Colorado Snow » Steamboat http://cosnow.com Colorado's snow-sport, ski, and snowboard resource Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:04:46 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Shaun White’s private halfpipe http://cosnow.com/2009/10/28/shaun-whites-private-halfpipe/ http://cosnow.com/2009/10/28/shaun-whites-private-halfpipe/#comments Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:44:30 +0000 Devin Reams http://cosnow.com/?p=788 Some day when I grow up, I’ll have my own private halfpipe. In the meantime, I’ll just have to watch Shaun White play on his. Not everyone has heard of this yet, but Red Bull built Shaun a halfpipe in the backcountry of Silverton, Colorado and will start posting some awesome videos soon. In short: he’s planning to invent a series of new tricks that will change the sport forever. Check out Shaun White’s private halfpipe and check back here for updates. (oh yeah,Shaun White is on twitter)

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]]> http://cosnow.com/2009/10/28/shaun-whites-private-halfpipe/feed/ 2 2009/2010 Colorado resort opening days http://cosnow.com/2009/10/27/20092010-colorado-resort-opening-days/ http://cosnow.com/2009/10/27/20092010-colorado-resort-opening-days/#comments Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:26:01 +0000 Devin Reams http://cosnow.com/?p=796 Well, I said I wasn’t going to do it this year but I did. Frankly, I’m annoyed with 1) resort websites that don’t have their opening day listed front and center (not even CSCUSA) and 2) other websites claiming dates that are flat out incorrect. So, I have hand-verified each of the dates listed below on each resort’s official website. If it’s not listed, they didn’t list it (email me if one is missing).

UPDATE: awesome! CSCUSA has posted the 2009 season dates to their resort pages. Note that the cosnow listing includes non-member resorts (Vail, Keystone, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek).

Here you have it, the comprehensive list of scheduled opening days for ski and snowboard resorts in Colorado by date.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Friday, October 9, 2009

Saturday, October 31, 2009

  • Wolf Creek

Thursday, November 5, 2009

  • Keystone

Friday, November 6, 2009

Thursday, November 12, 2009

  • Breckenridge

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Friday, November 20, 2009

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Friday, November 27, 2009

Friday, December 4, 2009

  • Sunlight

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Saturday, December 12, 2009

  • Aspen Highlands
  • Buttermilk

Thursday, December 17, 2009

As always, you can find these dates listed on the CoSnow events calendar. Just search for “opening day”.

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]]> http://cosnow.com/2009/10/27/20092010-colorado-resort-opening-days/feed/ 4 Recession-proof pricing at Colorado resorts http://cosnow.com/2009/10/27/good-skiing-can-happen-to-you/ http://cosnow.com/2009/10/27/good-skiing-can-happen-to-you/#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:11:14 +0000 Colorado Ski Country USA http://cosnow.com/?p=769 The economy is in the toilet, we get it. Jobs are scarce, understood. These days we are all having to make tough decisions about where to spend our already limited discretionary dollars.

That said, Colorado has nearly a half million skiers and riders living in the state, and having world class skiing and riding in our back yards is one of the reasons many of us live here. That’s why this year, Colorado Ski Country resorts are working hard to come up with creative ways to make it easy to get some good skiing in this winter.

There are lots of options out there for getting on the slopes. Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) resorts are offering a diverse menu of lift ticket and pass options, including flexible payment and added perks, with the purchase of a pass. Many resorts are also holding the line on pricing to help skiers get on the hill.

But you’ve got to do your research to reap all the rewards. Pay attention to promotion dates and deadlines and you can score well with a pass that will do your budget good, do your schedule good, and do your skiing good.

Below are some of the pass products, lift ticket options, and ways to pay for them that skiers can expect for the coming season:

Flexible Payment and Discounts

Aspen/Snowmass is offering a payment plan for the first time ever for two new passes, the Flex Pass and the Escape Pass. The two passes have a reduced upfront cost and then a pay-as-you-go component for guests to add on skiing as they like. The Escape Pass is just $299 up front through December 18th, and offers direct-to-lift pay-as-you-go access to all four Aspen/Snowmass mountains for $49 per day.

The Flex Pass costs $874 if purchased by November 13th and offers one day of skiing or riding each week of the winter season (20 weeks) on all four of the Aspen/Snowmass mountains, plus the flexibility to add days any time for $49 per day.

Copper, Winter Park, and Steamboat are coming together to offer a new discounted pass this season, a $339 College Pass, which contains all of the benefits of the Rocky Mountain Super Pass Plus at a discounted price. Full-time college students are eligible to purchase the pass when they present a valid college ID and current schedule in person at participating Front Range Christy Sports locations. Of course, the Rocky Mountain Super Pass Plus is already a deal at its normal price of $449, offering unlimited skiing at Copper and Winter Park, plus six unrestricted days and unlimited free Friday afternoon skiing at Steamboat.

Pass deals sweep through other ski areas too, with Echo Mountain boasting the cheapest season pass in Ski Country for the 2009-10 season. Denver’s closest, cheapest, and freshest ski and snowboard area is offering an unlimited 2009-10 season pass for $169. The pass has no blackout days. Echo’s proximity to Denver means that, with a season pass, locals can hop up to the mountain after work for night skiing any day of the week.

Two other Colorado resorts are freezing prices on lift tickets for the coming season. Powderhorn Resort and Ski Cooper are helping their guests afford skiing in the 2009-10 season by holding the cost of lift tickets and season passes at last season’s levels. In addition, Powderhorn offers a Buy One, Get One Free deal through a partnership with Suncor. When guests purchase $10 of gas or more at any Phillips 66 station, they can receive buy one, get one free lift tickets.

To celebrate 70 years of continued operation, Wolf Creek is also holding its lift tickets and season pass prices at last season’s levels. Adding to the fun, the resort has scheduled 14 “Local Appreciation Days” when adult lift tickets will be on sale for $31 and child/senior lift tickets for $18. No ID required. In addition, college students and faculty can take advantage of $31.00 lift tickets on College Day at Wolf Creek when they present a current college ID.

Sunlight Mountain Resort joins Powderhorn, Ski Cooper, and Wolf Creek by also holding steady on its pass prices for this season. Besides the everyday affordable pass prices, there is a slew of savings to be found among Sunlight’s many pass options. Guests can take advantage of discounts until October 31st on most pass products, including $90 off of an unlimited season pass. Of note as well is Sunlight’s “Learn to Shine” Pass that gives pass holders three lessons and a five-day pass for as low as $250 until October 31.

Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort released an unprecedented selection of passes for this year, offering 10 passes specially tailored to different types of guests. These passes include special prices for weekday skiers, college students, grade-school students ages 13 through 12th grade, seniors, and families who buy adult and child passes together. On top of these, Purgatory also offers a Flex Pass, where skiers buy a pass for $109 and then get discounts on lift tickets all season long. The first day that Flex Pass holders use the pass is completely free.

Silverton Mountain is “all thrills, no frills”, with lift ticket and pass options to match that attitude. This year Silverton will be offering $49 unguided lift tickets for guests to experience the mountain’s all-natural advanced and expert terrain. For those guests wanting a guide to show them the untouched powder caches that abound at Silverton, the ski area has private and group guided skiing options available.

Steamboat is bringing back its popular Ski Free package this season. With the Ski Free lodging package, guests who book three nights of lodging through Steamboat Central Reservations receive free lift tickets with access to the legendary Champagne Powder(tm) snow, epic trees and the #1 Family Resort in North America. Ski Free package is valid November 25- December 18, 2009 and April 4- April 11, 2010.

Telluride’s pass sale lasts online through October 30th and at various ski shows through November 29th, with prices at 2008-09 levels for individual purchasers and the opportunity to sink prices to 2007 levels when four adults purchase their season passes together. This could mean season-long Telluride passes for $998 per person, a savings of nearly 50% from the normal season price. Telluride offers great deals for kids with season pass prices at $125 for six to 12-year olds, $175 for 13-18 year olds and $299 for college students.  Six and 10-day passes can have adults skiing Telluride for as little as $49.50 a day and the $60 Telluride Card gives a card holder the first day of skiing for free and 25% off the adult window rate through the entire season.

Winter Park Only season passes are now on sale for $369 for adult passes and $129 for a Winter Park Four Pass, which is good for four lift tickets. Each day of skiing with a Winter Park Four Pass comes down to $32.25 per day.

Added Benefits

Arapahoe Basin has loaded its season passes with more added benefits than ever before. For $349, the A-Basin Bonus Pass gives guests unlimited, unrestricted access to A-Basin for the entire 2009-10 season plus five bonus days that can be used at four other Colorado resorts (restrictions apply). The ski area also offers a child bonus pass with the same benefits as the adult pass, for $259 (prices subject to change). All A-Basin pass holders receive other season-long benefits including one discounted half-day lesson, 10% off on food and beverages (excluding the 6th Alley Bar), 10% off in Arapahoe Sports and Black Mountain Sports shops, one unguided day of skiing at Silverton Mountain, discounted A-Basin lift tickets for friends and family, and $10 off of performance tunes for the entire season.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s (CBMR) Mountain Cards also heap on added benefits this season, offering flexibility for those who come to Crested Butte as a regular hot spot for downhill exhilaration and small town relaxation. At $45, the CB Card gets guests 25 percent off adult single day lift tickets and includes one free day of skiing during the 2009-10 season, with no blackouts. CBMR’s popular X Card includes skiing or riding on any six days of the season for $275, with no blackouts. In addition, CBMR’s Child Season Pass, also without blackout days, is one of the best deals in the Ski Country for kids age seven to 12, at $109. All CBMR season pass holders receive 15 percent off lodging through Crested Butte Vacations.

Loveland Ski Area Season Passes and 4-paks offer skiers and snowboarders some of the most affordable options in Colorado too. The ski area has held the line on 4-pak pricing from last season, offering a bundle of four lift tickets for $119, or $29.75 per day. Discerning Loveland skiers will also find 4-paks on sale at Front Range ski shows, including the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Expo, for $109. Added benefits abound at Loveland too—now all Loveland season passes come with three free, unrestricted days at Monarch Mountain, plus discounts throughout the ski area on food, lessons, rentals, child care, and sport shop purchases and discounts with other Loveland partners like Tommyknocker Brewery and Beau Jo’s.

Monarch passes are now good for skiing at 10 other mountains, the most added mountains of any Colorado resort’s ski pass. In Colorado, Loveland, Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort, Sunlight, and Powderhorn are offering Monarch season pass holders three free days of skiing this year. Silverton Mountain is providing one day of complementary skiing during their “Unguided Season.” This is on top of other free skiing days at resorts in three other states.

Be sure to learn more about Colorado Ski Country USA resorts at coloradoski.com.

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]]> http://cosnow.com/2009/10/27/good-skiing-can-happen-to-you/feed/ 2 Sample Steamboat, Copper and Winter Park for $99 http://cosnow.com/2008/12/16/sample-steamboat-copper-and-winter-park-for-99/ http://cosnow.com/2008/12/16/sample-steamboat-copper-and-winter-park-for-99/#comments Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:59:16 +0000 Devin Reams http://cosnow.com/?p=624 If you don’t have a season pass this year (or you’re holding the Colorado Pass) then Intrawest has a great deal: $99 for a day pass to Copper, Winter Park, and Steamboat. Let’s make this clear: that’s $33 per day. Frankly, this is worth the day at Steamboat alone. Check out the Pow Pow Platter. (via Winter Park on Twitter)

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]]> http://cosnow.com/2008/12/16/sample-steamboat-copper-and-winter-park-for-99/feed/ 1 The Orbitz Ski Index is mostly Colorado http://cosnow.com/2008/11/27/the-orbitz-ski-index-is-mostly-colorado/ http://cosnow.com/2008/11/27/the-orbitz-ski-index-is-mostly-colorado/#comments Thu, 27 Nov 2008 19:33:27 +0000 Devin Reams http://cosnow.com/?p=562 Based on hotel bookings, Orbitz has compiled a list they call the Orbitz Ski Index. It actually surprised me to see Breckenridge so high on the list, beating out Banff and Whistler. But, of course, all the usual suspects are there: Vail, Aspen, Winter Park, etc. Sadly enough Copper Mountain didn’t make an appearance. Maybe next year…

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]]> http://cosnow.com/2008/11/27/the-orbitz-ski-index-is-mostly-colorado/feed/ 0 Openings today and this weekend http://cosnow.com/2008/11/26/openings-today-and-this-weekend/ http://cosnow.com/2008/11/26/openings-today-and-this-weekend/#comments Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:37:30 +0000 Devin Reams http://cosnow.com/?p=530 Today is the opening day for Crested Butte and Steamboat. Tomorrow we’ll see Aspen, Snowmass and Telluride. Have fun out there!

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]]> http://cosnow.com/2008/11/26/openings-today-and-this-weekend/feed/ 0 Ski free at Steamboat with lodging http://cosnow.com/2008/11/19/ski-free-at-steamboat-with-lodging/ http://cosnow.com/2008/11/19/ski-free-at-steamboat-with-lodging/#comments Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:42:34 +0000 Devin Reams http://cosnow.com/?p=521 Steamboat has a deal: if you book before November 26, 2008 your lodging package will include lift passes. For those of you with a Colorado Pass and looking for a nice getaway (great powder!) this might be a nice present to yourself. Click here for details on the Steamboat ski free promotion.

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]]> http://cosnow.com/2008/11/19/ski-free-at-steamboat-with-lodging/feed/ 1 Resort Improvement Roundup 2008 http://cosnow.com/2008/10/20/resort-improvement-roundup-2008/ http://cosnow.com/2008/10/20/resort-improvement-roundup-2008/#comments Tue, 21 Oct 2008 05:18:26 +0000 Devin Reams http://cosnow.com/?p=472 We’ve seen a lot of new stuff heading towards the mountains this season. Here’s a quick peek at some of the highlights on the slopes:

Arapahoe Basin

  • 300 new parking spots added
  • Tunnel under Hwy 6 to connect parking and the slopes, safely
  • Buses to bring people down from the upper lots
  • Black Mountain lodge with room for 100 diners
  • New, efficient snowmaking at Sundance

Aspen / Snowmass

  • New acres added in Canopy Cruiser
  • New Sheer Bliss quad chairlift, access to 700 challenging acres
  • Gondola Plaza added at Aspen Mountain
  • Olympic-sized superpipe at Buttermilk
  • Two new restaurants added to Snowmass
  • New lodges and housing in the base village at Snowmass
  • Search for hotel deals in Aspen before the season starts

Copper Mountain

  • Woodward training facility with year-round training

Crested Butte

  • Adding new and expanding on expert terrain
  • New features to the terrain park
  • Ski valet, overnight ski, snowboard and boot service
  • Snow Igloos for the kids, Snow Bar for the adults
  • $25 million remodel of Elevation Hotel & Spa
  • Find plenty more hotels in Crested Butte

Echo Mountain

  • Already Denver’s closest ski and snowboard resort
  • Additional tree skiing and riding terrain
  • Three new features in the terrain park
  • More beginner areas including a magic carpet lift

Monarch Mountain

  • Investing over $600,000 for more terrain, better experiences
  • Adding a kids terrain park
  • 200 additional acres in the snowcat area

Steamboat

  • $4 million invested in the 2008-2009 season
  • Downtown access to rentals, tickets, school products
  • Ski rental fleet improvements
  • Improved snowmaking
  • Over 200 free parking spaces added

Winter Park

  • The Village of Winter Park Resort will open: retail, rental, restaurants
  • Open air gondola to transport from free lots to the Village

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]]> http://cosnow.com/2008/10/20/resort-improvement-roundup-2008/feed/ 2 Lesser-Known Season Passes http://cosnow.com/2008/08/29/lesser-known-season-passes/ http://cosnow.com/2008/08/29/lesser-known-season-passes/#comments Fri, 29 Aug 2008 21:26:07 +0000 Rachel http://cosnow.com/?p=174 Devin wrote a great guide to all the most frequently used and best known passes in Colorado, but there are also a lot of great deals that you might not be aware of. Below are a few more passes that you may want to check out.

Monarch

This resort may be a bit out of the way and off the beaten track, but it’s offering some great deals this season. Monarch has teamed up with mountains in Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah to offer you some excellent free and discounted deals. You will get 3 free days at each of the following Colorado resorts, including Durango, Loveland, and Powderhorn and 1 free day at Silverton.

Mountains: Alta (Utah), Angel Fire (New Mexico), Durango, Loveland, Pajarito (New Mexico), Powderhorn, Silverton, Sunlight

Price: $319

Colorado Gems Card

This card can get you some great deals at some of the smaller resorts. With this, you’ll get a free day at Arapahoe Basin, Monarch, and SolVista as well as assorted discounts at 9 different mountains. This could prove to be an excellent deal for beginners or those who don’t plan on being able to make it up much this year, but watch the stipulations for redeeming your free days.

Mountains: Arapahoe Basin, Echo Mountain, Eldora, Loveland, Monarch, Powderhorn, Ski Cooper, SolVista, Sunlight

Price: $10

5th Grade Passport

This is an excellent program for anyone with 5th grade kids. The free pass gives kids 3 free passes to each of the 21 participating resorts, totaling 63 days of skiing. You’ll need to fill out an application to be eligible and the passes are only available on a first come, first serve basis.

Mountains: Arapahoe Basin, Aspen Highlands, Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Copper, Crested Butte, Durango Mountain, Echo Mountain, Eldora, Howelsen Hill, Loveland, Monarch, Powderhorn, Ski Cooper, Snowmass, SolVista, Steamboat, Sunlight, Telluride, Winter Park, Wolf Creek

Price: Free!

6th Grade Passport

This is an extended version of the 5th grade passport described above. This pass also has access to the same 21 resorts, but now gives kids 4 days at each mountain for a total of 81 days of skiing. Again, you’ll need to fill out an application to be eligible and the passes are only available on a first come, first serve basis.

Mountains: Arapahoe Basin, Aspen Highlands, Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Copper, Crested Butte, Durango Mountain, Echo Mountain, Eldora, Howelsen Hill, Loveland, Monarch, Powderhorn, Ski Cooper, Snowmass, SolVista, Steamboat, Sunlight, Telluride, Winter Park, Wolf Creek

Price: $99

Colorado Ski Country USA Gold Pass

This pass touts unlimited and unrestricted access to 21 mountain resorts for the season (excluding Vail, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek and Keystone.) This is a 100% transferable pass, meaning it can be used by anyone any day of the season. However, the steep price tag is going to make this an unreasonable purchase for most skiers and riders.

Mountains: Arapahoe Basin, Aspen Highlands, Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Copper, Crested Butte, Durango Mountain, Echo Mountain, Eldora, Howelsen Hill, Loveland, Monarch, Powderhorn, Ski Cooper, Snowmass, SolVista, Steamboat, Sunlight, Telluride, Winter Park, Wolf Creek

Price: $2,000 for the first 100 passes sold, $2,500 thereafter

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]]> http://cosnow.com/2008/08/29/lesser-known-season-passes/feed/ 0 CoSnow Guide to 2008/2009 Season Passes http://cosnow.com/2008/08/15/colorado-guide-to-20082009-season-passes/ http://cosnow.com/2008/08/15/colorado-guide-to-20082009-season-passes/#comments Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:40:29 +0000 Devin Reams http://cosnow.com/?p=144 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.

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