Skiing on the Cheap, '24-'25

[ski diva]

Well, here we go: our annual thread about great deals for the upcoming ('24-'25) season. If you know of any, post' em here!

I'll start:

Ski Vermont is now selling its Fifth Grade Passport, which provides fifth graders with access to more than 90 days of skiing at participating alpine and cross-country ski areas. Only $35! Go here.

 

[SallyCat]

Now seems to be the time when early-purchase discounts for ski passes are starting to expire. In my area of VT, some deals are: Whaleback ($255 adult season pass), Magic Mountain ($505 for VT resident) , and Dartmouth Skiway ($500 for general public).

It's also ski swap and sale season. Last weekend I bought a pair of used skis and new bindings for $145, lol! I didn't have any skis at all and just wanted something to goof around on when I'm not snowboarding. I grabbed a $50 pair of used skis at a local Labor Day tent sale and the clerk said "hang on, I found this open box of new bindings hiding under a bench; I think they'll work...," which is exactly the sort of conversation my wallet and I were hoping for!

 

[santacruz skier]

Now seems to be the time when early-purchase discounts for ski passes are starting to expire. In my area of VT, some deals are: Whaleback ($255 adult season pass), Magic Mountain ($505 for VT resident) , and Dartmouth Skiway ($500 for general public).

It's also ski swap and sale season. Last weekend I bought a pair of used skis and new bindings for $145, lol! I didn't have any skis at all and just wanted something to goof around on when I'm not snowboarding. I grabbed a $50 pair of used skis at a local Labor Day tent sale and the clerk said "hang on, I found this open box of new bindings hiding under a bench; I think they'll work...," which is exactly the sort of conversation my wallet and I were hoping for!

View attachment 23620

Are those Volkl Blaze's I see?

 

[nopoleskier]

Gore, Whiteface, Belleayre Frequent skier cards are on sale! https://goremountain.com/tickets-passes/frequent-skier-cards/

What’s included with the 2024-25 Frequent Skier Card:

• 50% off lift tickets Monday-Friday (non-holiday)
• 25% off lift tickets Saturday/Sunday & during holiday periods
• No capacity limits on Frequent Skier Tickets (unlike lift tickets, which may sell out)
• Guaranteed lift ticket pricing no matter when you purchase during the 2024-25 season
• Valid at Gore, Whiteface, & Belleayre

*Please note: We are no longer offering free days as part of the Frequent Skier Card but you still have access to some of the best discounts you’ll find on lift tickets at any point in the season, unlimited availability, and the same great savings of 50% off midweek (Monday – Friday) and 25% off weekend and holidays.


We always strive to provide the best guest experience. With this in mind, prices and availability on Frequent Skier Card are only guaranteed for a limited time so be sure to pick yours up right away! Cards are available while supplies last or through December 13, 2024.

 

[nopoleskier]

pretty good deal..

 

[marzNC]

Loveland still has a 4-pack. Have to buy before late November.

 

[skibum4ever]

As some (many?) of us get older than 70,
what deals are still around for free or low cost skiing over the age of 70, 75, 80, etc.?

(It seems that as I get older the age for free skiing gets further away!)

 

[marzNC]

As some (many?) of us get older than 70,
what deals are still around for free or low cost skiing over the age of 70, 75, 80, etc.?

(It seems that as I get older the age for free skiing gets further away!)

There is no consistency when it comes to the cut-off age for senior passes or lift tickets. I know of places where 60 or 62 is the number, but more often need to get to 70 or 75 at a big mountain in the west. At my home hill, Massanutten, someone over 70 can get a senior season pass for something like $19. Taos has season pass deals for people ages 65-79, although it's a bit more than for ages 18-35.

There are some regional Epic passes for seniors over 65.

In general, helps to be over 80 for free skiing. That's been the age at Alta from the start because of Alf Engen. My schoolmate from North Country School (Lake Placid, NY) who lives in the PacNW has been skiing Alta for free for a few years during the alumni gathering in April. I remember her complaining 15 years ago that when she was in her late 60s the senior cut-off at her home mountain had moved from 70 to 72. Now that mountain has a Senior (60-69) price and a Super Senior (70+) price for a lot less but no free skiing even over 80.

I'm over 65 but not quite 70 yet. This season I have senior passes for Alta and Taos, plus Wolf Creek. I planned for longer stays and/or going more than once to get the best value. No Ikon or Epic this season. The Alta pass has 50% off at other MCP resorts as a perk. Plan to use that for a couple days at Sun Valley at the start of an Idaho ski safari.

 

[marzNC]

Here's the approach that Wolf Creek is moving to for 80+. Note that getting a free day ticket will continue to be possible. WCSA has RFID but they use pretty thin cards for day tickets, as opposed to the plastic cards used for season passes (most resorts charge $5 for a plastic RFID card).

80+ Season Pass Starting the 2025-2026 season, Wolf Creek will implement the following policies relating to 80+ season passes: Season pass holders who will be 80 the following season must use their pass a minimum of 12 days to qualify for the complimentary 80+ season pass. 80+ pass holders must use their pass at least 7 times per season to remain eligible for a complimentary 80+ season pass. If you do not use your 80+ season pass 7 times or more, you are still eligible to receive complimentary daily tickets on days you’d like to ski by visiting the Ticket Office (Using a day ticket helps save printing costs and other administrative fees). If you should drop under the 7 visit threshold, you will need to ski at least 12 times using the 80+ daily lift ticket to be reinstated into the 80+ complementary season pass program.

 

[marzNC]

Noticed that a few Alterra resorts have multi-packs on sale. Usually 3 or 4 days for under $100 per day, sometimes with lower rates for seniors. Saw them for Palisades Tahoe, Schweitzer, and Winter Park. Hard to say how long they will be available.

Sugarbush has a $99 deal for 1 day anytime during the season, with a bonus day after April 1.

 

[ski diva]

Ski for $4 at King Pine Ski Area (NH) on Founders Day, December 19.

 

[ski diva]

Ski in Jeans Weekend, Dec 6-8, Jackson Hole. Show up in jeans, get a $25 lift ticket on December 7. Three day lift ticket for that time period is discounted to $199.

 

[marzNC]

For those who don't have Ikon, but would consider skiing Winter Park, WP has a Flex Ticket for 2, 3, or 4 days. The price for 4 days is $460 midweek, with holiday blackout dates.

At WP, kids 4-14 get a free lift ticket if they are in a group lesson. Can also get free rentals. Must book by Nov. 29, 2024.

 

[ski diva]

Utah's Deer Valley is offering Kids Ski Free Week, December 7-13. Kids have to be 12 and under. There are also discounts on lodging, rentals, and lessons. Details here.

 

[marzNC]

Bousquet in western MA has 3-packs for sale for another week or so. What's unusual is that they are transferable, so could be bought as gifts.

 

[marzNC]

Berkshire East has 3-packs on sale: $79 night skiing, $109 midweek, non-holiday. Don't know for how long.

The code for 15% off any type of ticket(s) is BECYBERSALE, presumably thru Cyber Monday.

I've had very good experiences skiing at BEast so I stay on their email list. The last trip was over a Pres. Day weekend using the Indy Pass. Was a low snow situation but we had a very good time with no long lift lines.