PLAN AHEAD FOR NEXT SEASON
It’s early March and you’re barely thinking about summer yet. But smart ski and ride enthusiasts are focusing in on next season and beginning the process of choosing their passes for the coming year.
In the old days, you just waited until Autumn and made your purchase. But today’s ski and ride pass market, with its wide variety of options, starts early. And in most cases, the earlier you act, the more you save.
Resorts and pass programs have begun rolling out sales for the 23-24 season. In some cases, you can even – and with the snow this past week this should be even more enticing – ski the rest of this season on the pass you purchase now for next season.
Gunstock Mountain Resort (www. gunstock.com) launched their season pass sales this past week, with deep discount prices if you purchase before May 1. Right now, their adult full pass (all week, all holidays, no blackouts) comes in at $589 for adults and $389 for kids and seniors.
Gunstock has a generous view on those ages, too. Kids passes are valid up to 22 years of age, and senior pricing kicks in at just 60. Add to that the six “BFF” passes you get that let you purchase a ticket for a friend at 50 percent off, and it’s a great deal.
Keep in mind that Gunstock has a pretty firm cut off policy for guests, particularly on weekends, since their goal is a quality ski and ride experience. Pass holders are never denied entry, so you also get a “sure thing” ski day any day with your pass.
Pat’s Peak Resort (www.patspeak.com) launched their 23-24 pass sale this week with, as always, great early prices and a bonus: you ski the rest of this season on that pass as well.
Pat’s full season pass for adults, purchased now, comes in at $489. They consider “adult” to be anyone 30 and up. Young adults (18-29) can ski all season for just $299. They do require that ticket be picked up in person with a valid ID to show.
Should you want a midweek pass, those go for $289 for all ages 6 and up – which would mean if you ski three days this spring, you’d already get your value out of that pass.
Pass holders at Pats also get four “bring a friend” $20 off a ticket perk as well.
The big passes, Ikon (www.ikonpass.com) and Epic (https://www. epicpass.com) offer early purchase deals too. While Ikon has yet (as of publication date) announced their sale start, Epic is on sale as of this week. Epic’s price climbs as the summer and fall come, so now is the time if that is your pass of choice.
A cool new thing about the Epic pass this year: you’ll no longer, should you wish, need a pass. Rather, an app on your phone will serve as your pass.
The popular Indy Ski Pass (www.indyskipass.com) gives you access to well over 100 independently owned areas across the nation and around the world, has yet to announce but is teasing news soon on their website. Look for some added resorts there this season, and check out how you can use an IndySkiPass to compliment another pass.
More deals will be coming out as well. Stay tuned, stay stoked and of course, get out and carve those spring turns.