THE QUESTION: CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR PRE-SEASON PASS DEALS IF YOU HAVE ANY?


mountain 1: oregon

First Contact: Automated machine. Waiting for operator...
Hold Time: 4:13 (Not a fan of holding for the time it takes me to make lunch.)
Answering phone: Female, nice sounding.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: Well, we’ve got an early spring pass that starts tomorrow for $159, and then a late spring pass that starts April 1 for $89.
SAM: Good stuff, so that’s for the end of this season, what about for next season?
Staff: Not yet, they won’t announce those until August when our pre-season prices are available from September 1 to 30. After September though, the prices will increase, so just be aware.
SAM: Okay, definitely, thanks for the head’s up.
Staff: Oh, no problem, have a great day.

Rating: 3
Rating: Perfectly fine attitude, but after visiting the website, I found 8 brand-new benefits for next year’s pass in celebration of the area’s 50th anniversary, not to mention ALL of next year’s prices and cut-off dates. And I hate holding.


Mountain 2: vermont

First contact: Automated machine. Chose "season pass."
Answering phone: Female, very nice sounding.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: Well, our season pass rates are out now and are good until May 3rd. Were you looking for something in particular?
SAM: No, just checking if there were any deals before I buy a season pass. I'm 23 so it would be an adult pass.
Staff: Well, like I said, they'll be good until May 3rd. Our all-mountain pass is $999 for adults. Are you in college?
SAM: No.
Staff: Okay, that'll get you everyday, all season long for $999 plus tax.
SAM: Okay, great, and that's until the 3rd, so I have a little time.
Staff: Yup, you can actually go online and check out some other pass options which will help you out some more.
SAM: Okay, yeah, thanks so much.
Staff: No problem, have a good day.

Rating: 7
Comment: Super nice and to the point, but missed out on giving me the website address.


mountain 3: wisconsin

First Contact: Automated machine... "We have our early bird season pass sales going on right now. Check out www.xxx.com for more details..."
Great intro, held for operator nonetheless.
Answering Phone: Female, nice sounding.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: Sure, we have the early pass for one adult at $345, the family pass for $1,150 and the buddy pass for $285. Those prices last until June 1.
SAM: Great, thanks so much.

Rating: 8
Comment: Immediate answer from automated machine with detailed backup from friendly customer service rep. High five!


mountain 4: British Columbia

First Contact: Automated machine. Chose customer inquiries.
Answering Phone: Matt. Very nice and laid back.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: Uh, not yet, but it will be starting up soon. I don't have any details right now, unfortunately.
SAM: Okay, do you have any information you can give me on it?
Staff: Well, I'm thinking it'll be in the $599 range and that'll go until about July, and then it'll goes up to $699 probably. Those are just ballpark figures though.
SAM: Oh, that's fine. And that's for an adult season pass I assume?
Staff: Yes, sorry about that. It would be for a 7-day a week, full season pass for one adult.
SAM: Okay, awesome, thanks.

Rating: 8
Comment: Even without concrete numbers, Matt was able to give me the rundown with an accommodating attitude.


Mountain 5: New Hampshire

First Contact: Automated machine. Chose ski area, transferred somewhere...
Answering Phone: Female, nice sounding.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: Well, um, our season passes have been on sale since the 14th of March, and you could have used it to the end of this season and then into next. And depending on which pass you have, either the X, Y or Z pass, you then get a voucher for a free ticket until the end of this season, $25 gift certificate to the local mountain store and 15 percent off your stay at the hotel. So, anything else?
SAM: Well, I didn't have any of those passes this season, so I can't get any of those benefits, but they're good to know.
Staff: Well, anyone buying an 09-10 pass can still receive all of those benefits. We do close in a week so time is tight, but it's still possible. Have you looked at our website?
SAM: I haven't looked on it for season pass stuff yet, no. Should I?
Staff: Well, yes, it would be helpful, it outlines everything. And our prices for season passes go until June 1 so you have plenty of time.
SAM: Okay, thanks, I'll do that.

Rating: 6.5
Comment: Solid information, but the website mentions twice as many benefits as she did for one particular pass: a three-step payment plan for early purchases and 7 days of free tickets to a sister resort in South America . . . killer deals!


Mountain 6: utah

First Contact: Automated machine. Chose general information.
Answering Phone: Female, bored sounding.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: Just what we have to offer right now.
SAM: Just what you have to offer right now?
Staff: Just what we have to offer, yes. So just lift tickets.
SAM: Ah, lift tickets. Okay, well what about season passes?
Staff: Nothing. We just do those now and pre-season passes, which don’t happen until September. Sooo yeah, that’s it.
SAM: Alrighty then, thanks.

Rating: 2
Comment: Ouch.


mountain 7: maine

Answering phone: Real person, transferred to guest services.
Answering phone: Susie, kind of nice.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: Um, nope, we're not doing a preview pre-season for this year. You can buy a pass now, though, for next year.
SAM: Okay, so by pre-season you mean you don't have any passes available that finish this season and go into next season?
Staff: Riiiight, no, we don't. Silence...
SAM: Oookay, well thanks.
Staff: Yup, okay then?
SAM: Sure, thanks.

Rating: 5
Comment: Susie was nice enough, but not very helpful and didn't leave me with much. Prices, perhaps?


Mountain 8: new york

First Contact: Automated machine. Chose 0.
Answering Phone: Female, transferred to ticket office.
Answering Phone: Young Female. Not very pleasant sounding.
SAM: Stated Question.
Staff: Um, we have our X pass only, non-holiday for $399. Everything else is regular prices.
SAM: Okay, do you have anything for the rest of this season into next?
Staff: We have one until April 30th for $129. Silence... ­
SAM: Okay, thanks.
Staff: You're welcome. Hangs up.

Rating: 2.5
Comment: Whooo, anyone else feel a cold breeze?


Mountain 9: Colorado

First Contact: Automated machine, chose season-pass option.
Answering Phone: Very enthusiastic girl.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: Uhh, pre-season pass options? You mean to ride now or for next season?
SAM: Yeah pre-season, so for next year.
Staff: Oh! Okay. Well, right now we have our X pass which is unlimited to all six resorts (named all six), and that’s priced at $579. With that you would receive six discounted tickets, we call those “Ski with a Friend.” That price is good through the 9th of April. At that time there’s a good probability that the price will increase.
SAM: Okay, so that gives me a little bit of time to think about it.
Staff: Well, our other passes we have that won’t be available until April 1 are the Y and Z passes, which range from about $410 to $450.
SAM: Great, thanks. All the information I was looking for.
Staff: Oh, no problem, thanks for calling!

Rating: 9
Comment: Great attitude and great answer. Straight to the point, which is always appreciated. Minus one point for no website mention.

Identity Revealed: Breckenridge