Heading to the slopes? Better bring a few Benjamins.

I think most of us realize that skiing is a pricey endeavor and nearly every year lift tickets go up in price. Is the cost forcing some folks off the slopes?

I'm the first to admit I'm not super-knowledgeable about the topic having spent little time skiing in the last 20 years. Back in the day a group of us would drive out from Kansas City and spend four or five days on the slopes and hanging around the lodge. Not any of the group had high-paying jobs but we managed to have a good time. It does appear you need quite a bit more cash nowadays and for the first time ever, it now costs over $200 to hop the lift at Vail Mountain and Beaver Creek.

The ski resorts are quick to inform you that you can save money by purchasing your lift tickets in advance. There are websites too that are much like StubHub that resell lift tickets too. Other sites like Liftopia offering special deals and packages. These sites very much resemble Expedia and other vacation travel sites. Most resort websites offer deals if you buy in advance. For example, Vail says "purchase 7+days in advance for the biggest savings." I looked online and 10 days out the site says I saved $38 on a single day adult ticket. It was $171.

Here is the average cost for that same adult lift at some other ski areas around Colorado. Breckenridge $189, Keystone $169, Loveland $79, Monarch Mountain $89. Are these prices more than you are willing to pay to hit the slopes?

Credit: KOAA 5News 

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