Spring= Bargains Now and Next Ski Season

Long days, corn snow, sunshine and early-purchase savings on 2009-10 season passes

As reliably as the swallows returning to Capistrano, come spring equinox, ski country values roll in. Here are some of Colorado's best April values -- but resorts elsewhere in the Rockies, on the East and West Coasts and in the Alps also offer late-season specials. Over the last couple of days, Colorado resorts have gotten 10 +/- inches of snow, so spring values might be buying winter conditions and/or you'll plug into the must fun apres-ski of the entire season.

2009-10 Season Pass Pre-Purchase

Vail Resorts’ successful Epic Season Pass is back for its second season with a return to the 2008-09 introductory price. Next season again, unrestricted skiing and snowboarding (i.e., no blackout dates) at six ski areas costs just $579 for adults and $279 for children aged 5-12. The Epic Pass is good at all five Vail Resorts (Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly), plus Arapahoe Basin with its long, long ski season. A modest $49 down-payment made on-line before April 9 locks in this price and also is good toward some great lodging deals and added values at Vail for the end of this season. The balance, due in mid-September, will be charged to the same credit card as the down-payment. The pass is non-refundable and non-transferable.

The 2009-10 Rocky Mountain Super Pass Plus good all season long at Copper Mountain, Steamboat and Winter Park is on sale for $399 per adult, $40 less than last year. The price for teens (13-17) is $309; kids (6-12 ) are $209, and seniors (70-plus) pay $239. Click here to purchase your pass on-line now, or buy at any Christy Sports location along the Front Range. Current pass-holders can simply reactivate their existing passes for next season, and new purchasers can upload a jpg head shot that will be used for the pass. A $49 deposit is required by June 1 (or when the limited quantity is reached) with the balance due in mid-September. The pass is good for unlimited skiing and riding at Winter Park and Copper Mountain, plus six days at Steamboat with free skiing on Fridays after 12:30 p.m. for weekend skiing Front Rangers. Copper and Winter Park also offer passholders up to 10 discounted one-day lift tickets for friends or family redeemable at the ticket windows; discounts on resort food and beverage sales; equipment sales or rentals, and ski and ride lessons. Everyone gets a one-year subscription to Skiing magazine.

Crested Butte's ski season ends on April 5 -- and so do its early-buy discounts for season passes or multi-day Mountain Cards for 2009-10, still offered at 2008-09 prices. Click here to see the choice of full passes and multi-day cards. The next wave of discounts is in effect from June 1 through September 7, when full prices kick in. It's not clear what happens when someone wishes to buy a 2009-10 season pass or Mountain Card between April 6 and May 31.

Purchase a 2009-10 season pass at Eldora by April 30 ski/ride free for the rest of the season, which ends April 12. Prices are adult, $359 renewal ($369 new); junior, ages 13-17 $239 renewal ($259 new); child, ages 6-12 $159 renewal ($179 new); and preschoolers 5 and under ski all season for $75 and seniors 75 and older do so for $89. For younger seniors, ages 65-74, the pass is $219 renewal ($229, new). Midweek pass $250 renewal ($279 new). The senior midweek pass $89. A family season pass is $839 renewal ($889). By at Eldora Mountain Sports 2775 Canyon Boulevard, at season pass office at the mountain, by phone (303-440-8700) or online.

Arapahoe Basin (photo, above right) has rolled back 2009-10 season passes to 2007 prices. Passes are available through April 30 with a $49 deposit now (balance due in September). The A-Basin Only Season Pass is for $279 for ages 20-69, $189 for ages 15-19 and $109 for ages 6-14) is selling for $109. These passes are also valid for the remainder of the 2008-09 season as well as the entire 2009-10 season with no black out dates. The Arapahoe Basin Bonus Pass, now on sale for $339 for adults (ages 15+) and $249 for children (ages 6-14), is good for unlimited skiing/riding at A-Basin during the remainder of the 2008-09 season and all of 2009-10 season, plus five non-transferable days at Keystone or Breckenridge with one of those five days at Vail or Beaver Creek (some date restrictions apply). Pass holders also receive one $25 half-day class lesson, 10 percent off food (except at the 6th Alley bar), 10 percent off on purchases at Arapahoe Sports and Black Mountain Sports, five days of skiing at Bear Valley in California, one unguided day of skiing at Silverton Mountain, friends and family A-Basin lift ticket discounts, and $10 off performance tunes in the Base’n Edge Tune Shop.

Echo Mountain with its 600-foot vertical, proximity to Denver/Jeffco and special appeal to young skiers and riders is operating until May 3. Super-cheap 2009-10 season passes are on sale now for just $139 for unlimited skiing/riding without black-out dates. For new passes, add $50 to ski/ride for the rest of this season through May 3. Buy at the Echo Mountain Lodge or online. Passes are non-refundable.

Monarch Mountain is offering its 2009-10 season passes at early season prices through July 3. The multi-tier pricing is adult (16 to 61), $289; students (13 to 15), $159; junior (7 to 12), $89, senior (62-68), $159, and children (under 7) and seniors (over 68) free. Buy on-line by clicking here or by calling 719-530-5105. In addition to unlimited skiing and riding Monarch, all season passes include three free days of skiing at Loveland, Durango, Powderhorn, Sunlight, Angel Fire and Pajarito; one day of complimentary un-guided skiing at Silverton, and half-price tickets all season at Alta, Utah.

Purgatory's 2009-10 passes hold at the 2008-09 prices (adult, $539; student 13-18, $289; college with 9 credit hours or more, $349; kids 6-12, $239; kid with parent, $129; "silver," 62-69, $339, plus an array of flex and midweek offers). Benefits include Durango Mountain Resort summer activities (Alpine Slide, scenic chairlift, etc.), one $52 Friends & Family ticket per day; three non-holiday days at Taos; three days at Monarch; 10 days at Kirkwood, California, half-price non-holiday tickets at Crested Butte; 30 percent off at Arizona Snowbowl; 20 cent off group lessons at Ski and Ride School; 15 percent off at Durango Mountain Resort retail outlets and 10 percent off DMR food and beverage (excludes alcohol). If there's an end date to this pricing, it's not evident.

Spring Skiing Specials

At Colorado’s unofficial spring skiing capital, Arapahoe Basin's A+ Spring Pass ($279 per adult, $699 for a family of four) is valid for unlimited skiing and riding at A-Basin for the remainder of the season, which generally lasts into June. It is also good for five days at Keystone or Breckenridge — and one of those can be used, with some date restrictions, at Vail or Beaver Creek. Additional benefits include a free half-day lesson, discounted friend and family tickets and a 10 percent discount on cafeteria and retail purchases. Those who plan to ski only at A-Basin can purchase Spring Passes at $209 per adult, $159 for ages 15 to 18, and $99 for ages six to 14. Under six, free — as always.

Aspen is extending the season and operating Aspen Highlands lifts from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for two additional weekends, April 18-19 and April 25-26. Adult lift tickets will be $39 per day, youth and seniors will pay $29 and children's tickets will be $19. Six and under, free. Current season passholders from any other resort in the U.S. will pay just $19 for their lift ticket.

During the post-Easter Breckenridge for a Buck, buy three days and nights at Breckenridge and get your fourth day and night for a dollar. It is in effect for the nights of April 12 - 19.

Copper Mountain offers “The Deal,” $219 for four one-day lift tickets good as long as there’s snow and the lifts are running. Divvy up those four days any way you want: four days on your own, two days with a friend or one day with three friends. It’ simple, straightforward, flexible and an excellent value. The season is scheduled to continue through April 19. Also, Sunsation lodging at the resort starts at $55 per person, per night; 866-534-7444. Combine it with The Deal and you've literally got yourself a deal!

Haul the family to Echo Mountain for an afternoon of skiing or riding and eating without breaking the bank. The Fours for Spring package costs just $99 for four afternoon lift tickets, four sodas or milks, four slices of pizza, four bags of chips and four cookies or brownies. If anyone needs instruction, add a group lesson at $29 per person.

Loveland is operating until May 3 this year. Buy discounted lift tickets ($48 for ages 15 and over, $22 for 14 and younger, 5 and under ski free) at dozens of Front Range locations. Click here for specifics.

Keystone’s new $99 spring lift ticket is good for three days of skiing until April 12 at Keystone and/or Arapahoe Basin. And if you can’t dedicate three days to skiing or riding, head for Keystone on Thursday, April 9, and enjoy a single day on the slopes for $33. Another $12 will buy you a mid-day pig roast base at LaBonte’s Cabin at the base of North Peak. That's just a couple of bucks more than the price of a mediocre little pizza most of the season!

Optional unguided skiing returns to the steeps of Silverton Mountain on April 3-5, 11-12 and 18-19. Prices are $49 all-day unguided; $99 per person for all-day guide including unguided lift ticket, and $35 for single guided run (lift ticket additional). Rentals including mandatory avalanche gear are available.

Steamboat's three-day or longer Springalicious packages though April 12 include free skiing when staying three-nights or longer. Book through Steamboat Central Reservations. If you just want a lift ticket, three days of skiing cost $99.

Telluride has extended the season through April 12. All the terrain off the locals’ favorite Plunge and Coonskin lifts will be open, as will the gate near patrol headquarters at the top of the Plunge Lift to access the USFS backcountry gate at the top of Gold Hill. Hiking access will be along the See Forever trail only. Lifts will operate from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Non-pass holders will find adult ticket prices reduced to $50, with senior and child tickets for $25. Additionally, $25 tickets will be offered to season pass holders or employees from any other ski resort in North America.

Book two nights' April lodging specials at Winter Park starting at $35 per person, per night and the second night is 50 percent off, through April 19 ($26 per person at the Gasthaus Eichler through April 12).

Wolf Creek is re-opening Saturday and Sunday, April 11-12, for "Local Appreciation Weekend" with $31 adult and $18 child/senior lift tickets, no ID required. Of course, all Wolf Creek season passes will be honored too. The Horseshoe Bowl Snowcat Shuttle will be running both days depending on conditions, and the Easter Bunny will visit Wolf Creek on Sunday the 12th to celebrate Easter. An Easter Egg Hunt at Wolf Pup Hollow at 12:30 p.m. will be open to children ages 8 and under with a valid lift ticket.