Anonymous wrote: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 wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TL tries to keep food costs low. Highly recommend buying season passes in April. That is the cheapest way to go. It is hard to ski around here on daily passes. It is just way too much $$. WV also has a 4th/5th grade ski program (at least they used to). A few free days at a bunch of mountains. Other states have that too. Epic offers a huge discount to military. There are ways to make it less $, but skiing is just expensive. Unless you want to try cross country - that is where it is truly cheap to no $.

OP here. Thanks! We actually went to White Grass and it was truly affordable. We went on a high wind day and it wasn’t enjoyable for everyone. But, yes, we spent about $137 or was it $167 for 4 of us.

Anonymous wrote: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 wrote:

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.

OP here. Can you share more about the junior program? I think my daughter will benefit from something like this. Is that the program that Liberty runs? I know it sells out very quickly but how do have a program like that when they don't get snow?

Anonymous wrote:TL tries to keep food costs low. Highly recommend buying season passes in April. That is the cheapest way to go. It is hard to ski around here on daily passes. It is just way too much $$. WV also has a 4th/5th grade ski program (at least they used to). A few free days at a bunch of mountains. Other states have that too. Epic offers a huge discount to military. There are ways to make it less $, but skiing is just expensive. Unless you want to try cross country - that is where it is truly cheap to no $.

Anonymous wrote:

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 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.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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