This Ski Resort Was Just Named the Most Affordable in the U.S.—and Lift Tickets Start at $62

Skiing has a reputation for being a pricey hobby, from the expensive gear to the ever-rising lift tickets and luxe mountainside hotels. But, in truth, there are plenty of ways to carve the slopes without completely breaking the bank.

According to a new report by HomeToGo, one U.S. ski resort in particular rises above them all when it comes to destinations for an affordable ski trip. The company analyzed 70 U.S. resorts, taking into account lift ticket prices, vacation rental rates, and size of skiable terrain to see which winter wonderland offers travelers the best bang for their bucks.  

After the numbers were crunched, Montana’s Red Lodge Mountain emerged as the best-value ski resort in the U.S.

The 1,635-acre resort is just outside of Yellowstone National Park’s northeastern corner in the Rocky Mountains. It rises in the town of Red Lodge, which was once dubbed America’s most charming small-town. Only seven miles away from the Red Lodge’s classic main street, the mountain is the perfect choice for those looking to combine a ski getaway with shopping, Western history, saloon revelry, and good-old-fashioned small-town hospitality.

First opened in 1960 under the name Grizzly Peak Ski Area, Red Lodge Mountain delivers a variety of terrain, with a 2,400-foot vertical drop and an average of 250 inches of yearly snowfall. HomeToGo calculated the median nightly cost of an overnight stay at $80.73 and average lift ticket price at $62, for a total $142.73 cost per day, per person and a value score of 27 out of a possible 30. Visitors save a nice chunk of change compared to the $171-a-night rooms and $162 lift tickets that were the overall median and average, respectively, of all the mountains combined. Red Lodge Mountain is also on Indy Pass, a collection of over 270 independently run ski resorts around the world that aims to make the sport more economically accessible. 

The Montana ski area is known for being a terrific spring-skiing spot, with the season’s best conditions coming in March and April. It also boasts the second-largest snowmaking system in the state, making it a reliable early season choice even if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Montana had a strong overall showing on the top 10 list, with Bridger Bowl and Whitefish Mountain Resort claiming spots No. 3 and No. 4. Mount Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park in Washington took second place and was found to have the lowest accommodation options out of all the resorts, with a $62 median. Idaho’s Brundage Mountain Resort and Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Colorado’s Purgatory and Wolf Creek Ski Area, Oregon’s Mount Bachelor, and Arizona’s Sunrise Park Resort rounded out the top 10. 

As for the priciest resorts the report examined, three Aspen-area mountains received the lowest value scores: Aspen Highlands ($803.25 per day), Buttermilk ($702.44), and Aspen Mountain ($803.25). With the glamorous town’s emphasis on luxury accommodations to complement its premium skiing, it comes as no surprise that its mountains aren’t winning any bargain competitions.