Is Skiing Worth It Anymore In New York?

Snow sports are some of the best things about winter. Some would argue that they're the only thing that makes winter good.  But are they worth it anymore?

When we were kids, our school used to take kids in the ski club to the slopes every week by the busload.   I was so jealous because I couldn't ever do it.  It always seemed so fun but we couldn't ever afford it.

When I was growing up, I actually went to work at the ski resort where all those kids were going.  I eventually got a heavily discounted season pass as an employee and I would go as often as I could.  I fell in love with it.  Even into my college years I went to work at a local ski rental shop.

But is it worth it to try to go these days?  How can someone who isn't an employee afford it?

Prices are pretty crazy.  If you haven't seen this article on the price of season passes in New York, you should check it out.  For an unlimited pass (day or night skiing) for an adult, most season passes range anywhere from over $300 to around $1500.  Then you have to consider buying boots, skis, and poles or renting them.  If you rent, those costs can add up if you don't get a full seasonal rental.

Granted, you don't need to pay for the entire season to enjoy a day out on the slopes.  The resorts often offer single-day or just a couple of days' worth of tickets.

It just never feels like there's enough time to go these days, and when there is time, is the weather going to be good enough for good skiing?  We still get blizzards in New York but it feels like a few days later the weather warms up and we get rain.  If you've ever skied, you know that that's not a good combination.  You need a couple of really cold days in a row to get a good base on the hill.

What do you think?  Have you found a way to make it worth it to continue skiing year after year in New York?