How to Get Discount Lift Tickets for Keystone Colorado, Breckenridge Colorado, Arapahoe Basin Colorado, Loveland Ski Area Colorado, Copper Mountain Colorado, Winter Park Colorado, Vail Colorado, Beaver Creek Colorado
Updated for the 2005-2006 ski season.
Colorado Discount Lift Tickets – All Colorado ski resorts make it difficult for anyone coming from out of state to get a great deal on lift tickets. Don’t expect to get a great deal anywhere if you didn’t start looking in late September or early October. As your Keystone Lodging provider, we can help, but WE DO NOT SELL ELEVATOR TICKETS.
The most expensive way to ski is to buy your lift tickets at the ticket office without coupons. The following information will help you find the best deal no matter what time of year.
Colorado Ski Season Passes
If you’re in Colorado in April, September, or October, you can purchase a season pass to Keystone, Breckenridge, and A-Basin. Both Loveland and Copper Mountain sometimes sell season passes through November. If you plan on skiing 5 days or more, a season pass to one of the area’s ski resorts will pay off handsomely and is the cheapest way to go…although you won’t be able to use it all season long. .
::Keystone::Breckenridge::Basin A::Vail::Beaver Creek::
Season passes are sold along the front range at places like Gart Sports, REI and Christy Sports. Season passes to Keystone, Breckenridge, and A-Basin generally run around $329. A second option is to pay a little more and add 10 days in Vail or Beaver Creek to the same pass. You MUST buy them in person, and you generally need to use them at least once before the holiday season, or they won’t be valid for the rest of the year. These passes have blackout dates during the holidays and typically Presidents Day weekend, so be sure to read the fine print before purchasing these ski passes. If you are planning a trip early in the season (before Dec 20) AND a later trip in the main ski season (January – April), this is by far the least expensive way to do it. Best of all, once you get a pass that you have to buy in person, you can renew it online year after year.
:: Arapahoe Basin Only ::
This year, Arapahoe Basin is offering a season pass of its own. For the 2005-2006 ski season, these are only $239. This allows unlimited skiing at Arapahoe Basin, but also allows you to ski Keystone or Breckenridge for 5 days. One of the 5 days can be used in Vail or Beaver Creek. This is an incredible offer if you are coming for a short trip of 5 days or more. Best of all, you can buy them over the phone and simply pick them up at the Arapahoe Basin base area. As always, take part in this offer EARLY. Passes are generally only sold in September and October. Visit the Arapahoe Basin website for all the details.
::Copper Mountain ::Winter Park ::Mary Jane ::
Copper Mountain offers season passes for the 2005-2006 ski season for just $279. You can buy them without being present, but you must send a photo of yourself so that they can print your pass. Throw in a few more bucks and you can also ski at Winter Park and Mary Jane. However, Winter Park is a 1 hour drive from Summit County. Still, the skiing at Mary Jane is legendary and you won’t be disappointed with your day trip to the snowpack in Colorado’s Fraser Valley.
:: Loveland Ski Area ::
Less known to people from other states, Loveland is a very affordable option. You’ll see Loveland Ski Area on the way to Summit County at the East Portal of the Eisenhower Tunnel. The closest ski lodging to Loveland is in Keystone…just 15 miles away. Loveland offers season passes for $253. Being an independent ski resort, you can only ski in Loveland. Loveland is one of the highest ski resorts in North America and is often the first to open for ski season in North America in October. Check the website for more details. They have a wide variety of terrain and there is little to no crowd at any given time.
++++++++++++ Warning ++++++++++++
NEVER try to use a 4 pack or season pass that is not yours. There are extremely harsh penalties including large fines and possible jail time if you are caught. The elevator operators will catch you. A free elevator ride is simply not worth the consequences.
++++++++++++ Warning ++++++++++++
Colorado Ski Resort “Four Packs”
Another money-saving tip is to buy what’s called a “4-pack” for the ski resort of your choice. A “4 pack” is 4 days of skiing for anyone. Ski resorts usually sell them early in the season, but they have also been known to sell them again in late March or April. Buying late in the season is ideal… unknown to many, April is usually the snowiest month in Colorado!
::Cornerstone::Breckenridge::
For the Keystone and Breckenridge 4 packs, you will need to purchase them personally and they are non-transferable. In previous years, they have been transferable until people started selling them for a profit on eBay. The $ packs are usually around $99 and are purchased the same way you would buy a season pass. All 4 packs have blackout dates, so read the fine print carefully.
::Copper Mountain ::Winter Park ::Mary Jane ::
Copper Mountain offers 4 packages for only $69 and they ARE transferable. This deal usually lasts about a week and may have already passed. If so, you’re still in luck…both Copper Mountain and Winter Park offer 4 packs for $120, which is still only $30 per day. This offer expires on December 9, 2005, so take advantage of it quickly if you want to enter the offer! There are usually rules and restrictions on when you can use the 4-pack, so check the fine print carefully.
:: Loveland Ski Area ::
Loveland is also offering a 4 pack for the 2005-2006 ski season. All 4 packages are only $99, but are only available through November 21, 2005. There are no blackout dates for these 4 packages and they can be used anytime during the 2005-2006 Loveland ski season.
::Aspen::Snowmass::
Granted, these 2 resorts aren’t really that close to Summit County, but if you want to see what celebs are up to during winter in Colorado…try Aspen or Snowmass for a day. Cheap passes are available, but you have to get them in person. They are available through November 20, 2005 at select locations around the Colorado Front Range.
Other ways to get discount lift tickets
Are you a member of the armed forces? Keystone has a special setup with any active duty military, reservists, National Guard and dependents. Rocky Mountain Blue offers a Freedom Pass for just $129. This pass is good for unlimited skiing at Keystone or Arapahoe Basin. It can be purchased at military bases in Colorado, including Buckley Air Force Base, Peterson Air Force Base, Schriever Air Force Base, FE Warren Air Force Base, Fort Carson, and the Academy of Air Force. You can buy it anytime during the 2005-2006 ski season and it’s good through closing day at Keystone. THIS IS THE BEST LIFT TICKET DEAL IN COLORADO.
Keystone Lift Tickets Sign up for a free Colorado Gem Card. These cards will give you discounts at other ski resorts further away. The closest resort that accepts this card is Loveland Ski Area, which is about 15 miles away, right at the Eisenhower Tunnel on the Continental Divide.
Keystone Lift Tickets Know someone with a season pass? Season pass holders can usually purchase a lift ticket for a deeply discounted price of $29-$59. The number of times they can do this is limited.
Keystone Lift Tickets Don’t Forget eBay! Many times people will buy a package and not be able to use it. Sometimes it’s a 4 pack, sometimes it’s someone who has an internal following of the resort and is trying to make some money. Either way, MAKE SURE you check lift tickets carefully to make sure you know what you’re getting. Search and see what you can find!
Keystone Lift Tickets Buy a book of entertainment for the Denver area. These books are PACKAGED with ski coupons. We usually purchase these books and keep them available for our guests to use. Coupons are for slightly discounted lift tickets. ($5-$10 off ticket window prices) Ski school coupons are also available.
Keystone Lift Tickets Buy your tickets at the shooting front in or around Denver. Go to any Safeway or King Soopers supermarket, or ski and snowboard rental store. They sell discount lift tickets to most ski areas.
Keystone Lift Tickets As your Keystone Lodging provider, just ask us and we’ll do our best to give you the right information you need or point you in the right direction to save you the most money based on the time period of your visit. We usually keep a packet of coupons just for our guests to use. When booking, email or call us with your requests and we’ll mail you coupons prior to your arrival. Coupons are on a first-come, first-served basis. These coupons usually come from Entertainment Books, and anywhere else we can find them. We do not sell lift tickets.
BEWARE: Some other accommodation providers will lure you in with a “package deal” saying they will give you discounted lift tickets after you book your accommodation… only to suddenly “stay” after they have your money.