People still want a fortune for winter rentals if it's road accessible. Only thing is you can make your own meals. Lots of cottages want over 300 a night by time you add in all fees. Even cabins ar edge water are in 250 range mid week then another 35 to 55 ish on weekends. They aren't real big. Farther north you go cheaper it is. I looked at some and thankfully we got a good season in South, so we didn't bother this year 👌  

yep, the smaller things some are lucky to have make it much more affordable. Haven’t look but I know some rent cottages for winter, usually discount being given based on off season making the lodging cost more within reach. 

100% Bang on!

Yes but, you have sled fuel, truck/travel fuel to add in there. It's expensive to travel, stay, ride sleds, no doubt. Many dont have some of our options. We can cherry pick weekends, or costs. Or we can look at the masses that have to trailer hundreds of miles, and dont have the option for cheap lodging and food options.    Travel to location, hotel/motel for 2-4 days, restaurant food (at least 2 meals a day). This doesnt even count the start up costs to get in. Sleds, trailer, tow rig, clothing, safety gear, maintenance items for daily use... We are kidding ourselves if we think this is "affordable". Be honest, the only reason our kids are in it is because, we pay for everything for them, and they are doing it because, we are into it. Ski   

Again, this perspective is awesome - and helps to make my point. $190.00 per person - accommodations and food ( great deal - way cheaper than most ) $150.00 for sled fuel $50 for vehicle fuel ( split up - 2 ways )   That is still almost a $500.00 weekend - on the VERY conservative side of things. So......, how many $500.00 weekends does a young person have in their budget after taking into consideration the normal COST OF LIVING;   I would say on average - the average person ( sledders here - not CEO's - they are out there -but not the norm ) - how many $500.00 weekends to people have in them to keep themselves riding?   Looking at my own scenario - it was almost $500.00 this weekend -with free fuel to Huntsville and back, free accommodations and all but 2 meals provided by someone else.