Bend still claims No. 2 ‘value ski destination’
TripAdvisor ® , the world’s largest travel site, announced Thursday its annual TripIndex Ski, a cost comparison of 25 popular ski destinations throughout the U.S. and Canada. And Bend is back in the almost-top spot, when it comes to bang for the buck.
While it revealed that on average, ski destinations in the West ($446) are 33 percent more expensive than Northeast slopes ($335), Bend was ranked No. 2 in all the land among “Best Value Ski Destinations,” just behind No. 1 Durango, Colo and ahead of Taos, N.M. Bend captured that same No. 2 ranking a year ago.
The TripIndex Ski takes into account the combined average cost of common ski trip expenses including a one-night hotel stay, a single-day lift ticket, a basic ski equipment rental package, and a meal at a local restaurant consisting of a burger and fries paired with a bottle of domestic beer.
Bend’s tally for that — $223.26.
“Outdoor adventurers flock to Bend for its dramatic terrain and flamboyant scenery,” the review states. “Nestled in the foothills of the majestic Cascades, Bend provides a natural playground for sporty travelers.
“Monolithic Mt. Bachelor offers up powdered slopes for skiers and snowboarders, while South Sister makes for a challenging summit climb. The mighty Deschutes River draws rafters, while mountain lakes provide serene surrounds for kayaking and canoeing. Hikers escape to miles of backcountry trails in the area. “
Top Spots to Splurge and Save
The 2013-2014 average cost of a North American ski trip is $422, up 3 percent year-over-year.
Vail, Colorado is the most expensive destination in this year’s TripIndex Ski at $784, 86 percent above the average.
Durango, Colorado offers travelers the most affordable ski trip ($214), coming in at roughly half the average TripIndex cost and less than one-third the cost of a ski trip in Vail.
Destinations with the Largest Year-Over-Year Price Decrease:
Kingfield, Maine (-14%)
Mont-Tremblant, Quebec (-11%)
Whistler, British Columbia (-6%)
Big Sky, Montana (-5%)
Taos, New Mexico (-4%)
Destinations with the Largest Year-Over-Year Price Increase:
Sun Valley, Idaho 1 (+ 40%)
Steamboat Springs, Colorado (+14%)
Lake Tahoe, California 1 (+13%)
Park City, Utah (+9%)
Whitefish, Montana (+8%)
Cross-country Costs
While the West is home to eight of the 10 priciest spots on the list of 25 ski destinations, travelers can also head towards the Pacific to save at the three least expensive destinations on the TripIndex: Durango, Colo. ($214); Bend, Ore. ($223); Taos, N.M. ($229).
Kingfield, Maine is the most affordable Northeast location for packing down the powder ($244), followed by North Conway, N.H. ($247) and Stowe, Vt. ($370).
Travelers crossing country borders will find little discernible difference between prices, as a Canadian ski trip averages only 1 percent more than in the United States. The most affordable Canadian destination is Banff, Alberta ($324), while Mont-Tremblant, Quebec is the costliest ($466).
“While ski trips in the Northeast tend to be more affordable than in the West, the TripIndex Ski identifies several West Coast destinations including Durango, Colorado and Bend, Oregon where travelers can shred and save,” said Brooke Ferencsik, director of communications for TripAdvisor.
TripIndex Best Value North American Ski Destinations
Destination
Hotel
Ski Gear Rental
Lift Ticket
Food
Beer
Total
1
$96.81
$28.33
$77.00
$8.98
$3.25
$214.37
2
$99.95
$29.67
$79.00
$10.97
$3.67
$223.26
3
$122.07
$28.00
$63.25
$11.00
$4.92
$229.24
4
$111.62
$34.00
$83.00
$11.31
$4.08
$244.01
5
$124.18
$26.65
$79.00
$10.33
$4.63
$244.79
6
$137.18
$33.33
$63.83
$9.23
$3.67
$247.24
7
$169.66
$29.00
$69.00
$10.25
$3.33
$281.24
8
$177.83
$39.65
$76.50
$13.65
$4.90
$312.53
9
$183.64
$43.65
$76.98
$13.85
$5.93
$324.05
10
$220.90
$36.00
$98.00
$11.90
$3.37
$370.17
TripIndex Most Expensive North American Ski Destinations
Destination
Hotel
Ski Gear Rental
Lift Ticket
Food
Beer
Total
1
$612.68
$43.32
$110.00
$13.32
$4.33
$783.65
2
$574.61
$48.97
$110.00
$11.86
$3.92
$749.36
3
$584.73
$34.33
$101.00
$11.67
$3.67
$735.40
4
$434.27
$42.33
$109.00
$12.00
$3.22
$600.82
5
$416.24
$32.65
$98.00
$9.15
$3.33
$559.37
6
$340.95
$34.98
$120.00
$11.23
$3.50
$510.66
7
$340.32
$33.73
$96.00
$14.08
$5.58
$489.71
8
$312.09
$36.32
$115.00
$11.15
$4.25
$478.81
9
$318.83
$47.18
$79.00
$14.99
$6.16
$466.16
10
$307.70
$35.33
$99.00
$10.83
$3.50
$456.36
The full 2013/2014 TripIndex is available at http://www.tripadvisor.com/InfoCenter-a_ctr.TripindexSki_US_2013
