Pass rates just went up - 10 ways you can still save on skiing.

Most ski areas and multi-mountain passes have ended early prices and raised their rates. The Indy Pass is completely sold out.

Wait...what? It’s only October. How do you find a good value for skiing now? You’re in luck. I’ve got 10 tips for you on how to save money on skiing.

Before we get to the value tips, let’s take a look at what’s happened to ski passes and ticket prices over the years.

Shifts in the ski pass model

Back in 2008, there was a global financial crisis. People were concerned about budget and Vail resorts held a portfolio of higher-priced resorts. They made a smart move that changed the ski industry, launching the Epic pass for the 2008-2009 ski season.  You could get season-long access to 5 great resorts for just $579. It was a clever strategy to get people to commit early, incentivizing them to spend all their ski days at Vail-owned properties.

Alterra Mountain Company followed suit with the Ikon Pass for their mountains. Alterra also launched the Mountain Collective Pass, a multi-resort pass with access to just a couple days at each mountain and an optional third day at a discount. All 3 multi-mountain passes focused on larger ski resorts.

Then along came Indy. The Indy Pass packages 2 days at each of the mountains on their program, plus the option for a third day at a discount. They represent independently owned resorts, many of them smaller and mid-size mountains.

Those are the big four players in ski season passes. Many smaller, regional passes can be found across the country like the Snow Triple Play in the North East and the Yeti Pass covering Utah. Every ski area offers season rates.

Rising prices and capacity limits

The rise of the multi-mountain pass has coincided with a rise in lift ticket prices and for some ski areas, much larger crowds.

So, what happens if you aren’t a pass buyer and just decide to go skiing on a nice day in January? You might find the mountain has reached uphill capacity for the day and tickets are sold out. You might be in for sticker shock at the ticket window. I tried to buy a half day ticket last season at a mountain and was quoted over $200 for less than 4 hours of skiing. After I picked my jaw off the floor, my wallet and I found something else to do.

To put it in numbers, the average price of an adult day lift ticket on a peak weekend when you buy it at the ticket window has gone up more than 80%, from $105 to $192 over the last 10 years according to data from the National Ski Areas Association. The same report shows a 30% decline in level 1 beginner ski lessons over that time.

It's not just skiers the new pass models have created a challenge for. The snow sports industry is now in a bit of a pickle. The system is creating barriers for day skiers or for new skiers to get started.

How are ski areas and ski mega passes responding to this? In Vail Resorts’ most recent shareholder meeting, CEO Robert Katz recognized a shift in consumer behavior and said the company will also shift “we are focused on rebuilding lift ticket visitation, an essential driver of revenue and long-term growth.”

What does this mean for you, the ticket buyer? Are day ticket prices going to come down this year?  I’d say that’s unlikely. Ticket prices have already been published and lowering the face value would erode the value presented to pass holders who purchased early. Instead, we may see more deals to take a discount off daily rates.

One strategy widespread for this season is increasing the number of buddy passes offered to a season pass holder. The pass holder can offer a friend a day lift ticket at a discounted rate.  Depending on your pass, discounts typically range from 25 to 50 percent off. Remember that $200 half-day lift ticket that dropped my jaw? A friend with a buddy pass could have hooked me up with that same ticket for $100.

So, now that you’ve got the background on passes and tickets in the snow sports industry – what about finding those deals?

10 Ways you can still save on skiing

1)        Find a buddy. There are a lot of buddy tickets out there for various passes. Ask a friend who skis if they might be able to share a discount. If you have a friend who works or volunteers at ski area or ski shop, employees might have access to tickets or discounted tickets for friends and family.

2)        Find fall events with giveaways and discounts. I’m seeing a number of mountains hosting fall festivals where they are also selling ticket packages. Some of the stops on the Warren Miller or other film tours, give out ticket vouchers to movie goers.

3)         Look for a local club to join. High schools, colleges, alumni associations and community groups often have pass deals or trips at a group rate. Ask around. Hop on social media and see if anyone in your area knows of a program. Call your mountain and ask them if there’s a local ski club they can refer you to.

4)        Become a volunteer. Find out if your local mountain has any volunteer programs which thank their helpers in the form of ticket savings.

 5)        Do a search online for specials not only this season, but what was offered last season? You might find a local retailer or organization sponsored discounted ski days last year. Reach out to see if they will be running the same program in the coming season. It just might not be posted yet for this year.

6)        Once you know where you plan to ski, buy early and buy online. Day tickets are typically a bit cheaper if you buy in advance on the mountain’s website. If you know your ski day, also make reservations to avoid that capacity issue.

7)        Ask if there are senior rates available.

8)        Flex your schedule to ski at less busy times. Look for midweek, half day, twilight or night rates that are typically lower-priced.  Another great reason to ski off-peak time is shorter lift lines. You get more runs in per hour, adding to the value of your purchase.

9) If you are a beginner, you have options. January is National Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month. Most ski areas will have special programs just for you. If you're lucky, your community might have a special spot for beginners. I learned to ski at a county park that's free. All these years later, it's still free. You need to bring your own gear.

10)        Depending on what pass you want, you may still find a discounted price. Ikon, Mountain Collective and many individual resorts were still showing some sort of sale prices available when this post was published. Epic was still discounting day passes.

 Have a money-saving strategy to share?   

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