the cheapest way to ski in denver
When skiing in Denver the main costs will be a car for transportation and housing. Upfront costs is generally clothing. You can probably get decent enough stuff for less than $150 total. This includes an outer shell, inner layer, pants, helmet, gloves, socks and goggles. Assuming you have those, this is one of the cheapest ways to enjoy skiing in Denver.
If you are able to go enough times obviously getting an annual pass and your own equipment is better value long-term.
Rent skis from Blue Valley Ski in Silverthorne. You can get skis for $25 to $30. Will come with boots. This is cheapest rental place I’ve seen.
Where to ski:
- For noobs (i.e. never skied before):
- Go to Keystone resort Bunny Hill
- Actually known as Learning Area by Mountain House
- Discovery lift and magic carpet are free, no need for lift pass
- For beginners:
- Loveland Valley, $50 day lift ticket
- 2 lifts there is bunny hill area and a more advanced area
- Has greens and blues
- For intermediate/advanced:
- Loveland Basin, $111 day lift ticket
- Alternatively Copper Mountain, $104 day lift ticket
- Both have lots of options, I personally enjoyed Loveland Basin more
- Other resorts tended to be $200+
Prices from 2025-2026 season.