Budget-Friendly Skiing in Utah: Resorts, Passes, and Gear Tips
Whether you’re a Salt Lake City local or looking to take a ski vacation, lift passes and gear can greatly amplify the cost of skiing. This is especially true if you’re looking to ski with your entire family. Luckily, there are a number of ways to help make skiing affordable in Utah for you and your family.
Utah Ski Gear is here to help you find the best ski deals in Utah. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to go skiing without breaking the bank. If you’re interested in skiing Utah on a budget, check out the options for affordable skiing below.
Saving Money by Shopping at Utah Ski Gear
First things first, there's no skiing without the gear- and skiing requires a lot of it! Utah Ski Gear's number one goal is to help families find affordable gear. We sell tons of used gear, offer a gear trade-in program, and have the lowest prices in the valley for all things gear, rentals, and demos.
Used Gear at Utah Ski Gear
One way to make skiing affordable is by shopping for used gear! This is especially a great option for kids who grow out of their gear quickly. We offer used ski packages that includes skis (or a snowboard), bindings, and boots with our silver tune package, mounted and ready to go starting at $117 for kids and $153 for adults while supplies last. Gear like this would normally cost you $250+ if purchased almost anywhere else.
You can also shop for used gear a-la-cart at Utah Ski Gear. We have a wide selection of used skis, used ski boots, used poles, and even some used accessories and apparel.
Rentals
Affordable Tunes
While owning gear is more affordable in the long run than renting if you ski frequently, maintaining your gear year after year can still be expensive. Edges dull, bases dry, and sometimes damage happens from rocks or other debris on the trail. We offer low rates on all of our ski services so you can get back out there with gear that performs amazingly well without breaking the bank.
In addition to our already-affordable services, if you bring your skis in for Half-Off Tune Month in September, you can choose from edge sharpening, binding mounts, hand waxes and much much more- all half-off the entire month!
Even our popular Gold Tune, which includes base and side edge sharpening, detune of the tip and tail, stone grind, and a hand finished wax is only, is $27.50! (Normally $55). This is also a great time to bring your skis in so you don't get caught up in the holiday crowd when our tune shop is sometimes weeks out on tunes.
NIGHT SKIING
Night skiing can be an excellent option to try out skiing in Utah. Not only are the passes cheaper, but the resorts are generally less crowded as well if you're newer at skiing and less comfortable on the slopes. Skiing at night can be a great break after a long day at work or school, and allows you an alternative to skiing on the weekends. It's also a fun, magical experience that the kids will love!
There are seven Utah ski resorts that offer night skiing- Brian Head, Snowbird, Sundance, Brighton, Nordic Valley, Cherry Peak, and Powder Mountain. It is important to check with each individual resort before you go- Utah ski resorts often only offer night skiing on certain days, or the skiing is restricted to certain lifts and terrain for safety.
Brighton
Night skiing at Brighton is open from 4 PM -9 PM, Monday through Saturday beginning in mid-December. Terrain includes Explorer lift, Majestic Lift, Crest Express Lift, and Snake Creek. Night skiing is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Night, and New Year's Eve.
Brighton also offers free skiing for children aged 6 and under.
Brian Head
Brian Head offers night skiing on their Blackfoot Lift on Fridays and Saturdays from 4-9 pm. Ticket prices vary depending on the time of year, but they range anywhere from just $9 to $19!
Cherry Peak
Most terrain at Cherry Peak is open for night skiing, which is offered from 5 PM to 8 PM, Monday-Saturday. Night skiing tickets are $28 for ages 13+ and $22 for ages 12 and under. You can also purchase day and night skiing passes restricted to just the magic carpet for just $10!
Cherry Peak also offers free skiing for children ages 5 and under, with purchase of an adult ticket.
Nordic Valley
Unfortunately, Nordic Valley has announced they will not offer night skiing for the 2025/26 season. Night skiing may return following this season!
Powder Mountain
Night skiing is available at Powder Mountain everyday from 4 PM -9 PM. There are two chairlifts that offer night skiing- Sundown Quad and Sun Tunnel. Lift ticket price are $24.
Powder Mountain also offers free skiing for children ages 4 and under.
Sundance
Night skiing at Sundance is available on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from 4:30 PM to 9 PM. The majority of the front mountain is open for night skiing, including the terrain park. Night skiing is $69 for adults and $59 for children.
Sundance also offers free skiing for children ages 5 and under.
SKI UTAH PASSPORT PROGRAM
Ski Utah offers an amazing skiing deal for students enrolled in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade. The Passport costs $69 and provides kids with access to 3 days of skiing and riding at each resort in the state of Utah! That's up to 45 days of skiing for just $69.
Passport holders are also given two tickets to a Mammoth Game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City with Ski Utah. For the 2025/26 season, that will be on Saturday, January 31st against the Dallas Stars.
In addition to skiing, the Passport includes discounts on ski and snowboard lessons, equipment rental, attractions, and a variety of other items. Show your Ski Utah Passport at Utah Ski Gear and receive a $15 credit with the purchase of a ski/board package. You do not need to be a resident of Utah to apply for the Passport and homeschooled students may also apply!
Guardians create an account that can be used to manage their students' information along with uploading a clear photo used for validation at Utah resorts. You will not receive any printed material from Ski Utah to participate in the program.
Register online here!
SKI AFTER THREE AT ALTA
If night skiing isn’t your thing, but you’re still looking for an affordable way to learn to ski on a budget, at Alta may be the best option for you. Alta's Sunnyside At 3 program allows skiers to the Sunnyside Lift from 3 PM to 4:30 PM daily. The base area rope tows at Alta are always free and are open until 5 pm, which gives more flexibility to the Ski after 3 passes.
Sunnyside At 3 lift tickets are $21 during off-peak times, and $26 during peak times. There is also a Sunnyside At 3 season pass available for $99.
CHILD PASSES
There are a large number of Utah ski resorts that offer free or discounted passes for younger children with the purchase of an adult pass.
Alta
Children 6 and under ski free.
Beaver
Children 5 and under ski free with the purchase of an adult pass.
Brighton
Children 6 and under ski free with the purchase of an adult pass.
Cherry Peak
Children 5 and under ski free with the purchase of an adult pass.
Eagle Point
Children 12 and under ski free, though a one-time $5 fee applies in order to receive an RFID "Eagle Card" lift ticket.
Nordic Valley
Children 12 and under ski free. Just sign up for their Powder Kids Pass ahead of time!
Powder Mountain
Children 6 and under ski free with purchase of an adult pass.
Snowbasin
Children 4 and under ski free.
Snowbird
Children 6 and under ski free.
Solitude
Children 4 and under ski free.
Sundance
Children 5 and under ski free.
Park City
Children 4 and under ski free.
Brian Head
Similarly to Nordic Valley, children 12 and under ski free. Just sign up for their Powder Kids Pass ahead of time!
Woodward Park City
Children 5 and under have discounted "Micro Tickets" that include indoor and outdoor access. Prices vary, but start at $20.
EPIC SCHOOLKIDS PASS
Students enrolled in grades K-5 are eligible for the Epic SchoolKids pass. This pass allows them to ski at Park City Mountain Resort five times for free, along with a free first-timer lesson and rental package for new skiers or snowboarders.
There are some peak season blackout dates, otherwise all you need to do is register online here!
OFF-PEAK SKIING
Sometimes being flexible with your ski schedule can be beneficial to your wallet and make skiing affordable for you and your family.
Midweek
Skiing during midweek is one of the easiest ways to quickly cut down on lift ticket prices while also escaping some of the crowds. Deer Valley, Solitude, Brighton, Snowbasin, Alta, and Sundance offer season passes that are only valid during Monday-Friday. Most midweek passes are void during the holiday season, including weekdays so be sure to plan ahead if purchasing one of these passes. However, the savings are usually around $200 for each season pass. Larger resorts like Park City and Deer Valley also offer discount daily tickets for skiers Monday-Friday.
Half-Days
Many resorts offer discounted daily lift tickets if you only want to ride part of the day. Sleep in, show up at noon, save some money!
JANUARY LEARN TO SKI/SNOWBOARD MONTH
January Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month is a nationwide initiative to help increase the number of people who are active in the mountains. Utah has a number of opportunities for individuals looking to begin skiing or snowboarding.
Alta, Brighton, Deer Valley, Snowbasin, Snowbird, Solitude, and Sundance offer discounted packages for Utah residents on specific weekdays. These deals typically include a beginner lesson, equipment rentals, and a lift ticket, making it an affordable time for first-timers to try the sport.
Make sure to call the ski resort ahead of time to reserve your spot and confirm age restrictions, etc.
BEGINNER PASSES
Most ski resorts offer lower-priced tickets for individuals who are still learning to ski. These lift tickets usually include access to beginner areas on the mountain, whether that is at a beginner lift, a magic carpet, or a rope tow.
If you’ve never skied before, then this is the best option for your first day out! The savings are exponential for this deal, so it's a great option to try if you aren't sure if you even like to ski.
EPIC Military Pass
Vail rewards active and retired military members by offering deeply discounted Epic season passes to those who have served. These Epic season passes start at $239 and prices increase as the season gets closer. Epic passes are valid at all 18 Vail resorts, including Park City. Dependent family members are also eligible for this discounted rate, which is great for families.
SKI SHOP PASSES
If you’re looking for discount day tickets to Utah ski resorts, make sure to check your local ski shop before you head up the hill. Utah Ski Gear offers discounted day passes to nearby resorts that can be purchased either ahead of time or the day of skiing. The short detour on the way to the ski resort is well worth the possible savings, especially if you are purchasing them for your entire family. Plus, it gives you a chance to pick up any last-minute accessories you may have forgotten at home.
Once you’ve purchased your pass and gear, you’re ready to go!
Want to always keep up with the latest deals to help make skiing more affordable? Check out Utah SKI Gear online or in our store at 9400 S 600 E, Sandy UT.
