Category: Misc.

Colorado Pass - Resorts, Pricing, Tips and more

By devinreams
updated 4 months ago

Looking for a quick and easy explanation of the Colorado Pass (the season pass offered by Vail Resorts)? The Colorado Pass is arguably the best deal and this guide will provide you resort pros, cons, tips, and tricks. Make next season your best season yet! If you've got any of your own tips, tricks or knowledge be sure to share it in the comments.

Colorado Pass - Season Pass for Vail Resorts

The Colorado Pass is arguably the best pass to get if you’re playing in Colorado. Unlimited access to some of the best resorts (Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin) and 10 total days at Vail or Beaver Creek. With ticket prices creeping near $100 per day this can’t be beat.Prices for 08/09 haven’t been announced but expect adult pricing to be somewhere around $400. Locations to purchase will be announced online but are typically a few malls in Denver and local ski shops.

Keystone Resort

Dillon, CO 80435

Keystone is an excellent resort for families, everyone knows that. But, as an expert skier it’s also the perfect getaway. Why? Because the experts are skiing somewhere else! Hurry back to the “Outback” before mid-day and you’re likely to find fresh powder from a few days ago!

Be sure to check out the other fun things to do in Keystone: go night skiing until 9pm, ice skate on the largest outdoor ice rink, and enjoy the apres nightlife in River Run.

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area

28194 Us Highway 6, Dillon, CO 80435

Beginners may want to stay away from Arapahoe Basin (A-Basin) as most of the decent skiing is up high or in the Montezuma Bowl (just opened in 2008). If you’ve never done anything too “crazy” in your snow career I suggest heading over to the wall or hiking the Montezuma bowl.

A-Basin is also a very friendly resort with “the beach” (tailgating in the parking lot) and plenty of interesting characters on the lifts.

Be careful as you’re driving up the pass, though—it can be dangerous!

Breckenridge Ski Area

1599 Ski Hill Rd, Breckenridge, CO 80424

Breckenridge is a fun place to ski. If it’s a great powder day make a bee-line for the T-Bar, hold on, and head to some of the most awesome landscapes you’ll encounter.

A word to the wise though: Breck is more often cold and windy than not. The sun doesn’t hit the slopes until mid-morning and it’s treacherous if there’s no fresh snow.

If you’re looking for some fun tree skiing head over to Inferno (black, under chair C). It’s not even on the maps and it’s tucked between two blues but it’s a great run that’s hardly touched.

Beaver Creek Resort

Avon, CO 81620

I’ve been told the skiing is better than Vail. Others say it’s not even close. You decide! Get the Colorado Pass and dedicate one of your 10 Vail/BC days to trying it out.

Beaver Creek is the furthest from Denver (a bit past Vail on I-70) so it takes a lot of convincing to continue on the journey. Again, there has to be a reason our days are limited!

Vail Resorts

600 W Lionshead Cir, Vail, CO 81657

Hands-down the best skiing in Colorado! There’s a reason the Colorado Pass limits you to 10 days at Vail/Beaver Creek.

You can’t go wrong here. If it’s your first time to Vail be sure to watch out for the catwalks—keep up your speed and ditch your snowboarder friends as they get stuck.

Check out the picture of “Steep and Deep” below. Powder days take on a whole new meaning at Vail.

Be forewarned: if you want to park anywhere reasonably close it’s going to be upwards of $15 no matter what. Pack a lunch and save some bucks.