SAM Magazine-Winter Park, Colo., March 28, 2009-Winter Park and Copper Mountain have slashed the price of the areas' joint Rocky Mountain Super Pass Plus. The pass, which cost $439 this winter, is now offered for $399. The pass includes unlimited access at Copper and Winter Park and six days at Steamboat, as it did last eyar. In addition, consumers can "reserve" a Super Pass with a deposit of $49 (the same price as this season), and the balance isn't due until September, as apposed to August for the current season.

"Our resorts are fortunate enough to have an incredibly loyal and resilient customer base, but everyone's feeling the effects of the economic environment," Intrawest chief marketing officer Andy Wirth said. "By reducing the price, we've even further enhanced the value the Rocky Mountain Super Pass Plus offers to our customers. This is our way of saying we understand and are willing to take a big step toward providing even more value to our resort guests."

In the past, price cuts on season passes by Intrawest, which owns Copper and manages Winter Park, have sparked price wars with fellow Colorado behemoth Vail Resorts. Some industry observers have decried the discounted passes, which contribute to the notorious traffic problems on Colorado's I-70 on weekend. But there can be no doubt that Colorado skiers have taken advantage of the deals. Season pass prices in the state are some of the lowest in the country, and the Front Range market has fueled record day skier numbers at some of Colorado's resorts this season. \