Where To Find Affordable Ski Trips Inspired By The Olympics

From Vermont to the Dolomites, there are still ways to hit the slopes without breaking the bank

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The 2026 Winter Olympics have sparked a surge in interest for ski travel, but many are seeing sticker shock at the high prices of lift tickets and lodging at major resorts. However, there are still several North American ski areas as well as European destinations where you can find world-class skiing for under $100 a day. Resorts like Vermont's Jay Peak, Boyne's properties in the Midwest and Northeast, and ski areas across the Alps offer affordable options for budget-conscious travelers.

Why it matters

The Olympics have captivated viewers and inspired many to plan ski trips, but the high costs of skiing at top resorts can price out families and casual skiers. Highlighting more affordable ski destinations helps make the sport more accessible and allows more people to experience the thrill of the slopes.

The details

Several ski resort companies, like Pacific Group Resorts and Boyne Resorts, are bucking the industry trend of rising prices and keeping their lift tickets, lessons, and other costs low at many of their mountains. Resorts like Jay Peak in Vermont, Powderhorn in Colorado, and Cypress Mountain in British Columbia offer world-class skiing for under $100 per day. In Europe, even the most famous and luxurious ski destinations like Val d'Isère and Cortina d'Ampezzo have lift tickets that are a fraction of the cost of top U.S. resorts.

  • The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina have sparked a 600% surge in Google searches for 'Where to ski'.
  • As of mid-February 2026, Jay Peak in Vermont had received around 340 inches of snow, putting it on pace for a record-breaking season.

The players

Pacific Group Resorts

A ski area management company based in Park City, Utah that owns and operates several affordable ski resorts across the U.S. and Canada, including Jay Peak, Deer Valley, and SilverStar.

Boyne Resorts

A family-owned company that operates ski resorts in the Midwest, Northeast, and Western U.S., including Big Sky, Sugarloaf, and Cypress Mountain, known for their affordable lift tickets and European-inspired amenities.

Mark Fischer

The President and CEO of Pacific Group Resorts, who is focused on keeping skiing affordable and accessible through the company's 'Mission Affordable' strategy.

Stephen Kircher

The President of Boyne Resorts, who has worked to modernize the company's ski areas with efficient lift networks and European-style après-ski experiences.

Rick Reichsfeld

The president and founder of Alpine Adventures, a leading specialty ski travel tour operator in the United States.

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What they’re saying

“While we can't control inflation, we can choose not to pass every cost increase onto our guests. Our focus is on creating affordable experiences that punch above their weight—from families learning to ski together for the first time to longtime passholders who come back season after season. With mid-week online rates below that $100 mark, we're inviting a whole new generation to fall in love with skiing.”

— Mark Fischer, President and CEO, Pacific Group Resorts (Forbes)

“Why is it cheaper to ski in Europe over the U.S.? In the U.S., most ski resorts are privately owned by large corporations. In Europe, however, the majority of ski resorts are state-owned. This decentralization leads to lower prices as there is greater competition. There are also around eight times more ski resorts in Europe which further increases competition and lowers prices.”

— Rick Reichsfeld, President and Founder, Alpine Adventures (Forbes)

What’s next

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina are expected to continue inspiring viewers to plan ski trips, leading to increased demand and potentially higher prices at some resorts. Travelers looking to take advantage of affordable ski vacations should book their trips to destinations like Jay Peak, Boyne's properties, and European ski areas as soon as possible.

The takeaway

Despite the high prices at many major ski resorts, there are still plenty of options for budget-conscious travelers to hit the slopes without breaking the bank. By exploring lesser-known but high-quality ski areas, both in North America and Europe, skiers and snowboarders can enjoy world-class terrain and amenities for under $100 per day, making the sport more accessible to a wider range of people inspired by the excitement of the Olympics.