Beginner snowboarder Brodie Forsyth waxes his snowboard at Boarderline Skateshop on Feb. 27.
Inflation has affected every aspect of the economy over the past few years. However, lift tickets sold at ski resorts in Canada have soared to prices higher than what can be justified by inflation.
Over the past five years, ski lift ticket prices have skyrocketed, potentially making things harder for the rest of the ski and snow business. Even smaller resorts, such as Castle Mountain have seen prices nearly double in the past decade. Castle Mountain’s single day adult lift tickets have gone from $100 in 2021 to $140 in 2024. This hike is far above the inflation rate, because if $100 in 2021 was adjusted for 16.71 per-cent inflation, in 2025 it should still only cost $116.
Ian Gauthier The owner of Lethbridge’s Boarderline Skate & Snow, says these price hikes haven’t yet led to committed riders giving up the board, but it has led to less people getting into snowboarding in the first place.
“To get new members into snowboarding and stuff like that the day-to-day lift prices are definitely out of control,” said Gauthier.
While these prices may not be on par with inflation, there are other factors to consider. Ski resorts such as Castle Mountain have been affected by climate change, which has brought shorter winters and therefore less total tickets sold. Last year Castle Mountain recorded their lowest amount of snowfall in the past decade. Due to this loss of business, resorts have had to come up with new ways of making profits, which includes higher ticket prices.
Price hikes on single day tickets may be an effort to push consumers to buy seasons passes, which have more perceived value when single day tickets are higher. Also, once a seasons pass is sold, the resort is guaranteed that amount of money no matter how conditions are during the season. Riders who get out to the hill often may have no issue with this, but for beginner riders, a season’s pass can be hard to stomach as a lift ticket above $100 can seem unaffordable. Beginner snowboarder Brodie Forsyth says as a skateboarder he was unable to comprehend the price of lift tickets when skateparks are free.
“As a skateboarder, when skateparks are free, I do think they (lift-tickets) are too expensive,” shared Forsyth.
Free snowboard facilities may seem unrealistic, but it turns out Lethbridge may be closer to cost effective riding than we think. Gauthier shared Boarderline is working alongside the city to bring a free to ride snowboard park to Lethbridge’s Legacy Park.
“We’re working with the city and other groups to try and bring snowboarding to Lethbridge that’s free and accessible for everybody in the community,” said Gauthier.
There are no concrete plans for the park yet, but Gauthier is hopeful the facility will be in place by December 2025. He encourages those who feel they would benefit from free riding in the city to contact the City of Lethbridge’s recreation department.
