Colorado Ski Area Slashes Lift Ticket Prices to $45

The mountain has also committed to selling lift tickets online and at the ticket window for the same price. This practice used to be commonplace at ski resorts across the country, but has all but faded away with ski resorts wanting to anticipate how many skiers will show up in a given day.

Ski Cooper is an independent ski area that isn't beholden to the whims and prices of corporate overlords. Instead, it seems like the ski area is rolling back the clock to offer a more traditional skiing experience that many of us miss dearly.

The mountain's lift ticket prices increase on weekends and holidays like other ski areas, but the prices are still well-below the average cost of a day ticket at Colorado's more popular ski resorts. Check out the full price breakdown below.

Ski Cooper CEO Dan Torsell explained to Vail Daily why the mountain has elected to slash prices and eliminate online discounts, “It’s time to take the stress out of getting on the ski hill,” he said. “We have decided to stop playing follow-the-leader in the season pass/day pass game and simplify day pass purchasing while promoting affordability in our sport.”

I don't know about you, but Torsell's explanation is one of the most refreshing things I've heard out of ski resort/area's CEO's mouth in a long time. Rather than maximizing profit, Torsell and Ski Cooper are electing to "simplify" the process and promote "affordability". Other ski resort CEO's have uttered similar words, but Torsell is actually backing up his claim by offering not only one of the most affordable day ticket rates in Colorado, but in the entire country.

As a personal aside, I paid over $90 to ski a mid-week day in Wisconsin about four years ago. To think I could have paid half that to ski a mountain of Ski Cooper's quality makes me cringe, but I find solace that plenty of Denverites and Front Rangers won't be swindled as I was.

POWDER will always support the mom-and-pop ski areas that are keeping the vibe alive. With that in mind, please consider visiting Ski Cooper this season for a $45 lift ticket.

Ski Cooper plans to open for the Winter '24/'25 season on December 11, 2024. 

Ski Cooper Stats/Info:

Vertical: 1,200 ft.

Skiable Terrain: 480 ac.

Average Snowfall: 250 in.

Lifts: 5

Trails: 64

Snowmaking: NO

Night Skiing: NO

Mega-Pass: NO

Be the first to read breaking ski news with POWDER. Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skiing. From ski resort news to profiles of the world’s best skiers, we are committed to keeping you informed.

Submit your best clips for a chance to be featured on POWDER. Tune in and watch handpicked, high-quality ski videos streaming all day long on POWDER TV, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.