Tahoe is a winter paradise, but let’s be real, skiing and snowboarding here can cost as much as a monthly car payment if you’re not careful. If you’re a beginner or just looking for the most affordable way to get some turns in without draining your bank account, we’ve got you covered. From free birthday tickets to discounted Friday night rides, here’s where to find the best budget-friendly skiing options in Tahoe.

Granlibakken: A Hidden Gem for Beginners – $45/day

If you’re just starting out and don’t want to deal with the chaos of massive ski resorts, Granlibakken is a perfect spot. For just $45 a day, you get access to a poma button lift and a magic carpet, making it an ideal, low-stress environment for beginners. Plus, no lift lines!

👉 More info here

Ski for Free on Your Birthday at Diamond Peak 🎉

Yep, you read that right. If it’s your birthday, Diamond Peak gives you a free lift ticket, no strings attached. Just show up with your ID, and enjoy a day of skiing on the house. And if you’re one of the unlucky folks whose birthday falls outside ski season you can ski free on their special UnBirthday Day (April 4, 2025)

👉 Claim your birthday ticket

Boreal’s Play Forever Fridays: $25 Lift Tickets

Boreal is making skiing a little more accessible with its Play Forever Fridays, where you can score a $25 lift ticket one Friday per month. If night skiing is your thing, you can grab a Friday 3-8 PM ticket starting at $89.

Bonus: If you plan on skiing at night a lot, consider the Boreal Night Pass for $249, which gives you unlimited night skiing for the season.

👉 Get the deal

Soda Springs Play Forever Fridays: $25 Lift Tickets

Another Play Forever Friday deal, but this time at Soda Springs. Typically, tickets are $94+ on weekdays and $104+ on weekends, so if you’re looking for an ultra-budget-friendly day on the slopes, hit up Soda Springs on one of these special Fridays.

👉 Check it out

Mt. Rose Afternoon Special: $79 for 12-4 PM

If you don’t need a full-day lift ticket, Mt. Rose offers an afternoon pass for $79 from 12 PM to 4 PM. Perfect for getting your turns in without committing to an early wake-up call.

👉 More info

Donner Ski Ranch: One of the Best Budget Resorts in Tahoe

One of the last independently owned ski resorts in Tahoe, Donner Ski Ranch has some of the cheapest lift tickets around:

• $25 Magic Carpet ticket (great for first-timers!)
• $89 Afternoon Ticket (12:30-4 PM)
• $69 Tickets Tuesday-Thursday (because who doesn’t love a midweek steal?)

👉 Get your cheap lift ticket

Epic Pass Discounts: Save Up to 48% at Northstar, Heavenly, and Kirkwood

If you’re skiing at an Epic Pass resort (Northstar, Heavenly, Kirkwood), you can save money by using the Buddy Pass or the Ski With a Friend (SWAF) discount:

• Up to 48% off with a Buddy Pass
• Up to 24% off with a SWAF ticket

👉 Learn more about Epic discounts

Palisades Tahoe: 30% Off for Sports Basement Members

If you’re a Sports Basement Basementeer member, you can get 30% off lift tickets at Palisades Tahoe. Membership costs just $25 for life, so if you ski at Palisades even once, this deal pretty much pays for itself.

👉 Become a Basementeer

The Bottom Line

Skiing in Tahoe doesn’t have to cost a fortune if you know where to look. Whether you’re scoring a free birthday ticket, taking advantage of Play Forever Fridays, or opting for budget-friendly resorts like Donner Ski Ranch or Granlibakken, there are plenty of ways to hit the slopes without emptying your wallet.

🎿❄️ Got any other budget ski hacks for Tahoe? Let us know: editors@foggyfrontier.com