How Expensive Is The Snow, Really?

Dreaming of a family holiday in the snow but don’t want to remortgage your house to do so? We get it, skiing and snowboarding can be a pretty expensive hobby – especially when you’re paying for a family of four. Lift passes, rentals, accommodation, commuting costs, it all adds up pretty quickly, resulting in a massive blow to your hip-pocket. 

But how expensive is it really? Is the 25% ‘snow tax’ only an Australian thing? What about lift passes, rentals, and food? Can you actually spend 5 days in Japan for the same price you’re paying for 5 days at an Australian resort?


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All very good questions that we don’t know the answers to. But, like you, we’d like to find out.

So we decided to put on our best Sherlock Holmes pea coats and do a deep dive into some of our favourite resorts around the world (including, of course, Niseko), comparing the cost of a five-day family holiday with all things considered: accommodation, rentals, lessons, lift passes, and of course, exchange rates.

Please note: all prices have been converted to USD for this article.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Currency Exchange

  2. Travel Cost

  3.  Cost

    • Accommodation
    • Ski and Snowboard Rental
    • Lessons & Guiding
    • Lift Passes

  4. Daily Meal Budget

  5. Additional Activities

  6. Healthcare and Safety

  7. Rhythm Trips

Key Takeaways and handy tips

IN A NUTSHELL


Baker sits at the highest elevation and receives the most snow annually

On average, accommodation is more expensive at Snowbird, Mt Buller and Perisher.

Japanese yen currently at an all time low.

Rentals tend to cost a similar amount regardless of the resort you visit.

Japan and North America are the best options for those looking for lift access to back country and side country via gate systems.

All resorts boast a variety of dining experiences, shopping options, night-life, and off-snow experiences, although resorts like Niseko, and Baker offer the most budget friendly options.


Currency Exchange Rate


Egg salad sandwiches, konbini fried chicken, waist-deep pow – if you’re looking for a reason to visit Japan over Australian or American resorts, we can give you 50. But we don’t need to list all of them, because there’s one clear selling point that makes us think booking a trip to Niseko or Hakuba is the way to go this winter: the weak yen.

Since the start of the year, the Japanese yen has been steadily depreciating, recently reaching below 160 to the dollar, its lowest value in more than 30 years. This means that North American and Australian dollars will go a lot further in Japan than they previously would.


Travel Cost


Unsure how much flights will cost for you and the family to get from your hometown to Jackson Hole,  Thredbo or Niseko? Check out different flight options here:


Accommodation Cost


Out of all of the essential purchases needed for a one-week snow trip, accommodation is the most varied, with resorts offering a range of options, from luxury chalets and high-end self-contained apartments to cosy flat-share lodges. As a result, you can spend as much or as little as you want, with every resort offering both high-end and budget-friendly options.

We looked into prices for a family of four to stay at a 4-star hotel for a total of 5 nights.

Baker

$1,005

Brighton

$1,798

Jackson Hole

$1,610.20

Snowbird

$2,863.69

Buller

$1,933.28

Perisher

$1,727.97

Thredbo

$848.77

Niseko

$1,184.35




Rental Cost

While they are incredibly practical shoes, you won’t be able to ride chairlifts and shred down runs in a pair of Timberland’s, so yes, you will have to hire skis or snowboards when visiting the snow.

Ski and board rentals are usually available from multiple retailers around ski resorts. For this analysis, we decided to base our research on mountain-owned rental stores. If the resort didn’t have a mountain-owned rental/retail store, we used the retailer closest to the lifts.

Please note: Figures are based off 2023/24 rental prices and are subject to change for the 2024/25 winter season.



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Lesson and Guiding Cost

Regardless of your experience skiing or snowboarding, there’s always room for improvement. Sometimes all you need is that one piece of advice from an outside perspective, and all of a sudden, the trick you’ve been trying to master finally comes together. Plus, it’s a great way to get out and meet local instructors and discover all the best secret spots.

For this comparison, we decided to look into mountain-owned and operated ski schools and compare prices for full-day private lessons.


Please note: figures are based on 2023/24 prices and are subject to change for the 2024/25 winter season.

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Cost of 1 day and 5-day lesson packages

Lift Pass Cost


Annnnddd now for the biggest killer, lift passes. As lift passes are absolutely essential for everyone visiting a ski resort, they are normally one of the most expensive aspects of ever snow holiday. 

When looking at data comparing lift pass prices, it is important to consider the fact that prices vary on weekends, peak-season dates and school holidays. All figures below are based on peak-season mid-week prices.

It is worth noting that night skiing is available every night and included in lift passes for Baker, Brighton, Jackson Hole, Snowbird, and Niseko. However, night skiing passes must be purchased separately for Mt Buller, Perisher, and Thredbo, unless you have a season pass.


Please note: figures are based on 2023/24 prices and are subject to change for the 2024/25 winter season.

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1 Day, 5 Day and Season Pass Cost Comparison


Daily Meal Budget


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There’s a reason you see so many people chowing down on Cliff Bars on the chairlift; eating on the mountain can be incredibly expensive, regardless of which resort you go to.

If you’ve ever been to the snow before, you’ll know that the biggest trap of them all is in-resort restaurants, with most bistros serving up incredibly overpriced and under-portioned meals for exorbitant prices (looking at you, every place that serves ‘Loaded Fries’).

At most American and Australian resorts, you should expect to pay around $15 to $25 per lunch dish and $25 to $45 per dinner dish. If you’re visiting Japan, you’ll likely find many more budget options such as konbinis and food trucks, where meal options (both lunch and dinner) range from $7 to $15 per dish.

If you’re traveling with your family, we recommend looking for accommodation with a kitchen so that you can reserve eating out for special occasions and save money by preparing home-cooked meals most nights.


Additional Activities and Cultural Experiences


No matter where you decide to visit for your family ski trip, you’ll undoubtedly find yourself with a lot of free time off the slopes. If you are keen to explore different activities around the region you’re staying in, here are a few options and a rough price range you should expect to pay for each activity:

Snowmobiling – from $525 in Jackson Hole or $145.80 in Niseko

Ice Skating – from $18 per person in Jackson Hole

Onsen (Japan only) – ranging between $3.71 and $9.51 per person

Snowshoe Tours – from $77 per person in Snowbird or $600 for 1-3 people in Jackson Hole

Guided Backcountry Tours – from $500 per person in Snowbird or $753 in Niseko


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Healthcare and Safety


Trust us, you don’t want to cheap out on travel insurance. There’s nothing worse than being in a foreign country with an injury and looking at the hospital bill thinking, ‘how am I ever going to pay for this?’ Don’t make that mistake on this trip.

If you’re an American looking to hop over and shred some JaPow with your family this winter, you’ll be looking at around $480 to $500 USD for a comprehensive travel insurance package for your family, including coverage for action and snow sports.

Alternatively, a trip to Australia’s alpine ranges will cost you around $414.

Travel insurance from Australia to Japan – Based on 4 passengers, 2 adults, 2 children for a 5-day stay with snow sports included starts from $242.65 AUD with a $200 excess.

If you don’t have travel insurance and have a fall while riding in Niseko, you could face costs of either ¥17,600, ¥33,000, or ¥44,000 depending on the severity of the injury, with additional costs for X-rays and more detailed consultations.


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Feeling hyped on a Japan trip? Save a few dollars on baggage fees by packing light and renting with us. Annnnnndddddddd if you book now, you’ll score 20% off your rentals!