By R. Scott Rappold, Special to The Denver Post

You hear it all the time from non-skiers, ex-skiers and would-be skiers: “Skiing is too expensive.”

It’s true, skiing can be expensive. If you take a flight into Aspen, book a slopeside condo, rent skis, pay for a lesson and buy the family lunch at the on-mountain restaurant you can drop thousands of dollars before you’ve even mastered parallel turns.

But skiing also can be surprisingly affordable. Just ask the ski bums of the world who ride every day but only earn minimum wage washing dishes by night — if they have a job at all.

From a ski bum who regularly hits 100 days on the slopes but hasn’t had a job in years, here are some tips to have a great season without taking out a second mortgage. You’ll sacrifice convenience to save a few bucks, but powder days are so worth it.

Tip 1: Buy a season pass before it’s ski season

If you’re planning to ski more than a few days this winter, you’ll want a season pass. You’ll want to jump on them once they go on sale to take advantage of the best prices. If you wait until the season begins to buy one you’re in store for quite a sticker shock. Daily lift tickets at major resorts can run $200 or more for an adult, so a pass pays for itself quickly.

Yes, it’s a gamble: Will my hill get the best snow this year?

Fortunately, conglomerate offers like the Ikon and Epic passes come with bonus days at many other resorts across the state, country and world, so you can follow the best snow. Or if you prefer smaller, more locals-focused ski areas, you can get a pass at Loveland or Monarch Mountain for cheaper, with bonus days at each other as well as Copper Mountain, Purgatory, Powderhorn, Sunlight and many other smaller ski areas across the country.

Tip 2: Buy a midweek pass, four-pack or Gems Card

Maybe you’re not planning a 100-day season because, unlike this correspondent, you have a day job or higher priorities than sliding on snow all the time. Many ski areas offer four-day passes that let you ski for half the daily ticket price. Or you can buy a Gems Card from Colorado Ski Country USA, which gives you 2-for-1 deals or 30% discounted lift tickets at 11 smaller ski areas across Colorado. Keep in mind Gems Card use is blacked out around Christmas and New Years’ Eve.

Another option many resorts offer is a more affordable weekday pass. Sure, you’ll hate yourself when it snows a foot on a Saturday, but let’s face it, it’s a trade-off to not have to fight I-70 traffic and weekend lift lines. Also, check the website of each resort for “locals” days that feature lift ticket discounts.

Tip 3: Get free skiing for your kids

The ski industry knows that children are the future, so resorts are keen to get them hooked early while still letting mom and dad ski without breaking the bank. Colorado Ski Country USA offers the 5th Grade Passport, which includes three days at 21 ski areas for just $40, as well as the 6th Grade Passport, with four days at each for $99. But as of the 2020-21 winter season, both passes are good for weekdays only.

If you’d rather ski at the five Vail Resorts mountains — Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Crested Butte, which aren’t part of Colorado Ski Country — you can register for the Epic Schoolkids Pass, which offers four free days at each resort for kids from kindergarten to fifth grade. Register for these passes right away since they’re only offered for a limited time.

Tip 4: Buy a college, senior or military pass

Many resorts offer discounts for college students, senior citizens and veterans. For example, Monarch Mountain’s $479 pass for the 2020-2021 season is $389 for veterans, $289 for college students, $199 for retired military and just $20 for “super seniors,” those older than 68 whose knees still hold up on the slopes.

Tip 5: Buy used gear

Ski towns are full of trust-funders, professional riders and gear snobs who get new skis or snowboards every year. Their old gear, perfectly usable unless mangled by rocks, can be found in gear shops and ski swaps for a fraction of what new gear would cost. Look for gently used boots and clothing too. Also, check outdoor shops (REI, Wilderness Exchange, Mountain Equipment Recyclers, Gearonimo) along the Front Range for sales of last year’s rental gear that may be in especially good condition because of the shortened season.

Tip 6: Get season-long rentals for the kids

Kids grow so fast they can outgrow their skis and boots in one season, so many parents opt to rent gear for the entire season rather than buying. Reserve your rentals early as shops usually run out before the chair lifts are running.

Tip 7: Didn’t buy a pass? Ski with someone who did.

Most ski passes offer discounted buddy tickets. So make friends with a passholder.

Tip 8: Don’t rent gear on the mountain

You’ll find cheaper rates renting skis the day before your trip, plus you won’t have to stand in line in the morning, sweating in all your gear and missing the untracked powder.

Tip 9: Don’t book a room at the resort

Lodging is much, much cheaper the farther you sleep from the mountain. A 20-minute drive in the morning can save you hundreds of dollars in a weekend. So if you’re skiing Copper Mountain or Breckenridge, stay in Frisco. Skiing Aspen? Stay in Carbondale. Skiing Vail? Stay in Avon. You get the idea.

Tip 10: Never, ever buy lunch on the mountain

Yes, it’s tempting to eat on the hill. Who wants to take the time to go back to the car if you’re at a mega-resort where you parked at the free lot and rode a bus to ride a gondola to ride a lift? But if you thought food and drinks were expensive at Broncos games, the on-mountain lodge prices will blow your mind. At smaller ski areas you can go back to your car and have a picnic lunch. If it’s nice out you’ll often see people grilling in the parking lots at ski areas like Arapahoe Basin and Wolf Creek, where you can park and walk to the lifts (unfortunately, not this year). At the mega-resorts, it’s a good idea to load up on snacks that can easily fit into your pockets or a small backpack. Or you can rent a locker and store lunch (check ahead of time to see if they’re available!), which will still cost only a small fraction of lunch on the hill.

Tip 11: If all else fails, get a job on the mountain

If you must work during winter, a job at the resort often includes a free ski pass. Yeah, having a job is not ideal for the dedicated ski bum, but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.

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