Maximizing Multiday Ski Passes

So you’re more casual in your snow approach? Planning to confine your skiing to the one week the friends or family will be in town? Maybe you just have commitment issues. Whatever, try these cheaper multiday ski pass options. If you’re planning to go big, get the breakdown of full season passes in Ski Pass Showdown in our Fall 2015 print issue.

Epic 7-Day
Seven unrestricted days at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Afton Alps and Mount Brighton.
Cost: $619 adult (13+); $319 child
More: snow.com

Epic 4-Day
Seven unrestricted days at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Afton Alps and Mount Brighton.
Cost: $429 adult (13+); $239 child
More Info: snow.com

Winter Park Four Pass
Four days with no blackout dates.
Cost: $199 renewal, $219 new
More Info: skicolorado.com

Copper Four Pack
Four days with no blackout dates. Renewal only.
Cost: $179
More Info: coppercolorado.com

Steamboat Boat Launch
Three days with holiday blackout dates.
Cost: $169
More Info: skicolorado.com

A-Basin Elevation 4 Pass
Four days at the Legend with no blackout dates.
Cost: $149 adult (15+); $99 child
More Info: arapahoebasin.com

Note: All prices are subject to change at any time.

Photo by Liam Doran, Courtesy Vail Resorts

Pro Road Tip: Avoid I-70
One of the best parts about being a skier in Colorado Springs? You don’t have to deal with the overwhelming, day-killing Denver traffic that clogs I-70 on weekends. Sure, the new 10-mile CDOT Mountain Express toll lane running eastbound from the Empire Junction (U.S. 40) to Idaho Springs might help, but you’ll pay as much as $30 at peak demand. Even if there’s miraculously no traffic on 70, the backroads of Highway 9 and Highway 24 make for a gorgeous and generally painless drive.

Top 5 Closest to the Springs

Want first tracks? Here are your best bets by mileage. But see “Pro Road Tip,” and remember that your route can drastically alter your travel time.

1. Breckenridge: 107 miles, 2:05* via U.S. 24 and CO 9
2. Eldora: 117 miles, 2:03 via I-25, CO 470 and CO 93
3. Keystone: 118, 2:20 via U.S. 24 and CO 9
4. Monarch Mountain: 123 miles, 2:19 via CO 115 and U.S. 50
5. Loveland: 124 miles, 1:52 via I-70
5. Copper Mountain: 124 miles, 2:25 via U.S.-24, CO 9 and U.S. 6
5. Arapahoe Basin: 124 miles, 2:28 via U.S. 24 and CO 9

*Approximate times shown without traffic.

So you're more casual in your snow approach? Planning to confine your skiing to the one week the friends or family will be in town? Maybe you just have commitment issues. Whatever, try these cheaper multiday ski pass options. If you're planning to go big, get the breakdown of full season passes in Ski Pass Showdown in our Fall 2015 print issue. Epic 7-Day Seven unrestricted days at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Afton Alps and Mount Brighton. Cost: $619 adult (13+); $319 child More: snow.com Epic 4-Day Seven unrestricted days at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Afton Alps and Mount Brighton. Cost: $429 adult (13+); $239 child More Info: snow.com Winter Park Four Pass Four days with no blackout dates. Cost: $199 renewal, $219 new More Info: skicolorado.com Copper Four Pack Four days with no blackout dates. Renewal only. Cost: $179 More Info: coppercolorado.com Steamboat Boat Launch Three days with holiday blackout dates. Cost: $169 More Info: skicolorado.com A-Basin Elevation 4 Pass Four days at the Legend with no blackout dates. Cost: $149 adult (15+); $99 child More Info: arapahoebasin.com Note: All prices are subject to change at any time.

Pro Road Tip: Avoid I-70 One of the best parts about being a skier in Colorado Springs? You don’t have to deal with the overwhelming, day-killing Denver traffic that clogs I-70 on weekends. Sure, the new 10-mile CDOT Mountain Express toll lane running eastbound from the Empire Junction (U.S. 40) to Idaho Springs might help, but you’ll pay as much as $30 at peak demand. Even if there’s miraculously no traffic on 70, the backroads of Highway 9 and Highway 24 make for a gorgeous and generally painless drive.

Top 5 Closest to the Springs Want first tracks? Here are your best bets by mileage. But see “Pro Road Tip,” and remember that your route can drastically alter your travel time. 1. Breckenridge: 107 miles, 2:05* via U.S. 24 and CO 9 2. Eldora: 117 miles, 2:03 via I-25, CO 470 and CO 93 3. Keystone: 118, 2:20 via U.S. 24 and CO 9 4. Monarch Mountain: 123 miles, 2:19 via CO 115 and U.S. 50 5. Loveland: 124 miles, 1:52 via I-70 5. Copper Mountain: 124 miles, 2:25 via U.S.-24, CO 9 and U.S. 6 5. Arapahoe Basin: 124 miles, 2:28 via U.S. 24 and CO 9 *Approximate times shown without traffic.

Maximizing Multiday Ski Passes

Read More

Monarch Mountain at the Crest Opens Reimagined Scenic Tram

Adventure Across Abilities in Colorado Springs