Ski trips are more expensive now than they’ve ever been. Many large destination resorts across the United States now charge over $300 for a single-day ticket, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Once you take lodging, food, car rentals, and other expenses into account, a single weekend on the slopes can cost well over $1,000. One area where skiers and snowboarders are trying to mitigate their costs is with flights.
Many major airlines use dynamic pricing algorithms that adjust fares in real time based on demand, seat availability, and how close it is to departure. Because of this, flights can be $200 one day and $400 the next. It all depends on what the algorithm picks up, whether it be a sudden spike in searches for that route, a group of people purchasing seats, or a multitude of other factors. For this reason, it is important to research flight prices ahead of time and act quickly before they rise.
The 2026-27 ski season is just around the corner, and many skiers are starting to plan their vacations and book flights. Recent data from JustFly, an online travel agency and search engine that helps travelers find budget-friendly airline tickets, reveals the cheapest and most expensive times to fly to ski destinations this winter.
JustFly analyzed ski and snowboard-season flight searches from U.S. travelers for departures between December 2026 and March 2027.
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The Weekends to Avoid
First up, let’s highlight the ones to avoid if you’re looking for the best deals: Presidents’ Day Week and Christmas to New Year.
Presidents’ Day travel week is currently the most expensive time to fly, with median round-trip fares peaking at $700. The holiday falls on February 15, 2027, making it a popular time for travelers to take advantage of a long weekend. If you’re trying to save money, consider shifting your trip by a week.
The Christmas and New Year period is another expensive time to fly, with median round-trip fares ranging from $659 to $677. Many families travel during the school holidays, making this a busy period for airports and ski resorts. If you don’t have school-aged kids and your schedule allows, traveling outside the holiday rush can help you save on flights and avoid some of the busiest days on the mountain.
The 5 Cheapest Weekends to Fly
#5: February 5 — $482
Early February can be a great time to plan a ski trip, with much of the season underway and plenty of winter still ahead. Conditions vary by resort and year, but typically February is one of the best snow months of the season across American resorts.
#4: February 26 — $475
Want to ski in late February without paying Presidents’ Day prices? Weekend trips can be found for $475, and even a whole week has a median round-trip fare of $522, about 25% less than the $700 peak during Presidents’ Day week. Moving your trip by a week can make a meaningful difference to your travel budget, leaving more money for lift tickets, lodging, or another day on the slopes.
#3: December 11 — $448
Early December can be a good option for skiers keen to get their first turns of the season. Crowds will be lighter than during the Christmas holiday rush, although terrain availability depends on early-season snowfall and snowmaking. Pick a destination known to open much of its terrain early in the season.
#2: December 5 — $443
The first weekend of December offers the second-cheapest weekend fares, with median round-trip fares currently at $443. Just remember that early-season conditions can be unpredictable, so look for resorts with reliable snowmaking and enough open terrain to make the trip worthwhile.
#1: January 1 — $418
Let’s face it, New Year’s celebrations can be a letdown. Why not go to bed early and fly on New Year’s Day and start the year with a ski trip instead? Friday, January 1, currently has the lowest median round-trip airfare among the listed departure dates, at $418. If you’re happy to travel over the holiday itself, it could be a good-value way to start 2027 on the slopes.
Looking to Canada
Do you have school-aged kids and/or need to use public holidays but have a passport and are willing to travel north? Great deals can be found flying to Canada instead. Median round-trip fares to Vancouver, British Columbia, for skiing at one of BC’s many resorts sit at $481, compared with $677 for Aspen. Overall, the cheapest route to get to the slopes is from Palm Springs, California, to Vancouver. Airfares on this route average $187.
Canadian ski destinations have also experienced increases in search interest, with Calgary and Banff up 31% and Vancouver and Whistler up 12% in their share of U.S. ski searches year over year.
All these prices are subject to change depending on demand and seat availability, so book early. Comparing different departure dates and staying flexible can help you save on flights and put more of your budget toward time on the mountain.
