You start planning a ski trip and there's one word that keeps coming up: lift pass. Everyone recommends buying it in advance, compares prices between resorts, or talks about one-day, two-day or multi-day passes. But when it's time to actually buy one, it's normal to ask yourself: what exactly am I paying for? The lift pass usually makes up a significant part of a snow trip's budget, so choosing the right one not only saves money, it also stops you paying for something you don't need. Let's answer the most common questions.
Many people confuse the lift pass with a ticket to ski. In reality, the lift pass is what gives you access to a resort's mechanical lifts: chairlifts, gondolas, drag lifts and moving carpets. You're not paying to ski down a run, you're paying to be able to go up as many times as you want for as long as your pass lasts. Without it, you could only go down the mountain once, and only if you'd hiked up under your own steam.
In practice, almost every resort manages this with an RFID card: you carry it in your jacket pocket and the gates detect it automatically at each lift, without you needing to take it out.
The lift pass gives you access to the open runs and lifts for the period you've bought. What it usually doesn't include, and what a lot of people assume it does, is:
Keep this in mind when working out your total trip budget: the lift pass is only one part of the cost.
Each resort has its own rates, but almost all of them offer similar types:
On top of this, there are almost always special rates for children, young people, large families or seniors, so it's worth checking the discounts before you buy.
If you're... | The most common choice is |
|---|---|
Trying skiing for the first time | Beginner pass |
Skiing for one day | 1-day pass |
Spending a weekend | 2-day pass |
Skiing the whole season | Season pass |
If you're not sure, the school where you book your lessons can also advise you on which type suits what you've booked. You can also ask at the resort's own ticket offices; explain your situation and they'll recommend the best option for you.
It depends on the resort, the time of year, the skier's age, the number of days and whether you buy online or at the ticket office. As a rough guide, a one-day adult pass usually costs between €45 and €75 at most Spanish resorts, with the larger ones getting closer to the top end in peak season. Always check the updated price on the official website before travelling, since it tends to rise every season.
Now all that's left is the other half of the plan: the lesson. On SnowTeach you can compare ski and snowboard schools, see real availability and book online.
