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  4. I paid over $1,200 for one weekend of skiing — nearly the same cost as my rent. Take a closer look at how expensive the sport really is.

I paid over $1,200 for one weekend of skiing nearly the same cost as my rent. Take a closer look at how expensive the sport really is.

I paid over $1,200 for one weekend of skiing — nearly the same cost as my rent. Take a closer look at how expensive the sport really is.
Between food, ski costs, and lodging, Insider's reporter spent $1,200 on two days of skiing.Monica Humphries/Insider
  • In mid-January, I went to the Winter Park Ski Resort in Colorado for a weekend.
  • I spent two days skiing and snowboarding, and the one-night trip cost $1,219.

Travelers often expect to pay hefty prices in ritzy ski towns like Aspen, Colorado, and Courchevel, France — two ski resorts known for luxury and their celebrity clientele.

Travelers often expect to pay hefty prices in ritzy ski towns like Aspen, Colorado, and Courchevel, France — two ski resorts known for luxury and their celebrity clientele.
A view of Aspen, Colorado.      bluefootage/Getty Images

But even beyond ski resorts beloved by the ultra-rich, the high price of skiing or snowboarding can cause a double take. I learned that the hard way on a recent trip to Winter Park, Colorado.

But even beyond ski resorts beloved by the ultra-rich, the high price of skiing or snowboarding can cause a double take. I learned that the hard way on a recent trip to Winter Park, Colorado.
The author on a gondola at the Winter Park Resort in Colorado.      Katie Sproles

Winter Park is home to 3,000 acres of skiable terrain. It's also been named the best ski resort in both Colorado and North America, according to Colorado's 5280 Magazine and USA Today, respectively.

Winter Park is home to 3,000 acres of skiable terrain. It
Winter Park Resort's village and ski slopes.      Monica Humphries/Insider

And outlets like Planet Ware and Sky-Hi News have previously ranked Winter Park as one of the most affordable resorts in Colorado.

And outlets like Planet Ware and Sky-Hi News have previously ranked Winter Park as one of the most affordable resorts in Colorado.
An area in the Winter Park Village.      Monica Humphries/Insider

But from lifts to lessons and lodging, I thought that was far from the truth. A one-night, two-day trip in mid-January cost me $1,219.26.

But from lifts to lessons and lodging, I thought that was far from the truth. A one-night, two-day trip in mid-January cost me $1,219.26.
Snowboarders and skiers walking into the Winter Park Resort.      Monica Humphries/Insider

My first expense started with figuring out how to get to the ski resort from my home in Denver, Colorado.

My first expense started with figuring out how to get to the ski resort from my home in Denver, Colorado.
Traffic along Colorado's I-70 highway.      Andy Cross/The Denver Post/Getty Images

I've experienced the nightmare of ski traffic firsthand, so to minimize stress and soak in mountain views, I boarded Amtrak's Winter Park Express, a train that takes skiers on a direct two-hour ride from Denver to Winter Park.

I
The Amtrak Winter Park Express train in Winter Park, Colorado.      Monica Humphries/Insider

And while I successfully dodged bumper-to-bumper traffic, the round-trip ticket did dig into my budget with a cost of $118.

And while I successfully dodged bumper-to-bumper traffic, the round-trip ticket did dig into my budget with a cost of $118.
A screenshot of the author's booking on the Winter Park Express.      Amtrak

My next expense came when I disembarked in Winter Park un-caffeinated and hungry, and headed to the resort's Starbucks.

My next expense came when I disembarked in Winter Park un-caffeinated and hungry, and headed to the resort
A Starbucks sign in Winter Park, Colorado.      Monica Humphries/Insider

With nearly every breakfast item sold out, I ordered a toasted plain bagel and a coffee, which cost $12.31. Back in Denver, I pay $8.94 for the same order.

With nearly every breakfast item sold out, I ordered a toasted plain bagel and a coffee, which cost $12.31. Back in Denver, I pay $8.94 for the same order.
Side-by-side images of the same Starbucks order.      Monica Humphries/Insider/Starbucks

I soon realized that expensive food would be a theme throughout my trip. Later in the day, I stopped at Lime Cantina for lunch. Three mushroom street tacos and a tip cost $19.25.

I soon realized that expensive food would be a theme throughout my trip. Later in the day, I stopped at Lime Cantina for lunch. Three mushroom street tacos and a tip cost $19.25.
Three street tacos cost the author nearly $20.      Monica Humphries/Insider

My priciest meal came the next day at Winter Park's Derailer Bar. Here, I ordered an Impossible burger, which came out to $32.73. After the tip, I paid nearly $40 for the meal.

My priciest meal came the next day at Winter Park
The burger at the Derailer Bar in Winter Park cost the author nearly $40.      Monica Humphries/Insider

But a $40 burger was cheap in comparison to the actual price of skiing and snowboarding. Getting on the slopes was easily the most expensive part of my weekend.

But a $40 burger was cheap in comparison to the actual price of skiing and snowboarding. Getting on the slopes was easily the most expensive part of my weekend.
The author snowboarding at the Winter Park Resort.      Katie Sproles

I picked up gear at the resort's official rental shop where renting skis and snowboards cost the same. On my first day, I rented a snowboard and boots for $84, which included taxes and a $5 damage-protection fee.

I picked up gear at the resort
The ski and snowboard rental rates at Winter Park.      Monica Humphries/Insider

On my second day, I rented a pair of skis, ski boots, and poles. Helmets are included in rentals, but I brought my own. Together, two days of rentals cost $168.

On my second day, I rented a pair of skis, ski boots, and poles. Helmets are included in rentals, but I brought my own. Together, two days of rentals cost $168.
The author gets a pair of rental skis.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I also needed a lift ticket to get on the slopes. For the first day of my trip, I purchased a one-day lift ticket for $212. Lift tickets range from $113 to $239 depending on the day of the week and how far you purchase in advance, according to the resort's website.

I also needed a lift ticket to get on the slopes. For the first day of my trip, I purchased a one-day lift ticket for $212. Lift tickets range from $113 to $239 depending on the day of the week and how far you purchase in advance, according to the resort
A ski lift at the Winter Park Resort.      Monica Humphries/Insider

On the second day of my trip, I took a ski class. At Winter Park, beginners like me are required to buy a discounted lift ticket for $74 on top of the class, which cost $189. But after paying $212 for my lift ticket the day before, I thought $263 was a bargain for a lesson and another lift ticket.

On the second day of my trip, I took a ski class. At Winter Park, beginners like me are required to buy a discounted lift ticket for $74 on top of the class, which cost $189. But after paying $212 for my lift ticket the day before, I thought $263 was a bargain for a lesson and another lift ticket.
Instructors at the Winter Park Resort ski school.      Monica Humphries/Insider

A hotel room was my other major expense. Since I didn't have a car, I wanted to book a hotel along the resort's free bus route. I chose one of the few remaining hotels with vacancies, the Winter Park Mountain Lodge.

A hotel room was my other major expense. Since I didn
The Winter Park Mountain Lodge in Winter Park, Colorado.      Monica Humphries/Insider

One night in a room with two queen beds — the cheapest room available 10 days before my trip — cost $316 after taxes and fees.

One night in a room with two queen beds — the cheapest room available 10 days before my trip — cost $316 after taxes and fees.
A view of the author's room at the Winter Park Mountain Lodge.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Smaller expenses throughout the trip also added up. For example, I needed a locker on both days on the slopes, which cost a total of $18.

Smaller expenses throughout the trip also added up. For example, I needed a locker on both days on the slopes, which cost a total of $18.
The author's backpack in a locker at the Winter Park Resort.      Monica Humphries/Insider

By the time I left the resort, I spent almost as much as I do on monthly rent in Denver.

By the time I left the resort, I spent almost as much as I do on monthly rent in Denver.
The author back home in Denver, Colorado.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I admit I could've made smarter financial decisions. I should've packed a pb&j for lunch like I've done on other ski trips. And if I skipped the train and drove, I would've spent around $30 on gas instead of $118 on a train ticket.

I admit I could
The author eats a packed lunch on a different ski trip.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Even with those small changes, skiing is still an expensive hobby. But I also get the appeal. There's no other feeling like zooming down a mountain on a sunny day in beautiful Colorado.

Even with those small changes, skiing is still an expensive hobby. But I also get the appeal. There
The author on a snowboard in Winter Park, Colorado.      Monica Humphries/Insider

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