Affordable Winter Vacations in the USA
Looking for affordable winter vacations in the USA, whether you’re dreaming of heading south to shores or sunny or hoping to hit the sloped this ski season, winter holidays can be expensive. But choosing the perfect destination can be the key to saving money on your next vacation in the USA. We describe the 10 places for their awesome winter rates and activities here.
Sun Valley
Sun Valley is one of the most famous ski destinations in the United States. This place is located northeast of Ketchum Idaho. This place attracts ski-loving people for convenience compared to other major ski destinations. Here 220 inches of snowfall every year.
If winter sports enthusiasts aren’t hitting the Sun Valley Resort’s downhill trails, they can explore 25 miles of Nordic trails. They can enjoy this opportunity at the Sun Valley Nordic and Snowshoe Center.
You can enjoy Ketchum’s unique mining and tourism history at the Sun Valley History Museum. You will discover many galleries, breweries, shops, and restaurants here. Here are 7 affordable winter activities in Sun Valley that tourists should take advantage of. Read more about Sun Valley.
Snowshoeing Cost: $15-$20 per day and many trails are free to access.
Ice Skating Cost: $15-20 per day and you can rent a skate for $5.
Winter Events and Festivals Cost: Many events and festival entries are free.
Cross-Country Skiing Cost: $20-$30 trail passes range.
Sleigh Rides Cost: $35-$50 per person.
Hiking and Wildlife Cost: Although you might pay some parking fees, it’s free.
Photography Cost: Free of cost if you have a good camera or smartphone.
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is quite impressive from the slopes and world-class ski resort. You can enjoy skiing in many ski resorts such as Palisades Tahoe Resort, Northstar California Resort, and Heavenly Ski Resort. These resorts attract powder lovers from across the United States. Lake Tahoe is full of natural attractions. To explore full natural attractions you can visit Emerald Bay State Park, Sand Harbor, D.L. Bliss State Park, and Donner Memorial State Park.
In Emerald Bay, you can explore Vikingsholm, Eagle Falls, and Fannette Island. Sand Harbor is famous for its sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. In Donner Memorial State Park you can learn about local history with a museum and explore hiking trails. Here are 5 affordable winter activities in Lake Tahoe that tourists should take advantage of. Read more about Lake Tahoe.
Snowshoeing Cost: Snowshoeing costs $20-$25 per day and many trails are free to access.
Ice Skating Cost: The total cost including admission and skate rentals will be $15-$20.
Winter Hiking Cost: Although you might pay some parking fees, it’s free.
Tubing and Sledding Cost: The charge in Tubing Parks is around $25-$30 for every session.
Cross-Country Skiing Cost: $20-$30 trail passes range and equipment rentals will be around $25-$30.
Telluride
This Colorado Town attracts snow lovers with its over 2000 skiable acres area. The impressive has 148 runs and an elevation gain of 4425 feet. When the elevators close for the day, you can visit the Mountain Village chalets.
This Mountain Village offers a warm place to thaw. When visiting this village don’t miss exploring the restaurants and boutiques. The Telluride vacation spot attracts over 2.7 million people annually. So include this place on you list of affordable winter vacations in the USA.
Visitors can explore the Granite Cliffs, Towering Mountain peaks, dozens of postcard views, some of the best skiing in North America, and crystal clear waters. Here are 5 affordable winter activities in Telluride that tourists should take advantage of. Read more about Telluride.
Historic Walking Tour Cost: It’s free of cost.
Winter Hiking Cost: Free but at some trailheads you must pay parking fees.
Ice Skating Cost: The admission fee is about $10 and the rent of the skate is around $5.
Gondola Rides Cost: You can take a gondola ride between Mountain Village and Telluride for free
Snowshoeing: You can rent accessories for around $20-$25 daily.
Aspen
As you decide to spend your winter vacations in the USA, never miss exploring Aspen. This destination is mostly famous for skiing and hiking. But during winter you can visit Maroon Bells, Grottos Trail, Silver Queen Gondola, Snowmass, Glenwood Spring Hot Spring Pool, Buttermilk, and Crater Lake.
Also, I recommend exploring the Aspen Aer Museum to learn some history and art. You can visit Wheeler Opera House if you want to. Here are 5 affordable winter activities in Aspen that tourists should take advantage of. Read more about Aspen.
Snowshoeing and Winter Hiking Cost: Winter hiking and snowshoeing are not very expensive and many trails are free to visit. But rentals cost around $15-$20.
Ice Skating Cost: To take admission costs around $10-$15.
Cross-Country Skiing: Visiting trail is often free but rental costs about $20-$30.
Winter Hiking: Free but sometimes you have to pay parking fees.
Visiting the Aspen Art Museum Cost: Free to visit.
Steamboat Springs
This Colorado six peak boasts around 3000 acres of slopes making the city a famous destination for skiers. You will find expert slides covered in Champagne powder here. Who loves to snowboard the mountain offers three terrain parks.
After a busy day, you can take a hot bath at Strawberry Park. Camping and fishing are popular things to do for visitors. So don’t forget to add this place on your list of affordable winter vacations in the USA. Here are 5 affordable winter activities in Steamboat Springs that tourists should take advantage of. Read more about Steamboat Spring.
Snowshoeing Cost: Many trails are free to visit but you have to pay around $15-$20 for a rental fee.
Hot Springs Cost: Hot springs on Strawberry cost around $20 and Hot springs on Old Town cost about $20-$25.
Tubing: $20-$30 per person
Cross-Country Skiing Cost: $10-$25 for trail passes and rent equipment is around $20-$25
Downtown Steamboat Spring Cost: Free to explore.
Vail
Don’t make a mistake by Vail’s small size and remote location. This is one of the best destinations for winter vacations in the USA. The main reason for visiting this place is skiing between the Gore Ranges to the north and the Sewatch Ranges to the South. There you will find many notable ski areas including one of the largest mountain resorts in the USA. Plus it’s the best starting point for Colorado’s best snowmobile tours. Also, you will explore here upscale hotels, restaurants, and spas. Here are 6 affordable winter activities in Vail Springs that tourists should take advantage of. Read more about Vail.
Mountain Tours Cost: Free of cost.
Exploring Vail Village Cost: Free of cost.
Gore Creek Path Cost: Free of cost.
Nordic Skiing Cost: $10-$20 for trail passes and equipment rental cost is about $20-$30.
Snowshoeing Cost: Around $20 per day but many trails are free to explore.
Ice Skating Cost: $20-$30 for Skate rentals and admission fee.
Exploring Park City
Park City is famous for three things snowboarding, skiing, and the Sundance Film Festival. The city is located 35 miles southwest of Salt Lake City. This city is easy to access. This city drew crowded tourists during winter, nestled between two stunning locations Dear Valley and Park City Mountain.
Park City offers to explore the charming Historic Park City area or High West Distillery and saloon. Here are 6 affordable winter activities in Park City that tourists should take advantage of. Read more about Park City.
Historic Main Street Exploring Cost: This place is free to explore. You can get budget-friendly shopping and dining here.
Kimball Art Center: Free of cost.
Sundance Film Festival Screenings Cost: Free but some of them need advance registration.
Ice Skating Cost: The admission fee is $10 and Skate rentals are about $5.
Snowshoeing Cost: Trails are free to explore but rental equipment costs around $20-$25.
Cross-Country Skiing: Trail Passage costs about $20 and rental costs about $5-$30 per day.
Explore Jackson Hole
Jackson Hole is one of the most unique destinations for spending winter vacations in the USA. This is a popular tour point for sightseeing and skiing. A few months ago I spent my winter vacation in Jackson Hole and the experience was unbelievable.
There are many things to do during a winter vacation in Jackson Hole such as a winter sleigh ride, hot spring, fat tire biking, exploring national parks, tasting delicious food, wildlife tour, dog sledding, Alpine skiing, snowboarding, and National Museum of Wildlife Art. Here are 6 affordable winter activities in Jackson Hole that tourists should take advantage of.
Sledding Cost: If you have your sled, it’s free to sledding otherwise you have to pay a small fee.
Wildlife Watching Cost: It’s free to enter the refuge but the sleigh ride costs $30 per person.
Ice Skating Cost: The admission fee is $10 and the skate rental fee is about $5.
Snowshoeing Cost: Rental fee Around $20 per day but you can explore many trails for free of cost.
Winter Hiking Cost: Free.
Historical Society and Museum Cost: The admission fee is around $8-$10 for adults and $6-$7 for children and senior citizens.
Breckenridge
Breckenridge has simple family vibes that helped its transformation from silver to gold and bound town to one of the best slow ski destinations. This town is located in Summit County, central Colorado, USA. This town is also famous for its jumping-off point for many of Colorado’s best snowmobile tours located about 80 miles southwest of downtown Denver Breckenridge.
The annual snowfall averages around 350 inches each winter. Are you a beginner or an advanced skier, Breckenridge Ski Resort is a great place for skiing. Here are 8 affordable winter activities in Breckenridge that tourists should take advantage of. Read more about Breckenridge.
Explore the Blue River Recreation Path Cost: Free
Attend Local Events and Festivals Cost: Free and many have small entry fees.
Stargazing: Free of cost.
Welcome Center and Museum: Free of cost.
Historical Waking Tour: Free.
Sledding Cost: If you have your Sled then it’s free to explore.
Ice Skating Cost: $10 admission fee.
Snowshoeing: The equipment rent fee is around $20 and you will find many free trails.
Big Sky, Montana
Big Sky, Montana home to nearly 6000 acres of big sky. This place transforms into a snowy wonderland. This place is located in Southwestern Montana. If you are in Big Sky your priority should be skiing and snowboarding in Big Sky Resort. Do you want to do something exciting, then rent a snowmobile and explore over a hundred miles of groomed trails.
Also, you can explore Dog Sledding, Ice Skating, Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides, Wildlife tours, and hot springs. Here are 5 affordable winter activities in Big Sky that tourists should take advantage of. Read more about Big Sky.
Winter Hiking on the Blue River Treail Cost: Free.
Attend a local Event or Festival Cost: Free
Scenic Drive on Boreas Pass Road: Free of cost.
Ice Skating at the Stephen C. West Ice Arena: The admission fee is $10 for adults and Skate rent for $5.
Snowshoeing Cost: Equipment rental costs about $25-$30 per day.
I hope you enjoyed this article about 10 affordable winter vacations in the USA and it will help you to choose your next winter vacation destination. Share your tour story with us by using our email. Till then take care. Stay happy, Stay Healthy.
