Timing Is Essential When Preparing For Remainder of 2011/12 Season and 2012/13 Season
Ski season is still in action this spring throughout Colorado Ski Country USA, and for the savvy skier looking ahead to cash in on whats left of 2011/12 while getting a jump on next season, this is the perfect time to re-up and purchase a 2012/13 season pass. Now is the best and most economically-friendly period to buy next seasons passes, especially for those looking for the added benefit of some resorts commitment to presenting consumers with the rest of the 2011/12 season for free.
Below is a round-up of resorts offers, deadlines, and multi-mountain passes in Colorado Ski Country. Deadlines are looming, so it behooves clever consumers to put down a minimal deposit to guarantee access to the best skiing and snow in the world next season.
Multi-mountain
The Rocky Mountain Super Pass Plus offers unlimited skiing and riding at Winter Park / Mary Jane and Copper Mountain, plus six unrestricted days at Steamboat. This pass is available for $419 through April 9, 2012, with no blackout dates. Consumers have the option of paying $49 now, with the remaining balance automatically charged to the same credit card in September. Insurance is also available for the pass, at the rates of: $20 for adults, $10 for children and $10 for 4-Packs. Pass holder benefits include 20 Friends & Family discounted tickets available for use anytime during the 2012/13 season (only available for use at Winter Park and Copper, 10 per resort), discounts on resort food and beverage, retail, rental, and ski and ride lessons at Winter Park and Copper, special pass holder offers via the Pass Perks monthly emails and summer benefits at Winter Park and Copper. Visit www.skicolorado.com or call 800.977.SNOW for more information.
Arapahoe Basin
The 2012-13 Adult Season Pass (ages 19-69) is $299, Youth Pass (ages 15-18) is $209 and Child Pass (ages 6-14) is $139. These unrestricted passes are valid for the remainder of the 2011-12 season as well as the entire 2012/13 season. This offer is valid through June 3, 2012. Families also have to option to purchase the Family Pass when buying three or more 2012-13 Arapahoe Basin passes at one time. This includes receiving an Arapahoe Basin $10 gift card with each pass purchased.Arapahoe Basin pass holder discounts include friends and family Arapahoe Basin lift ticket discounts, one discounted half-day morning class lesson Friday Sunday for the 2012-13 season, 10 percent off food (excluding the 6th Alley bar), 10 percent off purchases at Arapahoe Sports, five days of skiing at Bear Valley in California for the 2012-13 season and $10 off performance tunes in the Basen Edge Tune Shop. Arapahoe Basin is offering skiers and riders the opportunity to secure these pass prices with a $49 deposit.The remaining balance will be due September 1, 2012. Visit www.arapahoebasin.com or call 888-ARAPAHOE (272-7246) for more information.
Copper
Copper Mountain offers unrestricted riding on naturally divided terrain and free parking with an Adult Pass (ages 18-69) for $369. This year the resort is making it easy to commit with only $49 down, with the remaining balance due September 18, 2012. The Copper Mountain Four Pack is currently $139. These prices are good through April 9, 2012. Visit http://www.coppercolorado.com/winter/plan_and_buy/season_passes for more pass information.
Crested Butte
The resort is now selling Platinum and Gold Passes until closing day, April 8, 2012. In addition to unlimited winter skiing and riding privileges, Platinum Pass holders will continue to have summer lift access as well as entry to the Adventure Park in both the 2012/13 winter and 2013 summer months. They will also receive four Buddy Tickets at $52 each, with blackout dates of December 21, 2012 January 4, 2013 and March 8 14, 2013. New for next year, all Adult and Senior Platinum Pass holders will receive a free zipline tour for the winter season that is non-transferable. Gold Pass holders will have unlimited winter access and receive two Buddy Tickets, with the same blackout dates. The Platinum Pass is $999 for adults, $699 for seniors aged 65-69, $275 for seniors aged 70 and older, $275 for young adults (ages 13-17) and $225 for children (ages 7-12). The Gold Pass is $899 for adults, $649 for seniors aged 65-69, $225 for seniors aged 70 and older, $175 for young adults (ages 13-17) and $125 for children (ages 7-12). Visit www.skicb.com/springpass or call 970-349-2211 for more information.
Echo
Echos Unlimited Season Pass is $159 for the 2012/13 season. This price is good for renewals as well as first-time buyers from April 1 May 1 only. It includes three free days (no blackout dates) at Ski Cooper and Sunlight and two discounted ($25) buddy passes for 2012-2013 season (not valid December 21-29, 2012). Visit www.echomt.com for more information.
Loveland
Loveland Ski Areas 2012/2013 season passes will go on sale on Monday, April 9, 2012.These season passes are valid for the remainder of the 2011/2012 season, and include free days at Monarch Mountain and Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort for the 2012/2013 season. Pass prices are $369 for adults (ages 23-69) or $349 if renewing from last year, $269 for young adults (ages 15-22) or $249 if renewing from last year, $159 for children (ages 6-14) or $149 if renewing from last year, $259 for a Midweek Pass (every Monday Friday with no holiday blackouts) or $149 if renewing from last year, and $79 for seniors (aged 70 and older). Loveland Ski Area is scheduled to close on May 6, 2012.Visit www.skiloveland.com for more information.
Monarch
Monarchs 2012/13 One Planet One Pass is $319 for existing pass holders and $329 for first time buyers. For children (ages 7-12), passes are $109 through July 4, 2012. Passes go on sale on April 1, 2012 and now offer free or discounted skiing and riding at more than 30 ski areas around the world. The One Planet One Pass is good on two continents, four countries and nine states, including nine resorts in Colorado. New areas are being added to the pass constantly, including Red Mountain, British Columbia for the 2012/13 season. Visit www.skimonarch.com or call 888.996.7669 for more information.
Powderhorn Mountain
Next seasons pass sale began on March 17 and runs through the closing day of Powderhorn on April 1. Adult season passes are $399. Pre-season pass purchase is only available at the Powderhorn ticket office at the resort. New for the 2012/13 season, Powderhorn is also introducing a new partnership with Steamboat Ski Resort.Powderhorn pass holders have the exclusive opportunity to purchase the Steamboat 5 Pack pass product for $149. The Steamboat 5 Pack is unrestricted and includes five days of skiing or riding at Steamboat. This opportunity is available to all non-transferable Powderhorn season pass holders. Visit www.powderhorn.com/season-passes or call 970-268-5700, ext. 2100 for more information.
Purgatory
With pricing good through Monday, April 30, 2012, Purgatorys season passes for the 2012/2013 are as follows: Adult Season Passes are $599, College Student Passes (must be enrolled with12 credit hours) are $399 and Child Season Passes are $269. Season pass holders receive unlimited skiing and riding with no blackout dates at Purgatory and can ski free at other participating resorts. In addition, season pass holders can take advantage of summer activities at Durango Mountain Resort before the ski season begins. New for 2012/13, Purgatory has added three partner resorts, including three free days at Powder Mountain and Brian Head, UT and Sunlight, CO. Other benefits include three free days at Loveland, Powderhorn, Monarch and Taos, NM, three half-price days at Crested Butte, Alta, UT, and Snowbowl, AZ. In addition, guests receive discounts at Durango Mountain Resort restaurants, retail outlets and at the resorts Ski and Ride School. Some blackout dates apply for other resorts. Season pass holders can also bring a friend to Purgatory and receive discounted lift tickets for $65 (limit one per day, five tickets per season). Lift ticket prices for adults are $75; children $45; young adults $60; and seniors $65. Pass insurance is also available for six percent of the cost of the pass. Visit www.durangomountainresort.com/seasonpass/ or call 970-385-2168 for more information.
Ski Granby Ranch (formerly SolVista Basin)
Ski Granby Ranch is offering early season pass pricing until April 30. Winter Lift Passes are $299 for adults (ages 13-60), $119 for juniors (ages 6-12), $249 for seniors (ages 61 and up), and $69 for Grand County students. The resort is also offering All Season Fun Passes, which include skiing, biking, golfing and fishing. These passes are $899 for an Adult Unlimited (ages 13 and up), $699 for a Junior Unlimited (ages 6-12) and $799 for a Senior Unlimited (ages 61 and up). In addition, Ski Granby Ranch is offering $25 lift tickets April 2 8, 2012. Visit www.granbyranch.com for more information.
Steamboat
The Steamboat Season Pass offers unrestricted access to nearly 3,000 acres, 3,668 vertical feet spread across six peaks, topped by Steamboats signature Champagne Powder snow, for $959. When a parent or legal guardian purchases an adult Steamboat Season Pass, one child (12 and under) will receive a free child season pass. Season Pass benefits allow pass holders to enjoy additional savings on dining, rentals, the Ski and Snowboard School, guided gourmet snowshoe tours and dining at Steamboat Grand all season long. Guests can upgrade any Steamboat Season Pass to include unrestricted skiing and riding at Winter Park Resort for $75.
The PURE Pass provides six days of skiing and riding for $439 and fifteen days for $719. Through April 9, the PURE-6 is being offered at a special, limited time $419 rate. As an added bonus, the PURE pass enables pass holders to reload their individual pass with special $39 tickets for PURE-15 and $49 tickets for PURE-6 with no restrictions throughout the season. These prices can be locked now with $99 down and final payment due in September. Visit www.steamboat.com/seasonpass or call 877-276-2628 for more information.
Winter Park/ Mary Jane
The Winter Park / Mary Jane Season Pass offers unrestricted access to Winter Parks cruisers and Mary Janes famous mogul runs all season long for $369. The Winter Park Four Pass is also available for $149. Prices are good through April 9, 2012. Visit www.winterparkresort.com for more information.
Wolf Creek
Wolf Creek Ski Area will be offering up to 20 percent off regular season pass prices during the pre-season pass sale, which will take place during the first week of October, 2012. Visit www.wolfcreekski.com for more information.
Resort Closing Dates
Closed
Howelsen Hill
April 1
Powderhorn
Purgatory at DMR (resort hours 9:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m.)
Ski Cooper
Sunlight
April 8
Buttermilk
Crested Butte
Monarch Mountain
Ski Granby Ranch (formerly SolVista Basin)
Telluride (resort hours 10:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.)
April 15
Aspen Mountain
Copper Mountain
Echo Mountain
Eldora
Silverton Mountain
Snowmass
Steamboat
April 22
Aspen Highlands
Winter Park (resort hours: Weekdays 10:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m., Weekends 9:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m. starting April 9)
May 6
Loveland
TBD
Arapahoe Basin
Wolf Creek
