How Much Does It Cost To Ski

How_Much_Does_It_Cost_To_Ski

As a beginner skier, one of the questions that you will probably ask yourself is how much it costs to ski. Since the beginning of skiing, this has always been a steeply-priced sport.

This is especially the case when you factor in the cost of skiing equipment, lift passes, ski clothing as well as the food you will need. On average this will cost you roughly between 100-200 dollars each day.

Let’s find out how much does it cost to ski.

The cost of ski equipment

There are two main options that you have when it comes to the cost of ski equipment. You can either rent or buy your own. Consider the best beginner skis if you are planning on buying your own.

The benefit of buying your gear is that while it may cost you quite a bit at the beginning, it will also last you a long time which means that you will save considerably more over time.

When it comes to the cost of renting the gear which includes the poles, the ski boots, and the skis, it will cost you between $25 and $45 a day. Per week this can anywhere from $200-$400.

Compare this to the cost of buying your own which will be $350 for the skis, $250 for the boots, and $50 for the poles.

If you plan on renting the gear for a couple of weeks, the costs will pile up and it is much more cost-effective to buy your gear. Even better is that different models can suit different budgets and still offer excellent performance.

The cost of ski clothing

You also need to ensure that your body remains warm when skiing. Take a look at the 10 best base layers for skiing. In the early days, ski clothes were made from wool. They were scratchy and when you fell a few times on the snow, you needed to wait a few days or warm the clothes on the radiator for them to dry.

Modern clothes have come a long way with materials that are 99% waterproof. This allows you to remain dry and warm for longer as you enjoy your time out in the snow.

When getting your ski clothing, you have the option of buying your clothes or renting your clothes. If you plan on skiing for many years to come, it would help to buy your clothes. These will be more cost-effective in the long run compared to renting every time you want to have a day of skiing.

For a beginner and while you have not yet decided to ski for years to come, you might just prefer renting your clothes. The jackets and trousers will cost you $30 a day. Waterproof gloves will be $10, goggles will be $8 and the helmet will cost $15.

On the other hand, for long term skiing, buying is the preferred option as you save significantly. The trousers and pants will cost you $200, the gloves will cost $40, the goggles will cost $50 and the helmet will cost $60.

Also, you may need to buy a base layer which can be anywhere from $20 to $100. Note that it is probably the better idea to spend more on clothing as this will ensure you get high quality and durable ski clothing that will fit you right as well. That said there is no need to overspend.

Cost of lift passes

Cost_of_lift_passes

When calculating how much does it cost to ski, you will need to factor in the lift passes. They are important in skiing as they are used to maintain the lifts, pay people who work at the resort, and to ensure that the pistes are smooth.

There is all manner of passes that you can choose from starting with a single day pass, a full season pass, and many in between.

Lift passes will cost between $60 and $80 per day. Week passes can be between $150 and $300. Note that these prices will be different depending on the region as well as depending on the season and the time of year. The best time to get great deals and bargains is during the low season.

You can also get great deals during the pre-season. This is a strategy by the ski resorts to encourage skiing for the season. It’s always a good idea to record those awesome moments on the slopes. The best cameras for skiing will help you capture those great times.

As a beginner, you will not have to worry about there being too little snow. You will more likely start at the baby slopes as you learn how to ski. You can pick a much smaller resort as well and you can find cheaper prices here as well.

And if you are lucky you may get a resort that offers free lifts for beginners. After you’ve gained some skills, then you can move to better resorts.

Cost of ski lessons

As a beginner, you will also need to factor in the cost of skiing lessons when figuring out how much does it cost to ski. While these can be optional, having the right skills will allow you to make the most of your time at the slopes.

You will pay an average of $70 for lessons per hour. This is if you are learning solo. As a group, you can pay as little as $30. The cost of a day of training solo will be around $500 and if you are in a group, this will be around $100.

Learning from an instructor on a 1-1 basis is costlier. The benefit is that you will learn much better since the instructor will be focused on you.  Make sure you are wearing the best ski socks to keep your feet warm.

Of course, if you want to save then you can split the cost with a few friends. Note that you will need to be at the same level to learn together. Even better is that there are ski schools that have organized group lessons which you can sign up for.

That said, it is important to note that the ski instructors in schools will be a bit more expensive compared to instructors with both having their own set of pros and cons.

As a beginner, it is more cost-effective and more beneficial to book as many lessons as you can take. This is because taking an hour of instructions will not be enough. At least book a full day of lessons.

Keep in mind that you will need a few days to get used to the moves and to develop muscle memory as well as the confidence to ski down the slopes.

You might also like: How To Slow Down Skiing

Hotel costs at ski resorts

Another cost to factor in is that of accommodation at the ski resort. This will be among your most expensive costs. That said, note that you can find a budget for you with options ranging from 5-star hotels to hostels. Note that you will need to pay as much as 25% more for the same standards that you would get somewhere else.

Most of the hotels will be rebooked during the high season. An option is to stay out of snow and drive to the resort every day.

After a day of skiing, you will become tired and it is always a good option to relax at the sauna or to take a steam bath.

Cost of parking at the ski resort

Just like anywhere else, you will also need to pay for parking at the ski resort. In the majority of ski resorts, it will cost you as much as $35 to park your car. It is therefore important that you check in advance especially if you plan on staying out of town and driving to the ski resort every day.

If you are flying into the ski resort, you will be better off taking a taxi there instead of paying money to park a car that you will not be used for the majority of the day.

The best ski boots can be the difference between a successful and fulfilling ski session or getting back with painful feet and joints.

Buying food at the ski resort

The food at ski resorts will be priced the same as you will find at airports and will be at a premium. This is all good when you have the money for it but the budget skier, it is best to get accommodation at a place with a kitchen. You can buy food at the local stores and cook for yourself.

Globo Surf Overview

Learning what to expect on the cost of skiing will help you prepare and avoid some certain pitfalls. You can determine whether you are a budget traveler or if you will afford the costs at the ski resort which helps you make the right choices.

More Snow Ski Lesson Guides:

Source

  1. Cost of skiing