Once upon a winter, skiers and snowboarders over the age of 65 and especially those over 70 got lift tickets for a fraction of what younger adults paid. As the skiing population ages, that’s no longer true. However, in addition to those resorts where skiers over 70 still can ski free, tallied in an earlier article, here’s info on discount rates for boomers and seniors at major Western U.S. resorts.
Utah's Yeti Pass
The first is not even limited to the over-65 crowd. It is Utah’s Yeti Pass, a multi-resort season pass. Skiers and riders of all ages pay $499 and for the chance to ski one time at every Utah resort, according to the trade association Ski Utah. That amounts to $35 per day, which is pennies compared to the $70 to $100 walk-up-to-the-window adult price of a daily lift ticket.
The Yeti Pass covers some of the greatest resorts in North American, including Alta Ski Area, Beaver Mountain, Brian Head Resort, Brighton Resort, Canyons Resort, Deer Valley Resort, Eagle Point, Park City Mountain Resort, Powder Mountain Resort, Snowbasin Resort, Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, Solitude Mountain Resort, Sundance and Wolf Mountain. Note that it is NOT good at Deer Valley during the Christmas week. There are no other restrictions.
Of course, if you only manage to hit 10 resorts that daily price jumps to $50 a day. If you’re an Alta fan over 80, you are better off with Alta Pioneers season pass for just $49. Alta fans 65-79 who ski only there might do better with the season pass that is $699, or $599 for those who start skiing after Jan 31, 2012, according to officials at the resort. Deer Valley visitors 65 and over can get a day ticket for $69 or lower for multi day tickets, except on holidays, according to the resort website.
Over 70? Colorado, California, Montana Lift Ticket Deals
Meanwhile, numerous major ski resorts all over the U.S. and Canada offer discount prices to those over 70.
At Aspen and Snowmass, a 70+ season pass is $399; since daily lift tickets will be over $100 in 2011-2012, that’s a bargain, and it even beats the slightly lower daily cost of a ticket for those 65-69. At Vail, the 70+ Senior Pass is $529, good for 10 days at Vail itself and its sister resorts Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Heavenly, and Northstar at Tahoe. Those 65-69 have other higher priced options, according to the various resort websites.
Among other big destination ski resorts in the American west, Taos and Mammoth remain legends for those over 80, who ski free. For those 70-79 a Taos season pass is $125, which is also pretty terrific. At Mammoth, those 65-79 can get a season pass for $399. Big Sky in Montana offers a $74 daily 70+ price.
Sources
Ski Utah and other trade association websites.
AspenSnowmass, Vail Resorts, Taos, Mammoth and Big Ski websites and press spokespeople.
Grace Lichtenstein - I prefer "seasoned" to "senior" but whatever term you use, I have been an outdoor adventurer for most of my adult years. I am a cycling ...
