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.
Discount Lift Tickets in Colorado- 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 LIFT TICKETS.
The most expensive way to ski is to buy your lift tickets at the ticket window without any coupons. The following information will help you find the best deal around no matter what time of year.
Colorado Ski Season Passes
If you are in Colorado in April, September or October, you can look into buying a season pass for Keystone, Breckenridge, and A-Basin. Both Loveland and Copper Mountain sometimes sell season passes into November. If you plan on skiing 5 or more days, a season pass to one of the areas ski resorts will more than pay for itself and is the cheapest way to go...even though you won't get to use it for the entire season.
:: Keystone :: Breckenridge :: A-Basin :: Vail :: Beaver Creek ::
Season passes are sold along the front range at places like Gart Sports, REI, and Christy Sports. Season passes for Keystone, Breckenridge and A-Basin usually cost around 9. A 2nd option is to pay slightly more and get 10 days at Vail or Beaver Creek added to that same pass. You MUST buy these in person, and you typically have to use it at least once before the holiday season, or it will become invalid for the rest of the year. These passes do have blackout dates during the holidays and during Presidents Day weekend usually, so make sure you read the fine print before purchasing these ski passes. If you're planning an early season trip (Before December 20th) AND a later prime ski season trip (January - April), this is by far the least expensive way to go. Best of all, once you get a pass that you have to buy in person, you can renew it over the web year after year.
:: Arapahoe Basin Only ::
This year, Arapahoe Basin is offering a season pass of their own. For the 2005-2006 ski season, these are only 9. This allows unlimited skiing at Arapahoe Basin, but also allows you to ski at Keystone or Breckenridge for 5 days. One of the 5 days can be used at either Vail or Beaver Creek. This is an awesome deal if you're coming out for a short trip of 5 days or more. Best of all, you can buy these over the phone and just pick them up at the base area of Arapahoe Basin. As always, get in on this deal EARLY. Passes are usually sold in September and October only. Check out the Arapahoe Basin Website for full details.
:: Copper Mountain :: Winter Park :: Mary Jane ::
Copper Mountain is offering season passes for the 2005-2006 ski season for only 9. You can buy these without being present, but you must submit a photo of yourself so they can print your pass. Add a few more dollars and you can ski Winter Park and Mary Jane too. However, Winter Park is a solid 1 hour drive from Summit County. Still, the skiing at Mary Jane is legendary and you won't be disappointed with your day excursion to the snowpack in the Fraser Valley of Colorado.
:: Loveland Ski Area ::
Lesser known by people from out-of state, Loveland is a very inexpensive option. You'll see Loveland Ski area on your way into Summit County on the East Portal of the Eisenhower Tunnel. The closest ski lodging to Loveland is in Keystone....only 15 miles away. Loveland offers season passes for 3. Being an independant ski resort, you can only ski at Loveland. Loveland is one of the highest ski resorts on North America and they are usually the first to open the ski season in North America in October. Check the webste for details. They have an outstanding variety of terrain and there are little or no crowds at any given time.
++++++++++++ Warning ++++++++++++
Do not EVER try to use a 4 pack or season pass that is not yours. There are extremely stiff penalties including large fines and possible jail time if you are caught. The lift operators WILL catch you. A free lift ride is simply not worth the consequences.
++++++++++++ Warning ++++++++++++
Colorado Ski Resort "Four Packs"
Another money-saving tip is to buy what is called a "4 pack" for your ski resort of choice. A "4 pack" is 4 days of skiing for any 1 person. Typically the ski resorts sell these early in the season, but have also been known to sell them again in late March or in April. Buying late in the season is ideal...unknown to many, April is usually the snowiest month in Colorado!
:: Keystone :: Breckenridge ::
For the Keystone and Breckenridge 4 packs, you must buy them in person and they are not transferrable. In previous years they have been transferrable until people started selling them for a profit on eBay. $ packs usually run about and are bought in the same fashion that a Season Pass is bought. The 4 packs do have blackout dates, so read the fine print carefully.
:: Copper Mountain :: Winter Park :: Mary Jane ::
Copper Mountain offers 4 packs for only and ARE transferrable. This deal usually is around for 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 0, which is still only per day. This offer expires on Dec 9th 2005, so jump on this quickly if you want to get in on the deal! There are usually rules and restrictions as to the dates you can use the 4 pack, so check the fine print carefully.
:: Loveland Ski Area ::
Loveland also offers a 4 pack as well for the 2005-2006 ski season. The 4 packs run only but are only available through November 21st 2005. There are no blackout dates on these 4 packs and can be used anytime during the 2005-2006 ski season at Loveland.
:: Aspen :: Snowmass ::
Okay, so these 2 resorts aren't really all that close to Summit County, but if you want to see what celebrities do during the 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 up until November 20th, 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 only 9. This pass is good for unlimited skiing at Keystone or Arapahoe Basin. It can be purchased at military bases in colorado including Buckley AFB, Peterson AFB, Schriever AFB, F.E. Warren AFB, Fort Carson and the Air force Academy. You can purchase this anytime during the 2005-2006 ski season and it is 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 areas that are 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 usually can buy a lift ticket for you for a deeply discounted price of -. The number of times they can do this is limited.
Keystone Lift Tickets Don't forget eBay! Many times people will buy a package deal and not be able to use it. Sometimes it's a 4 pack, sometimes it's someone who has an inside track to the resort and is trying to make some money on the side. Either way, MAKE SURE you check the lift tickets carefully to make sure you know what you're getting. Search around and see what you can find!
Keystone Lift Tickets Buy an Entertainment book for the Denver area. These books are PACKED with ski coupons. We typically buy these books and keep them available for our guests to use. The coupons are for slightly discounted lift tickets. ( - off ticket window prices) There are also coupons for ski school.
Keystone Lift Tickets Buy your tickets on the front range in or around Denver. Go to any Safeway or King Soopers grocery stores, or ski and snowboard rental shop. They sell disount lift tickets for most ski areas.
Keystone Lift Tickets As your Keystone Lodging provider, just ask us and we'll do what we can to get you the right information you need or point you in the right direction to save you the most money given the time period of your visit. We typically keep a packet of coupons just for our guests use. When booking, please email or call us with your requests and we will mail coupons to you before you arrive. Coupons are first come first serve. These coupons usually come from Entertainment Books, and wherever else we can find them. We do not sell lift tickets.
BE CAREFUL - Some other lodging providers will entice you with a "package deal" saying that they will give you discounted lift tickets after your reserve your lodging...only to suddenly "run out" of the lift tickets after they have your money.
