“Your 2008-2009 season pass is getting a high-tech makeover. All passes for next season — The Epic, Colorado, and Summit season passes — will utilize a new state-of-the-art radio frequency technology that’ll offer an “easy scan” process, where we can scan the pass through your clothing, giving you the option to keep your pass zipped inside your jacket in the lift lines at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado and Heavenly in Lake Tahoe.”

Announcement: For the go-getters among us: The Colorado Pass spring renewal period has begun. Renewal before May 4th requires only $49 down (balance due in September) and, as a bonus for the non-procrastinators includes four $50 tickets and unlimited riding in April 2009. If you’re feeling indecisive, take your time — you have until at least November 15, 2008.

If you’re not familiar with the Colorado Pass it is a season pass to the following resorts: Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone, Breckenridge, Arapahoe Basin and will be sold for $439. This season the passes will use RF technology so you never have to take it out of your jacket. See also: the Epic Pass.

From the SteepSavers email:

Stay tonight (3/21-FRIDAY!) and/or tomorrow night (3/22-SATURDAY!):

• $145 per night: Studios at Lakeside Village (save $93!)
• $175 per night: 1-bedroom condos at Lakeside Village (save $99!)
• $179 per night: Hotel rooms at Keystone Lodge & Spa, A RockResort (save $103!)

Or, save even more and skip the Sunday traffic when you stay over this Sunday, 3/23:

• $79 per night: Hotel rooms at Keystone Lodge & Spa, A RockResort (save $171)
• $79 per night: Hotel rooms at Inn at Keystone (save $107)
• $109 per night: Studios at Lakeside Village (save $93)
• $129 per night: 1-bedroom condos at Lakeside Village (save $109)

From Sam: Vail Resorts came out with a press release yesterday about their new ‘Epic Pass‘. It is an unrestricted (no blackout dates), and unlimited (go as many times as you want) to Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone, Breckenridge, Arapahoe Basin and Heavenly for $579 for adults and $279 for kids. It is available until November 15th. This is probably going to be the best ski deal of the year. Click here for details on the Epic Pass. Also, as a bonus, all of the passes will be using RFID (radio frequency) technology this year so you won’t have to take the pass out of your clothing.

Q: Is there any chance that the usual Summit County mtn’s will stay open through the end of April, besides A-Basin and Loveland? My kids have Easter break from 4/21-25. What about Breck? Vail? B-Creek?

Q: When is the best (read: cheapest) time to renew my CO Pass? I’m a first time Season Pass holder, and I’d like to renew for 2008-2009, but I don’t know the game. Thanks!

A: Easy answer: the fine folks at Vail Resorts will definitely let you know when to renew your pass. If you signed up with an email yyou will get a half-dozen emails over the summer. Don't worry, it will be very explicit as to when you need to renew.

I can't recall the exact time frame but I'm thinking July or August are when the renewals are due by (to get the best deal). As soon as I start hearing exact details I will be sure to post them here

Thanks for the question! Click here to ask your own.

Nirav just noted that the latest pricing for ski-with-a-friend pass (Colorado Pass) pricing is as follows: $75 for Vail/Beaver Creek, $59 for Keystone/Breckenridge, $49 for Arapahoe Basin. March 9 - March 22 will become even more expensive so now would be a good weekend to use those tickets. Thanks, Nirav.

We’ve had a few readers ask for our suggestions here at Colorado Snow so without delay here is our first ‘Ask CS’ entry.

Latt asked:

A great question and we’ve got plenty of answers. Nicole says:

I just recently spent a weekend up there and stayed at River Run! There are a lot of blues off the River Run Gondola/Summit Express lift — Flying Dutchman, Frenchman, Wild Irishman, etc. We ended up always taking the Summit Express lift (and not the gondola) as it never had a line. I felt a little crowded on the slopes, but there was rarely a line at Summit Express. The beginner we were with really liked Mozart (blue run) down the backside. From the bottom of that, you can take Santiago Express which has a couple steeper blues. Beware that these might be a little crusty if there hasn’t been snow recently.

As for ski rentals, I’m not sure I can be of much help as I haven’t rented at the resort. I do know that unless you have a deal with your condo, it will be cheaper to rent in Breckenridge, Dillon, or Silverthorne — you can’t really miss the rental shops as you drive through.

I can vouch for Devin’s recommendation of the Wolf Rock Brewery — good atmosphere, good food and good beer. I would also recommend checking out Breckenridge at least one night. It also has a good brewery and a cute main street with lots of shops and will be more “happening” in the evening than at the resort.

All good points: 1) don’t rent at the resort unless you’ve got a lodging deal already, 2) River Run has plenty on the front, and 3) eat at Wolf Rock. Devin also says:

The front slopes that Nicole recommends are all good but if the snow isn’t great or if it starts to get crowded I would head half-way up the hill to the Montezuma Lift. You can get to it by going up the gondola (which is always a fun for first-timers) or if you’re over at Mountain House just head up Peru and move (skiiers) right.

Montezuma has plenty of fun blues right off of Schoolmarm and, as Nicole said, there is always Mozart right off the back side. Just be cautious, if you want to go back further there are a bunch of flat spots so keep up your speed.

If you’re looking for some excellent mexican food (the real deal) head back into Silverthorne and stop at Fiesta Jalisco. The nacho appetizer is enough to feed both kids and they’re the best I’ve had.

Be sure to see what the ‘Adventure Passport’ (most lodging deals give you it) has to offer. There are plenty of things to do (sleigh rides, ice skating, tubing and plenty of other things for the whole family).

Take lots of good pictures, Latt and let us know how the trip goes!

I just spent an awesome (long) weekend up in Keystone and I had a blast. It’s amazing the many things you can do in the mountains and never get bored. Here’s the top 4 things I recommend you do if you have some extra time:

1. Ski the Outback. I had never been as far back as I had until a friend led me around. Sometimes that’s all it takes: someone else to explore with you. With plenty of hard blues and expert diamonds theres something for anyone riding intermediate-and-up. Be sure to hit the trees off of Wolverine. The best part? Experts don’t often head to Keystone so you’ll have plenty of room to yourself!
2. Night ski. For most people a day of skiing and snowboarding ends around 2 or 3 when the lifts start shutting down. But, at Keystone your day doesn’t end until 9pm! Head up Friday afternoon, ski all night and then get a full day on Saturday from open to close.
3. Ice skate at Lakeside. How often do you get to skate on an outdoor pond? Lakeside (due West of Mountain House (which is due West of River Run) has five-acres of Zamboni-maintained ice. If you get a condo your skating is free or else it’s $11 to skate and $7 for the rental. The surroundings are worth it.
4. Have a burger at Wolf Rock Brewery. Delicious burgers from one of the highest microbreweries you’ll ever visit. With a build-your-own-burger menu and your choice of buffalo, well, ’nuff said.

I’m speaking from very recent experience. Keystone (and all the other resorts) have tons of activities to keep you entertained. Sometimes the locals don’t stick around to explore all the other fun things to do off the slopes. Instead of taking an expensive flight somewhere warm this winter why not stay in the hills for a bit?

I spoke with a customer service representative at Vail Resorts today and was able to gather the following discounted ticket pricing (they’re called “Ski-With-A-Friend”, and each Colorado Pass holder can purchase up to 6 of these tickets).

Prices through February 15, 2008

• Arapahoe Basin: $22
• Keystone, Breckenridge: $55
• Vail, Beaver Creek: $65

The prices will go up slightly after 2/15 but the resorts won’t say how much yet. For more details call 888-215-3867.

Bonus: Found on the Colorado Pass bonus page, a little known fact: if you renewed your pass before May 31, 2007 (never known to me!) you are entitled to FOUR UNRESTRICTED $45 TICKETS valid all season at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin.

Ski.com recently announced a new ski special — if it snows 12 inches in 24 hours at a Vail resort, they’ll offer $12 lift ticket ski packages if you book within 12 hours. Naturally, there are a couple caveats. There are quite a few blackout dates, only 4-night travel packages are eligible for $12 tickets, and you get only one discounted ticket per person. But, with Vail tickets at $92 the last time I checked, it’s may not be such a bad deal if you’re getting a trip together with a bunch of friends that don’t have passes.

Update: After contacting customer service I’ve posted the discounted prices that apply through February 15, 2008.

As an owner of the Colorado Pass I’m entitled to “six Ski With A Friend, discounted lift tickets that are loaded onto [my] pass” (link). The Colorado Pass website states “Passholder must be present with friend to receive discount. Discounts and prices vary throughout the season. Visit coloradopass.com during the season for details and pricing.” I don’t see any pricing! For such an expensive pass there is very little information available online. Heck, when I renewed my pass online there was no confirmation that my pass was activated. I had to show up at the slopes on blind faith to know, for sure, it was ready for the season.

From Snowboard Magazine:

After a major snowstorm blanketed the central Rockies with up to two feet of snow this past weekend, Vail Resorts has decided to give Colorado skiers and snowboarders an early holiday gift this season. During this coming weekend only, Dec. 7-9, the popular Colorado Pass, Colorado Pass Plus, Summit Pass and Four Pack will go back on sale at the fall prices.

Read the full story at Snowboard Magazine.

As a pass-holder this is frustrating. This is the second time they’ve extended their “deadline”. Where is my incentive to buy the pass early then, jerks?

Five of Colorado’s ski and snowboarding resorts were listed as the top destinations according to Orbitz during the ski seasons:

Lake Tahoe, Calif., is the No. 1 destination among travelers booking hotel and vacation packages at Orbitz.com for travel between Nov. 20 and May 1. Mammoth Lakes, Calif., was second, followed by Park City, Utah; Breckenridge, Colo.; Jackson Hole, Wyo.; and tied for sixth place were Steamboat Springs, Colo., and Vail, Colo. Three more Colorado ski spots finished up the list: Snowmass, Keystone and Winter Park. (Salt Lake Tribune)