There is no doubt that skiing and snowboarding are hugely expensive activities. That being said, there are a number of ways to drastically cut the expense of both. Here are 4 great tips for snowboarding on a budget.
1. Save on equipment
One of the biggest expenses of snowboarding is buying equipment. If you only snowboard a few times a year, you can save money by renting rather than buying. Renting at a resort is often more expensive than renting in a nearby town, but it can also save you a lot of time and hassle. If you want to purchase equipment, you can still save money by buying used equipment or buy the previous year’s models. The best time of year to buy equipment is in the late spring or early fall.
2. Buy season tickets or bundles
If you ride often, your best bet is to buy a season pass. In some cases, if you are going to a resort for a week or more, you might even save money on a season pass versus individual lift tickets. Many resorts also offer discounted 4-packs of passes, but you can usually only get those in the last summer or early fall. If you are a new rider, you may not want to ride all day, in which case you might look into a half day or flex pass, which is generally good for up to 4 hours. Lastly, if you need lessons, you might investigate package plans which will often offer a half day lesson and half day of riding for about the same price as a full day lift ticket.
3. Ride in the off-peak season or off-peak times
The holidays or the three months right in the middle of the season are the most expensive time to ride. If you plan your trip in late fall or early spring, you can save a bundle. You can also save great deal by visiting in the middle of the week rather than weekends. Not only can you often get cheaper lift tickets during these times, but your hotel and flight are likely to be cheaper as well.
4. Go to smaller resorts
Colorado is, of course, one of the most popular snowboarding destinations but there are also great resorts in Idaho, Utah and New England. If you must go to Colorado, try a smaller resort like Loveland Basin or Monarch, where you can ride for as little as $50.
