Yes, the venerable start to fall means more than just the kids going back to school. It means it’s time to start thinking about snow and all the fun activities that come with it! Labor Day weekend is the kick-off to the ski season – where you can get your season passes, ticket deals and deals on gear. Just like any great sale – the key is all in WHEN you purchase. Most of the season passes will continue to be on sale through Thanksgiving weekend – but the prices will continually creep up. Best deals will be Labor Day Weekend.
Denver has a couple great competing sales that start Labor Day weekend. Sports Authority’s Sniagrab (Bargains spelled backwards) and Colorado Ski & Golf’s Ski Rex.
Ski Rex is at all Colorado Ski & Golf Locations, Boulder Ski Deals and Colorado Ski & Sport starting September 29 with prices 30-70% off last year’s items and pre-season pricing in this year’s stuff! (It’s all new stuff). Ski Rex also where you can snag a Junior Trade In Deal (Ski and snowboard exchange program for young skiers and snowboarders that provides deep discounts on a full set up (skis, bindings, poles, boots and safety check) and ability to exchange gear each season as youngsters grow. Prices start at $99.99 for full first season and $49.99 for subsequent full seasons on used equipment and $199.99 for new gear the first year and $99.99 for subsequent seasons on new gear). Also while kids are at the Ski Rex sale, at the Aurora Colorado Ski & Golf location, little “wannabe” snowboarders can try the Burton Ringlet learn-to-ride course guided by Keystone instructors…for free.
Sniagrab. The 60th Annual sale, Sniagrab begins to the general public on September 30 (it starts a week earlier for The League Members) at Denver SportsCastle and Sports Authority locations in Littleton, Park Meadows, Boulder, Ft. Collins, and Colorado Springs (as well as Salt Lake City Sports Castle). Get skis, snowboards, apparel, and accessories for 40-90% off original prices! We’re talking big brand names on sale! Plus, they are offering some great promotions to get you in line early. On Saturday, August 30 the first 250 in line will get bonus bucks ranging from $10-$100 that you can use toward Sniagrab purchases; Purchase $300 or more get a Sports Authority Cash card worth more of a discount the more you purchase; Register to win a Vail Resorts Epic Local pass worth $549 (six winners chosen); Plus one winner at each location (on Sat Aug 30 only) will be chosen to receive $500 gift card toward their Sniagrab purchase.
Powder Daze at Christy’s Sports boasts up to 70% off. They have a Denver location (near Southwest Plaza Mall) but also locations in the mountains including Dillon, Steamboat and online.
Lift ticket deals and Area Specific Deals
Vail Resorts (which includes Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin) has several different options of passes based on where you would like to ski (and have access to ski). For a full list of their passes visit epicpass.com/css. Vail also offers the School of Shred Program for 5th and 6th Graders (see below).
Arapahoe Basin will begin offering the Elevation 4 pass (online and at area ski sales events). Which allows the pass holder to ski/snowboard for four days for just $129. (Non transferrable and non refundable).
Aspen/Snowmass offers what they call the Classic Pass which allows the passholder to purchase tickets that are highly discounted. You can purchase either a four day or a seven day pass. The Classic pass starts at $229 for adults $184 for kids.
One of my favorite places, Copper Mountain‘s season pass will be on sale as well as their four pack for just $149. If you purchase the four-pack at Christy Sport Powder Daze you can score an additional day on your four pack (wouldn’t that be a five pack?). Copper has partnered with ski areas in other states so if you are traveling this winter you can also ski in California, Utah, Las Vegas Nevada (yes, they have skiing) and Vermont. You can also purchase the Rocky Mountain Super Pass which partners Copper with Winter Park/Mary Jane.
I hate to admit I’ve never snowboarded at Crested Butte. I love it in the summer (We go every summer because that is where my dad’s family is from). But maybe I will need to this year because they are offering the Getaway Pass which includes lodging for one night and two lift tickets for two people starting at just $249! Weekend away anyone?
I LOVE the Loveland deal. You can get four lift tickets for just $129. These are real tickets. Meaning – share them with your friends or hog them all for yourself at just $33 per day grab a few!
Monarch Ski Area has a three pack for just $99 available at Powder Daze and Sniagrab (Colorado Springs Location). They do have some blackout dates on this offer though.
Steamboat is home for me. I went to elementary school there. So it stands to reason that I think of “great childhood” when I think about Steamboat. It’s not all in my head. Steamboat was the first resort to offer Ski Ski Free. For every Adult day ticket your child 12 and under will get to ski for free. Labor Day Weekend Steamboat will begin selling their season passes. They will also be selling the three pass. This pass is good for three (non-consecutive) days of skiing for just $129. (there are some date restrictions on the three day).
Mountain Resorts offers a wide variety of attractive, well-maintained accommodations at prime locations in Steamboat Springs, Colorado surrounding the Steamboat Ski Area, with rates ranging from affordable to indulgent. If you’re planning a winter vacation to Steamboat Springs there is no better time to book your trip. When you book early you have access to the best properties at the greatest discounts. Check out these early booking deals. Up to 35% off lodging and 25% off lift tickets! For more information and reservations call 800-995-6049 or visit us online
Winter Park/Mary Jane is talking all about the Rocky Mountain Super Pass. For just $509 you will be able to get unliminted skiing at Winter Park, Mary Jane, Copper, and Eldora in addition to three days at Crested Butte and six days at Steamboat.
Fifth and Sixth Graders
Do you know of a friend, family member, or neighbor who has kids who are in 5th AND 6th Grades? The ski areas are once again offering FREE programs for 5th and 6th Graders to get their passes for FREE! Yep, I said FREE. Vail Resorts calls their program School of Shred – it is free to both 5th and 6th graders – you just have to visit the nearest Colorado Ski and Golf Location (Boulder Ski Deals or Colorado Ski and Sport) and bring in proof that your kiddo is in that grade. Colorado Ski Country’s program is called the Passport – it is free to 5th graders and a nominal fee for 6th graders. Ski Country’s program is a mail in option to be announced just after Labor Day. You can participate in BOTH programs (I did). Each programs give one free lesson and equipment rental.
=======
Email me if you know of any great Denver deals!
Don’t want to miss any of Mile High Mamas’ contests and events? Be sure to sign up for our weekly email newsletter so you can forward these great deals to your friends.
If you’re on Twitter follow me on Twitter (GeeWhy93). If I find a great deal during the week, I’ll tweet it out.