DAVIS, W.Va. — Timberline Mountain in West Virginia has been ranked among the 10 most affordable ski destinations in the United States for the 2026–27 winter season, according to a national study of lodging and lift ticket prices.
The Tucker County resort placed ninth among 100 destinations evaluated in HomeToGo’s 2026–27 Ski Season Report, released October 30. The vacation rental booking and comparison company estimated a combined cost of $176.43 per person for one night’s lodging and a day of skiing.
Snowshoe Mountain Resort in Pocahontas County ranked 39th for affordability. Both resorts also appeared in a separate ranking that considered the extent of their ski slopes.
“Ski trips can vary in cost dramatically, making in-depth destination research a key part of planning a more affordable winter getaway,” said Eleanor Moody, a HomeToGo spokesperson and travel expert.
Timberline ranks ninth for affordability
The company estimated lodging near Timberline at $72.43 per person per night and a daily lift ticket at $104. Its combined cost placed the resort between Wolf Creek Ski Area in Colorado, at $174.32, and Purgatory Resort, also in Colorado, at $176.95.
Brian Head Resort in Utah ranked first for affordability at $138.92, followed by Mount Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park in Washington at $139.53 and Arizona Snowbowl at $157.16.
Timberline is located in the Canaan Valley region of the Allegheny Mountains, near Davis and Thomas. The resort operates 22 trails and two terrain parks, served by chairlifts and beginner conveyor lifts, according to Timberline Mountain.
The surrounding region includes Canaan Valley Resort State Park and White Grass Ski Touring Center, which offers cross-country skiing. Visitors can find additional winter recreation destinations in West Virginia Explorer’s guide to attractions near Timberline.
Snowshoe ranked 58th for overall value, compared with Timberline’s 55th-place finish. HomeToGo calculates affordability using lodging and lift ticket costs, while its value ranking also considers the amount of skiing available.
Both resorts are featured in West Virginia Explorer’s skiing guide, which covers downhill and cross-country destinations in the state.
Ski vacation costs vary widely
Across the 100 destinations studied, HomeToGo reported an average median nightly accommodation cost of $136 per person and an average daily lift ticket price of $149.
Aspen Mountain in Colorado was the most expensive destination, with an estimated combined cost of $819, compared with $138.92 at Brian Head Resort in Utah.
Colorado accounted for eight of the 10 most expensive destinations, although three of its resorts also placed among the five highest-ranked for overall value.
The report follows a separate HomeToGo survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted in November 2025, in which 52 percent identified price as a top priority when choosing a vacation destination. Respondents could select multiple answers.
The company based its lodging estimates on median nightly prices per person for vacation accommodations available through its marketplace near each resort. Its rankings do not include transportation, meals, equipment rentals, lessons, or other expenses, and actual prices may vary by date and availability.
Snowshoe plans to open November 25, weather permitting, with its Silver Creek area scheduled to open December 18. Timberline has a projected December 4 opening date, according to OnTheSnow, but the resort has not confirmed it.
HomeToGo’s complete affordability rankings and value rankings are available online.
Timberline Mountain rebuilt after bankruptcy
Timberline Mountain’s national affordability ranking follows a major rebuilding of the Tucker County ski area after financial and operational problems forced its closure in February 2019.
The former Timberline Four-Seasons Resort filed for bankruptcy protection that April and was purchased later that year for $2.2 million by the owners of Perfect North Slopes, an Indiana ski resort. The new owners undertook extensive renovations, replacing aging lifts, upgrading snowmaking equipment, and improving the base lodge.
The resort reopened December 18, 2020, as Timberline Mountain after an investment the state estimated at $16 million. Improvements included West Virginia’s first high-speed six-passenger chairlift, a new four-passenger lift, expanded snowmaking, and redesigned beginner terrain.
The six-passenger lift cut the ride to the summit to under five minutes. Timberline now offers 1,000 feet of vertical drop, with its longest trail, Salamander, extending approximately two miles.