Hi, I'm just out of college and I usually get a season pass with my school without having to really think about what kind to get. So I was wondering what type you would advise for me this year?

For this edition of Mountain Spy, our 007 Liz Eren got on the horn with 20 different ski areas on both sides of the border to ask about season pass pricing and options. Believe us, we root for success, and there were many, but, alas, a few resorts fell short. As always, we called a geographic mix of ski areas, as well as a mix of small, medium and large areas. Liz rates her experiences on a scale from one to ten with some commentary. Again, we were only able to fit 6 spy missions here, but check out the entire list of 20 at www.saminfo.com and click on "current issue."

New York, Large Area

First contact: Automated machine, chose option 5 for pass sales

Answering phone: Young female, in a rush

SAM: Stated question

Staff: Well, ahh, we have full season which is $xxx and also adult non-holiday pass which is $xxx.

SAM: So those would both be seven days a week?

Staff: Uhh, yeah! (Easy on the 'tude, just making sure.)

SAM: OK, thanks then.

Staff: You're welcome. Bye.

** Because a spy is never satisfied, I did a little check up on their website. The woman did fail to mention promotional dates which would have saved me over a hundred dollars and a great day-ticket discount package. Hmmm

Rating: 3

Comment: Lacking in detail and was quick to get off the phone. Could have put in a little more effort.

Colorado, Medium Area

First contact: Automated Service, chose mountain Info.

Answering phone: Automated guy trying to sound cool. Thanked everyone for a great last season and listed some upcoming highlights, and then hung up. (Not cool!)

Called back: Chose manager option

Answering phone: Young guy. Sounded like he was pumped to talk to me and happy that I called. Big plus!

SAM: Stated question

Staff: Um, as far as right now, well, how much do you plan to ride?

SAM: Basically as much as I can. I work part time so during the week a bit but definitely on the weekends.

Staff: OK, a few things then would work for you. We have a mountain pass which is $xxx and it's unlimited. There's also night-time passes and weekday passes. We also had a partnership with mountain X and mountain Y which is really great so our pass gives you the opportunity to ride on those mountains as well. Do you have the Internet?

SAM: Yeah, I do.

Staff: Perfect, then the best thing for you to do is go on our site at xxx.com and read through the details of the passes. That'll give you the best understanding to find what fits best for you, just because I'm more of an outside guy with this mountain than an inside guy, haha. So I would go online and do that and if you have any more questions don't be shy and just give us a call back.

SAM: Awesome, thanks so much, I'll do that.

Staff: No problem, take care.

Rating: 9

Comment: Felt like I was talking to someone who actually rode the mountain and treated me the exact way he'd want to be treated. I even got a feel for the mountain's personality through this guy, totally laid back and friendly. He was honest, led me to the site where he knew I'd get more out of my time than him attempting to explain it all. Good job dude.

Southern Midwest, Day Area

First contact: Automated service, chose general info.

Automated woman listed every ticket price and offer under the sun, but never mentioned season passes! And then hung up. Grrr. Called back. Chose operator this time.

Answering phone: Older guy, sounded a little sleepy.

SAM: Stated question

Staff: Hmm, OK. Generally if you're coming more than say, a half a dozen times, the unlimited season pass probably is the least expensive way to go. That would be $xxx dollars. That way you can come any time and, um, uh yeah, use your pass.

SAM: All right then, is that that only option you have?

Staff: Um. . .the only other thing we have, or a couple options we have. . .we have a five-week pass that would be good for any five weeks, Monday through Sunday, for any five weeks during the season, except between Christmas and New Years. The two options for that is either one that's Monday through Thursday, or Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Saturday would have to be after 5 p.m. though.

SAM: OK, so you have the full-season or the 5-week options?

Staff: Yes, that would allow you to come once each week, if you come more than that you would have to buy a daily pass when you came. (Raise your hand if you're also getting confused...)

SAM:OK, so let me get this straight. I can get this 5-week pass but I can only come one time during the week, or the weekend, depending on which 5-week pass option I choose. If I come more than once during the week, I have to pay separately for that day?

Staff: Yes, that's right.

SAM: OK, then.

My spy instinct led me to the website to find out what the purpose of this deal was or even if it was a deal...

Results: This pass is an awesome deal-you can actually ski once a week all season long. There's also about three other pass options this guy failed to mention.

Rating: 4.5

Comment: Left out so much useful information that involved some great deals and got the one deal he explained wrong.

Medium Area, Utah

First contact: Automated service, chose season passes. Transferred to another automated service, then hung up on! Called back. Chose operator option.

Answering phone: Young girl, a little out of it.

SAM: Stated question

Staff: Well there are two options. One is that you buy an adult pass for yourself which is $xxx or you can buy a buddy pass which is $xxx for the pair and you can save money that way. Or yeah. (Silence.)

SAM: All right, are those your only options?

Staff: Do you have a family? (Yes, I have 2.5 kids, a house in the burbs and a black lab, all of which I acquired as a college student.)

SAM: No, I don't.

Staff: Oooh, OK, yeeaah, then those are your only two options.

SAM: OK then, thanks.

Staff: Yeah OK, bye.

Rating: 2

Comment: Gave the basic options, but showed no interest in engaging me and I'm guessing she wasn't really listening. If she's already this put out before the season starts, I can't wait to call her after Christmas. And the hang up by the automated service was another bummer.

Large Area, Alberta

First contact: Automated service, chose guest services

Answering phone: Young male, very friendly

SAM: Stated question

Staff: Um, OK. What sort of pass are you looking for? We have multiple options, one for our mountain with full time passes and then there's mid-week passes and then we have passes that combine our mountain and three others so...

SAM: Well yeah, I'm going to come out every chance I get, I'll have a part time job near your mountain so during the week a little and hopefully every weekend.

Staff: OK, so you'll be working in Snow City?

SAM: Yes

Staff: So right now we're in our fall sale period which runs until September 30. An adult pass which covers seven days a week is $xxx until our sale deadline. Our mid-week pass is $xxx until our deadline. Both of those prices will go up $xx dollars after September 30. Both of those also are unrestricted with holidays.

SAM: OK, so those are your two main season passes?

Staff: Well just at our mountain, yes. There's also the mega pass which covers us and three other mountains in the area. So you do always have those options.

SAM: OK, those all seem pretty good. Thanks

Staff: Oh you're welcome. Thanks for calling.

Rating: 8

Comment: This guy was super nice and took his time to answer my question-there was no rush to get me off the phone. I am taking off points for his question asking me which pass I wanted. The point of my call was to see what passes they offered. A question about my skiing habits would have worked better...and that's where this next mountain shines.

Massachusetts, Day Area

Hung up on at first by a machine. Oh no! You can hang up but you can never hide! Called back.

First contact: Young girl, had a "good mood" cup of coffee this morning.

SAM: Stated question

Staff:Well, are you working full time now or what is your schedule? (Awesome, finally someone asked!)

SAM: Right now I'm working part-time. I'm looking to work full time, but as of now I'm pretty flexible.

Staff: OK, well let me ask you this: so if you woke up in the morning would you be one to want to ride during the day and all day or would you rather want to ride in the afternoon and into night?

SAM: Um, yeah, I mean if I don't have work that day I'd love to come ski all day as soon as I woke up, or if I got off work early I'd definitely want to come for the afternoon and the night. And definitely on the weekends.

Staff: OK, so the most economical decision for you would be the Super-Spectacular Glitter pass (its real name was actually that cool), which is valid from x a.m. to x p.m. with no black out days and is seven days a week. It's $xxx right now. Our unlimited pass, which is $xxx, is for nights after x p.m. and all days on weekends.

SAM: Oh nice, is that all you have?

Staff: We do also offer a weekday pass which is Monday through Friday from 9 to 5 and right now its $xxx, but doesn't include any holidays or breaks. So those holidays aren't available with that pass but if you think your schedule allows you to come and ski around those school breaks that could also work well for you.

SAM: Yeah, that could be a good option, too.

Staff: Whatever you do decide though, my suggestion would be to purchase it before Halloween because after that our prices will go up by $xx dollars.

SAM: Oh, awesome to know. Thank you.

Staff: Anytime, good luck. Bye.

Rating: 9.5

Comment: The girl was nice, patient and cared about giving me my money's worth. She took the half a second to figure out my skiing habits. Very nicely done. Minus .5 for the initial hang up.

Identity revealed: Nashoba Valley.

Vermont, Large Area

First contact: Real person!

Answering phone: Young female

SAM: Stated question

Staff: OK let me transfer you (unknown transfer, always exciting)-transferred to Guest Services.

Answering phone: Young male, very kind

SAM: Stated question

Staff: Sure, ummm... We have a mid week pass which is Monday through Friday and non holidays. That right now with tax is $xxx and then the next one is a value pass which is good seven days a week but no holidays and that with tax is $xxx. Then the next one is a peak pass which is seven days and no black outs but only valid at the peak X and peak Y. That with tax is $xxxx. The last one, which is the ultra pass, is good at peak W, X, Y and Z and is $xxxx.

SAM: Awesome, so you have a lot then.

Staff: We do, we have four different ones.

SAM: OK, is that completely it or are there any buddy-type passes?

Staff: That's it but we do have frequent skier, which is really flexible, so you buy the card and then get discounts on daily tickets as well as holidays.

SAM: That one sounds pretty good too.

Staff: Oh yeah! That card Is $xx for the season! And then there is another, which is called an X pack or Y pack where you buy that many tickets at once at a discount. But that's really only best to use if you don't think you're going to come up all that much. That would work really well if you came up with a friend a couple times, if not the frequent skier would work the best.

SAM: Wow, definitely sounds like there is something there that can fit what I'm looking for. Thanks a bunch.

Staff: No problem. Bye

Rating: 8

Comment: Really nice guy, totally patient. Gave simple, detailed descriptions of each pass along with the price, including tax, which was a big help. Well done, my man. Minus two for not asking what my skiing habits are.

Vermont, Large Area

First contact: Automated machine

Answering phone: Young female, pretty nice

SAM: Stated question

Staff: OK, well the most economical pass would be the bronze and including tax it would be $xxx with x number of black out days, which black out the holidays. And then we have other passes with less black out days but then the price goes up.

SAM: Alrighty then, is that it?

Staff: Well if you're someone that skis x amount of times, we have a thing called Red tickets, so if you ski x amount of times it would end up being $xx a day, but then, oh wait, no if you ski x times it would be, ah, yeah if you ski it would work out to, uh, $xx a day, but that works out to be $xxx total for the whole season which is not much less then the bronze pass. (Wow, finally got that full circle.)

SAM: OK, well those all seem legitimate. Thanks so much.

Staff: Oh you're welcome. Bye

Rating: 5

Comment: First one to say "economical," attempting to help my situation as a broke ex-college student. Left me hanging though with little else to work with. Promotions or pre-season deals? Multiple mountain passes? I know they exist from personal experience at this mountain, so I know there are many more options.

Vermont, Medium Area

First contact: Automated obstacle course. Resorted to the operator.

Answering phone: female, a bit dry.

SAM: Stated question

Staff OK, um here, next week, you can go through the ski shop and purchase one. That would be your best option. Let me find the shop list auughhh. (Is she stretching? Experiencing severe pain? Made me a little nervous.) Ughh, hold on, OK. Let me see. Where are you living?

SAM: Shamrock Harbor, New Zealand. (No, not really but what a fun sounding place.)

Staff: OK well then you can go to these couple of sport shots in your area (I waited a solid 20 seconds for any explanation-I thought I was going to the mountain ski shop but apparently not-no response.)

SAM: Um OK, are they selling your regular season passes there?

Staff: Yeah, you'll be a part of the group.

SAM: Um, what do you mean a group?

Staff: The X group which you were a part of before with school, so you'll basically get the same deal on the pass. (What? I'm too confused to untangle the mess.)

SAM: OK then, well how much is it?

Staff: For that particular pass it's $xxx. OK then?

SAM: Uh, yeah, sure thanks. (OK then? It's nice and dark down here where I'm completely lost after talking to you.)

Rating: 3

Comment: The only concrete info she gave me was where I could get the passes. No mention of prices, deadlines, anything. Sub par by far.

Midwest, Medium Area

First contact: Automated machine, chose ticket office.

Answering phone: Older female. Super sweet.

SAM: Stated question

Staff: Uuh OK, what are you looking for? All season or daily or what exactly?

SAM: I am looking for a season pass, yes. I work part-time and probably will be going into the season but I'm not sure what kind of pass I want.

Staff: OK well our daily tickets are $xx for adults. I take it you're over 18?

SAM: Yes I am.

Staff: OK, we have an online special and you ski for X days for less then the cost of skiing for Y days but they have to be used consecutively. Another thing is our season pass special, but that ended Friday but I can give it to you today if you want to order it now. The price right now is $xxx.

SAM: There are no black out days?

Staff: No and also if you're a pass holder, and you have a friend that wants to come on one of these three holidays (great holiday choices, but I can't reveal my source), they can ski for only $xx dollars. (Very cheap too!) So those are the options we have at the moment. Would you like to purchase our season pass today and receive the special price?

SAM: Oh thank you so much for that offer, but I don't want to decide on something right away.

Staff: No problem, take your time. Bye

Rating: 7.5

Comment: Solid effort in explanation and nice to extend the special season pass offer. Could have attempted to be just a smidge more attentive, like asking if I was over 18, when in my original question I state that I have just graduated from college--not everyone is Doogie Howser.

Southeast, Large Area

First contact: Automated machine, chose lift ticket option.

Answering phone: Young female, "Hi, can I have your first name please?"

SAM: Sure, Liz

Staff: OK, how can I help you Liz?

SAM: Stated question

Staff: OK, please hold and I'll transfer you to the activity center and they can help you with that. Hold Time: Forever and no music!

SAM: Stated question

Staff: OK, right, let's see. So what's your, ah, you're twenty-something right?

SAM: Yes

Staff: So that'll be an adult pass. Hold on one second. (Taking instructions from someone in the background.)

Staff: OK. Adult pass. We're at the mid way point so its $xxx for the unlimited passes, weekends, holidays, everyday. There's a mid-week pass for $xxx if you purchase it now. Weekends and holidays aren't included however and you have to purchase that before Oct. 31 or the price goes up. (Still taking instructions from someone standing next to her, word for word. It's like an annoying echo, but maybe she was in training.) Do you live near by?

SAM: Yeah, I live about a half hour away.

Staff: Oh, OK, well I'm just trying to see if there's a local deal that we can give you. It's much better that way. Depending on where you live you can get a bit of a discount for being a local in the area. We'd just need to see a license. Would you want to teach skiing? I know they're looking for instructors. (Whoa, I'm getting a job offer too!?) Just say you talked to Sue if you're interested, and oh yeah, you'll also get a free season's pass.

SAM: Wow thanks, that might be something I'd be very interested in, I'll surely keep it in mind.

Staff: No problem, just don't forget about the deadline for pass prices if that's the way you decide to go.

SAM: I won't, thanks! Bye.

Rating: 8

Comment: The hold time killed the buzz a bit after the stellar opening, but the girl was nice and tried her hardest to be helpful. Bonus points for offering the job even though she had no idea who I was.

Pennsylvania, Medium Area

First contact: Young woman. Very nice but quite the speed talker.

SAM: Stated question

Staff: Ahh the season pass for an adult is $xxx prior to October 9 then the other thing that we offer is the XXX discount book which is good for one person with multiple coupons either on weekends or mid-week so you can ski approximately 12 weekend days or 15 mid-week days and the cost for that is $xxx. (Sounds like she drank a case of Red Bull right before I called, notice the one big sentence.)

SAM: Whew, all right, those sounds pretty good.

Staff: When do you normally ski, on the weekends or during the week?

SAM: Well I have a part-time job right now so whenever I can get out there I will. It'll definitely be on the weekends though.

Staff: OK, now are you the type that would want to ski every day or just kind of when it is convenient for you?

SAM: Oh I would certainly want to go as much as I can, so every day would be more my style, whenever I have the chance.

Staff: Perfect, then you'll definitely want to purchase a season pass. We can take a credit card over the phone, you can purchase it online or you can also easily send us a check.

SAM: Oh nice, thanks so much.

Staff: Oh no problem, just remember those prices are only good through October 9.

SAM: Perfect, thanks.

Rating: 7.5

Comment: Clear and concise. Narrowed me down until she knew what was best for me. The payment options were also a bonus to know about. I'd give her a better score but she spoke faster than I could almost understand, and certainly faster than I can type!

Midwest, Small Area

First contact: Young women, pleasant enough

SAM: Stated question

Staff: Well, we have our full season pass which is going for $xxx plus tax and that's good for unlimited access for any day of the season. We also sell a five-time pass if you're not sure you're going to go that much. That's good for day or night, weekdays or weekends, but not holidays. Those are $xxx plus tax.

SAM: OK, is that all you have you have to offer?

Staff: Yup. (A little TLC here wouldn't hurt.)

SAM: All right, well I can work with those.

Staff: Oh yeah, our season pass price goes up after October 1 so you'll want to decide before then.

SAM:Thanks, good to know.

Staff: You're welcome, bye.

Rating: 4

Comment: OK, yeah, what they had to offer was clear cut, but also clear cut that they could give the customer a little lovin'.

Colorado, Large Area

First contact: Operator, transferred me to ticket hotline

Answering phone: automated woman, chose season passes

Answering phone: automated woman, again! Broke down the season pass options, chose operator

Answering phone: Young guy, talked slowly and was patient. Very nice.

SAM: Stated question

Staff: OK well how much do you plan on skiing?

SAM: I try to get on the hill as much as I can. I work part-time so a couple days a week and hopefully every weekend.

Staff: Oh good, all right. Are you located in the state?

SAM: Yes

Staff: OK then, you're best deal would be the X pass which offers unlimited, unrestricted access at X, Y and Z mountains. You would just have to go in person the first year to get it and then its renewable online. That's about it. You also get friend coupons for any guest of yours for at any time, so if you ski more than 5 times that's the best option for you. It's a really great deal for what you're getting.

SAM: So You think that's the best option for me?

Staff: Oh yeah, definitely if you ski as much as you do.

SAM: All right, thanks.

Rating: 5

Comment: Nice guy, great customer rep personality, tried to connect with me, even though the conversation was limited. Usually I'd give more points for the personality but here's my beef: no price mention at all and after going through two automated sessions of season pass offers he only mentions one. Is he really sure that's the right deal for me?

Washington, Medium Area

First contact: Automated service, put on hold for operator. Hold time: 10 seconds

Answering phone: Woman, kind of friendly but in a rush.

SAM: Stated question

Staff: How old are you?

SAM: Twenty-one.

Staff: OK, then you have one choice, an adult season pass. (Silence... crickets.)

SAM: Oook, so that's my only choice then huh?

Staff: Yes, unless you're planning on becoming a part of the ski patrol or something like that.

SAM: Well all right then, thanks.

Staff: You're welcome, bye.

Rating: 2

Comment: Failed to do the math that I'd at least be eighteen if I graduated college already, but I won't hound her for it. Even so, she was way too quick to get me off the phone, gave me one sentence answers and didn't give me any details about the one pass that I have to get, namely price.

California, Medium Area

First contact: Automated service, got lost, ended up at HR and then finally transferred to the season pass office.

Answering phone: Woman, friendly, but very short.

SAM: Stated question

Staff: Well we only have one kind of season pass. It'd be an adult pass and right now their on sale for $xxx until October 31 when they'll go up to $xxx. Have you always gotten a pass around here?

SAM: Well I just left school on the middle coast so I'm new to your area and I'm sure the pass system is a little different.

Staff: Well yeah, you know, so the adult pass is what you'll want to do.

SAM: OK, thanks so much.

Staff: You're welcome, bye.

Rating: 5

Comment: She was nice and at least gave the price but she could have engaged herself a little more in the conversation or asked a relative question. And yes, for secrecy's sake, mountain spy is from the Middle Coast.

California, Medium Area

First contact: Automated service, chose operator option

Answering phone: Young guy, rather confident

SAM: Stated question, transferred to season pass office

SAM: Stated Question

Staff: Ummm, well the best deal in the industry (whoa, bold claim) is our $xxx mid-week pass which is five days not including holidays. So it's only $xxx and that's an outstanding deal. (It was pretty good, but the Spy has been around and seen better.) The next is a value adult pass which is seven days with eight blackout dates. If you wanted the full-on pass it would be $xxx without any blackout dates but if you're a hardcore skier you probably wouldn't want to ski on all those holidays.

SAM: Yeah, I'm going to want to come as much as I can but would definitely steer away from a holiday like MLK Day.

Staff: Haha yeah, so your best bet would probably be the mid-week pass or value pass.

SAM: OK, yeah, that sounds pretty good. Thanks.

Staff: No problem man. (I'm a chick but whatever.)

Rating: 7.5

Comment: Totally nice and laid back, took his time explaining the small amount of information and actually tried to sell what a great deal it was-put in some personal effort. Honest as well, always a plus.

Utah, Large Area

First contact: Automated service, chose general info option

Answering phone: Young woman, nice

SAM: Stated question

Staff: Um well there's an adult season pass which is $x,xxx (Holy smokes! But looks as though it's totally worth it.) and we have a power card for Utah state residents only and you purchase it for $xx dollars and when you get a day lift ticket you get $xx dollars off each time. That can be used throughout the whole season. Then there's the moose card which has X days of skiing on it that can be used for anyone, you or if your friend wants to use it.

SAM: Great options. Can they all be used on holidays and weekends too?

Staff: Oh yeah all of the above. Also, if you don't use up all the days on the moose card they'll roll over to next season.

SAM: That's convenient. Thanks.

Staff: Oh you're welcome. Bye

Rating: 8

Comment: Great attitude and had a personal feel but lacked a little on the info. She could have found out how much I ski to help me narrow the options down. Other than that, solid effort.

Quebec, Medium Area

First contact: Automated service, chose operator

Answering phone: Young women, friendly

SAM: Stated question

Staff: OK, could you give me a few seconds?

SAM: Sure. (She came back to transfer me.)

SAM: Stated question

Staff: OK, um, when are you available to ski? Are you more free during the week or on the weekends?

SAM: I'll be skiing as much as possible. I'll work part time so during the week some and then every weekend.

Staff: OK so then you'll want the unlimited pass, so this one would cost you $xxx plus tax because you aren't a student anymore right?

SAM: No I'm not.

Staff: So that would be about it then. If you buy it before the 9th of October you'll get a rebate, so we'll charge you $xxx instead.

SAM: OK, is that my only option really?

Staff: Yes, if you want to ski as much as possible.

SAM: OK thanks then.

Staff: You're welcome, bye.

Rating: 8

Comment: She was very clear, to the point and nice, so I shouldn't fault her for the lack of choices-even though I will.

Quebec, Medium Area

First contact: Automated Service., chose operator

Answering phone: Young woman, friendly

SAM: Stated question

Staff: OK, well, if you plan to ski quite a bit then our full season adult pass would work the best for you I think. Do you ski quite a lot?

SAM: Yes I do, as much as I can. So a little during the week when I'm not working and hopefully every weekend.

Staff: OK then, yes, I think the adult pass would be best, it'll give you unlimited access through the season, weekends and holidays. The price for that right now is $xxx, and it is a good deal for the area.

SAM: OK thanks so much, is that my only option?

Staff: Well if you ski as much as you do that really is the best choice. We have other options, which are less expensive but there are restrictions, so you may not like those.

SAM: Well OK then, that works. Thank you.

Staff: Oh you're welcome, thanks for calling, hopefully you'll decide on the pass, you can buy it over the phone or on our website at xxx.com.

SAM: Thanks so much. Bye

Rating: 8

Comment: Short and sweet with the explanation and very kind. Couldn't have indulged me with the other options but she seemed to know that the full pass would be more beneficial for me.