12 ways to avoid lift lines this ski season

Pick the day first. A Tuesday at a big mountain usually beats a Saturday at a small one. Use the 7-day forecast to find the quiet days.
Arrive before the lifts open. The first hour is the shortest-line, best-snow window of the day. Be booted up in the lot 30 minutes early.
Ski through lunch. Lines drop between about 11:30 and 1. Eat early or late.
Avoid the base lifts at 9 and after lunch. Take the first lift up and ski the upper mountain, where lines are shorter.
Use the singles line. If there's a singles line, use it. It's almost always faster.
Skip holiday weekends, or ski the edges. If you must ski a holiday, the first and last days are often calmer than the middle.
Know the local school breaks. Each state and province has its own winter and spring break. See the spring break guide.
Look a little farther out. Mountains an extra 30–60 minutes from the city often have half the lines.
Don't chase every powder day. Big storms on weekends bring everyone. A powder day on a weekday is gold.
Check the drive before you leave. A slow pass or chain requirement can cost you the best two hours. Check road conditions.
Bring snacks and stay out. The lodge is busiest when the lifts are best. A pocket snack buys you laps.
Go late in the season. Weekdays in March and April are often sunny, soft and quiet, outside local spring break.