The lift pass is one of the biggest fixed costs of any ski trip, and it is easy to pay for more than you need. These tips can help you buy the right pass at the right price. Pass types and discounts differ between resorts, so always check the official lift company website for your resort.
Why it matters: the Post Office Travel Money Ski Report 2026 counts a six-day lift pass as one of the core costs of a ski week, alongside hire, lessons and food on the slopes. Choosing the right pass is one of the few big costs you control before you leave home. Prices change every season, so check current figures for your dates.
Ski pass types compared
| Pass type | Who it suits | Things to check |
|---|---|---|
| Full linked-area pass | Confident intermediates and above who will ski most of the area | Whether you will really use the far side of the area |
| Local or sector pass | Beginners, families and anyone staying in one valley | What it covers and whether you can upgrade for a day |
| Beginner pass or free lifts | First-timers and young children | Which lifts and slopes are included |
| Family pass | Two adults with children, or groups of four or more | Minimum group size and proof of age |
| Short, half-day or non-consecutive pass | Rest days, arrival and departure days, mixed groups | Rules on which days can be used |
| Package or bundled pass | Package holidays and hotel deals | Which pass is included, and whether it is the full area |
Buy online and in advance
Many lift companies now sell passes online, and some offer lower prices for booking ahead or for buying online rather than at the ticket office. It can also save time queuing on your first morning.
For example, Grandvalira in Andorra says buying a day pass online in advance can save up to 15%. Read the terms before you pay, as some early-purchase prices are non-refundable or tied to fixed dates. If you are not sure of your plans, compare the saving with the flexibility you give up.
Only pay for the area you will use
Big linked areas often sell a cheaper local pass that covers one resort or valley. If you are a beginner or an early intermediate, you may not use the full area at all. Some resorts also sell beginner passes that cover only the easy lifts.
Some real examples from the resorts in our country guides:
- La Plagne, France: La Plagne sells a La Plagne pass as well as the full Paradiski pass, plus a cheaper Cool Ski pass for the beginner areas only and village passes for Champagny-en-Vanoise, Montalbert and Montchavin-les Coches. It also lists 16 beginner lifts that are free to use without a pass, and a one-day Paradiski Extension if you want to try the wider area once. See our France guide.
- Les Deux Alpes, France: the resort has three free lifts on the lower slopes for beginners. See Les Deux Alpes in our France guide.
- Serre Chevalier, France: the resort has sold a cheaper six-day pass for the Monêtier sector only, a Family Pass for groups of four or more, and free passes for under-sixes and over-75s. Check the current terms for the season you are going.
- Via Lattea, Italy: if you will stay on one side of the Vialattea, compare a local pass with the full area pass. See our Italy guide.
- Andorra: one Grandvalira Resorts pass can cover Grandvalira, Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís, according to Grandvalira Resorts. That is good value if you want variety, but you may not need it if you will stay in one area. Grandvalira also sells a beginner pass that covers the lifts in the beginner areas of all its sectors. See our Andorra guide.
As a rule of thumb, beginners can often spend the first two or three days on nursery slopes and easy lifts, then buy a wider pass once they are ready. Ask the ski school what your lessons will cover before you buy.
Check the age bands
Children, teenagers, students and seniors often get reduced prices, and very young children may ski free. The age limits vary, and you may need ID to prove age, so check before you go.
In some resorts, age bands are based on the date of birth on a set day in the season, not on the day you ski. A child who has just had a birthday may move into a dearer band, or an older parent may just qualify for a senior price. Bring passports or ID cards for everyone, as ticket offices may ask for them.
Look for family and group deals
Some resorts offer family passes or discounts for groups. Compare these with buying individual passes, as they are not always cheaper.
Family passes often need a minimum number of people, or at least one child, and everyone may have to buy the same length of pass. If one adult in your group does not ski every day, individual passes might work out cheaper. Our half-term guide has more ways to cut family costs.
Think about how many days you will ski
A six-day pass is standard for a week, but if you are a beginner, have young children or want a rest day, a shorter pass or a pass for non-consecutive days may be better value. Half-day passes can work well for your arrival or departure day.
Work it out before you buy. Multi-day passes usually cost less per day than single days, so a six-day pass can still win even if you skip a day. But if you know you will only ski four days, a four-day or flexible pass may save money.
Choose a cheaper resort or country
The biggest saving often comes from where you ski. The Post Office Travel Money Ski Report 2026 found that Italian and Bulgarian resorts topped the value rankings, while Swiss and Austrian resorts were the most expensive, at or around double the cost of the cheapest. Our cheapest ski countries guide and our Italy, Bulgaria, Andorra and France guides go into more detail.
Avoid the busiest weeks
Some resorts charge more for passes in peak weeks, and even where the price is the same, crowded slopes mean less skiing for your money. If you can, ski in January or late March rather than at Christmas, New Year or February half-term.
Some resorts discount the very start and end of the season. La Plagne, for example, says its early and late-season passes (the week before the Christmas break and the last week of the season in April) are 15% cheaper than the rest of the winter. Snow can be less reliable at those times, so a higher resort is a safer bet.
Do not pay twice for insurance
Some resorts sell optional insurance with the pass, such as Carré Neige in France. Check what your travel insurance already covers before adding it, but make sure you have cover for mountain rescue.
Keep your pass card
Some resorts charge a small deposit for the reusable card, which you can get back or reload next time. Keep it safe.
Do packages include passes?
Some package holidays include or discount lift passes. When you compare a package with booking separately, make sure you are comparing the same thing.
Check whether a package pass is for the full area or a local one, how many days it covers, and whether you can upgrade it in resort. A cheaper package with a local pass may suit beginners well, but confident skiers may end up paying again to upgrade.
Ski pass checklist
- Decide how many days each person will really ski
- Match the pass area to your ability, not the biggest number on the map
- Check age bands and bring ID for everyone
- Compare family, group and individual prices
- Look for online and advance prices, and read the refund terms
- Check what your travel insurance covers before adding pass insurance
- Keep the pass card for refunds or reloads
Ski pass FAQs
Is it cheaper to buy a ski pass online?
Often, yes. Some lift companies offer lower prices online or in advance. Grandvalira, for example, says buying a day pass online in advance can save up to 15%. Always compare with the ticket office price and read the terms.
Do beginners need a full ski pass?
Usually not for the first few days. Many resorts have beginner passes or free lifts on the nursery slopes. Ask your ski school what you will need.
Do young children ski free?
In many resorts very young children get a free or heavily discounted pass, but the age limit varies. Check the official lift company website and bring proof of age.
Should I buy lift pass insurance?
Check your travel insurance first. If it already covers winter sports and mountain rescue, you may not need extra cover sold with the pass.
Sources
- Post Office Travel Money Ski Report 2026 (last updated 18 December 2025)
- Grandvalira ski passes
- La Plagne ski passes
- Les 2 Alpes press information
- Serre Chevalier
- Vialattea
- Grandvalira Resorts
More money-saving ideas: what to do in resort and packing on a budget.
