Do you dream of skiing and snowboarding more days this winter? Would you love to experience skiing or snowboarding more in Colorado?
You are in luck! In this article, we discuss how we snowboard 30+ days a season in Colorado, for less.
Skiing and snowboarding costs money, there is no way around it. However, we have a system that allows us to stretch our dollar into more face shots!
We use a combination of unique travel hacks to save money on flights, ground transportation, lodging and food.
Full disclosure; our hacks do require some effort and planning.
Powder days require strategy and dedication.
Using just a few tips from this article can help you save big on your next ski vacation!
We understand this level of planning is not for everyone. But, for those who want more, and are ready to score, we’ve got just what you are looking for.
Enjoy More Skiing and Snowboarding In Colorado
People ask us all the time, “How do you get so many days in on the mountain in Colorado, while living at the beach?”
After moving away from Colorado, we needed to find a solution to get back to our Shangri-La every winter. We are addicted to chasing blower pow and getting face shots with our friends.
To kick things off, it’s important to emphasize that getting a season pass is the only way to enjoy more skiing and snowboarding this season.
Most resorts in Colorado are charging between $200- $300 a day for a lift ticket.
Purchase Season Passes Early
Aquire the Epic Pass and the Ikon Pass in March when prices are lowest.
We pay a $49 down payment each year, to ensure the best pricing on the Epic Pass.
The $49 Epic Pass deal is a yearly offering that allows us to lock in the best price and use a credit card to pay the balance in September.
Purchasing both season passes with a credit card, allows us to maximize credit card point earnings that we use for free flights. (More on that later.)
Using a debit card to finance passes does not reap credit card points, however it can be a good option for those who prefer a monthly payment option.
Season passes typically increase in price every few months after going on sale.
They will eventually stop selling season passes in early December.
After purchasing both the Ikon and Epic Passes, our cost to snowboard is typically under $30 per day.
When is the last time you paid $30 for a lift ticket?
With Vail daily lift tickets costing over $300 a day, you must get a season pass to afford lots of skiing and snowboarding in Colorado.
Ikon College Discount
Pro Tip: Enroll in College – Did you know that many online and community colleges offer free enrollment?
Were you aware, if you enroll in college, you qualify for a $250 Ikon Pass College Discount?
There is no minimum unit requirement for the Ikon College Pass.
Simply enroll in college for the following semester, 1 month prior to purchasing your Ikon pass. Follow the steps below:
- Enroll in Free Community or Online College
- Receive your Student ID & Student Email
- Log In & Set up your Student Email Account
- Purchase your College Discounted Ikon Pass
- Use Your Student Email for Verification
Congratulations, you just saved $250 on your season pass!
This DOES NOT work for the Epic Pass – The Epic college pass has minimum unit requirements.
Travel Credit Cards
When traveling frequently, it is essential to have a travel credit card.
We use multiple travel credit cards and frequently switch cards to take advantage of new sign up bonus offers.
Using a travel credit card for all of our expenses, allows up to rack up thousands of points per month.
We never incur finance charges, because we always pay off the balance, in FULL, every month.
Check out the Credit Card Bonus Offer On Southwest Airlines!
Do you have great credit?
Do you currently have a Chase Southwest credit card with a zero balance?
Have you had your same card for over 48 months? You may be eligible for a new card bonus offer!
Pro Tip: Cancel current card, wait 2 billing cycles and re-apply!
Receive a new card with the new bonus offer! Use your bonus offer points to book free flights!
*Make sure to read the fine print to determine eligibility before making any financial decisions.
Skiing and Snowboarding CO Flight Strategy
Pre Book Flights
Always Book Directly Through The Airline Website Or Mobile App.
The best prices and flexibility for air travel is found directly at the source.
The key to successful trip planning is staying organized.
Make sure to download your favorite airline apps onto your phone.
Sign up for a rewards number and stay logged in, this allows for booking and reservations access in one easy place.
The best airlines to use to fly into Denver International Airport are Southwest or United Airlines.
Southwest Airlines
The Southwest booking system and policies make it our #1 choice for traveling to snowboard.
Southwest is the only airline that makes it easy to change flights and/or receive a credit for ALL fare types.
Pro Tip: Did the Southwest flight price go down after you booked? Simply change your flight, to the same flight, and receive a credit for the difference in price!
The 2 free checked bags policy allows us to fly our gear bags or ski luggage for free (up to 50 pounds).
We start booking winter flight deals in September, if we find a cheap flight, we book it.
The secret to finding flight deals is to book one-way tickets, don’t worry about booking both legs at the same time.
At some point in the future, you can find a deal for the other leg, many times on a different airline.
We always book one-way flights to ensure maximum flexibility for chasing storms.
Most of our Southwest Airlines one-way flights, cost between $49-$89.
United Airlines
Denver International Airport is a United Airlines hub.
United is a great choice when traveling to Denver, due to great pricing and schedules.
We use United Airlines miles to book one-way flights for as low as $49 or 8,000 miles.
The United Credit Card allows us to check bags for free, saving us money on baggage fees.
We can usually find one-way flights to Denver on United Airlines for $89 or less.
*Our one-way flight strategy is used only for Domestic Flights.
By December, most of our flights are purchased for the season.
We start the season with about 7 trips booked to Colorado.
Our cost for baggage fees is $0. Flying Southwest or using our United Airlines credit card to book flights, saves us over $500 in baggage fees per season.
Pre-booking so many flights, gives us maximum flexibility during the season to chase storms to Vail or other mountains in Colorado.
If we decide not to take a trip, we simply cancel the flights for a credit or change the flights to a different location.
We never travel budget airlines to snowboard (Frontier, Spirit etc.) due to hefty baggage fees, lack of flexibility to change flights and no refunds or credits.
We find it actually costs more flying on budget airlines when you add in baggage fees and the perks you get from flying a traditional airline.
Booking flights early, guarantees the best deal and spreads the costs over time.
By the time the season starts, we have already paid for our season passes and most of our flights.
Book flights early to enjoy more skiing and snowboarding this season.
Ground Transportation
Let’s face it, transportation isn’t cheap. So how do we get from the Denver Airport to Colorado ski resorts?
Skiing and snowboarding is made easy with the use of public transportation.
The information below refers to the areas between Denver, Summit County and Eagle County.
Public Transportation
If you are a budget traveler, public transportation is a great option, but it requires a lot of time.
The $17 Bustang Bus is the budget option to get you from Union Station (Downtown Denver) to the I70 corridor mountains.
On occasion, we use public transportation when we travel and can attest to the Bustang as a comfortable option.
Please visit our article, “The best planning guide for your Vail ski vacation” for detailed CO Public Transportation information.
Rental Cars
A rental car, for a single ski trip to Colorado, can cost between $350- $1,000. The cost can soar even higher depending on the length of the trip.
Don’t forget the cost of gas, and the time it takes to rent the car, clean and return.
Rental cars give you maximum flexibility but carry a hefty price tag.
For a next level hack, road trip to CO and stage a vehicle at DIA.
Stage A Vehicle At The Denver Airport
Having access to affordable transportation is key.
Monthly airport parking is affordable at DIA! Here’s how we get around Colorado:
In mid December, we take a road trip to snowboard our favorite ski resorts in Colorado.
After some early season groomer laps, we leave the vehicle at the Denver Airport and fly home.
Our goal is to average 2 snowboard trips a month to Colorado during the winter season (Dec-Mar).
We spend a total of $540 on monthly airport parking for our ENTIRE season in Colorado. We usually park our car for 3 months, from Mid Dec-Mid March.
By using our own car, we save approximately $1,000 per month on transportation costs (Rental Car/Turo). That’s a huge savings of $3,000 a season!
The best part is, we use our vehicle to store our skiing and snowboarding gear!
This option is only good for those with a multi-car household.
Are you willing, or able, to share a car with your partner for a few months a year to take advantage of this travel hack?
There are 2 great options for affordable off site monthly parking at the Denver airport.
Prices range from $150-$195 per month, for pre-paid uncovered monthly parking.
These parking lots offer free shuttle service, making getting to and from the airport a breeze.
It not only saves tons of money, but also lots of time.
No more dealing with public transportation, turo, rental cars or returns.
For the cost of 1 car rental, we have a car for 3 months of prime season in CO! At the end of our Colorado season, we road trip back home.
Skiing and Snowboarding Lodging Hacks
Only Book Lodging Options With “Free Cancelation.”
Booking.com is our preferred lodging search engine. It allows us to reserve properties with no money down, and the ability to cancel days before check in.
It is important to choose one main booking site to make all your reservations. This makes everything easily accessible in one place. It also allows you to stay organized while gaining status and rewards to save on future bookings.
Pro Tip: Mobile only rate – Save money by booking through the Booking.com mobile app instead of the website.
Booking.com app offers discounted mobile only rates for certain properties that can not be found on their regular site.
Skiing and Snowboarding – Budget Lodging
Lodging in ski areas is expensive, however you can save money by staying in neighboring towns.
Below are the top properties we recommend in Colorado.
These options are budget friendly, close to public transportation and offer free cancellation:
Luxury Inn & Suites, Silverthorne – This property is our preferred place to stay when riding Keystone Ski Resort or Copper Mountain. It’s an inexpensive motel room with a hot tub on property. This accommodation offers comfortable beds, and free breakfast.
Fireside Inn & Hostel, Breckenridge – This is one of the most economical places to stay in Breckenridge. If you are down for shared living space, this cozy hostel has comfortable bunk beds and a friendly vibe.
Comfort Inn & Suites, Avon – Great location when skiing or snowboarding Vail or Beaver Creek. Close to Avon Transportation Station. Basic motel room, with walking distance to bars and restaurants.
Christie Lodge, Avon – Timeshare rental property that offers: mini kitchenettes, small living rooms and balcony’s. Choose from 1 or 3 bedroom room options.
The facility includes multiple indoor & outdoor hot tubs, laundry facility, gym and game room. When snowboarding in Vail or Beaver Creek, The Christie Lodge is our budget friendly choice.
The Bunkhouse – Minturn, This clean friendly hostel is the cheapest place to stay solo, in the Vail area. I would recommend the pod style bunk over the open room. I actually moved to a pod for more privacy after a few nights in the buffalo room.
This place has the most restrictive cancelation policy, so you may want to keep that in mind. This can be a good option for last minute skiing and snowboarding powder chasing missions.
Skiing and Snowboarding – Alternative Lodging Options
Red Week is a great place to rent timeshares. The same properties can be found on Red Week, for a fraction of the cost they would be on sites like VRBO or AirBnB.
You can find great deals on week long rentals with no extra cleaning or service fees.
We use Redweek for early and late season and last minute trips.
Joining local ski clubs and Facebook groups help us to connect with the snowboard community.
Groups and clubs are a great place to take advantage of members only lodging deals.
Trusted House Sitters is a unique way to find lodging in exchange for pet/house sitting. Lots of our friends use this site, and have experienced great success.
Friends make skiing and snowboarding trips more fun! Invite friends to share the cost of accommodations.
Pro Tip: Make Friends with the locals.
We have lots of friends and shred buddies that live in Colorado. The more people you know, the more knowledge and opportunities you have!
Chasing Storms
Our desire and dedication, allows us to get the best snow all season. We make our decisions, on when & where to travel, based on the weather.
We use Open Snow for our weather information. The premium membership allows us to see the 10 day snow forecast for all winter ski resorts.
If the snow in Colorado isn’t ideal, we cancel our flight and lodging reservations for free, and shred somewhere else.
We save money on the yearly membership by splitting the cost of the group membership 4 ways.
The coolest part about Open Snow, is the widgets. Set up your favorite resorts and see the 10 day snow forecast displayed on your phones home screen. Never miss another storm again!
Skiing and Snowboarding Food Hacks
We love eating out and enjoying dinners with friends. Splurging on occasion on our favorite restaurants is a treat, however we try to keep it simple for most meals.
In order to make snowboarding our lifestyle, being budget conscious, and eating healthy meals is important.
The key to saving money isn’t just stashing a protein bar in your pocket.
It’s being prepared with all the necessities to make eating healthy, on the go, easy.
Most of the properties we book have a minimum of a mini fridge and microwave, or may even offer free breakfast.
Traveling with Food
Checking a cooler backpack as checked luggage on the plane allows us to bring all our food items and necessities for breakfasts & lunches. It also doubles as a grocery bag when needing to re-stock and using public transportation.
We recommend the Titan backpack cooler. It’s easy to travel with and has endured more airports and snowstorms than we can count. It holds an ample amount of food that keeps us stocked for breakfast and lunches.
**Do not check a cooler with regular ice!! Ice melts & leaks!!**
We travel with everything we need: sandwich size zip lock bags, reusable cutlery, single size condiment packets, tea bags, microwave popcorn, protein bars, koozies and don’t forget the bottle opener!
Carrying a small ski/snowboard backpack allows us to bring our lunch and drinks with us to the mountain each day. This small ski/snowboard backpack fits easily inside our checked gear bag.
By avoiding food costs at the ski resort, we save more than $50 a day.
Don’t have access to a fridge? There are still plenty of food options you can bring. Fruits, muffins, protein bars, peanut butter sandwiches, trail mix and crackers can all fill you up, without breaking the bank!
It’s easy to save money on food with the right planning. Don’t waste money on over priced food court meals on the mountain.
Snowboarding is our lifestyle, making a choice to bring our own food, really adds up the savings over the season.
Riding 50+ days a season, we save over $2,500 by bringing our own lunch.
Conclusion
So there you have it! Woah….. That’s a lot of planning!
Some may call it crazy, we like to call it….. dedicated.
The rewards pay off in deep buttery turns, face shots through blower pow, and memories with friends.
Skiing and snowboarding in Colorado is truly world class.
Take it from us, traveling to Colorado can be affordable if you use the right strategy.
We enjoy skiing and snowboarding in Colorado all season for the same cost that most people spend on just a couple of ski trips a year.
Season passes make skiing and snowboarding affordable, allowing us to shred more.
Using a travel credit card provides opportunities to fly for free.
Credit card benefits allow for free bags, priority boarding, lounge access and much more.
When planning how to get around, public transport is the cheapest option, but it requires a lot of time.
Save time and money by staging a car at the Denver airport. This hack allows us to take as many trips to Colorado as we can make time for, and bring our friends along too!
Lodging options on booking.com can easily be booked with no money down and free cancellation.
Whatever Colorado ski resort you decide to visit, there are affordable accommodations available.
Packing food while traveling really adds up the savings.
Everyone needs to eat, whether on vacation or not. Making healthy choices and being prepared is the key.
What sacrifices would you make to get more skiing and snowboarding in this season?
Final Thoughts
We love sharing our travel tips and advice with fellow ski and snowboard enthusiasts.
Our strategy allows us to take advantage of the best snow conditions for the best price. We hope it can do the same for you!
For more info on Colorado Ski Resorts check out our article “Best Ski Resorts in Colorado: Top Tips & Local Advice.”
See you in Colorado, Happy Shredding 😉
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