SAM Magazine-Vail, Colo., Dec. 18, 2006-Call it war, a rip-off or just a good way to pad the bottom line. But whatever you call it, there is no mistaking that for skiers, the two most expensive resorts in Colorado just got a bit pricier. Last week Aspen raised its single-day lift ticket price to $82. This week Vail upped the ante, raising its single-day price to $85. The move is a bold one for Vail, which traditionally has priced its lift tickets slightly below the high mark set by Aspen. Aspen is unlikely to raise its ticket prices again this season, according to resort sources, making Vail the undisputed leader in the (high) price wars.

Most other North American resorts top out at just under $80 for an adult single day ticket. Stowe costs $79, on par with Telluride and Deer Valley. Mammoth is a buck cheaper at $78. At the other end of the spectrum, Mt. Baker, Washington is a steal at $39.46 per day.

But before you decide to take up Nordic skiing, it's important to remember that many guests take advantage of muli-day lift ticket discounts, web specials and other pricing that have a considerable effect on ticket pricing. At Vail, for example, holders of the resort's Perfect Ten pass ski for only $44 per day. And don't get us started on the Vail Resorts' season's pass options that include up to 10 days at Vail and/or Beaver Creek.