SAM Magazine-Salida, Colo., July 12, 2007- This winter, Monarch season passholders can ski free or at a discounted rate during the 2007-08 winter season at nine other Western ski areas. The resorts that Monarch has partnered with for this program also offer similar free or discounted rates at Monarch to their passholders.

Colorado skiers have long enjoyed skiing more than one resort with a single season pass. Copper/Winter Park passes have been a popular option, as have Vail Resort's season passes good for Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Breckenridge and limited days at Vail and Beaver Creek. But multi-resort pass choices have been rarer than Bigfoot for skiers at the state's smaller resorts, dubbed "The Gems."

The new Monarch pass shows that with cooperation, smaller resorts can offer compelling programs for consumers who appreciate the opportunity to sample more than one resort with a single season pass. In Colorado, Crested Butte, Durango, plus three "Gems"-Loveland, Sunlight and Powderhorn-are offering Monarch season pass holders three free days of skiing this year, and Silverton Mountain is providing one day of complementary skiing during its "Unguided Season." New Mexico ski areas Angel Fire Resort and Pajarito Mountain are also offering three free days of skiing for Monarch pass holders. And Alta, Utah, is offering Monarch passholders half-price tickets throughout the 2007-08 ski season.

"Partnering with these other resorts adds a great deal of variety for our passholders," says Rich Moorhead, Monarch president. "Being able to ski more areas makes our passes more valuable, and the feedback from our skiers has been great."

Monarch season passes start at $299 for adults.