Gliding down a mountain is exhilarating. It’s why so many of us love to hit the slopes. But, it also costs a pretty penny. A single-day lift pass can run upwards of $100 — and let’s not forget the price of equipment and the cost of the gas to get you there. Luckily, there are ways to make getting out to the mountains more affordable. While this isn’t an exhaustive list, here are some ways you can save a buck and beat those financial barriers.
“The lift tickets are too expensive.”
If you already know you love to ski, buy a season’s pass or purchase a specialty card — you’re sure to get the best bang for your buck the more you buy. Here are some of the cards available for the 2024/2025 ski season:
- Sunshine Super Card: Get your first, fourth and seventh ski days free with additional discounted days.
- Lake Louise Plus+ Card: Get your first, fourth and seventh ski days free and discounts on the rest.
- The RCR Rockies Card: Get your first, fourth and seventh ski days free and discounts on the rest at the four RCR Western resorts (Nakiska, Kicking Horse, Fernie and Kimberley).
- Big Drop Card (Norquay): Save 50 per cent off full-day lift tickets.
- Castle Mountain Wonders of Winter (WOW) Card: Save 50 per cent off full-day lift tickets.
- Marmot Escape Card: Save 50 per cent off full-day lift tickets.
- Panorama SnowCard: Discounted rates for those looking to ski three or five days in the season.
- Fairmont Hot Springs Resort H20 Card: Choose from three or seven days of skiing at a discounted rate. (Plus, you get same-day access to the hot springs!)
- Revelstoke Vertical Card: Ski or ride from $74 a day.
“I haven’t skied before. It’s a lot to spend when I’m not sure I’ll like it.”
Skiing can be beginner-friendly and easier on the wallet. Here are some of the cost-effective deals that include your equipment rentals, lift ticket and a lesson. Visit the resorts’ websites for the most up-to-date information on pricing.
- Never Ever Days is a Canadian Ski Council program offered at various resorts that lets you try skiing or snowboarding for $25.
- Lake Louise Snow School ski and snowboard lessons.
- Adult Discovery Program at Panorama.
- RCR TELUS Learn to Ski programs.
- Beginner Package at Castle Mountain.
- First Time Package at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.
- Discover Packages at Marmot Basin.
“I don’t want to spend a bunch of money on new gear.”
Buying second-hand is a great way to cut down on the cost of gear. Here are a couple places to shop for pre-owned equipment.
- Play It Again Sports 270 Stewart Green S.W. and #560, 303 Shawville Blvd. S.E.
- 2nd Chance Sports 2010 Edmonton Tr. N.E.
“I don’t have a vehicle to get to the ski hill. (See also: I do have a car, but I’m nervous about driving on snowy mountain roads.)”
Shuttles: Services like Airport Shuttle Express (airportshuttleexpress.com) and Ski-Lifts (ski-lifts.com) offer shuttles from YYC to several mountain destinations such as Banff, Canmore, Fernie, Golden and others. Or, check your chosen resort’s website to see if it runs shuttles (example: Panorama Mountain Resort’s airport-to-resort shuttle is $175).
Bus: Make your way to the Rockies on a good old-fashioned bus. It’s as easy as a quick search on Busbud to find the best bus for your journey, and it can cost as little as $16 to get from Calgary to Banff. Once you’re there, many resorts have shuttles to the ski hills, like the free shuttle from the town of Banff to Sunshine Village, or the $5 shuttle from Golden to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
Spending early = saving big
Plan ahead if you’re going to the hill and pre-purchase your lift ticket. Most ski resorts offer better rates when you buy online a few days in advance.