Why is ski lodging cheaper out west than it is in the east?

[Tonyr]

It's a 2 queen room. I booked it pretty far out in advance.

I just looked at my email confirmation, the room came out to $292 per night over MLK weekend. The resort fees must have bumped the cost up closer to $300 per night. Still a pretty good deal over that particular weekend.

 

[jimk]

I just checked priceline for motels in mid-January for Salida, CO (17 miles from Monarch ski area). There were four places for less than $100 per night, including one under $70 that was decently rated.

But I hear what some of you are saying about your wives. Where I stay solo is generally much different than where I stay when accompanied by wife.

 

[crank]

I too generally stay at a nicer place when accompanied by my wife than when solo. Exception was a few years ago I had a solo trip booked to Jackson Hole to ski at a Gathering of folks from that other ski forum. She could not deal with me skiing a week in JH without her so she stayed in my cheap Antler Inn room and it was just fine. For VT weekends I will look for a cheap motel and we will end up at a nice inn or B&B with a hot tub and good food. I don't hate it.

This season I am doing a Monday - Friday Snowbird trip staying at the Inn at Snowbird. Splitting a $500 per night room with a friend. I'll be too crazy with work then she said. I said you know you're gonna want to come. No she said. Well we booked air for both of us and now she is splitting another $500 per night room with a female friend of ours. Should be fun!

Jimk if you are in the neighborhood then we should make some turns! Both Robin and I would love to see you.

 

[BodeMiller1]

how are the rooms, pool, wifi, and restaurant at town and country? its slightly pricier than my usual haunts in gorham but may be worth the difference. i am thinking of basing in gorham from 12/26 - 31 and skiing a mix of SR, loon, loaf, saddleback. its so cheap to stay in gorham. town and country is like $550 for 12/26-31. the lesser motels are like $400s. cant really beat it xmas week for value if you're happy to drive a little, which i am. 30 to SR. 40 to cannon. 50 to loon, 2 hours to loaf/saddleback. decent enough eats in gorham for a few days too.

i have rooms in rutland, near sugarloaf, and near tremblant reserved those dates too. all more expensive. i usually dont have time to get to loaf/saddleback. too far for a regular weekend, and extended ski trips are out west after xmas. i stopped booking airplane trips for xmas. too expensive, crapshoot for conditions, and 12/21-25 is for girlfriend who has her bday and xmas to celebrate those days. used to always do 12/22-31 out west. had some great trips and some stinkers that time of year.

Everything is fine, there's a golf course across the way. I went to U.N.H. with one of the guys I think his family owns it.
Nice bar and good food. Best thing about this place is the location.

 

[jimk]

I too generally stay at a nicer place when accompanied by my wife than when solo. Exception was a few years ago I had a solo trip booked to Jackson Hole to ski at a Gathering of folks from that other ski forum. She could not deal with me skiing a week in JH without her so she stayed in my cheap Antler Inn room and it was just fine. For VT weekends I will look for a cheap motel and we will end up at a nice inn or B&B with a hot tub and good food. I don't hate it.

This season I am doing a Monday - Friday Snowbird trip staying at the Inn at Snowbird. Splitting a $500 per night room with a friend. I'll be too crazy with work then she said. I said you know you're gonna want to come. No she said. Well we booked air for both of us and now she is splitting another $500 per night room with a female friend of ours. Should be fun!

Jimk if you are in the neighborhood then we should make some turns! Both Robin and I would love to see you.

Sounds fun, but I think my first ski day at Snowbird is not likely to be until Jan 18 or 19. Is that too late to catch you? It's possible my schedule could change, it's still somewhat TBD.

 

[abc]

Lodging generally cheaper out west than east, not just ski lodging.

Supply and demand. Many people living in the east, chasing after limited rooms.

 

[jimk]

Just booked motels for five night stay in CO in mid-Jan 2024. Three nights near Monarch, then two nights in Silverthorne, average nightly fee after all taxes and costs was $104. The three nights near Monarch were $82 per night total (for MLK weekend), really bringing down the average for the five nights. All nights refundable until day before arrival. I'll be traveling solo and these are low ball motels, but not the very bottom of the priceline barrel.
All lodging is off mtn, 5-15 miles from ski areas. Skiing 2.5 days Monarch, 1.5 days Copper, 1 day A-Basin. Then continuing westward drive to UT.

 

[Smellytele]

Just booked motels for five night stay in CO in mid-Jan 2024. Three nights near Monarch, then two nights in Silverthorne, average nightly fee after all taxes and costs was $104. The three nights near Monarch were $82 per night total (for MLK weekend), really bringing down the average for the five nights. All nights refundable until day before arrival. I'll be traveling solo and these are low ball motels, but not the very bottom of the priceline barrel.
All lodging is off mtn, 5-15 miles from ski areas. Skiing 2.5 days Monarch, 1.5 days Copper, 1 day A-Basin. Then continuing westward drive to UT.

When I head to CO I am staying 3 nights near Granby, 3 in Glenwood springs, 1 in Frisco and 1 in Denver for an average of 122 total. Skiing 1 day at Granby, Backcountry day at Berthoud Pass, 2 at Loveland, 2 at Sunlight and a day at Beaver Creek. none of them were bottom of the barrel actually the Denver one was the cheapest at 93.

 

[jimk]

When I head to CO I am staying 3 nights near Granby, 3 in Glenwood springs, 1 in Frisco and 1 in Denver for an average of 122 total. Skiing 1 day at Granby, Backcountry day at Berthoud Pass, 2 at Loveland, 2 at Sunlight and a day at Beaver Creek. none of them were bottom of the barrel actually the Denver one was the cheapest at 93.

Sounds like a cool trip. I really enjoyed a number of days at Loveland over the years. All that open space is just so different from eastern skiing. Never been to Granby or Sunlight, but heard good things about Sunlight. Driven over Berthoud, but not skied it. My favorite advanced terrain at Beaver Creek includes the Stone Creek Chutes on the far looker’s left of the mountain, the steep race trails off the Birds of Prey Express chair, and all of Grouse Mountain including Royal Elk and Black Bear glades. But BC is an area that is large enough for many good opportunities. You're doing something similar to me, minimizing nights in expensive parts of CO.

 

[KustyTheKlown]

may hit sunlight for a day this feb. i am skiing aspen, staying in carbondale. i land late on fri 16th, and will be driving to aspen most of sat 17th. sunlight half day in teh afternoon may make more sense than going all the way to aspen upon arrival. indy pass so free.

 

[4aprice]

Sunlight is one "kick ass" little mountain. Lots of fun. Pictures actually don't do it justice.



Granby, much tamer but a nice place to avoid the crowds on a weekend.

East Mountain a novice/intermediate delight (some nice groomed cruising)


West Mountain a bit steeper with some fun little sections on it.

Small place but nice area to purchase a condo and only a short 20 minutes to Winter Park

 

[Heartful.zzz]

My cousin went on a ski trip out west last year, and she couldn't believe how much cheaper the lodging was compared to the fancy resorts back east. She stayed at Winter Park and got a fantastic deal. It's definitely worth considering if you're looking to save some cash and still have a great skiing experience.

 

[jimk]

Starting a 2000+ mile drive in a few days. Continue to scout out motel stays. Motels across the midwest are really cheap right now. Also cheap off-mountain in Colorado. I'm talking 2-3 star roadside motels near interstates and in the mtns a few miles from ski resorts. Like 30-40% cheaper than last year. Might just be a January thing, but still cheaper than other recent Januarys.
I spent about 3 weeks in Oct 2023 driving from Halifax NS to Florida. Motels were way more then than now.

 

[Tonyr]

Starting a 2000+ mile drive in a few days. Continue to scout out motel stays. Motels across the midwest are really cheap right now. Also cheap off-mountain in Colorado. I'm talking 2-3 star roadside motels near interstates and in the mtns a few miles from ski resorts. Like 30-40% cheaper than last year. Might just be a January thing, but still cheaper than other recent Januarys.
I spent about 3 weeks in Oct 2023 driving from Halifax NS to Florida. Motels were way more then than now.

Good luck, we look forward to seeing some trip reports!