It's ski pass time - and here's your guide!
- Details
- Created on Wednesday, 06 October 2010 15:59
- Written by R. Scott Rappold
By R. SCOTT RAPPOLD, THE GAZETTE
There is one fundamental truth to Colorado skiing that should be known by anyone who has ever day-tripped to Monarch Mountain or braved icy Hoosier Pass into Summit County:
Locals should never pay lift ticket-window prices.
A day at a big mountain might cost $90 for a lift ticket, not to mention a king’s ransom in gas, food and parking. So unless you plan to ski just once this season, now is the time to think about a ski pass; prices go up the closer it gets to opening day, and most can’t be bought once lifts start running.
Photo gallery to get you in the skiing frame of mind!
“It pays to be the early bird. It’s hard to think about skiing now when it’s 90 degrees out, but some early deadlines have passed at resorts,” said Jennifer Rudolph, with industry group Colorado Ski Country USA.
Last season was so-so for Colorado’s ski resorts, a 0.8 percent increase in skier visits over the year before, thanks to lackluster snowfall and a down economy. To entice skiers back in 2010-11, resorts are keeping pass prices the same or posting only slight increases.
The other major theme for 2010-11, Rudolph said, is “reciprocation.”
“This year we’re seeing a lot of resorts offering reciprocation visits to other resorts that they’re partners with,” she said.
Monarch is a perfect example. It’s coming off its best season ever for skier visits, thanks in large part to snowfall patterns that sent many storms south. The ski area is raising season pass rates from $419 to $429, if bought after Nov. 6, said spokesman Greg Ralph. The early sale price is $329, also up $10 from last year.
Monarch also expanded the number of partner resorts, where pass holders get free or discounted lift tickets, from 10 to 17 around the West, including three free days each at Powderhorn, Loveland, Durango, Sunlight and Sol Vista.
Other resort operators are making passes more flexible. Vail Resorts and Arapahoe Basin created a Keystone and A-Basin pass for $379, $90 cheaper than the popular Colorado Pass.
Said Rudolph, “The skier has to decide what kind of skiing they’re going to do this year, and there is a pass out there that fits whatever their profile is.”
But, especially for newcomers, navigating the field of passes and deals can be as intimidating as a first expert run on shaky beginner skis.
So here’s our guide to your choices.
EPIC PASS
It’s for you if: You like skiing big mountains and plan to go a lot.
What you get: Unlimited skiing at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, A-Basin and Heavenly at Lake Tahoe, with no blackout dates.
Cost: $619
Downside: All the Colorado resorts are in Summit and Eagle counties, not far from each other, so if the central mountains have lousy snow, your options are limited.
Where to buy: snow.com/passsales
COLORADO PASS
It’s for you if: You like big mountains but don’t see yourself getting to Vail or Beaver Creek more than 10 times.
What you get: Unlimited skiing at Breckenridge, Keystone and A-Basin and 10 days at Vail or Beaver Creek.
Cost: $469
Downside: Same as with the Epic Pass. And the days at Vail and Beaver Creek are subject to blackouts.
Where to buy: Renew at snow.com/passsales or buy new in person at Colorado Ski and Golf and REI in Colorado Springs.
SUMMIT PASS
It’s for you if: You like the big mountains and variety but not the drive to Vail or Beaver Creek.
What you get: Unlimited skiing at Breckenridge, Keystone and A-Basin.
Cost: $419
Downside: Some snowstorms hammer Vail and Beaver Creek more than these three Summit County resorts.
Where to buy: snow.com/passsales
ROCKY MOUNTAIN SUPER PASS PLUS
It’s for you if: You like the big mountains and plan to ski a lot.
What you get: Unlimited skiing at Copper and Winter Park/Mary Jane and six days at Steamboat Springs.
Cost: $469
Downside: Steamboat is a long drive from Colorado Springs.
Where to buy: Renew at skicolorado.com or buy new at Christy Sports in Colorado Springs
ROCKY MOUNTAIN SUPER PASS
It’s for you if: You prefer Copper and Winter Park to other big mountains.
What you get: Unlimited skiing at Copper and Winter Park/Mary Jane.
Cost: $419
Downside: You miss out on early and late-season skiing at A-Basin.
Where to buy: skicolorado.com or Christy Sports in Colorado Springs.
GEMS CARD
It’s for you if: You don’t plan to ski a ton of times and prefer smaller, “local” resorts and like variety.
What you get: Discounts and lift ticket deals at nine resorts, including a free April day at Monarch and a February day at Ski Cooper.
Cost: $10
Downside: It won’t sustain you all season, but in this case, you get more than you pay for. You’ll still pay something at the ticket window most days.
Where to buy: shopcoloradoski.com. Buy it soon because they run out early in the season.
MONARCH PASS
It’s for you if: You want to get away from crowds at larger resorts.
What you get: Unlimited skiing at Monarch and free or discount days at Silverton, Loveland, Durango, Sunlight, Powderhorn and Sol Vista in Colorado; Revelstoke Mountain Resort in British Columbia; Taos, Angel Fire, Sipapu, Pajarito and Red River in New Mexico; California’s China Peak; Arizona’s Snowbowl; Alta in Utah; Grand Targhee in Wyoming; and Indianhead in Michigan.
Cost: $329
Downside: Big-mountain skiers may get bored, many partner resorts are too far for a comfortable day trip and goes up to $429 after Nov. 6
Where to buy: skimonarch.com
BONUS PASS
It’s for you if: You love A-Basin and its long ski season, but want a little variety.
What you get: Unlimited skiing at A-Basin and five days at Breckenridge or Keystone, one of which can be used at Vail or Beaver Creek.
Cost: $359
Downside: For frequent skiers, five days at bigger mountains can go quickly.
Where to buy: arapahoebasin.com
FOUR PACKS
It’s for you if: You plan to ski a handful of times
What you get: Four days at a resort — some larger ones offer four packs — for $30 to $35 a day.
Cost: $119-$149
Downside: If you want to go more than four times, once the season starts, it’s probably too late to buy another pass.
Where to buy: Where a resort’s passes are sold.
5th GRADE PASS
It’s for you if: Your 5th-grader wants to ski.
What you get: Three free lift tickets to each of the 21 resorts that are part of Colorado Ski Country USA (excluding Vail Resorts) and a free lesson.
Cost: Free
Downside: Downside? It’s free!
Where to buy: passport.coloradoski.com
6th GRADE PASS
It’s for you if: Your 6th-grader wants to ski.
What you get: Four days of skiing at each Colorado Ski Country USA resort (excluding Vail Resorts).
Cost: $99
Downside: They don’t offer such a bargain for adults.
Where to buy: passport.coloradoski.com
SCHOOL OF SHRED
It’s for you if: Your 5th- or 6th-grader wants to ski Vail Resorts’ mountains.
What you get: Four free days at Breckenridge, Keystone, A-Basin, Vail and Beaver Creek, and a free lesson.
Cost: Free
Downside: Dude, it’s free!
Where to buy: Colorado Ski and Golf and REI locations, by Nov. 7.
SKI FREE COLORADO
It’s for you if: You didn’t buy a season pass or four pack.
What you get: For buying 10 gallons of gas, you get a two-for-one lift ticket coupon. Last season’s participating resorts were Copper Mountain, Monarch, Powderhorn and Winter Park.
Cost: The price of gas and one lift ticket.
Downside: Offer is not good until after the holidays, with several blackout dates. Details regarding which resorts and gas stations will participate in 2010-11 have not been released, though a Monarch spokesman says the mountain plans to.
Where to buy: Stay tuned at skifreecolorado.com.
IF ALL ELSE FAILS
It’s for you if: You didn’t get a pass or a GEMS card, but the slopes are calling.
What you get: Grocery stores and ski shops sell discount tickets, usually $10 off. You can also go with a pass holder friend, since most passes include discount friend tickets.
Cost: Varies
Downside: You are paying $50 to $80 for a day of skiing. Maybe next year you’ll believe us when we say “buy your pass now.”
Where to buy: Grocery stores, ski shops, the ticket window.
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