Anonymous
11/06/2025 17:24
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.
I can’t justify, and probably can’t afford, to ski out West. A long time ago, I skied in Colorado, but most of my skiing growing up was Liberty, Whitetail, Wisp, WV…etc. Since I’m not spoiled by always going to Colorado and Utah, New England skiing is great to me.
Anonymous
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
11/06/2025 11:46
Subject: Are ski/snowboard family vacations crazy expensive?
Go to Europe. It’s much, much cheaper.
Anonymous
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.
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
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…