many.

With a driving trip out to WV just be sure to check cancellation policies on lodging. If things look really bad, cancel. FWIW, Timberline has really good snow-making capabilities. Canaan Valley, less so (but is otherwise quite good for beginners).
Anonymous
Post 11/04/2025 19:37     Subject: Are ski/snowboard family vacations crazy expensive?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I am re-reading the OP. I would not schlep 3 kids who haven't skied before out West. I would start small and local- snowshoe is a great rec. See if you are a 'ski family', and if you are, start planning starting next year for more affordable ways to do this - collecting points for flights, planning out budgeting for passes, getting used gear, etc.


Agree, and go when the conditions are good. The first few days of skiing are hard enough. A lot of kids will hate it if it's rainy or icy or very cold.

You could also go to Liberty or Whitetail midweek sometime. Missing a day of school here and there is fine, especially with young kids.


I guess so... places are just so horrid though. I think my young relatives fell in love with skiing because it was just such an incredible experience the first few times they did it.


My kids loved Whitetail when they were younger. They now have skied at legitimately great places but Whitetail was perfect for them starting out.

Also, don’t start out that high. Work your way up to it. What you don’t want is a BC expectation every year.


I am an expert skier and already have 3 ski trips on the calendar for this season (Vermont, Utah and Colorado) and will probably add one more. I still go to Whitetail a few times a season. Usually just ski a half day but it's decent skiing and with an Epic Local day pass it costs me $50. Agree that Whitetail and Liberty are perfect for learning. Heck, my first ski day was at Liberty back when it was called Charnita.


I grew up here too - skiied at Cherokee. I get nostalgic everytime I pass by the Linden exit on I66.
Anonymous
Post 11/04/2025 18:15     Subject: Are ski/snowboard family vacations crazy expensive?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I am re-reading the OP. I would not schlep 3 kids who haven't skied before out West. I would start small and local- snowshoe is a great rec. See if you are a 'ski family', and if you are, start planning starting next year for more affordable ways to do this - collecting points for flights, planning out budgeting for passes, getting used gear, etc.


Agree, and go when the conditions are good. The first few days of skiing are hard enough. A lot of kids will hate it if it's rainy or icy or very cold.

You could also go to Liberty or Whitetail midweek sometime. Missing a day of school here and there is fine, especially with young kids.


OK, but more times than not conditions are not good on the East Coast especially when it comes to ice for a beginners learning to ski. Most people can’t just wait until they’re sure of good conditions. They need to pre-plan a specific weekend. Our kids learned to ski in Vail and had an incredible time. Well worth the cost.
.

It’s literally not well worth the cost. There is nothing about skiing that is well worth the cost. And we ski every year. Sometimes Vail, sometimes Beaver Creek, sometimes Boyne, and yes, sometimes Liberty. You can have an incredible time at Liberty with little kids/beginners. Don’t be ridiculous.