SAM Magazine-Boulder, Colo., Mar. 6, 2009-Resorts are looking to lock in customers for next winter as well as get new customers this season with a variety of season pass deals, including discounted rates on next year's offerings and affordable spring passes.

Both Massachusetts' Jiminy Peak and Minnesota's Wild Mountain are pushing season pass offerings at this year's prices, with perks attached. At Jiminy, 2009-10 season passes are on sale for the same price as last year, and are also good for the rest of this season. The offerings at Wild Mountain are much the same, with purchasers of next winter's pass products able to add skiing for the rest of this season for $75.

Vermont's Killington is wooing passholders with a discounted rate for next year. The resort's unlimited adult pass for 2009-10 is priced at $999, $50 less than the same product cost during the current season. There are also a variety of price reductions across the board on the ski area's pass products, provided that they are purchased prior to April 30.

The resort is also offering a payment plan option for pass purchases prior to April 30. Customers can purchase a pass with a credit card and pay 33 percent of the total season pass purchase at the time of their order. An additional 33 percent will be automatically charged to the customer's credit card on July 1, the final 34 percent on Sept. 1.

A payment plan option is also available at Vermont's Mount Snow for passes purchased by June 1. A 30 percent down payment is due at the time of purchase, with the full balance due by Oct. 12. The ski area has also announced that its 2009-10 pass rates will remain unchanged. An additional inducement: the pass includes four $50 "anytime" lift tickets that can be shared with friends and family. Finally, customers who purchase a pass for next year can ski the remainder of Mount Snow's current season for free.

In Oregon, Mt. Hood Skibowl is celebrating its 80th anniversary with a special spring pass. Priced at $80, it is the lowest-priced unlimited pass at the resort. The resort has also teamed up with nearby Timberline to offer a Spring Fusion Pass for $179. The product offers unrestricted skiing at both ski areas through the end of the 2008-09 season.