Now that the winter ski season is throttling forward into full speed, everyone is itching to hit the slopes. Especially with the cold winter we’ve been having and the fact that the Winter Olympics are right around the corner. So, let’s take a look at how you can save money on lift tickets.

As a former Lake Tahoe and current Bay Area resident, I’ll focus on deals for the magical mountains of the pristine Lake Tahoe basin. However, many of these approaches and tips can be applied anywhere.

Pick the Right Resort

First of all, you can score major savings by knowing what kind of riding you’re going to do, and how long you’re going to do it.

Many people become enamored by the big names — Squaw Valley, Heavenly, Vail, Whistler — and think they MUST ride at such places to be legit or to have fun.

Before You Go

If you’re driving to Tahoe, check your local REI store and other sporting goods shops to see what discounts they’re offering on tickets. You can also visit Discount Lift Tickets, Sliding on the Cheap, and Snowbomb.com to find deals.

Sometimes the right price can make for the right resort, regardless of ability level.

Day Lift Passes

If you’re an advanced or expert level skier or rider, then hey, you’re probably want to go to the more challenging hills. But if you’re less advanced, are taking a group or family of mixed skill levels, or generally have no interest in launching cornices, shuttling through chutes, and tracking out the trees — you can save yourself major cash by hitting the less glitzy slopes. You’ll have the same experience, you’ll experience similar conditions, and you’ll have just as much fun.

North Tahoe

For instance, an all day lift ticket to Squaw Valley USA is now a whopping $83 for a regular day and $88 for a holiday. The same ticket, at the neighboring mountain just a few miles down Highway 89, Alpine Meadows, is $69 for a regular day and $74 for a holiday (Pro Tip: Get steeper discount by joining their Alpine Club). Prices for both sure have changed over the years, but that’s some major (about 18%) savings.

(For a mountain that many locals consider to be superior. Shhhhh! Don’t tell them I told you.)

South Tahoe

Down on the South Shore’s Celebrity Mountain Scene, aka Heavenly, rates vary by date and range from $80 to $86. 15 minutes further south looms the massive Kirkwood bowl. Kirkwood offers no shortage of advanced terrain and rates are $74 for a regular day and $77 for a holiday.

Is it worth the drive? Only if you want to ride a bigger, more challenging mountain with a more laid-back and friendly vibe. If you want to strut around in $2,000 Gucci ski gear that you only wear once or twice a year, Heavenly is probably the place for you.

West Shore

For you POWder hounds out there, there’s truly nothing more beautiful than the West Shore’s Homewood mountain on a powder day. With ticket prices at $45 Mon-Thurs, $55 Fri-Sun, and $59 for a Holiday day, you get a very good deal.

That said, I don’t recommend Homewood on holidays or very busy weekends. Some of their older lifts can get backed up with long, unmanageable lines. If you’re going to hit it up midweek and it happens to be a powder day — there’s no better bang for your buck.

On those powder days, Homewood is tremendous fun for any skill level. On non-powder days, more advanced and aggressive riders might get a little yawny.

Fun For the Family

I don’t have kids, but if I did, and I was taking them out for the day, you can bet I’d take them to Diamond Peak. Why? Kids 6 and under ride free. At most resorts, kids 4 and under ride free. Also, an all day pass for kids 7 – 14 is just $14 at Diamond Peak. On top of that — and my favorite thing that’s unique to Diamond Peak — they have an Interchangeable Parent’s Pass for $49. You can take turns with the kids, inside and out, and take turns on the slopes.

For a family ski trip, Diamond Peak offers a substantial savings opportunity.

The nearby Mt. Rose offers 2′fer Tuesdays — 2 tickets for the price of one. $65 at the window, or $59 online. (Also take a look at their Bonus Mondays, Student Wednesdays, Over the Hill, and Ladies Day Thursdays discounts. They also have family packages and college discounts. They’re all great deals.)

On Vacation

Lake Tahoe is a popular tourist destination for people visiting from outside the state and also internationally.

Package Deals

Every mountain in Tahoe offers some kind of package deals, or multi-day ticket discount. Again, pick the mountain that seems right for your level of experience. Also, check with the hotel you’re staying at, and scope out sites like Discount Lift Tickets and Snowbomb.com for package deals and packages.

Northstar is a complete, year-round resort. So if people in your group aren’t going to jump on the boards, there’s plenty of things to do and Truckee is close by for shopping and dining. For those that are going to ride, Northstar’s Multi-day ($69) and Afternoon ($64) adult lift tickets are a good bit cheaper than a regular, single day ticket. Young Adult tickets are priced even better. But, if you have kids aged 5 – 12 years in age, there are some solid discounts on multi-day rates, including 2nd Day tickets for FREE and QuadPaks for $15.

Pace Yourself

Perhaps you’re flying in to Reno on Saturday, planning to ride 6 days straight, then fly out on Sunday. I’d say you’re insane, but to my absolute amazement, there are people that do this, have the time of their life, and manage to keep making turns without tiring.

To those that aren’t regulars on the mountain and accomplish this: I salute you.

For most people, the elevation, combined with challenging terrain, is enough to wipe them out after the first day. If you enjoy the night life, that can be another fatigue factor. Lastly, if you’re not used to deep powder, or, come late in the season or during a warm spell, you may have to content with the wet and heavy Sierra Cement. You’ll still have fun, but you’ll probably be tired. And sore.

So, instead of getting a 5 day package deal on tickets, especially for family that might not be able to keep up, get a 3 day and play the other days by ear. You’ll still save money. Plus, you don’t have to worry about a ticket going to waste. It’s hard to enjoy an expensive lift ticket when every fiber in your legs is in burning pain. By riding a day or two less, you might enjoy your days on the hill that much more — and also save some money.

Lastly, a Word of Advice: Be Honest About Your Abilities

I’ve had seasons passes to 5 different mountains in 3 different states and have skied and snowboarded all over the East and West coasts. I’ve heard far too many people with no clue say, ‘Oh, yeah!! I’m taking the lift to the top!’ That’s cool. You can do that. But just remember, if you ride up, you have to get yourself down.

Without getting hurt. Or hurting someone else. If either of those things occur, it can make for a very costly trip.

In the same vein, if you get tired, stop riding. After paying an exorbitant amount for a lift ticket, many people want to push on for another run ‘to get their money’s worth.’ It’s often that last run when people get hurt. There comes a point when enough is enough.

But until that point comes, have as much fun as you possibly can.