The beginning of December is here, which means the beginning of ski season has arrived as well.

Skiing and snowboarding can often come with a price, and a very expensive one at that. Costs include a lift ticket along with ski and board rentals. Students can find great discounts on both of these things if they look hard enough.

Snowbasin ski day

Snowbasin offers a Weber State ski day on Jan. 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Normally adult lift tickets cost $89. With a WSU ID, students can get a lift ticket for $55. For $65 students can get both rentals and a lift ticket.

This is a great way to get students on the slopes without breaking their bank. These prices are considerably less than a regular lift ticket. Rentals normally cost $42, bringing the total of both the lift ticket and rentals to $131 on a regular day.

WSU rental program

WSU’s Outdoor Recreation rental center offers students an inexpensive way  to get out and enjoy winter activities throughout the season. With a Wildcard, students can rent boots, poles and skis for $14 a day.

This is almost half the cost of renting from resorts.

Discounted seasons passes

Most resorts offer discounted seasons passes to college students. This year Alta offers a student season pass for $599, compared with the regular adult pass at $999. The Canyons offers a season pass to students for $399. The regular price for adult pass is $729.

These discounts of 40-45 percent make a season much more affordable.

Second Track sports

When looking to buy skis or a snowboard, you want your purchase to be well worth your expenditure.

The other day I was in Second Tracks, a sporting goods store at the base of the canyon across from Smith’s Marketplace. I found a board, boots and bindings for $230. This price blew me away.

Students can get screaming deals on equipment if they just put some time and effort into looking at secondhand stores as well.