historical lift ticket pricing

[billski]

Interesting article in Skiing Heritage this month, noting that Vail is now $92., but they go on to say that in 1967, it was $7.50. They report that if the price followed the Consumer price index, it should be at $42. Of course, they also consider that direct comparisons are problematic, when prices back then were often bundled.

Interesting to note that the average ski area per person revenue in 06-07 was $35. That is one for thought! I can only guess the little guys drag down the average.

In 1967, Mascara Mountain (Sugarbush) had the most expensive lift ticket at $8 "a resort favored...by socially and economically upscale skiers."

Things change!

 

[frozencorn]

Not to mention I paid $73 in 2003. A $20 increase over just five years is crazy.

 

[snoseek]

You can ski two days at loveland or Monarch for the price of one day at Vail. Both areas you stand a better chance of skiing powder IMO, plus the vibe is much better.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Not to mention I paid $73 in 2003. A $20 increase over just five years is crazy.

Actually..$73 to $93 in 5 years only averages out to an adjusted annual increase of about 6%..not bad..

 

[deadheadskier]

Actually..$73 to $93 in 5 years only averages out to an adjusted annual increase of about 6%..not bad..

6% isn't bad, but that is almost double inflation over that time frame, minus the past six months anyways. I wouldn't be suprised if inflation is near that percentage right now.

 

[ta&idaho]

We need this to happen again:

In March 1998, Bogus' general manager Mike Shirley initiated a ski industry revolution, slashing the cost of an adult season pass from $500 to $199, lowering the break-even point to just seven visits (& kids' season passes fell to just $29). Bogus Basin sold nearly nine times as many passes for 1998-99 season versus the previous year, halting the pass sales at 25,000 (2,854 for the 1997-98 season).

The new pricing strategy generated almost four times as much revenue (nearly $3.6 million) from season pass sales, all before June, six months before the season would begin. Total skier visits went from under 192,000 to over 303,000 (up 58%). Although the sales of day-tickets ($31 each) expectedly fell (almost 50%), Bogus' total revenue increased by $2.6 million (up 55%) to $7.3 million for the 1998-99 ski season.

Shirley's deep-discount strategy made waves, & sent ski executives scrambling as resorts from coast-to-coast lowered their prices for multi-day, multi-area, and season passes. Locally, ski equipment sales increased significantly, as dormant skiers upgraded their gear.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bogus_Basin (some Idaho love)

In my experience lately, deals can still be found for individual tickets (at least if you are a little flexible and willing to look around), but the great season pass deals seem to have dwindled away.

 

[madman]

You can ski two days at loveland or Monarch for the price of one day at Vail. Both areas you stand a better chance of skiing powder IMO, plus the vibe is much better.

How is Monarch? The wife and I are talking about buying my father in laws house in Salida and I figure this will be the home mt if we do.

 

[MikeTrainor]

You can ski two days at loveland or Monarch for the price of one day at Vail. Both areas you stand a better chance of skiing powder IMO, plus the vibe is much better.

Also City Market in Dillion sells 2 day A-Basin passes for $74, that breaks down to about $37 a day not a bad deal.

 

[snoseek]

Also City Market in Dillion sells 2 day A-Basin passes for $74, that breaks down to about $37 a day not a bad deal.

very good deal, very good mtn.. If you fill up once at phillips 66 locally you get a twofer for Copper.

 

[Brettski]

I spent over $170 fro 2 days at Breckenridge

I'd prefer 2 for Tuesdays at Cannon

Going to Colorado has got the most expensive thing I've ever done

They made NY Prices to eat in the town seem reasonable

Never again

 

[snoseek]

How is Monarch? The wife and I are talking about buying my father in laws house in Salida and I figure this will be the home mt if we do.

Short vertical but plenty of real nice terrain with some of the best steep trees around. I would much rather spend a powder day at Monarch than Vail or anywhere along I-70. The backcountry in the area is also good good stuff. Crested Butte is not too bad of a day trip from there. Oh, and check out Monarch season passes, they're dirt cheap, give you 3 days at alot of different mountains, and get you 1/2 off Alta all season long.

 

[frozencorn]

I spent over $170 fro 2 days at Breckenridge

I'd prefer 2 for Tuesdays at Cannon

Going to Colorado has got the most expensive thing I've ever done

They made NY Prices to eat in the town seem reasonable

Never again

There are plenty of ways around this. For instance, in the past, my Denver friends have been vigilant about finding coupons (at Arby's mostly) for 2 for 1 at Vail, Breck, etc. It's also beneficial to look at some of their season pass deals (even though some are restricted to Colo. residents), in that you almost make out better for a week-long trip conceivably.

Or, you can roll around with the Ski Colorado medal around your neck, granting you free skiing at any resort, like I did last year out of pure luck. That's a pretty good deal.

 

[snoseek]

I spent over $170 fro 2 days at Breckenridge

I'd prefer 2 for Tuesdays at Cannon

Going to Colorado has got the most expensive thing I've ever done

They made NY Prices to eat in the town seem reasonable

Never again

It really doesn't have to be that way. Get away from Vail resorts and look for deals and it's a ton cheaper. Copper, Winter Park, LL, Monarch, Sunlight can all be done for under 50 per day and offer a quality experience.

 

[marcski]

It really doesn't have to be that way. Get away from Vail resorts and look for deals and it's a ton cheaper. Copper, Winter Park, LL, Monarch, Sunlight can all be done for under 50 per day and offer a quality experience.

Or just goto Alta, get more snow and the daily tix is $54. You can also buy multiple day passes that work out to a couple of bucks less than that!

(Disclaimer: sorry for this slight hi-jack and I am in no way associated with Alta Ski Lifts, Inc.)

 

[MikeTrainor]

There are plenty of ways around this. For instance, in the past, my Denver friends have been vigilant about finding coupons (at Arby's mostly) for 2 for 1 at Vail, Breck, etc. It's also beneficial to look at some of their season pass deals (even though some are restricted to Colo. residents), in that you almost make out better for a week-long trip conceivably.

Or, you can roll around with the Ski Colorado medal around your neck, granting you free skiing at any resort, like I did last year out of pure luck. That's a pretty good deal.

An A-Basin plus season pass is $329 and gives you 5 days a Brek and Keystone and 1 day at Vail or Beaver Creek and of course unlimited days at A-Basin, not a bad deal only takes a few days to break even. You do not need to be a resident either.