SAM Magazine-Denver, Mar. 16, 2010-Resorts in highly competitive markets continue to offer discounted passes with early-purchase incentives for 2010-11, often at 2009-10 prices. Many of these offers include additional perks, from discounted tickets for friends or summer activities to lodging and dining discounts.

In Colorado, the Rocky Mountain Super Pass Plus ($409) entails unlimited skiing and riding at Winter Park/Mary Jane and Copper Mountain plus six unrestricted days at Steamboat. For 2010-11, if offers double the number of Friends & Family discounted tickets, 20, valid for 10 tickets per resort at Winter Park and Copper, plus discounts on resort food and beverage, retail, rental, and ski and ride lessons. The $409 price is guaranteed through Apr. 5, and can be purchased or renewed at the resorts or online. Buyers can choose to pay $49 now with the rest due in September.

Copper remains part of this pass offer even though Powdr Corp. purchased the area from Intrawest, which continues to own the other two Super Pass areas. "Copper is thrilled to continue the relationship with Winter Park and Steamboat," said Jesse True, vice president of sales and marketing for Copper.

Discounted single-area, unrestricted passes are also available at Winter Park ($369) and Copper ($359, no money due until mid-June).

Last season, Squaw Valley USA slashed adult season pass prices by $1,000, to as little as $369, and it's holding the line on prices for 2010-11.
"This year we got a lot of returning passholders who hadn't had passes to Squaw for some time," said Ivan McGurk, Squaw's ticket administration manager. That comes with a variety of blackout dates; with the usual holiday blackouts, the price rises to $499. Full, unrestricted adult passes start at $949. Cutoff date is May 9.

Pass buyers who wish to ride Squaw this spring can purchase any 2010-11 Squaw season pass and add spring 2010 for just $129. As an added convenience, and to be as green as possible, Squaw Valley USA is offering reloadable passes-buyers keep their old pass, with new valid-date info automatically added to the ticket-checking system.

Additional perks for early purchasers range from free cable car access for summer 2010 to, for the unrestricted passes, four half-day private lessons and retail discounts.

Back East, Waterville Valley, Bretton Woods and Cranmore are holding prices on 2010-11 Threedom Passes when bought by May 31.
Options include unrestricted access at Waterville Valley and Cranmore with the usual holiday blackout dates at Bretton Woods ($679 adult, $399 for teens, $339 for juniors), and an anytime option with no blackout dates ($779, $469, and $409). Purchase
includes skiing and riding for the rest of this season; passes can be purchased at the resorts or online. The 4-NH College Pass, which adds nearby Cannon Mountain, remains $259.




Threedom benefits include $15 off on weekends and holidays for friends and family (50 percent off non-holiday weeks), night skiing and riding at Cranmore and Bretton Woods, Nordic skiing, and resort lodging discounts.

Among the areas individually, Cranmore continue to offer discounted single-area passes. Its Happy Trails Season Pass (adults, $299 with holiday blackouts, $459 without; teens and seniors, $289; junior, $169) has a May 31 early-purchase deadline, and includes the rest of this season as well.

The three-area New England Pass, valid at Boyne-operated Sunday River, Sugarloaf and Loon, also holds the line on prices, at least through Apr. 30. There are three price tiers: midweek, non-holiday Bronze ($349); typical holiday blackout Silver ($599), and unrestricted-use Gold ($899). Discounts for seniors, teens, and children apply, and payment can be made in three installments. Perks include discounts at other Boyne resorts, including Big Sky, Mont., Brighton, Utah, and Crystal Mountain, Wash. The College New England Pass ($339 through Nov. 30) includes unlimited skiing/riding at the New England three resorts.

Among single areas, Wildcat Mountain-in the same neighborhood as the Threedom and New England Passes-offers its own deals, when completed by May 15. The midweek Black Cat pass ($299) is blacked out for the two holiday weeks as well, but includes weekends from opening till Christmas and from Apr. 1 till the end of the season. Wildcat's unrestricted pass (through May 15, $599 for adults, $399 teens, $299 children, $39 tots) and Adult 6-Day Pass ($499) with no blackout dates are also unchanged.

In Idaho, Silver Mountain is again offering the "Snow and Splash" season pass for families ($199 per person, up to four people). New friends-those who did not have a pass this season-can also buy a pass for $199 each. These passes include access to Silver's indoor waterpark and Flowrider, and to the rest of the current season as well. Individual pass prices begin at $339 for adults, $169 for ages 7 to 17. Passholders can add discounts on lockers, bag and ski check, and tubing, and receive $15 lift tickets at Mission Ridge, Wash., and $5 day ticket discounts at all Idaho areas.