Colorado Lift Ticket Guide
Colorado has some of the most popular ski resorts in the world, and that also means a wide range of options for purchasing lift tickets. Understanding the different types of tickets and where to buy them can save you a lot of money on your ski trip.
Window Lift Tickets
Every resort in Colorado sells lift tickets at the on-mountain ticket window. While this is the most straightforward way to buy a ticket, it is almost always the most expensive. Window rates are typically the resort’s “walk-up” price and can be significantly higher than advance purchase options. If you show up on a busy holiday or weekend and buy at the window, expect to pay top dollar.
Window tickets can still make sense if you’re taking a spontaneous day trip, waiting on weather, or unsure which days you’ll ski. Just know that you’re paying a premium for that flexibility.
Ikon & Epic Pass Tickets
Many of Colorado’s major resorts are part of the Ikon and Epic pass networks. These passes can provide huge value if you ski multiple days or visit more than one resort in a season.
- Epic Pass – Covers Vail, Breckenridge, Crested Butte and other Vail Resorts mountains worldwide. There are different versions (full Epic, Epic Local, day passes) that include a set number of days or unlimited access at certain resorts.
- Ikon Pass – Covers Aspen Snowmass, Steamboat and other partner resorts. Like Epic, there are multiple pass types with varying access levels and blackout dates.
The earlier you buy these passes (often in spring or early fall), the cheaper they are. If you’re planning more than a few days of skiing in Colorado in a season, it’s worth doing the math on an Ikon or Epic product versus day tickets.
Discounted Tickets & Online Deals
Beyond window and pass products, there are also discounted lift ticket sellers. One example is Liftopia, which often offers lower prices than the resort window in exchange for more restrictions (such as fixed dates or no refunds). We’ll often link to Liftopia deals as an affiliate when they make sense for the resorts we cover.
Other discount sources may include local ski shops, warehouse clubs, and promotions through employers or membership organizations. These deals change season to season, so always compare prices before you buy.
Bundles & Package Deals
Many Colorado resorts offer bundles that combine lift tickets with lodging, rentals, or lessons. These packages can provide meaningful savings, but they are usually resort specific – you’re committing to staying and skiing at that resort for the dates in the bundle.
Bundles are worth exploring if you already know exactly where you want to stay and ski. If you value flexibility to hop between mountains, passes like Ikon or Epic may still be a better fit.
Colorado Resort Lift Ticket Guides
For detailed, resort-specific lift ticket information, check out our guides for each mountain. Each guide has a dedicated lift ticket page that dives into pricing patterns, money-saving tips, and where to buy.
We’ll continue to add more Colorado resort lift ticket pages over time, so check back as we expand our coverage.