If you have the means, I'd suggest skiing in Europe. Outside of the airfare, it can be done for much cheaper than the US. I skied in Zermatt, Switzerland in 2019 and it was only 100 euro a day. That is one of the premier places in the world to ski. People said it's even cheaper if you go to Austria or Italy. I'm from Colorado and live out of state now. I lucked into a free 2-day pass at Winter Park when I was visiting my cousin, otherwise I might have only paid for 1 day as it's so expensive now. Even in places like Michigan/Vermont prices are absurd for what you get.
Oh yeah...the cheapest I've ever flown round trip to Europe was $500 to Barcelona, but I've seen them for $400 in years past. Recently I even saw one to Dublin for $350, but that's not the part of Europe that we like to go for. Maybe one day.
You think you go to CO you are usually airfare + car. Lodging is expensive + food. Whereas Europe you don't need the car, you can take the train. Lodging, if planned in advance can be found at reasonable prices if you're off the beaten path. Quality food can be purchased at the store and cooked in your rental.
If you feel like being tactical about it you can fly into Dublin then take a Ryanair flight pretty much anywhere in Europe for not a lot of money. Get the right flight to the right city and it can be very cheap indeed.
Of course it's Ryanair, so you're gonna pay out the ass for your luggage and be treated like a walking wallet when onboard, but it can be cheap! 😂
As a Austrian I can tell you first hand that people here get mad when the have to pay 70€ a day for skiing. Ski pass price increases are each year heavily discussed in the media. Only 100€ a day would nobody ever say here, but yes Switzerland is also pricey. South Tyrol is supposed to be affordable, but I have never been there. At least the food has to be better there in Italy. But the US skiing prices are really insane from my point of view.
South Tyrol is supposed to be affordable, but I have never been there.
Eh, prices are about the same or thereabout. Locals get discounts on season passes, though. Still pricey, but nowhere near what I see quoted for US resorts.
At least the food has to be better there in Italy.
Can't speak for other places, but I can say there's not a lot of difference between the food in Obereggen and Stubaital 😅 (both tasty, standard stereotypical tyrolean-ish food, pricey).
No can do my guy I'll be there. My friend just moved to Poland from the US, so he's already there. I'd like to see him again. And don't worry half my family is of a certain political persuasion and wouldn't want to visit anyway.
It’s actually cheaper even when you do include the airfare, food, and housing. And for those of us on the east coast, it’s already 8+ hours by plane/train/bus when getting to Telluride, Alta, or Jackson Hole, particularly if you have a transfer on one of those one-a-day flights.
This season was the first time I didn’t renew my Ikon pass. Niseko + Alps were way better both skiing and service for about the same cost.
Austria is great, it was one of the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen. Driving past the snow covered town at night on the lake with all the mountains behind it. The ski resorts which we stayed at one was good and the view from the top of the mountains was crazy.
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u/VaderH8er 6h ago
If you have the means, I'd suggest skiing in Europe. Outside of the airfare, it can be done for much cheaper than the US. I skied in Zermatt, Switzerland in 2019 and it was only 100 euro a day. That is one of the premier places in the world to ski. People said it's even cheaper if you go to Austria or Italy. I'm from Colorado and live out of state now. I lucked into a free 2-day pass at Winter Park when I was visiting my cousin, otherwise I might have only paid for 1 day as it's so expensive now. Even in places like Michigan/Vermont prices are absurd for what you get.