Skiing or Snowboarding on a College Student Budget in Ogden, Utah
Skiing and snowboarding are exhilarating but expensive hobbies for college students. And yet, they are hobbies that call to students, especially at Weber State where the “Greatest Snow on Earth” is in our backyard. With incredible ski resorts such as Snowbasin, Powder Mountain and Nordic Valley, as well as beautiful backcountry minutes from Ogden and Weber State’s campus, skiing and snowboarding are must-do winter activities.
Lift passes and gear have steep price tags. So, is it possible for a college student on a budget to enjoy this winter hobby without breaking the bank? The answer is absolutely. There are affordable ways that you can enjoy the slopes this season including renting gear, taking a class and more.
Rent or Buy Used Gear
Skis, snowboards, boots and other essential gear are costly, but there are ways to save money, especially if you’re new to the sport or don’t plan on skiing or boarding every week. One way you can save money on gear is by renting.
You can rent on campus at our Outdoor Program Rental Center. The rental center has ski and board packages with boots, bindings and poles, as well as backcountry and cross-country skis. Pricing at the rental center includes two-day rentals for the price of one on weekdays (rent one day and return by 5 p.m. the next day) and weekend pricing. Plus, Weber State students receive 30% off all rentals with their active Wildcard. An alpine ski package starts at $35 for the first night, meaning a student pays only $24.50 for two days of ski rentals. Even if you aren’t a Weber State student, renting at Weber State is still the most affordable local option to get you on the slopes. In addition to one-day or weekend rentals, you can also purchase season rental packages to save extra. Season-long rentals are available on campus and include the 30% student discount.
If you’re a seasoned pro or have a little more to spend and owning your gear is important to you, another way you can save on equipment is buying used. The WSU Outdoor Program has an annual gear sale on campus in October where you can purchase used gear from our rental center. Plus, many gear sales and swaps happen locally in the fall, including the Utah ski swaps. It may take extra digging and scouting to find good deals, but buying used gear will lessen the impact on your budget.
Ski at Night or at a Budget Resort
Lift tickets are the biggest expense of skiing and snowboarding, but there are ways to save money on passes if you’re willing to compromise and be flexible. One of the best ways to save on lift tickets is to ski or snowboard at night. Resorts often sell night-time tickets for a significantly lower cost than day passes. At night, mountains are usually less crowded, and lift lines are shorter, making night skiing not only more affordable but also more enjoyable. Daytime crowds are overwhelming, so night skiing is always my first choice. You can get a night-time lift ticket starting at just $19 at Powder Mountain. While night skiing won’t be available at Nordic Valley during the 2024-2025 season, Nordic usually has discounted night skiing as well.
Speaking of Nordic Valley, skiing and boarding at this smaller resort in Eden is another way to stay budget friendly. Day passes at Nordic Valley range from $19-49 depending on the day and demand. This is more affordable than Powder Mountain and Snowbasin’s $169-plus day passes. While smaller than these other two resorts, Nordic Valley still offers 1,700 feet of vertical terrain, 40 runs and five lifts. Nordic Valley’s accessible pricing makes it the best resort for students looking to ski and snowboard affordably. I learned to ski at Nordic Valley because it is also the best resort for beginners due to its size and the runs available.
Remember to book your lift tickets online and in advance. Many resorts use dynamic pricing based on the demand for certain days (especially holidays), so booking online when prices are cheapest is another way to save extra money.
Take an Academic Class
Taking an academic skiing or snowboarding class with Weber State is another great hack to getting on the mountain and saving money, all while earning college credit. Classes are hosted at Powder Mountain Resort for eight weeks during the first half of spring semester. Beginner, intermediate and advanced courses are available.
After paying the $180 course fee, you’ll receive passes for the six days you have class. This means you can ski for two hours during class and an hour after class. This is one of the easiest ways to make skiing and snowboarding on your student budget a reality, and you’ll build your skills. You can take the class multiple times and work your way up from beginner to advanced, or switch between skiing and snowboarding.
Students are responsible for their own transportation and gear, but you can purchase a season rental package at the Outdoor Program with your student discount to last the semester. Make sure to reserve your season rentals early. Don’t wait until after course registration or rentals might be out for the season already.
Use Public Transportation
Gas can also get expensive, and it can be stressful to drive in the snowy mountain traffic. That’s why public transportation is another great way to save money and stress during ski season. Try taking the UTA Ski Bus from Ogden to Snowbasin or Powder Mountain. The Ski Bus has multiple routes and stops (including a route from Layton to Snowbasin) and costs $5 one way. You can pay using cash, credit card, the transit app or a Farepay card. Or, if you have a Snowbasin or Powder Mountain season pass, you can purchase a discounted Ski Bus pass for the whole season.
A Few Final Tips
Skiing and snowboarding are expensive hobbies, but don’t cross them off your list if you’re worried about affording them on your student budget. All these tips will make skiing or boarding more affordable and accessible. Take advantage of the discounts and resources available to you as a student, and don’t forget that there’s a certain amount of flexibility you have with a student schedule.
A few more ways you can save as a student include:
- Ski midweek on a day you don’t have class for cheaper lift tickets.
- Use a free day or time in your schedule for an academic class.
- Study and work on homework during the day so you can ski or board at night.
- Work at a local resort for a free pass and additional income.
There are many creative ways to budget and save money if you look for them, so take this as your sign that you can go skiing and snowboarding this season, even if you’re on a budget.
More Resources for your next outdoor adventure:
About The Author
Leslie loves being the marketing coordinator for Campus Recreation and helping people find ways to be involved with its many amazing programs, including the outdoor program! Leslie is a Weber State alum and proud Wildcat for life, and she’s currently working on her Masters in Professional Communication at WSU too! Leslie’s favorite Outdoor Adventures include anything to do with being on the water, especially stand-up paddle boarding at Pineview or Causey. Her favorite way to be outside though is simply reading a book, outside in the sun.
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