Just one to add, many of the resorts offer multi-day or once-a-week passes where you can go during off peak without spending quite as much as the season pass. It’s a great option if you have a fairly set schedule. I’ll be taking the kids this year to gauge their interest and see if they want it to be a regular activity. If they love it, we’ll get all the gear after the season is over; if not, I’ll be getting some sweet new boots.

I’ve bought a lot of things at postal auctions where the address was unreadable. Once I bought 6 five piece sets of leather luggage for $20 each and resold them in the classifieds for $150 each. Bought 100 “Rambo” knives for $2 and sold them for $10. You can make some money if you’re willing to put in the work. There wasn’t any ski equipment at the auctions I attended, but I bet there probably is at the “dead letter branches” of the post office in ski areas.

Craigslist is the easiest way to save money on lift tickets. Bringing food and gorging on fast food beforehand is a good idea. But skiing really is a luxury activity that’s hard to save money.