While a skiing holiday can be enjoyed on almost any budget, if you want to go all out and enjoy a bit of luxury, then you’re in luck.
There are some truly spectacular and luxurious ski resorts both here in Canada and around the world.
But which of the world’s most popular ski resorts are the most expensive to visit? Here, we’ve taken a look at the most expensive of the 50 biggest resorts in the world, plus the 30 biggest in Canada.
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The Most Expensive Ski Resorts in the World
1. Snowmass, United States
Taking into account accommodation, lift passes and ski rental, Aspen Snowmass in Colorado comes out as the world’s most costly resort.
Lift passes here are especially pricey, costing $3,862 (US$2,899 / €2,695 / £2,374) for an adult during the peak season, while accommodation averages $1,568 (US$1,177 / €1,095 / £964) a weeknight.
As one of the most world-renowned ski resorts in the world, it's unsurprising that Snowmass charges such high costs.
2. Big Sky, United States
In second place is the Big Sky resort in southwest Montana. This was the most expensive resort when it comes to accommodation, at $1,578 (US$1,185 / €1,101 / £970) a night, while a season pass is $2,490 (US$1,869 / €1,737 / £1,531) for an adult.
However, there is a silver lining when it comes to Big Sky, as children six and under can get a day pass for as little as US$1.
3. Beaver Creek & Winter Park, United States
Two more US ski resorts complete the top three, with each of the top five being located stateside.
Both Beaver Creek and Winter Park are located in Colorado. Winter Park offers more expensive lift passes, at $1,597 (US$1,199 / €1,115 / £982) for a season pass and $238 (US$179 / €166 / £147) for a day pass for an adult. While Beaver Creek’s passes are cheaper, you’ll have to pay more for accommodation here, which will set you back $970 (US$728 / €677 / £596) a night on average.
Beaver Creek in particular is known for being a luxury ski resort, featuring high-end accommodations and gourmet restaurants.
The Most Expensive Global Ski Resort for Accommodation
Big Sky, United States - $1,578 (US$1,185 / €1,101 / £970) per weeknight
When looking at the average cost of accommodation per weeknight, Big Sky comes out as the costliest, at $1,578 (US$1,185 / €1,101 / £970).
Big Sky is one of the most popular ski resorts in the country, so experiences high demand, and also offers a number of high-end options such as hot tubs, fireplaces and ski-in/out access.
The Most Expensive Global Ski Resort for Season Passes
Snowmass, United States - $3,862 (US$2,899 / €2,695 / £2,374) for adults, $1,198 (US$899 / €836 / £736) for children
If you want to be able to enjoy the slopes all season long, then you’ll have to save up for a while if you want to visit Aspen Snowmass.
Here, a season pass is $3,862 (US$2,899 / €2,695 / £2,374) for adults and $1,198 (US$899 / €836 / £736) for children. The resort is known for the quality of its facilities, and the high demand and limited supply help to drive the prices of passes up.
The Most Expensive Global Ski Resort for Day Passes
Vail, United States - $300 (US$225 / €209 / £184) for adults, $206 (US$155 / €144 / £127) for children
If you’re just looking to visit for the day, then Vail is the priciest resort, with adults paying $300 (US$225 / €209 / £184) and children around a third less than this.
Like the other resorts at the top of this list, Vail is a huge resort and one of the most popular in the world. As well as winter sports, people also visit for the cultural scene, with the city hosting the annual Vail Film Festival and the Bravo! Vail classical music festival.
The Most Expensive Global Ski Resort for Ski Rental
Beaver Creek, United States - $99 (US$74 / €69 / £61)
If you need to hire the equipment yourself, then the most expensive resort is Beaver Creek. Here you’ll have to pay just shy of $100 for a day’s worth of ski hire.
Located in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Beaver Creek is known for its luxurious accommodation, exceptional ski terrain and quality amenities.
The Most Expensive Ski Resorts in Canada
1. Mont Tremblant, Québec
Here in Canada, the most expensive ski resort is Mont Tremblant in Québec. This is largely due to the high average cost of accommodation in the area at $427 (US$321 / €298 / £263) per night.
Mont Tremblant is a popular resort that operates year-round and has been consistently named among the best in Eastern North America.
The Laurentian Mountains are known for having a high cost of living compared to the rest of Québec which could also contribute to the high prices.
2. Fernie, British Columbia
In second place is Fernie Alpine Resort, British Columbia. While accommodation is fairly reasonable here, at $192 (US$144 / €134 / £118) a night, it’s the cost of season tickets and day passes that make it so expensive to visit.
The cost of a season ticket is $1,999 (US$1,501 / €1,395 / £1,229) for adults and $799 (US$600 / €558 / £491) for kids, with day passes coming in at $134 (US$101 / €94 / £82) and $54 (US$41 / €38 / £33) respectively.
3. Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia
Whistler Blackcomb is probably Canada’s best-known ski resort, so it’s unsurprising that it makes the top three most expensive too.
Day passes are particularly expensive at Whistler, costing $209 (US$157 / €146 / £129) for adults and $105 (US$79 / €73 / £65) for kids. Whistler is the largest ski resort in North America by many measures and also has the greatest uphill lift capacity.
The Most Expensive Canadian Ski Resort for Accommodation
Lake Louise, Alberta - $565 (US$424 / €395 / £348) per weeknight
In terms of accommodation, the costliest ski resort in Canada is Lake Louise, which has an average cost of $565 (US$424 / €395 / £348) per weeknight.
Its remote location and relatively limited supply of accommodation in the immediate vicinity, as well as the fact that some of the options are at the more luxurious end of the scale likely help to push this average up.
The Most Expensive Canadian Ski Resort for Season Passes
Fernie, British Columbia - $1,999 (US$1,501 / €1,395 / £1,229) for adults, $799 (US$600 / €558 / £491) for children
Fernie Alpine Resort is the most expensive Canadian resort when it comes to season passes for both adults and children.
Located in the Canadian Rockies, the resort offers an extensive ski area and is also known for its excellent snow conditions, with an average annual snowfall of over nine metres.
The Most Expensive Canadian Ski Resort for Day Passes
Whistler Blackcomb - $209 (US$157 / €146 / £129) for adults, $105 (US$79 / €73 / £65) for children
For day passes, Whistler is the most expensive Canadian resort, charging just over $200 for adults and $100 for kids during the peak season.
The resort is the largest ski resort in North America, with over 8,100 acres of skiable terrain, 16 alpine bowls, and three glaciers. It’s also known for its reliable snow conditions, with an average annual snowfall of over 11 meters, and its wide variety of terrain, ranging from gentle beginner slopes to challenging expert runs.
The Most Expensive Canadian Ski Resort for Ski Rental
Lake Louise, Alberta - $62 (US$47 / €43 / £38)
For a day’s hire of skis, the most expensive resort is Lake Louise, in Alberta, at a cost of $62 (US$47 / €43 / £38) per day.
Located in the Banff National park, it boasts stunning scenery with views of glaciers, mountains, and the iconic turquoise waters of Lake Louise. It also has a skiable terrain of over 4,200 acres, making it one of the largest ski resorts in North America.
Methodology
We studied the 50 biggest ski resorts in the world, as well as the 25 biggest in Canada, based on their ski areas according to SkiResort.info. In some instances where there were multiple prices available for different areas within one resort, the biggest or most well-known was used (for example Verbier at Four Valleys).
All prices are shown in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.
Average hotel price
The average weeknight price for properties listed on Kayak in the previous two weeks (as of February 13th, 2023). Prices were also converted from GBP on this date using XE.
Season/day passes
For the majority of resorts, these were sourced from On the Snow, with any that weren’t available being sourced from the websites of the resorts themselves. Note that the age ranges used for “children” tickets vary from one resort to another, but in instances where separate tickets for “teenagers” or “juniors” were available, “children” tickets were still used. These all refer to visiting during the resort’s peak season.
Ski rental
For European resorts, data was sourced from Best Price Ski Rental, taking the cost from the cheapest retailer in each resort for one day’s hire.
For North American resorts, the prices were sourced from the websites of the resorts themselves, taking the price of basic skis.
Where possible, the cost of just skis alone was taken, without any additional equipment. However, for some resorts, skis were only available as part of a package, in which case, the cost of the cheapest package was used.
