It’s the modern-age-old question for Colorado skiers and boarders: “What pass you got?” As in, what season pass did you buy/get/commit to?
Since the Great Pass Wars that began in the late 90s, the choice for many Colorado residents is either the Colorado Pass or the Rocky Mountain Super Pass. Both are outstanding values for anyone who hits the slopes more than five or six times a year (like, duh, why wouldn’t you?), and if you snu-snu (yeah, that’s the name I’m giving to the practice of skiing or snowboarding, since no one has ever come up with a good name to describe both, and I know it’s from Futurama, why do you think I chose it, besides I’m not sure if the Futurama writers didn’t abscond it from someone else even though I guess I could Google it and maybe find out if it’s a reference to something, but, and anyway I might change my mind down the road ’cause it’s my blog and I can do whatever I want, including writing really long and dangerous and ill-advised run-on sentences in a convoluted parenthesis explanation scenario that would be better off in a separate post but now that I’m on a roll I think I’ll just keeping rolling with it, ooh did you see that snowboarder who jumped into the opening ceremony of the Olympics,jeesh talk about pressure but he stuck it so mad props, oh hey is that my mac ‘n cheese on fire on the stove?) a bunch you can get your cost of snu-snu down to pennies a day. Almost.
But the problem with buying one pass or the other has always been your friends who bought the wrong other pass. It’d be great if all your friends had the same pass, and you could all snu-snu together all the time, but people gots their loyalties, and who’s to question loyalty to a mountain?
Anywhoo, Copper recently debuted their Swinger’s Pass offering any season pass owner a Copper lift ticket for $39. Just show up at the Copper lift ticket window with your other ski resort season pass and they’ll trade your 39 greenbacks for a day of snu-snu. From their Interwebz:
End Mountain Monogamy and Come Get Some!
There’s no question of loyalty here. It’s just a day riding a mountain with easier access, free parking and fewer crowds. Any season pass holder worldwide: Sneak over to Copper Mountain for a day and pick up the Swinger’s Pass for the easy price of $39! Get to Guest Services or to the Ticket Windows of Copper Mountain to purchase this sexy deal. This product cannot be purchased online.
Don’t have a pass to anywhere? Check out the High Four.
Deal is subject to change. Not valid 3/12 – 3/27/10 or 4/5 – 4/9/10. Limited to 1 day per person.
Not a bad deal. Now you can go snu-snu for cheap with a friend who has the other pass and get some strange. On the slopes, people. I know what you are thinking, and I would never resort to sex to promote snu-snu. And neither would Intrawest. I mean Pwder. Pshaww.
On Saturday, May 30, 2009, Arapahoe Basin will host their Spring Splash pond skimming festivities. From the A-Basin webz:
Join us Saturday, May 30, 2009 for the official Spring Splash at Lake Reveal.
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Lake Reveal is the natural lake currently forming mid-way up the mountain. Ski or snowboard across the lake and win all kinds of cool prizes.
Registration is FREE and starts at the top of the course on Lenawee Face at 1:00 p.m. Just look for the big, orange Sobe flag.
Win prizes for best costume, best run, best dunk, best trick and many more.
Bring your camera, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to photograph this one!
This pond skimming event puts all others to shame, ’cause it’s free and easy, and anyone who shows up early can probably skim their ass off before the competition begins at 1 p.m. Plus, the pond is a real temporary pond that forms, unlike all the man-made ponds with plastic liners that other ski resorts build for their pond skimming events.
The pond has been slowly forming for a few weeks, and should be large and in prime shape by Saturday. Last year there was so much snow that the pond never formed before A-Basin closed. The last time the pond was this good was 2006.
A couple of quick tips: The skimming is easier in the mid-morning before the sun and warmer temps cause the snow to get softer and slower. And the crowd is smaller earlier in the day, so there’s less intimidation factor for noobs to give it a whirl. Scope out the pond before your first skim to size it up and pick a smooth exit spot to ride out of. Remember to stay loose and keep your weight back a little. Also, don’t feel like you have to skim the whole pond on your first try, just bite off a piece of it before you go long and impress your brahs on your next run.
Check this video from last weekend for some pointers (and sweet liquid yard sales):
Wolf Creek Ski Area. Annual snowfall average is 465 inches, hence the claim "The Most Snow in Colorado." You know you want some. (Courtesy Wolf Creek)
Wolf Creek Ski Area is having one of their super sweet Local Appreciation Days this Sunday, February 1, 2009. That means $31 adult lift tickets to anyone who shows up at the ticket window, no ID required. And they’re doing it again next Sunday, February 8, and a bunch of other days this season. Thanks Wolfy!
You know you want to road trip to Wolf Creek. They’ve had 270 inches of snowfall to date. The place just rocks the snow, and it’s always a laid back, uncrowded, mellow experience.
You can check the schedule of all Wolf Creek Ski Area Local Appreciation Days and other events here.
Phillips 66 is offering a nice buy one get one Colorado lift ticket deal in exchange for buying 10 gallons of their fuel. Copper Mountain, Monarch Mountain, Powderhorn and Winter Park are the participating ski resorts. There are some blackout dates and day of the week restrictions, but most Sunday’s are good to go. Hooray Monarch for no day of the week restrictions!
And there’s are no limit on how many vouchers you can get. Fill tank = get voucher, fill tank = get voucher, fill tank = get voucher, rinse and repeat, and so on and so on into April. So you could fill up at Phillips 66 each time you need gas and get half price skiing for the rest of the season.
The site makes you click through four pages to get the skinny on blackout dates, so here they are:
Copper Mountain: Valid January 2 thru April 13, 2009, Sunday thru Friday. Blackout dates: Spring Break March 14-29, 2009.
Monarch Mountain: Valid January 2 thru April 13, 2009, Monday thru Sunday. Blackout dates: January 17-18, February 14-15, Spring Break March 14-22, 2009.
Powderhorn: Valid January 2 thru March 29, 2009, Monday thru Thursday. Blackout dates: January 19th, February 16th, Spring Break March 9-12, 2009.
Winter Park: Valid January 2 thru April 13, 2009, Sunday through Friday. Blackout dates: Spring Break March 14-29, 2009.
Details can be found on the Ski Free Colorado website, or just head straight to the list of participating gas stations here.
Patrol checks out Montezuma Bowl. You know you want some. (Courtesy Arapahoe Basin)
Arapahoe Basin announced today that Montezuma Bowl will open at 11 am on Tuesday, December 30, 2008. About 180 acres will open, which is less than half of the terrain in Montezuma, but it’s still 180 acres of mostly untracked snow. Besides, your Colorado Pass is restricted at Vail and Beaver Creek through Wednesday.
While you’re waiting for the rope to drop, be sure to grab breakfast at A-Basin’s excellent The Legends Café. The Skiers Breakfast and Boarders Breakfast both rock for $5. You can’t go wrong with eggs, tater tots, biscuits and gravy to power you through the day.
Here’s the press release:
ARAPAHOE BASIN MONTEZUMA BOWL TO OPEN TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2008
Montezuma Bowl Opens for its Second Season
Arapahoe Basin, Colorado – December 28, 2008 – Arapahoe Basin’s Montezuma Bowl will open to the public at 11am, Tuesday, December 30. Great early season snowfall allowed for staff to groom and open the terrain two weeks earlier than expected. The Zuma chair lift will give skiers and riders access to 18 intermediate, advanced and expert runs; approximately 180 acres of Montezuma Bowl.
Montezuma Bowl opened for its inaugural season in January of 2008. The expansion increased the ski area’s terrain by 80 percent. The 400-acre Montezuma Bowl, located on the backside of Arapahoe Basin, was the nation’s largest terrain expansion for the 2007-2008 ski season.
Arapahoe Basin continues to grow and this year a $1.2 million parking expansion was added. With 300 new parking spaces served by new shuttle buses and pedestrian tunnel under US Highway 6, getting to the slopes has never been easier.
Arapahoe Basin has also added value for season pass holders. Along with unlimited skiing and riding, A-Basin pass holders now receive 10% off food and beverage purchases at Black Mountain Lodge and A-Frame Cafeteria, 10% off retail at Black Mountain Sports and Arapahoe Sports, as well as a free class lesson from the Snowsports School. Arapahoe Basin 2008-2009 season passes are still available and can be purchased at www.arapahoebasin.com or through Guest Services 1-888-ARAPAHOE (272-7246).
For more information on Arapahoe Basin or Montezuma Bowl please call 1-888-ARAPAHOE or log on towww.arapahoebasin.com.
So it’s been snowing like crazy in the Colorado mountains for the past couple of weeks. That’s great news.
And, as the economy slows and resort bookings lag, many ski areas are launching all sorts of news sites and promotions. That’s good news for those without a season pass, or season pass holders who want to get some at another area.
So here’s a few new Colorado resort deals for your low-cost enjoyment, in order of importance to Front Range riffraff:
PowPowPlatter.com: Intrawest throws down a trifecta of tickets to Copper Mountain, Winter Park and Steamboat for $99. No blackout dates, either. Nice. But, 48 hour advance purchase required, and non-transferable. Available while supplies last or until January 31st. You know you wanna road trip to Steamboat.
KeystoneTonight.com: Keystone launched this new site to sell last minute deals on lodging, activities, dining and more. It offers hotel rooms or studios for $99 a night throughout the season, and Sunday night stays at the Inn at Keystone (rooftop hot tub, whoot) for $79. Deals vary depending on the week.
VailAllTheLove.com: Vail deals on lodging, on-mountain food and activities, Vail Snowsports School, town dining/drinking, shopping and rentals, spa visits and other activities. Sample deal: 1 free Happy Hour Beer at Westside Cafe from 4 pm-7 pm. (If you’re a current or former Vail Resorts season pass holder you probably got a Vail All The Love discount card mailed to you.)
Good news for those who enjoy the uncrowded terrain in Earl’s Bowl at Vail. The Vail Daily has reported that Vail Resorts has given up on plans to build a groomed catwalk to Earl’s Bowl. Meaning that users will still have to work a little to access the sidecountry west of Blue Sky Basin. Meaning that more people will not be venturing out the gate and into your stash. Meaning more fresh snow for those that don’t mind a small hike, like these powder junkies:
Heading west on the trail to Earl's Bowl during opening day of Blue Sky Basin at Vail on Saturday, December 13, 2008.
Meaning more untouched runs like this:
Blue Sky Basin at Vail as viewed from atop Earl's Bowl on Saturday, December 13, 2008.
Also, it’s been snowing like gangbusters this December. A small avalanche slid down Lover’s Leap in Blue Sky Basin on Sunday. Be safe out there you powder freaks.
A crowd gathers while waiting for the rope to drop into Fox Trot during the opening day of The Outback area at Keystone, Colorado, December 7, 2007.
The start of the 2008-2009 ski season has been eerily like that of the 2007-2008 season: a mostly dry October and November followed by a pummeling of snowfall soon after Thanksgiving.
This weekend is one of those times you reallyreallyreallyreallyreally should go riding. It seems like almost every ski resort in the state is opening additional terrain by this weekend. Nothing beats hitting the opening of a bowl after a week of storms. It’s like riding untouched backcountry snow without all the uphill work. This type of mass early-weeklong-dump/drop-the-ropes action only happens once a season if at all.
Just be sure to get there early to get the goods. And play nice all you Front Range riffraff. I know you’ve been waiting for this.
UPDATE: Keystone is also getting in on the party this weekend.
