CoSnow Guide to 2008/2009 Season Passes
Categories: Arapahoe Basin, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Eldora, Featured, Keystone, Loveland, Steamboat, Tickets, Vail, Winter Park
Written By: Devin Reams
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.
Related posts:
- Lesser-Known Season Passes Devin wrote a great guide to all the most frequently...
- Upgrade Summit Pass or Colorado Pass If you’re curious, yes, you can upgrade your Vail...
- Colorado Pass Spring Renewal for 2008-2009 Announcement: For the go-getters among us: The Colorado Pass spring...
Nice summary – thanks Devin!
[...] the biggest place to shop. Sports Authority is also one of the many places you can pickup your season pass if you haven’t [...]
Hey Devin-
Don’t forget to mention the Monarch Season Pass where you get a few days of skiing FREE at 10 other resorts around Colorado like Crested Butte and Loveland. It was ranked the Best Buy by 5280 Magazine.
Also -
I am going to send you an email soon about being a sweet featured blogger on SkiNet.com with links back to cosnow.com.
Would these prices (I’m looking at the Colorado Pass) be different during SNIAGRAB?
I’d like to but my gear during SNIAGRAB and the pass probably a little after.
Hi Jesus, yes these prices tend to change as we get closer to the season (and then they stop selling them some time near November). I wish I knew more but I don’t right now.
Here’s an answer from the SteepSavers e-mail newsletter:
It looks like the pricing will indeed go up after SNIAGRAB.
[...] wrote a great guide to all the most frequently used and best known passes in Colorado, but there are also a lot of [...]
Is it possible to upgrade your pass from the summit to the colorado?
Yes, I believe you are. Visit the renewal store and if you qualify it will allow you to select the pass.
Report back with your results and let us know!
Should i be concerned? I’ve booked a trip much earlier than usuall for a group of my firefighter buddies on Dec3-13th.
We have never been to Breck, this early in the season, my concern is going to be if there is enough snow fall at the time of our trip. Last year we went a week later and it seemed pretty good.
Can anyone advise?
Hey Ralph, no reason to be worried, snow has been falling in the high country and we’re probably a few weeks from it down here in Denver, too. Breckenridge will have plenty of snow by December.
Last year the snow was a bit late (we didn’t see much at Thanksgiving) but we still had enough by the time you’ll be out here.