Back in 1979 the average pair of skis cost $150, the average adult day ticket was just $14, and a private lesson at Aspen Mountain with TJ Burke was a steal– $33.
Related: The 10 Most Expensive Lift Tickets In The USA
Times were good and ironically speaking, the golden age of skiing was unbelievably cheap, especially when compared to today’s costly figures. This article published back in 1979 by the Chicago Tribune seems to highlight the evolution of pricing and inflation especially well.
“Skiing costs, like everything, are going up. The history making $15 lift ticket introduced at several Rocky Mountain resorts last season now costs $16 with the daily average adult lift ticket priced around $14” – Chicago Tribune’s ‘Ski Preview,’ October 24, 1979
Today Vail leads the league in lift ticket pricing with a single day at either Beaver Creek or the flagship ski area going for a whopping $175 per day. Sure makes you appreciate the good ole days, doesn’t it?
Single Day Lift Ticket Prices Then Vs. Now | 1979-2017
Aspen: (1979) – $16 | (2016) – $149
Alta: (1979) – $8 | (2017) – $96
Arapahoe Basin: (1979) – $13 | (2017) – $94
Vail: (1979) – $10 | (2016) – $175
Squaw Valley: (1979) – $16 | (2017) – $124
Kirkwood: (1979 – $15 | (2017) – $114
Other notable price comparisons:
Skis: $150 (1979) vs $700 (2017)
Boots: $180 (1979) vs. $800 (2017)
Bindings: $100 (1979) vs. $200 (2017)
Ski Poles: $20 (1979) vs. $45 (2017)
Ski Bibs: $39 (1979) vs. $200 (2017)
Single night stay in Aspen: $68 (1979) vs. $300 (2017)
*2017 figures are the rough average of three industry leading brands and their flagship offerings
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