Las Vegas, Nevada — The closest ski resort to Las Vegas sees two affordability crises in its backyard. The first is in its local community, as Las Vegas’ tourism numbers are down notably this year, partially due to the hidden costs of taking a vacation in Vegas. Then there are the expenses in the ski industry, where lift tickets at some mountains are now surpassing $300. In response, Lee Canyon is charting a different path.
This week, Lee Canyon announced that it’s offering lift tickets for as low as $7. These ticket prices come with $10 of curdoroy cash, which can be used around the ski resort. Peak period dates are also affordable purchases if you buy soon, currently only costing $35 for lift tickets and $19 for rentals.
Recently, Las Vegas has been making negative headlines due to a decline in tourist figures. A significant reason for this is visitors’ frustration over hotels charging for parking, resort fees, and other additional expenses. Lee Canyon’s move serves as a reminder for locals and tourists that there are still affordable things to do there that don’t require paying excessive fees.
“People shouldn’t have to spend a fortune to be in the mountains,” said Josh Bean, the general manager of Lee Canyon. “As prices in Las Vegas continue to rise, Lee Canyon is making outdoor recreation more affordable. We want to share our passion with the next generation of skiers and snowboarders.”
For years, the ski industry has also taken flak for not being affordable. While there have been decent recent strides on this front, including from Mountain Capital Partners (which owns Lee Canyon), ski resorts still make headlines for expensive day-of ticket prices. According to the Storm Skiing Journal, the most eye-popping lift ticket day totals for this upcoming season include $356 at Beaver Creek and Vail, and $329 at Deer Valley for peak dates this winter.
“Skiing and snowboarding should be attainable, not exclusive,” said Bean. “It’s why we say, Lee Canyon gives people the freedom to ski. For us, accessibility is a business decision to grow the sport and strengthen our community.”
About Lee Canyon
While it’s only an hour outside of Las Vegas, Lee Canyon feels like a world away from Sin City. Its snowy and mountainous environment offers a stark contrast to the glitz and glamour in the desert city.
Lee Canyon was acquired by Mountain Capital Partners in 2023, which has doubled down on investments and affordability. $17 million has been spent since 2019, which includes a new terrain expansion, two new lifts, more parking, and snowmaking upgrades. Last winter, Lee Canyon opened for the season on November 2nd, which was its earliest opening in 13 years.
Summer is also a busy time for the ski resort, as it allows Vegas residents to escape the heat. The summer activities there include lift-serviced mountain biking, hiking, and disc golf. Lee Canyon remains open daily until late October from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Image Credits: Lee Canyon
