Q: Hi Colorado Snow: I will be a first time buyer of the Colorado Pass. Do you know exactly when the Colorado pass goes on sale on Labor Day weekend (8/28, 8/29)? I was planning to leave for Lake Powell on 8/29; however, if the pass is available only on the weekend, I may need to cancel the Lake Powell trip. Thank you in advance for your reply. Aloha, Susan

Announcement: Tentative opening dates are being posted here and there. Here’s what I’ve got so far:

• Breckenridge : Friday, November 7, 2008
• Keystone : Friday, November 7, 2008

Send us your updates to contact@cosnow.com or leave a comment and we’ll update this as we receive more information. Keep in mind these are subject to change.

I know, I know–it’s only August but with the recent (dramatic) change in weather here in Denver (from sunny 90s to wet 60s) it’s a nice reminder that the seasons will change and we’ll be back on the slopes in no time.

So, the question, have you bought a 2008/2009 season pass yet? If you’re still thinking about it here’s the scoop as of August 15th (prices and purchase options are subject to change throughout the season.)

Colorado Pass

Any reader will know this is my favorite pass as it gets you access to awesome mountains for beginners and experts alike. The extra 10 days to Vail or Beaver Creek are the icing on the cake with this pass. Those 10 days have blackout dates but if you renew early enough (you missed it this season) then they offer a deal like unlimited access during the month of April.

Mountains: Breckenridge , Keystone , Arapahoe Basin and 10 days at Vail or Beaver Creek.

Price: $439 Adult / $329 Teen / $209 Child

Renew only. In-person sales begin Labor Day weekend.

Summit Pass

It’s the same as the Colorado Pass without the extra days at Vail / Beaver Creek. If you think 10 days of access to world-class resorts is worth an extra $40 then skip this. Even if you go once it’s worth getting the Colorado Pass.

Mountains: Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin

Price: $399 Adult / $309 Teen / $199 Child

Renew only. In-person sales begin Labor Day weekend.

Epic Pass

Are you going up to the mountains for the entire weekend? Do you spend a lot of time at Vail and Beaver Creek? Then the Epic Pass is for you because you get unlimited access to all the Vail resorts for an extra $140 (I think that’s roughly how much a day pass will cost this season? Ha!). Plus, there are no blackout dates like the Colorado Pass.

Mountains: Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Vail, Beaver Creek.

Price: $579 Adult (13+) / $279 Child

Buy now online!

Rocky Mountain Super Pass Plus

This is the Intrawest version of the Colorado Pass. Get unlimited skiing and snowboarding at both Winter Park / Mary Jane and Copper during the season plus 6 unrestricted days at Steamboat , and free skiing every Friday after 12:30pm at Steamboat. This last part is pretty good because getting to Steamboat is no small feat from Denver (3+ hours) so getting there after lunch would be pretty reasonable.

Mountains: Winter Park, Mary Jane, Copper and 6 days at Steamboat

Price: $439 Adult / $329 Teen / $209 Child

Renew online/phone or visit Winter Park Season Pass office for new passes.

Rocky Mountain Super Pass

This is the Intrawest version of the Summit Pass: unlimited days at Winter Park and Copper with no days at Steamboat.

Mountains: Winter Park, Mary Jane, Copper

Price: $399 Adult / $309 Teen / $199 Child

Renew online/phone or visit Winter Park Season Pass office for new passes.

Rocky Mountain Ultimate Pass

This pass is unlimited days at all three resorts. I can’t even pretend recommend it unless you’re going to spend a lot of time at Steamboat.

Mountains: Winter Park, Mary Jane, Copper, Steamboat

Price: $1054 Adult / $604 Teen / $364 Child

Renew online/phone or visit Winter Park Season Pass office for new passes.

Various Passes

The rest of the resorts and season passes with information readily available.

• Loveland Season Pass: Close, worth missing the traffic and tunnel sometimes. Prices (08/09 not available): $359 / $299 / $159
• Eldora Season Pass: Great for beginners, close to Boulder. Prices: $379 / $269 / $159
• Winter Park Season Pass: $359
• Winter Park 4 Pass: If you’re only going up a few times these are great deals. Price: $129
• Copper Season Pass: $349
• Copper 4 Pass: Restriction is that you cannot transfer the passes to others. Price: $119
• Steamboat Season Pass: Great snow but out of the way for Denver locals. Price: $979 / $529 / $289
• Keystone and Arapahoe Basin: Not available until fall but previous passholders can upgrade to Summit / Colorado / Epic passes.

Q: I am getting married on Novemeber 8th of this year and my fiance and I are very interested in going to Breakenridge for our Honeymoon. However, I am having a hard time finding answers on whether or not there is enough snow for skiing in early November. We are both intermediate skiiers so we would prefer not to be comepletely limited to Black slopes. Any information you may have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks -Amanda

A: Hi Amanda, First off, congratulations! I think the mountains are the ideal place to get married (especially in Beaver Creek when the Food Network is in town).

To answer your question, both Arapahoe Basin and Loveland had already opened up by mid-October last season. I’m guessing that Breckenridge should be opened by the first week in November but as you mention, the snow won’t be great. I didn’t even go up to Breck until the first week of December (we had a terrible November).

So, assuming things are different than last year and we get some early precipitation you should be fine.

Interestingly enough you’ll see that the slopes that are opened aren’t the blacks–there’s not enough snow to cover the junk! All the beginner and intermediate slopes receive the benefit of man-made snow early in the season. With that said, you guys should be fine.

Let us know how it goes and check back for regular updates.

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Are you dreading the traffic, people, and circus show that’s about to descend upon Denver? Me too. Vail Resorts has decided to capitalize on those of us that want to take the week off:

Escape to the tranquil and majestic Rocky Mountains during the busy time around the Democratic National Convention with these fantastic Vail Resorts lodging discounts! Vail Resorts has casually elegant hotels and condominiums near our Colorado ski resorts and other spectacular destinations in the U.S. and the Caribbean.

Both Keystone and Breckenridge are at about $100/night and some great Vail and Beaver Creek resorts around $200. These prices are better than any hotel in Denver (with or without a convention in town).

Click here to see the DNC escape deals.

Q: Where can I buy new skis in August? I’ll visit Boulder on August 1, heard about great selection and year-round sales in CO. There only bikes on sale during summer in NY. Please tell me! Thanks! -Irina

A: Hi Irina, while you’re in Colorado you should definitely check out the following:

• Boulder Ski Deals: Smack dab in the middle of Boulder this shop offers excellent service (professional, friendly) even in the summer. They’re worth stopping by or calling to see if they have any deals. Click here to visit their website.
• Colorado Ski & Golf: With locations in the metro area they sell a good variety of gear, accessories, and passes. If you’re around for another month their annual sale, Ski Rex, is a great place to pick up last year’s eqipment at huge (up to 70%) discounts. Click here to visit their website.
• Sports Authority: From the folks that brought us SNIAGRAB (like Ski Rex), Sports Authority is always a good bet to find stuff in the off-season. Last season we put together a full (beginners) snowboard package (boots, bindings, board) for around $250–kid you not! Don’t expect top notch service, though. Not everyone on staff is as well versed as experts may hope. Click here to visit their website.

Unfortunately all the really good deals come out in late August or early September. Check back with COSNOW for details on Ski Rex and SNIAGRAB.

Thanks for the question, Irina, and good luck in your searches!

If you’ve got a question of your own, click here to ask COSNOW.