Colorado Ski Season Passes

If you are in Colorado in April, September or October, you can look into buying a season pass for Keystone, Breckenridge, and A-Basin. Both Loveland and Copper Mountain sell season passes into November. If you plan on skiing 5 or more days, a season pass to one of the areas ski resorts will more than pay for itself and is the cheapest way to go…even though you won’t get to use it for the entire season.

Keystone | Breckenridge | A-Basin | Vail | Beaver Creek

Season passes are sold along the front range at places like Sports Authority, REI, and Christy Sports. Season passes for Keystone, Breckenridge and A-Basin ( Arapahoe Basin ) are called the Summit Pass and cost $399 Adult, $309 Teen, $199 Child. A 2nd option is to pay $449 for the Colorado Pass and get 10 days at Vail or Beaver Creek added to that same pass (black out dates apply). Teens pay $339 and children pay $219 for the Colorado Pass. MAKE SURE you read the fine print in any contracts or agreements that you sign! These passes do have blackout dates during the holidays and during Presidents Day weekend usually, so PLEASE read the fine print before purchasing these ski passes. If you’re planning an early season trip (Before December 20th) AND a later prime ski season trip (January – April), this is by far the least expensive way to go. Best of all, once you get a pass that you have to buy in person, you can renew it over the web year after year. Overall, this is one of the best deals out there….take advantage of this today!

Arapahoe Basin / A-Basin

This year, Arapahoe Basin is offering what they call the “Bonus Pass.” For the 2009-2010 ski season, these are only $349. This allows unlimited, no black out skiing at Arapahoe Basin all season (October to June), but also allows you 5 bonus days at either Keystone or Breckenridge, however 1 of those days can be used at either Beaver Creek or Vail. This is an awesome deal if you’re coming out for a short trip of 5 days or more. Best of all, you can buy these online and over the phone and just pick them up at the base area of Arapahoe Basin. As always, get in on this deal EARLY. Check out the Arapahoe Basin Web site for full details. OUT OF STATE PEOPLE – This is going to be your best bet if you plan on skiing 4-5 days this year. Arapahoe Basin is one of our favorites since they offer “The Real Deal” and don’t hide behind any shady restrictions. We have lodging in Keystone that is within 4-5 miles of Arapahoe Basin, so you can be there within minutes, yet have all the nightlife and fun of Keystone.

Vail | Beaver Creek

It is basically an oxymoron to say the words “Discount” and “Vail” in the same sentence.  Why?  Vail and Beaver Creek are considered to be the top 5 of all resorts in North America, and highly desireble.  The ebst way to find any sort of discount for Vail or Beaver Creek is to buy a 4 pack for Keystone, Breckenridge and Abasin.  If you pay for the “Colorado Pass” you can get 10 days at Vail or Beaver Creek.  Other ways to get Vail discount lift tickets are to beg your friends, or stay in lodging controlled by Vail Resorts.  At the same time, you will likely pay far more for lodging

Loveland Ski Area

Lesser known by people from out of state, Loveland is a very inexpensive option. You’ll see Loveland Ski area on your way into Summit County on the East Portal of the Eisenhower Tunnel. The closest ski lodging to Loveland is in Keystone….only 15 miles away. Loveland offers season passes for $349 for the 2009-2010 ski season. All of the Loveland Ski Area Season Passes come with 3 Days at Monarch Ski Area. Loveland is one of the highest ski resorts on North America and they are usually the first to open the ski season in North America in October. Check the web site for details. They have an outstanding variety of terrain and there are little or no crowds at any given time. Loveland is a locals favorite and if you hit a powder day at Loveland, you’ll never look anywhere else to go skiing…you’ll be in love.

Two for one coupons to Arapahoe Basin, Loveland, Winter Park and Copper Mountain. There are always a number of these. The most common is from the Gold C coupon books you may be familiar with.

Monarch Mountain

You can pick up a season pass to Monarch mountain for $319 for folks aged 16 and up and $189 for Seniors and Students (13-15 years old) These prices are good until November 7th only, but do provide some access to other resorts. Ranging from 1/2 price skiing to free days at these other great resorts. Purgatory ( Now Durango Mountain Resort ), Alta Resort, Angel Fire Resort, Loveland Ski Area, Pajarito Ski Area, Powderhorn Resort, Silverton Mountain, and Sunlight Resort. You can find discounted youth and senior lift tickets at there web site as well. Monarch does not offer a four pack.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Crested Butte has a number of pass options, getting the best price for a season pass to Crested Butte takes some work and research because you might have to show up at a ski show to get the best price. They offer unlimited riding and skiing in the platinum pass all the way down to one day a week passes. The prices will range from $534 up to $1349.

Telluride

One of Colorado’s Premier Ski Resorts Telluride is down in the Southwestern part of the state. You can grab an adult Season Pass to Telluride for $1198, they do have a great College Season Pass for only $299 through Oct 30th, $725 after Oct 30th. Telluride is opening the Revelation Bowl on the Northeastern side of the mountain right on the back side of Gold Hill. This part of Telluride has only been explored by ski patrol and rope jumpers in seasons past. You can get discounted senior passes and discounted junior season passes as well, $499 and $175 respectively.

Four adults who purchase Adult Season Passes together during the annual Pass Sale save $200 per pass, dropping the price to 2007 rates. A regular individual adult season pass costs $1198 when purchased by October 30, but the 4Pass will cost just $998/person. To purchase a 4Pass, please make sure to have the name, birthdate, mailing address and payment information for all four purchasers before proceeding to the 4Pass registration page.+

Colorado Ski Resort “Four Packs” and Discounted Lift Tickets

Another money-saving tip is to buy what is called a “4 pack” for your ski resort of choice. A “4 pack” is 4 days of skiing for any 1 person. Typically the ski resorts sell these early in the season, but have also been known to sell them again in late March or in April. Buying late in the season is ideal…unknown to many, April is usually the snowiest month in Colorado!  Discount lift tickets are typically widely available through lodging companies and other outlets, you just have to look for the deals.

Keystone | Arapahoe Basin

For the Keystone and Arapahoe Basin 4 packs, you must buy them in person and they are not transferable. In previous years they have been transferable until people started selling them for a profit on eBay. The 2009-10 4-Pack is a pass offering four days of skiing and riding at Keystone and Arapahoe Basin for only $139. 4 packs are bought in the same fashion that a Keystone Colorado Season Pass is bought. The 4 packs do have blackout dates, so read the fine print carefully.  Sales of these types of passes usually end in early November.

Breckenridge

Even though Breckenridge does not offer any 4 packs of lift tickets, it is possible to get discount Breckenridge lift tickets through affiliates.  Breckenridge is one of Colorados most popular resorts and rarely offers discounts to skiers.

Copper Mountain | Winter Park | Mary Jane

Copper Mountain offers 4 packs for only $129 for the 2009-2010 ski season. You can buy these passes at many front range locations or renew online. Winter Park offers 4 packs for $129 with the same in-person buy story as Copper Mountain.. These passes only allow 1 person to use the pass per day. So… if you’re thinking of taking your family of four people on the mountain all in one day, you won’t be able to do it with this pass. There are usually rules and restrictions as to the dates you can use the 4 pack, so check the fine print carefully. You can buy all of these types of passes at Passwagon.com.

Once again….all of these passes MUST be bought in person, which hurts those of you who do not live in Colorado. We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to come during September and October to get these great deals. Lodging (especially that offered by SummitCove.com) is extremely inexpensive, restaurants offer 2 for 1 deals all the time, the colors are downright beautiful, and you’ll get to see Colorado as the great state that it really is!  Copper Mountain discounted lift tickets are typically easier to come by through lodging companies and other promotions such as Shell gas stations.

Winter Park discount lift tickets are also available through local lodging companies and activity centers in Winter Park and Fraser.

Aspen | Snowmass

Okay, so these 2 resorts aren’t really all that close to Summit County, but if you want to see what celebrities do during the winter in Colorado…try Aspen or Snowmass for a day. Cheap passes are available, but you have to get them in person or book one of the ski vacation package deals. They are available up until November 13th, 2009 at select locations around the Colorado Front Range. You can buy the Premier Pass for only (yes a joke) $1,689 for adults, $1399 for seniors and $749 for youths. This gives you unlimited skiing and riding on Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk. $349 for Seniors 70+.  For standard Aspen discounted lift tickets, check out a number of affliliates as many lodging and activity companies offer them.

Loveland Ski Area

Loveland also offers a 4 pack as well for the 2009-2010 ski season. The 4 packs run only $119 ($109 in some retail locations) but are only available through November 22nd, 2009. There are no blackout dates on these 4 packs and can be used anytime during the 2009-2010 ski season at Loveland. You can also get a great deal on Military Season Passes for both active duty and immediate family, contact Loveland Ski Area to get more information.

Aspen | Snowmass

Okay, so these 2 resorts aren’t really all that close to Summit County, but if you want to see what celebrities do during the winter in Colorado…try Aspen or Snowmass for a day. Cheap passes are available, but you have to get them in person or book one of the ski vacation package deals. They are available up until November 13th, 2009 at select locations around the Colorado Front Range. You can buy the Premier Pass for only (yes a joke) $1,689 for adults, $1399 for seniors and $749 for youths. This gives you unlimited skiing and riding on Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk. $349 for Seniors 70+.  For standard Aspen discounted lift tickets, check out a number of affliliates as many lodging and activity companies offer them.

Other ways to get Discount Lift Tickets

1. All SummitCove.com lodging guests who have lodging already setup can purchase discounted lift tickets through our affiliate. Please call us for more information so we can verify your reservation and hook you up with the best lift ticket deal around!
2. Are you a member of the armed forces? Keystone has a special setup with any active duty military, Reservists, National Guard and dependents. Rocky Mountain Blue offers a Freedom Pass. This pass is good for unlimited skiing at Keystone or Arapahoe Basin. It can be purchased at military bases in colorado including Buckley AFB, Peterson AFB, Schriever AFB, F.E. Warren AFB, Fort Carson and the Air force Academy. You can purchase this anytime during the 2008-2009 ski season and it is good through closing day at Keystone. Even if you don’t have a Freedom Pass, simply show your military ID at the lift ticket window and you should be able to get a hefty discount. THIS IS THE BEST LIFT TICKET DEAL IN COLORADO…..SO GO JOIN THE ARMED FORCES IF YOU WANT TO SKI FOR CHEAP!
3. Sign up for a free Colorado Gem Card. These cards will give you discounts at other ski areas that are farther away. The closest resort that accepts this card is Loveland Ski area, which is about 15 miles away right at the Eisenhower Tunnel on the Continental Divide.
4. Know someone with a season pass? Season Pass holders usually can buy a lift ticket for you for a deeply discounted price of $29-$59. The number of times they can do this is limited.
5. Don’t forget eBay! Many times people will buy a package deal and not be able to use it. Sometimes it’s a 4 pack, sometimes it’s someone who has an inside track to the resort and is trying to make some money on the side. Either way, MAKE SURE you check the lift tickets carefully to make sure you know what you’re getting. Search around and see what you can find!
6. Buy an Entertainment book for the Denver area. These books are PACKED with ski coupons. The coupons are for slightly discounted lift tickets. ($5 – $10 off ticket window prices) for NON-Vail Resorts, Inc. places like Copper Mountain, Sunlight, A-Basin, Loveland, Ski Cooper and more. There are also coupons for ski school. Don’t count on any coupons being published for Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail or Beaver Creek. In recent years Vail Resorts, Inc has been reeling in the line on discounted lift tickets and any discounts are getting harder to find through the regular channels. Your best bet is a season pass.
7. Buy an eBook for the Front Range area. These books have a few ski coupons. The coupons are for slightly discounted lift tickets. ($5 – $10 off ticket window prices) for NON-Vail Resorts, Inc. places like Copper Mountain and Winter Park. There are also coupons for ski school. There is also a lodging discount in this book for SummitCove.com that is unmatched…..but you’ll have to buy an eBook to find out what it is! No worries…..it’s all for a good cause….education fundraisers.
8. Buy your tickets on the front range in or around Denver. Go to any Safeway or King Soopers grocery stores, or ski and snow board rental shop. They sell discount lift tickets for most ski areas. City Market in Dillon sell discounted lift tickets for Keystone, Breck, Arapahoe Basin, Copper, Vail, and Beaver Creek. Their number is 970-468-2363.
9. Keep a close eye out with an email subscription to Sliding on the Cheap! The website is http://www.slidingonthecheap.com and they offer an email newsletter every few weeks that details the lift ticket deals for most of the ski resorts in the western US including Colorado and the Rocky Mountains.
10. As your Keystone Lodging provider, just ask us and we’ll do what we can to get you the right information you need or point you in the right direction to save you the most money given the time period of your visit.

WARNING ABOUT COLORADO LIFT TICKETS AND SKI PASSES

BE CAREFUL Skiing and lift tickets is a serious business and you should NEVER cheat the system. Cheating the system includes using someone else’s season pass, clipping a pass from someone else’s jacket, or buying lift tickets from a resort employee. The consequences include full prosecution, jail time and extremely heavy fines. Skiing is a fun sport, but it costs money to participate…it’s not worth cheating the system.

All SummitCove.com lodging guests who have lodging already setup can purchase discounted lift tickets through our affiliate. Please call us for more information so we can verify your reservation and hook you up with the best lift ticket deal around!