How to get discount lift tickets for popular ski resorts in Colorado including Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail, and Beaver Creek.
The ski resorts make it difficult for anyone coming from out of state to get a great deal on lift tickets. Don't expect to get a smoking deal anywhere. The most expensive way to ski is to buy your lift tickets at the ticket window without any coupons. The following 8 tips will ensure that you will get the most for your money. Tip #1 will save you the most and Tip #8 will save you the least amount of money, still it's better than paying full price.
1. If you are in Colorado in April, September or October, you can look into buying a season pass. Passes are sold along the front range at places like Gart Sports, REI, and Christy Sports. Check http://www.snow.com for details. Season passes usually cost around $300 depending on where you want to go. If you plan on skiing 5 or more days, this will more than pay for it self and is the cheapest way to go. Best of all, once you get a pass, you can renew it over the web year after year. The catch is that you have to use it at least once before the holiday season, or it will become invalid for the rest of the year. If you're planning an early season trip (Before December 20th) AND a later prime ski season trip (January - April), this is by far the least expensive way to go.
2. The next best bet: Check out http://www.snow.com. Sometimes they run specials on 3 or 4 day lift tickets. You will not find any deals until late March or early April. Copper mountain runs really good specials throughout the year if you sign up for their email newsletter. http://www.skicopper.com or http://www.coppercolorado.com
3. Sign up for a free Colorado Gem Card. These cards will give you discounts at other ski areas that are further away. The closest resort that accepts this card is Loveland Ski area, which is about 15 miles away right at the Eisenhower Tunnel on the Continental Divide.
4. Know someone with a season pass? Season Pass holders usually can buy a lift ticket for you for a deeply discounted price of $29-$59. The number of times they can do this is limited.
5. Don't forget eBay! Many times people will buy a package deal and not be able to use it. Search around and see what you can find! Passes called "4 packs" are usually sold in the fall for $99 to locals only and are good for 4 days of skiing at Keystone, Breckenridge, or Arapahoe Basin. These passes have some blackout dates and are sometime sold on eBay for a profit, but even when sold at a price of $165 for 4 days of skiing, it's an incredible deal. If you're around in the fall (usually September or October) you can pick up these "4 packs" at local sports outlets like Gart Sports, REI, and some local ski shops.
6. Buy and Entertainment book or Gold C book for the Denver area. These books are PACKED with ski coupons. We typically buy these books and leave the ski coupons in the condo for our guests to use. The coupons are for slightly discounted lift tickets. ($5 - $10 off ticket window prices) There are also coupons for ski school.
7. We keep a packet of coupons in our condos for discount lift tickets for Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Vail and Beaver Creek. Coupons are first come first serve, but please ask if you want to ski a particular place. These coupons usually come from Gold C, Entertainment Books, and wherever else we can find them.
8. Buy your tickets on the front range in or around Denver. Go to any Safeway or King Soopers grocery stores, or ski and snowboard rental shop. They sell disount lift tickets for most ski areas.
++++++++++++ Warning ++++++++++++
Do not EVER try to use a season pass that is not yours. There are extremely stiff penalties including large fines and possible jail time if you are caught. The lift operators WILL catch you. A free lift ride is simply not worth the consequences.
Peter is an experienced skier and snowboarder who resides in Colorado. As owner of SummitCove.Com, a successful property management company in Keystone, Colorado he is always on the lookout to save his guests money on vacation ski lodging, lift tickets and other area activities.
For more information about deals on ski condos and Keystone lodging in the Keystone Colorado area, visit SummitCove.com or call 303-618-0773 today.