Epic season ahead? Here's a cost breakdown for you.
Since a lot of the questions I answer on ski/snowboard travel forums are to do with costs, I thought I’d do a little breakdown of what it’ll cost you to do a ski season. I’ll use Whistler as my example and all money values will be in the local currency (Canadian in this case).
1) Flights
This depends on where you’re flying from, but let’s go with a more expensive scenario which would be Sydney, Australia to Vancouver, Canada. You can obviously reduce the cost of your flight if you aren’t flying as far to get to your destination.
- Sydney to Vancouver = $900-1350
The flight cost is depending on what offers are available and if you snag a good web saver deal. I always recommend signing up for all free airline newsletters and updates and keeping an eye on their online specials page if you want to get the best price.
2) Accommodation
Prices for accommodation are largely dependent on how early you arrive before the season begins. If cost is important, try to get there as early before the season as you can to get the best rent prices.
- Shared room = $400-500 per month
- Your own room = $500-800 per month
These prices can go up a lot higher if you leave accommodation until the season has already started. Expect to pay anywhere up to $1000 for a room if you arrive during peak season with no accommodation set up.
If you’re really trying to live really cheaply, you can try to organize a group of friends to rent a house and split the cost. This usually works out cheaper, but it’s also more of a headache to set up.
3) Gear
Buy from local classified ads or buy last seasons gear if you’re trying to save money. You can often find sponsored locals in the classifieds who will sell their spare gear for cheap. It takes more work to put together a setup from there and there’s less variety, but you also get it for a lot cheaper.
- A brand new complete setup, current season at the store = $700-1250+
- A brand new complete setup, current season from local classifieds = $400-700
- A brand new complete setup, previous season at the store = $500-700
4) Training & Lessons
Depending on the level of coaching and what type of lessons you want, lessons can be reasonably priced or really, really expensive.
- Basic group lessons = $70-125 per day
- Private coaching = $100-150+ per hour
- Camps & clinics = $1000, $1700-2000+ per week if accommodation is included in the camp
Overall I’d say your best bet to advance your riding is a 1 week or longer camp or clinic, but obviously not everyone is willing to pay the cost. If you go with a private coach for a day, you can choose your coach so try to get one who’s more experienced.
5) Food
Just like anywhere else, you can either eat out a lot of cook your own meals to live cheaply.
- Cook yourself = $50-125 per week
- Eating out constantly = $25+ per day
6) Lift pass
A full season pass varies in price depending on whether you’re able to get a locals pass or free pass from your employer. As well as this, early bird specials will usually save you a few hundred dollars if you buy your pass early.
- Season pass with early-bird pricing = $1300-1500
- Season pass without early bird pricing = $1750+
- Local’s pass = $1100-1200
- Mountain employees pass = free
Keep in mind the season pass at Whistler is typically pricier than other resorts, so you will most likely not be paying this much for a season pass at other resorts. Also, if you’re on a mountain staff pass, they disable your pass on days when you’re meant to be working, so you can’t call in sick to hit the slopes.
7) Spending money
How much do you want to go out and party? This can be your biggest day to day cost at the ski resort if you party a lot. Alcohol isn’t really that much more expensive than anywhere else and how much you drink and how much you party is up to you to decide.
It could be $20 per week or it could be $500 per week. This one is up to you to decide 😉
Hope this breakdown makes your trip planning a little bit clearer. Good luck and have an epic season!