Is it Possible to Ski Tahoe Without Spending a Fortune?

If you’ve spent any time around the Tahoe region in the last few years, you’ll know: Skiing and snowboarding have gotten really expensive. And a huge part of those costs are the resort passes themselves, which offer access to the mountain.

As ski season rapidly approaches, companies like Ikon and Epic — which represent the biggest resorts in the Lake Tahoe region — will be ending their multi-resort pass sales around early to mid-December. For the 2025–26 season, a full Ikon pass offering unlimited access at 18 resorts worldwide, including Palisades Tahoe and Sierra-at-Tahoe, is a steep $1,519. The Epic Pass, which includes unrestricted access to 42 resorts, including Tahoe’s Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood, is $1,185. And both Ikon and Epic’s pass prices have increased with each passing year.

The costs of these passes have driven many skiers and snowboarders into the backcountry, outside of the resorts’ boundaries. But backcountry skiing, while free of pass costs, also requires a considerable degree of navigation and safety knowledge, including avalanche training.

So, what are the options for Bay Area skiers or snowboarders who still want all the convenience of a resort without breaking the bank on a pass, or battling the crowds and traffic of the larger Tahoe destinations?

Keep reading for our alternatives to the major resort passes on offer this winter. And remember: If you’re thinking about any of these options, you’re better off buying sooner rather than later, as some resorts sell out of season passes — or raise their prices further as the season looms closer.

Jump straight to:

• Find a learn-to-ski program that includes pass costs
• Discover ‘alternative’ passes for resorts further afield
• How to get discounts on the big resort passes

Find cheaper passes — and a different vibe — at Tahoe’s independent resorts

Luckily for Bay Area residents, Tahoe has a wealth of ski resorts — each with its own charm and strengths. So you might consider buying a season pass to a mountain that’s independent of the big companies like Vail.

For high-level skiers, Sugar Bowl Ski Resort near Donner Pass, Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe on the way to Reno, Diamond Peak Ski Resort in Incline Village and Homewood Mountain Resort on the lake’s West Shore — reopening this year after being closed last season — are all great options.

Jon Slaughter, director of marketing for Sugar Bowl, said lots of skiers choose his mountain because it’s among the closest to the Bay Area — reducing the travel time for commuters significantly. And being near the top of Donner Summit has another perk: Lots of snowfall, bringing an average of around 500 inches per year.

“Storms basically push up against the crest of the Sierra, and before they dump over, they just dump snow right on Sugar Bowl,” he said.

Slaughter also lauded the resort’s diverse terrain options and advanced areas that are sectioned off so skiers of all levels have something to enjoy.

“I have two 10-year-olds and I’m happy to just let them go ski wherever, and I’m not worried about it,” he said.

A full adult season pass at Sugar Bowl this year still goes for $1,400, exceeding even the costs of the Epic Pass. But the resort also offers discounted passes, including a $600 option that only allows for midweek skiing, a midweek three-day pass option for $300, and an anytime three-pack pass for $600.

Another plus of Sugar Bowl? The mountain is independently owned by the local community, creating a “spirit” that is felt across the mountain, Slaughter said. “There’s just a different feeling when you’re here versus some of the other resorts in the area,” he said.

That’s also the case for Diamond Peak in Incline Village, which is owned and managed by the Incline Village General Improvement District: essentially the town’s government and utility wrapped into one.

The community-owned resort is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and all its events — including the annual Dummy Downhill and Ullr Fest — will be “retro” themed in honor of the anniversary, Paul Raymore, Diamond Peak’s marketing and communications manager, said.

A full adult season pass to Diamond Peak is $733, and passholders can also get a trio of bonus days to 50 similarly sized resorts nationwide. They also sell a three-day pass and a $1,300 transferable pass for large families or businesses for their employees, as well as a Parent Interchangeable Lift Ticket for parents of young kids who may want to take turns on the slopes versus the lodge for the day. In honor of this year’s anniversary, $60 lift tickets will also be available on select days.

Raymore said Diamond Peak’s layout, which funnels all skiers down to the main base lodge, makes it great for families or groups with differing skill levels since it’s “almost impossible to get lost,” by allowing folks “to ski potentially different runs, but all meet up at the bottom.”

And unlike the major resorts full of local and traveling passholders, “the lift lines at Diamond Peak never get out of hand,” he said. “If you are able to come midweek, non-holiday, it’s almost like a private ski resort experience.”

Want an even smaller, even more “local” Tahoe experience? Try an adult pass at Tahoe Donner ($408), Donner Ski Ranch ($600), Soda Springs ($340), or Sky Tavern ($275).

Enroll in a learn-to-ski program that includes a pass

While Palisades Tahoe will be teeming with Ikon Pass holders this winter, its sister mountain, Alpine Meadows, has far fewer crowds — and also offers a unique opportunity for anyone still learning to ski who wants to get as many days in as possible this year.

The Perfect Progression Program is for first-timer adults and costs $799 for three half-day beginner ski or snowboard lessons, which include beginner lift tickets, rentals and lunch. But the real kicker is this: Upon completion of your three lessons, you’ll get a full season pass to use across both Alpine and Palisades — plus half off additional group lessons all season long. The only way to enroll in this under-the-radar program is to call the resort at 1-800-403-0206.

Patrick Lacey, spokesperson for Palisades Tahoe, said the program is intended to get brand-new skiers and snowboarders on the right track from the very beginning — while avoiding the risks of injury, both physical and emotional.

“You never teach your significant other how to ski,” Lacey said. “That either ends up in a divorce or a breakup. And you can avoid a medical bill in the future if you are skiing and riding the correct way.”

Boreal offers a similar program, called “Take 3 Ride Free,” which offers new skiers and snowboarders three beginner lessons, including rentals and lift tickets for three days, along with a free season pass upon completion of the final lesson. The cost of Boreal’s program is $419.

Boreal’s is the deal recommended by Tim Pham, founder of SnowPals, a platform that connects Bay Area skiers and snow enthusiasts who want to share rides, ski leases or days out on the mountain.

“Boreal is so easy to get to,” Pham said. “It’s like, the first resort that you see when you get off 80, and is great on a powder day.”

Discover further-flung resorts (and lower prices) with an ‘alternative’ ski pass bundle

If you’re the type of skier who thrives at a small local resort, Pham also recommends the Powder Alliance, Indy Pass or Cali Pass. The $789 adult Cali Pass gives you unlimited access to several Central Sierra resorts — Bear Valley Mountain Resort, Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort and China Peak Mountain Resort — plus Mountain High Resorts in Southern California. Plus, you get three days each at 14 more small resorts around the West, including Sierra-at-Tahoe.

While some of the partner resorts are more tailored toward beginners, “these resorts have expert runs too,” Pham said. “They may not have a double black diamond, but they have pretty challenging terrain too.”

John McColly, vice president of sales and marketing for the Cali Pass, said the idea grew out of the older Powder Alliance.

“We were all friends” at the smaller resorts, McColly said. “We said, ‘Hey, we need to come up with something to battle these big multi-mega passes that are starting to pop up.’”

McColly said the Cali Pass is ideal for beginners and experts alike looking for skiing that’s accessible and affordable, “people that want to enjoy the mountain, to get up, get away from the crowds, experience amazing powder and a real skiing experience without all the frills, the fluff.”

The Mountain Collective is another pass bundle that’s less popular than Ikon or Epic. For $729, it offers just two days at each resort, included but without any blackout dates.

This pass is likely best for travelers who want to go to a new destination each weekend they ski and don’t balk at hours spent on the road to do so.

Sugar Bowl is the only Tahoe resort on the Mountain Collective pass, but Slaughter said if you buy a Sugar Bowl pass, it also includes 50% off at any Mountain Collective resort — so you could visit locations like Sun Valley in Idaho or Alta in Utah for a discounted weekend away.

Skiers “don’t have to buy anything extra for that,” he said. “That’s just a perk of being at Sugar Bowl.”

Just like the major passes, however, these ones also rise in price the longer you wait, and are at risk of selling out before the season starts.

Dig into the big resorts’ discounted passes

If you’re dead set on getting to visit Tahoe’s largest and busiest resorts, you can always get a limited version of an Ikon or Epic pass.

Both companies offer discounted passes that exclude “peak dates” like during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents Day. Epic’s “Local Pass” is currently going for $920, while Ikon’s “Base Pass” version is $1,099.

While you may miss out on some three-day weekend skiing with these options, they can be ideal for anyone already deterred by crowds and traffic, or who don’t have a traditional 9–5 weekday workweek.

Plus, you can always purchase those highly coveted holiday weekend tickets at a discounted rate if you change your mind.

Perhaps most useful to Bay Area residents, this year, Epic is selling a “Tahoe Value Pass” for $649 that allows access to Heavenly except on holidays, and Northstar and Kirkwood outside of Saturdays and holidays. But you’ll have to make a decision quickly, because Epic is ending pass sales on Dec. 4.

Don’t want to commit to a pass? Make some friends and share Buddy Passes

By joining a group like Pham’s Snow Pals, you can find like-minded skiers who may be willing to share their “Buddy Passes” that come with their own passes.

Buddy tickets typically grant around 25% off on day rates to non-passholders. Snow Pals requires a one-time $20 membership fee, but once you’re in, you’ll have access to a message board full of Bay Area residents looking for ski companions and willing to share their access.

“Skiing is an expensive sport, so we tried to get people together to ride share and also share lodging to cut down the cost,” Pham said.

“That’s the benefit of joining a group — you benefit from the discount.”