Ditch Colorado Prices: Find Cheap Skiing in Wyoming
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Skiing doesn’t always have to be a rich person’s sport. It is possible to find cheap skiing. Living in Colorado, reasonable prices aren’t always found at the most famous ski resorts. Furthermore if you don’t have a season pass, window rates for popular ski areas in Colorado definitely break the bank. However there is a solution. For anyone living in northern Colorado, Wyoming offers amazing and affordable skiing, with a drive that usually takes the same amount of time to reach Summit County from Fort Collins. For Coloradans, the closest Wyoming ski resort is the Snowy Range Ski Area in southeastern Wyoming.
Being a Fort Collins resident and married to a college student, I found that the Snowy Range Ski Area was the best option for cheap skiing for us (read more about skiing on a budget). I hope this short guide can get you into skiing Wyoming’s fresh powder at half the price of some Colorado resorts.
Driving to Snowy Range Ski Area
Driving north to Wyoming actually reduced my exposure to horrible traffic on I-25 south and I-70. The highway I-70 can get very crowded during the weekend,especially while everyone is trying to reach Breckenridge. The sometimes lonely drive up to Wyoming is peaceful and very scenic. Get your camera ready!
From Denver, it takes almost three hours to drive to Snowy Range Ski Area. From the money you will save in rentals and day passes at this affordable ski resort that offers cheap skiing, the extra gas cost is a great trade-off.
About Snowy Range Ski Area
Since my husband always wants to be the first on the lift, we arrived early and we were able to park very close to the lodge. If you do arrive later however, there are shuttle buses ready for the parking lots located farther away.
We visited on a sunny February day that felt just like it would in Colorado. Since it is located so close to Colorado in southeastern Wyoming, the weather is very similar – complete with topnotch powder and sunny days.
Located in Medicine Bow National Forest, Snowy Range is scenic all year round. I recommend visiting this national forest in the summer for a great place to hike.
Now since Snowy Range Ski Area is a smaller ski area, don’t expect as many amenities as the larger resorts. There is one restaurant, a cafe, and a well-stocked bar however.
Prices of Passes and Rentals
These prices are 2017 prices. Visit the Snowy Range website for multi-day prices and cost of lessons.
Passes:
- Adult – $399 season pass, $45 day pass, $34 half day
- Teen – $339 season pass, $39 day pass, $26 half day
- Youth (5-12) – $249 season pass, $28 day pass, $18 half day
- Children under 5 are free
- Student and military discounts are available
- Adult – $23 for one day
- Teen – $21 for one day
- Youth – $19 for one day
- Helmet – $7 for one day
About Snowy Range’s Runs and Lifts
Lifts are open 7 days a week from November to April. The length of the season every year varies depending on snowfall. However, this ski area is open on all major holidays during the season.
There are four chairlifts and 27 runs, including 7 beginner trails, 12 intermediate trails, and 8 advanced trails.
Furthermore, this mountain does have a terrain park with jumps, rails and other features.
About Snowfall and Weather
The highest elevation in the ski area is 10,000 feet. Fresh powder is found throughout most of the season. I highly recommend signing up for email alerts, which will email you every time the Snowy Range gets snow. Annually, this ski area receives approximately 250 inches of snowfall.
Helpful Tips
- Bring cash to save time in the sometimes long lines that occur while waiting to purchase rentals and passes.
- Get provisions and food in Laramie, which is a city about 40 minutes east of Snow Range Ski Area. Centennial is a small town near Snowy Range but it does not have a large grocery store, only some small restaurants.
Downside
The only downside to this mountain is its size. In conclusion, the runs are short. If you are a beginner or intermediate skier or boarder, this is a great option for you. For those that are advanced, the black runs are good fun and with the longest run at 1.8 miles you can still put together some great runs at this great little ski area!
Have you visited Snowy Range Ski Area? Tell us about your favorite places for cheap skiing in the comments below!
Sources:
https://www.snowyrangeski.com/sample-page/
https://www.snowyrangeski.com/lift-tickets/
http://www.onthesnow.com/wyoming/snowy-range-ski-recreation-area/ski-resort.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/09/snowy-range-ski-and-recreation-area-ski-guide_n_1194335.html
Love Snowy! It’s been a regular place for me and all my friends! While it’s runs are shorter, it’s a great area to start and warm up in for the season and great to end the season with affordably.
Thanks for the great write up Madison! This definitely looks like my kind of place. Road Trip!!!