Have ski, will travel: Cheapest $/set?

[andjules]

I'm finding that as I look at ski sites around the country/world, there's a pretty big range in cost-per-set at various ski schools/sites. It's not good or bad, just interesting; I thought other ballers might know of low-cost sites, and that a thread like this might be a good repository of that collective info.

 

Please share any sites you know of where a baller can show up (and/or make a reservation), lay down some modest $, and take a set in a slalom course, ideally on a private or semi-private site.

*disclaimer: this thread is driven by curiosity re: cost/set at pay-to-ski sites/clubs in different parts of the country/world. It is not a comment on the well-worth-it value of an expensive session with a top coach; it also purposely overlooks the common practice of reaching out to fellow ballers for an informal pull at a private site when travelling.

 

Low-cost locations I've found on the web:

Swerve Watersports | between Chattanooga & Nashville, Tennessee | $25/set ($35/coached set)

Lapoint Ski Park | Orlando, Fl | $30/set (not coached)

TE Wake 'n Ski | outside Bangkok, Thailand | 1100baht/set (approx US $31)

Ski Clube Quinta Grande | outside Lisbon, Portugal | €32/set (approx US $37)

Sesena Waterski & Wakeboard Complex | outside Madrid, Spain | €38/set (approx US $43)

 

A few more (some from other posts below):

Entre Dos Aguas | Outside Acapulco, Mexico | $25/set

Waterski Italy | Ravenna, Italy | €42/set (coach + driver, approx US $48)

McGinnis | Fort Lauderdale, Fl | $50/set

Passage | Poros Island, Greece | €40/set (approx US $45)

Pangaea Puddle | Canjoharie, NY | $30/set

 

While hard prices for a drop-in set aren't always easy to find online, as per a few posts below (thanks @gsm_peter) Europe seems to have several sites well under US $50/set, with some much, much lower than that. Greece, Spain, Poland, Sweden, Ukraine, Hungary, etc.

[Horton]

A set at the BallOfSpray Intergalactic HQ will cost you a six pack of good IPA

[Garn]

The $30 for a walk-in set at LaPoint's still stands. I flew into Orlando last Tuesday and just drove to LaPoints because I wanted to ski on my brand-new ski and boots at least once before going to Rini's the next day for coaching. They were happy to pull me and they charged me $30 for the set. By the way, shortest set-up I've ever been in at LaPoints.

[skidawg]

I also charge a 6 pack of good craft IPA/porter/stout; but instead of constant confusion and ridicule like @Horton gives, I will actually teach you something about skiing!

[Horton]

@skidawg Ridicule? Maybe. Confusion? No. I am extremely clear and succinct with my ridicule and abuse.

[andjules]

McGinnis is $50/set, pretty good for South Florida. My brother & I would buy a 1hr "card" for $185 and usually get 5 sets out of it ($37/set)

[savaiusini]

Kauai Waterski: $90/half our of boat time or $175/hour

[andjules]

@savaiusini not cheap unless you have multiple skiers or incredible endurance, but a great location. Did a wakeboard set there around 2007-8. However, I don't recall a course; am I mistaken?

[Rpc29]

If you come to Utah I'll pull you for $10 a set. I've had great luck dropping in on people in both Idaho/Montana and getting great skiing at reasonable prices.

[Chef23]

@Garn you have been blessed in the sites that you ski if Lapoint's is the shortest setup you have ever skied. It is longer than one end of my home site and we have at least 2 tournament sites in New England that are shorter.

 

Pangaea Puddle in Canajoharie NY is $30 or $35 a set (I believe that is accurate I haven't been there in a year). You should probably check first but the owner is around a lot in the summer as he is a school teacher.

[gsm_peter]

Many clubs in Sweden are cheap.

From 12 usd per set.

From type 65 usd for one year membership with unlimited skiing with own gas.

So membership pays off at type 10 sets...

 

There are clubs in Poland that charge about 15 usd per set.

 

Will travel to Paris Gravon soon.

They charge 35 usd per set when buy 9 sets.

[The_MS]

Sweetwater IPA works as good or better then cash if you come to Minnesota and ski with me.

[Thomas_Gustafson]

Waterski ITALY www.waterskiitaly.com €42 per set ($46) with coach and boat driver which most of the prices you get are only with one person in the boat who drives and coaches (if coaching is included) So very good value for the money.

 

[Horton]

This Thread just makes me so angry about how much I spent to ski

[pvysohlid]

Entre Dos Aguas in Mexico is charging $25 per set

[Chef23]

@Horton I bought a house on a lake and a boat. Most of us that ski regularly have spent a lot of money.

[savaiusini]

@andjules Correct, not cheap, but nothing is cheap in Hawaii. Sadly there is no longer a course on the Wailua River. Still a great time if you have a couple people.

[xrated]

well that screws us locals who wonder your way @MS!!

[The_MS]

@xrated I would settle for a growler of IPA from the local brewery (Forerger) in roch.

[OTF]

A bottle of whiskey will score you a couple sets with this guy.

[Bill22]

If I knew a private lake that was only $20/set for visitors, I probably won't tell you.

[aupatking]

Bell Acqua in Sacramento charged me $40. Well worth it. World class, beautiful site. I think it was an extra $10 if you used their onsite driver, I did once, got lucky the second time and a member, and hell of a skier, pulled and coached me, no charge (no driver charge). Still paid the set fee.

I owe @Horton a six pack for my trip to Bako.

[xrated]

One bottle of Old Crow or Granddad showing up @OTF door step next time I head down!

[RichardDoane]

no fancy, keep you from running -39 IPA needed to ski at the Broho, just gas $ and lite beer works just fine if you're in the Seattle area

[Chef23]

I think there is a difference between getting a set in with someone when you are traveling somewhere and a business where you can be a regular skier for a fee. I will always try to take someone skiing who is in the area for vacation, work or a short period of time. Generally if you are just in the area I will pull you for free. I am not able to regularly take people to ski for a fee. Unfortunately I have limited time and given public water access to calm water to add people to my regular rotation. That may sound selfish but I have a family I need to spend time with in addition to satisfying my desire to ski.

[Wish]

Keep your eye on Orlando Waterspots Complex. Wade is ramping things up and the previous no coach rates were dirt cheap with options to rent a 200 (with driver) by the hour, half or whole day. Split among some friends that could be cheap.

[jimbrake]

@aupatking - just a clarification for this year at Bell Acqua (Lake 1). The usual $30 guest fee (for the day, not per set) plus $15/set, so $45 total. CC 200 and ZO. We are supposed to have a driver/coach this year, but not sure what extra cost for driving/coaching on top of the $45. You're right though, if you wander up and it's not too crowded, a member (such as myself) will pull you for the $45 with no added driver/coach fee.

[6balls]

Yah any ballers passing thru from a distance it's free...you would be my guest(s). Stick around for a while and we can split gas.

[jetpilotg4]

@6balls where exactly are ya ? Flying into Anoka county airport on thursday .....

[wtrskior]

Great thread! McClintocks ski school in Cambridge Ontario Canada run by Jason McClintock. Uncoached set CAD $50 (~40 usd) lots of other options available.

 

http://mcclintocks.com/skischool/rates/

[6balls]

@jetpilotg4 we are 60 minutes west of the western suburbs...you would probably be looking at close to 2 hours one way. If anyone at Trophy Lake Estates in Center City is available that would be convenient for you. @gjohnson ?

 

[jetpilotg4]

Thanks , i was looking at the weather up in your parts , whens the thermometer get in the 80s up there ? Or better yet wheres your water temp at ?

[Texas6]

I've pulled several Ballers in Houston, and I've had several Ballers take care of me while on business travel in other states and countries. I always try and bring beer and give gas money at a minimum. This is an amazing network of unselfish people who share the same passion and a familiar backyard; its powerful if we take care of those who take care of us. One of the coolest things about skiers is that most all enjoy meeting and supporting others that appreciate the sport; and there is a kindred understanding there, so long as it isn't abused

[6balls]

@jetpilotg4 water temp 55 today

[thager]

80 degrees? Here? Maybe August!

[lpskier]

As noted, LaPoints is $30 for a pull. A coached set is $60 with Jennifer or Kris. You can also arrange to demo a T3. #iskiconnelly

[Ed_Johnson]

@savaiusini ... I was the one who had the course on the Wailua River and I left it in place when I left there some years a go. Unfortunately, it seems no one wanted to maintain it, which is a real shame. It was a great place to ski. Even had Christy Brinkly come ski it with us when she lived there.

 

 

[BCskiier]

@Ed_Johnson - Great memories in the Wailua river 4 ball course. Having to float under the bridge almost to the ocean breakwater to get enough lead in to the gates.

Unfortunately- the river has gotten really busy with kayakers and tour boats recently- especially over the Christmas holidays. But still a great place to free ski with Ken.

Just missed skiing with Marcus Brown and his crew this winter.

[LiquidZone]

 

Liquid Zone is $30.00 a Ride for Guests www.skiliquidzone.com

[Ed_Johnson]

@BCskiier ... If there were no Tourists on Kauai, it would be the greatest place to live you could find. Back in 98 they extended the length of the Runway and allowed direct flights from the mainland. The tourist population doubled. It was one of the main reasons we left.

[crashman]

Earlier this spring I skied with @Sethski for $45 a set. It was a "non-coached" set... except Seth was the driver and threw out some great advice even though he insisted on not charging me for the coaching since he was driving. Plus he let my 10-year-old ride along who is now entirely pumped about skiing this year.

[rodltg2]

@skitractor cool shot ! I drive by there almost everyday to/from Roseville.

[Sethski]

Thanks @crashman. Would love to have you back. In general we aren't the cheapest per set but would

Love to have anyone who wants a quality ski ride or coached set. We charge $45 for a ride, $70 for a staff coached set, and $80 for me coaching a set. I wish we could do it for less, but that's what we have to charge.

[Razorskier1]

I'll give you a pull anytime I'm free for a cold beer or a little gas money.

[Wish]

@Razorskier1 sad that I have not taken advantage of that offer...yet..

[Razorskier1]

Heck -- I'll even put a keg in the kegerator and make up a bed for you @Wish !

[T-fromTO]

I am starting up a ski club on a private lake near Niagara Falls. We plan on charging $45/set (Canadian). Any Western New York peeps are welcome to join us!

[Chef23]

@T-fromTO how far from Buffalo? I get to Buffalo a lot.

[T-fromTO]

@Chef23 About 30-40 minutes from Buffalo. The site is in Port Colborne Ontario.

[Bdecker]

@T-fromTO any specifics on your site? Hours etc? I'm in Oakville pretty regularly, and Buffalo occasionally too.