• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Because the Family that Skis Together, Enjoys Life Together.
  • Home
  • About
    • Awards
    • Featured Author
    • Brand Ambassador
  • Brave Ski Mom Stickers
  • Contact Me

The Brave Ski Mom

Building a new generation of skiers and snowboarders.

  • Skiing
    • Skiing With Kids
    • Ski Racing
    • Learn to Ski
    • Cross Country Skiing
    • Telemark Skiing
    • Snowboarding
  • Ski Resort Reviews
    • United States
      • Alaska
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Connecticut
      • Idaho
      • Maine
      • Massachusetts
      • Michigan
      • Minnesota
      • Montana
      • Nevada
      • New Hampshire
      • New Mexico
      • New York
      • North Carolina
      • Oregon
      • Pennsylvania
      • Utah
      • Vermont
      • Washington
      • West Virginia
      • Wisconsin
      • Wyoming
    • Argentina
    • Australia
    • Austria
    • Bulgaria
    • Canada
    • Chile
    • France
    • Finland
    • Greece
    • Italy
    • Japan
    • New Zealand
  • Ski Gear Checklist and Recommendations
    • Equipment and Gear
    • Product Reviews
    • Brave Ski Mom Stickers
  • Hiking
    • Camping
  • Biking
    • Downhill Biking
    • Mountain Biking
    • Road Biking
  • Good Stuff
    • Parenting
    • Health
      • Getting in Shape
    • Reflections

Ski Passes: Can A Brave Ski Mom Have Too Many?

August 25, 2010 by braveskimom

Last ski season, we over-passed.  Some people overeat, some over-sleep, we over-passed.  We over-passed out of fear of under-passing.  You see, Aspen/Snowmass changed their Classic Pass structure and we didn’t like it.  So, we broadened our horizons and estimated the number of days we wanted to ski and then we tried to maximize the deals at resorts within a 2.5 hour radius of our garage.

We ended up with season passes and discount cards at 5 different ski resorts.   Our strategy worked from the standpoint that we were able to pre-pay and ski at a discount every day of the season.  Our strategy didn’t work from the standpoint that we ended our season in late April exhausted from trying to maximize the return on all these passes (nobody’s fault but our own).

This year, we are trying a different strategy.  We are buying passes at one resort.  Our kids get a hugely discounted pass and we will pay the full adult fare. We will ski there the majority of the time and if we decide to go somewhere else, we will find the best deals we can at the grocery store and the gas station.  I have no idea if this strategy will be better or worse than last year.  We will still end the ski season exhausted from trying to maximize our pass because that’s just how we roll.

August and September are the months when ski passes are cheaper, as many resorts raise the prices as the ski season approaches. Check out your resort’s website for special deals and specific deadlines.

Want to broaden your horizons? Ready to make some decisions?  Check out the Brave Ski Mom Adult Season Pass Strategy Decision Tree. It is pretty much as cumbersome as its name, but the payoff on question 6 is enjoyable.

Wondering about the pass strategy for kids?  Check back next week.

Good Luck!

© 2010 – 2024, braveskimom. All rights reserved. Any use or publication of content, including photos, requires express permission.

Spread the Love (thanks!)

  • Email
  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr

Related

Filed Under: Equipment and Gear Tagged With: good buy, products, saving money, ski equipment, ski passes, skiing

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ann says

    August 27, 2010 at 1:07 pm

    So where did you buy passes? Powderhorn?

    • braveskimom says

      August 27, 2010 at 1:53 pm

      We decided the best value for this year is Aspen. How about you?

      • Ann says

        August 28, 2010 at 8:13 pm

        Yeah Aspen it is. In fact that’s the only pass we have bought the past several years, though we just go for the Classic.

  2. Ann says

    August 27, 2010 at 1:08 pm

    Oh and I LOVE your diagram by the way. I will employ it when trying to figure out my pass selection, though I do typically employ the confusion (#6) antidote at the beginning of the process.

    • braveskimom says

      August 27, 2010 at 6:20 pm

      Thanks. Invite me over if you get confused! Cheers!

Primary Sidebar

2023-2024 Partners

FERA
World Snow Day
FERA

Welcome

I'm Kristen, a western Colorado mom, wife and trail boss in a busy outdoor family. Our family has a passion for skiing and my goal is to provide information to help other families enjoy their skiing adventures. Whether you have tiny toddlers just learning to slide or grown children with whom you're planning a reunion, you're in the right place. Cheers!

Never Miss a Post

Enter your email address to subscribe. You'll receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow Me

FacebookInstagram Pinterest Twitter

Today’s Most Popular Posts

  • No Snow? No Problem: Summer Skiing in North America
    No Snow? No Problem: Summer Skiing in North America
  • Upside Down Ski Resorts: When the Base is at the Top
    Upside Down Ski Resorts: When the Base is at the Top
  • Tips for a Memorable 2018 Colorado Ski Season
    Tips for a Memorable 2018 Colorado Ski Season
  • Failure Was Not An Option: The Story of A Ski Country Entrepreneur
    Failure Was Not An Option: The Story of A Ski Country Entrepreneur
  • A First Time Family Ski Guide To Stowe Mountain Resort
    A First Time Family Ski Guide To Stowe Mountain Resort
  • Bravery 101: Chairlift Safety for Parents and Kids
    Bravery 101: Chairlift Safety for Parents and Kids

Categories

Footer

Recent Tweets

My Tweets

Featured In

snowlink world snow day snowkidz
liftopia mtn town learn to ski and snowboard mom trends
Copyright © 2025 · Genesis Framework by StudioPress · Affiliate Disclosure · Product Review & Giveaway Policy · Guest Post Policy · Privacy Policy · Login
 

Loading Comments...