The last few weeks have brought the first decent snow of the year to many Colorado resorts, so it may seem very odd to be talking next year but 10/11 Pass sales have begun and for many Front Range skiers and riders renewal is normally a no brainer.  However, this is not a normal year and among my friends and family ski visits are down (no matter what the press says).  Many of them are questioning if they should put out the cash for a pass next year.  Heck I’m questioning if I can justify $1,500 for the whole family to have a pass again.

We’ve cut the family budget again this month to cover some home repairs and the money has to come from somewhere. But the cheapest prices and best perks are almost always now through May.  So we’ll probably bite the bullet and buy.  But we’re looking for the best deal.  You probably are as well so to help us all SOTC has put together a list of available Passes and their spring promotions.

VAIL RESORTS: Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, Heavenly CA/NV, Keystone, and Vail (their passes also include Arapahoe Basin through a long standing shared sales agreement).

The whole idea of cheap multi-mountain season passes originated with Vail Resorts and to their credit they only raised the price $10-$20 this season.  It takes a $49 deposit to secure a pass with the balance due in the late summer. They also off more types of passes than almost anyone including two new passes this season, so generally there is something for everyone.

$599 The Epic Pass unlimited everywhere
- Six (6) Ski-With-A-Friend (SWAF) varying priced discount tickets are automatically loaded onto your pass. Just take your guest to the ticket window and present your pass to receive the discount- Summer 2010 lift access (does not include bike haul)

$449 The Epic 7-Pack (good for 7 days anytime at any Vail resort plus A Basin):
- 5,000 initial Peaks Rewards Points (good for half a ticket)
- Six (6) Ski-With-A-Friend (SWAF) varying priced discount tickets are automatically loaded onto your pass. Just take your guest to the ticket window and present your pass to receive the discount. - Summer 2010 lift access (does not include bike haul)

$449 The Colorado Pass:

The 2010/11 Colorado Pass is a season pass that is valid for unlimited, unrestricted skiing and riding at Keystone, Breckenridge and Arapahoe Basin, plus 10 days at Vail and Beaver Creek. These passes are restricted from use at Vail/Beaver Creek: November 26-27, 2010  December 27- 31, 2010 and February 19 -20, 2011. 

SPRING ONLY BENEFITS (If you purchase or renew by May 31, 2010 you get Spring Only Benefits)

·        Put only $49 down to guarantee the lowest price of the season**

·        Four $59 Lift Tickets: Colorado/Summit pass get the option of buying four lift tickets at the low price of only $59 each (valid at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone only).

·        Unlimited April Skiing and Riding: Get unlimited skiing and riding for the month of April '11 at Vail and Beaver Creek (Colorado Pass only).

$409 The Summit Pass (unlimited unrestricted to A Basin, Breckenridge, and Keystone):
 

-         Four (4) $59 lift tickets (almost 50% off)
- Six (6) Ski-With-A-Friend (SWAF) varying priced discount tickets are automatically loaded onto your pass. Just take your guest to the ticket window and present your pass to receive the discount- Summer 2010 lift access (does not include bike haul)
 

$359 Keystone and Arapahoe Basin Pass:

The Keystone and Arapahoe Basin Pass is a season pass valid for unlimited and unrestricted skiing and riding at Keystone and Arapahoe Basin. 

SPRING ONLY BENEFITS (If you purchase or renew by May 31, 2010 you get Spring Only Benefits)

·        Put only $49 down to guarantee the lowest price of the season**

·        Four $59 Lift Tickets: Colorado/Summit/Keystone and Arapahoe Basin pass get the option of buying four lift tickets at the low price of only $59 each (valid at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone only).

Eldora Mountain Resort

Eldora www.eldora.com has been selling their 10/11 for several weeks with the added benefit of including the remainder of their 09/10 season.  Prices are good, beginning at $259 for a mid-week adult pass. They’re very good family pass at around $900 is one of the better deals out there.   So if you want to avoid the I-70 crowd and are looking for a value check them out.

Powderhorn

Powderhorn’s passes are not good for the remainder of this year but will include bonus days at Durango Mountain Resort and other hills around the nation.  Check out the details at www.powderhorn.com  prices are as follows but go up in August:

MARCH SALE : 2010-11 PASS PRICES

*Two adults and two students - additional youth are $200 (full) and $189 (mid-week), additional pre-teen are $150 (full) and $110 (mid-week), 6 & under are $60 (full) and $55 (mid-week).
Mid-Week passes are valid Monday-Fridays.

AUGUST PRICES

*Two adults and two students - additional youth are $276 (full) and $207 (mid-week), additional pre-teen are $156 (full) and $117 (mid-week), 6 & under are $75 (full and mid-week).
Mid-Week passes are valid Monday-Fridays.
Ages are as of Dec. 1, 2010.

Crested Butte

The Rodney Dangerfield of destination resorts in Colorado.  The Forest Service’s recent rejection of their application to expand has a number of people questioning their future but regardless CB is an awesome place to ski.  Well worth the trip and for a destination resort relatively cheap.  Go to www.skicb.com for details of the early season sale.

It runs thru April 4^th.  Admittedly with Adult passes at over $800 it’s hard to call these cheap BUT they have a family special. If you buy an adult pass you can get a free pass for your dependent 17 and under.  So season passes for a family of four are less than $2,000.  Not bad for a destination resort with some of the best terrain and powder conditions in the lower 48. 

Note:  CB has some excellent mutliday passes they sell in the fall. So if you’re want to go and don’t plan on skiing more than 10 days you will probably want to wait.

Sunlight

Sunlight Mountain Resort Passes are available by calling 970.945.7491 or 1.800.445.7931 or at the Sunlight Ski and Bike Shop at 309 9th Street in Glenwood Springs. 

2010 Pass Prices beginning 2/16/2010                 

Intrawest - Winter Park, Mary Jane, and Steamboat (the passes will still include Copper Mountain even through Intrawest sold Copper to another company)

2010-2011 COPPER SEASON PASS - $359

·        10 Friends and Family lift tickets valid anytime during the season at $59 at Copper

2010-2011 Winter Park/Mary Jane PASS - $369

·        10 Friends and Family lift tickets valid anytime during the season at $59 at Winter Park 

2010-2011 ROCKY MOUNTAIN SUPER PASS PLUS - $409

·        Unlimited skiing at Copper & Winter Park/Mary Jane

·        6 unrestricted days at Steamboat (for passholder only)

·        20 Friends and Family lift tickets valid anytime during the season at $59 at Copper and Winter Park only (10 per mountain)

2010-2011 ROCKY MOUNTAIN SUPER PASS - $409

·        Unlimited, unrestricted skiing at Copper & Winter Park/Mary Jane

·        20 Friends and Family lift tickets valid anytime during the season at $59 Copper and Winter Park only, 10 per mountain

Spring Season Pass Bonus Benefits:

·        Double your Friends & family benefits

·        $49 Payment Plan valid through June 1, 2010

They have not yet posted 4 pack prices for Winter Park or Copper Mountain.  These have been great deals in the past so stay turned.

Durango Mountain Resort (Purgatory)

Spring Pass Prices

Restriction and other perks apply see www.durangomountainresort.com for details.  Special All-Season Pass Benefits when purchased on or before April 24, 2010. Does not apply to Weekday or Flex pass holders. Benefits for pass holders' personal use only, benefits can not be transferred.

·        Summer 2010 Activities

·        Unrestricted Winter 2010/2011 Skiing/Riding

·        Friends & Family Ticket (1 per day) for $52

·        10% Off DMR Food & Beverage (excluding alcohol)

·        15% Off DMR Retail (excluding sale items)

·        20% Off Group Ski & Ride School (not valid for special programs, private lessons or daycare)

Ski Cooper

This is a great family pass if a little out of the way.  Kids passes are only $75 and adults $175 check out their spring sale at www.skicooper.com

Loveland Resort

Loveland www.skiloveland.com won’t start their sales until around April when many of the other resorts close but they are always one of the better deals in the state and give renewals a discount. They are also home of the cheap 4 Pack and part of the GEM card discounts.  If you work it you can ski for around $30 per day.  So if you are on a tight budget but want to ski you may want to wait till fall.  You can ski more terrain for less at Loveland than almost anywhere else in the state.

Arapahoe Basin 

The Legend hasn’t begun pass sales yet but keep checking out www.arapahoebasin.com as they generally have some very good end of season specials and their Bonus Pass is historically one of the best on line deals in the state.

Monarch

Likewise monarch www.skimonarch.com has announced their sales but they are a great Colorado Gem and never expensive so check back in April.

Wolf Creek 

Same song for Wolf Creek www.wolfcreekski.com Check back in April

Aspen/Snow Mass

Likewise for the favorite of the elite and those looking for great snow.  Check their web site for details www.aspensnowmass.com

Telluride Resort

Also www.tellurideresort.com has not yet announced pass prices.