Ski season is a little more than a month away, enough time for you to start saving for the most expensive lift tickets in Washington state history.

This winter Crystal Mountain and Stevens Pass will become Washington's first resort to charge $60 for lift tickets.

Crystal is charging $60 and a weekend pass at Stevens Pass will cost about $61 with tax.

The average cost of a lift ticket to the state's six biggest resorts will be $53.50 up from $48.35 last year.

In the 2004-05 season Crystal charged $45 a lift ticket. Resort operators say the cost of energy is the primary reason for increased lift ticket prices.

While $60 lift tickets might lead to some sticker shock, lift ticket prices in the Northwest remain a bargain compared to many resorts.

Here's what they're charging at some of North America's top resorts. (NOTE: Some prices are estimates from resort ticket offices. Prices should be finalized by November.)

LONE PEAK*, Montana: $89
ASPEN SNOWMASS, Colorado: $90
SUN VALLEY, Idaho: $80
WHISTLER BLACKCOMB, B.C.: $89
DEER VALLEY, Utah: $83
* Rate to ski Moonlight Basin and Big Sky on Montana’s Lone Peak.

Here are what Washington's top six ski areas are planning to charge for a lift ticket this year. The prices are subject to change. Prices estimates including tax for the Summit, Stevens Pass and Mount Baker.