Skiing on the Cheap - 2013-14 Edition

[Smellytele]

It's primarily geared towards mid-week discounts, but they do have their weekend "tour", which pretty much offers 2 for 1 lift tickets at a different resort every weekend from January through March. I may hit up the Sugarbush weekend this year.

http://rideandskine.com/Weekend_Tour.html

I haven't used the discounts on the card much over the years. I pretty much look at buying it as a getting a lift ticket for $35. I chose Maine last year and got a Shawnee Peak ticket and had a great day there. Hoping for a Mount Abram ticket this year as its been a few years since I've been there. Prior to last year you used to be able to request what mountain you wanted a free ticket to. Unfortunately it's gotten too popular. Still a good program though supporting a good cause.

In the past you could always go to the Boston ski show and pick your ticket not just the state. Not sure if you can this year but i have been able to up to and including last year.

 

[jaytrem]

The Do's and Don'ts section http://www.geigerrig.com/passport/faq.html has a number restrictions etc one seems a littlle much like #3 that basically says you must drag the hydration pack and passport to the ticket window. Anyone ever have to do that? Or have more experience using the passport to ski at some of the venues?

I've never actually brought the backpack to the ticket window with me and nobody ever asked for it. For eastern trips it was in the car just in case, didn't even bother bringing it on western ones. This year the Eagle Point and Brian Head tickets are very tempting, always wanted to do a ski/National Park trip in that area.

 

[dlague]

In the past you could always go to the Boston ski show and pick your ticket not just the state. Not sure if you can this year but i have been able to up to and including last year.

I will be helping them out at the show this year, so I will find out! If you are there ask for Dave!

 

[bousquet19]

Ride and Ski card just went on sale today.

http://rideandskine.com/BUY_NOW.html

Unlike past seasons, they are only offering the $10 lift ticket to the first 500 customers who order the card.

Good deal, esp. if you can manage some weekday skiing.

Since my ability to ski in the NEast is limited, I'll wait until they announce the 2013-14 sponsors and deals before purchasing.

 

[dlague]

It's primarily geared towards mid-week discounts, but they do have their weekend "tour", which pretty much offers 2 for 1 lift tickets at a different resort every weekend from January through March. I may hit up the Sugarbush weekend this year.

http://rideandskine.com/Weekend_Tour.html

I haven't used the discounts on the card much over the years. I pretty much look at buying it as a getting a lift ticket for $35. I chose Maine last year and got a Shawnee Peak ticket and had a great day there. Hoping for a Mount Abram ticket this year as its been a few years since I've been there. Prior to last year you used to be able to request what mountain you wanted a free ticket to. Unfortunately it's gotten too popular. Still a good program though supporting a good cause.

Well there is the ticket with the card that is good on weekends and the Saturday tour stops and jay peaks 2 fer was good on Sundays and that is four trips.

 

[tnt]

Ski PA program is great for folks with 4th or 5th grade kids who ski in PA;

http://www.skipa.com/learn-to-skiride/4th5th-grade-programs

Some mountains have black out dates, but all-in-all, a great program.

 

[dlague]

Ski Vermont's 5th grade passport! By far the best passport we have ever used. Three free junior lift tickets to all VT resorts. We used it last year and combined our deals with our son's passport and our per visit cost was awesome last year!

http://www.skivermont.com/events-and-deals/program-passport

Another great fairly good program was SkiNH's 4th or 5th grader passport in NH. We took advantage of this for two years. Our only issue - we did not have many other deals for NH ski areas so we did not take advantgae of it as much as Vermonts. Nonetheless - still free skiing/snowboarding to the young ones that age. Peak Resort ski areas do not participate (losers).

http://www.skinh.com/4th-and-5th-grade-programs/4th-5th-grade-snowsports-passports.aspx

 

[tnt]

Also, rent for the season from Ski Barn (NJ) and you get a great coupon book for PA, NJ, NY VT and more. Most PA and NJ mountains, a handful of NY and VT.

More black outs and annoying offer qualifiers, but used in conjunction with Ski PA, and we were often able to ski two adults and two kids for the price of two adults.

 

[thetrailboss]

Check your local Costco for discount tickets. Our store out here had $69 tickets to Canyons and $65 to PCMR with no blackouts. I don't know if the stores in VT, NH, or MA have similar deals, but it's worth a shot.

And I'm sure that they will do the Ski with the Point promo again: http://www.pointfm.com/

 

[ScottySkis]

Check your local Costco for discount tickets. Our store out here had $69 tickets to Canyons and $65 to PCMR with no blackouts. I don't know if the stores in VT, NH, or MA have similar deals, but it's worth a shot.

And I'm sure that they will do the Ski with the Point promo again: http://www.pointfm.com/

In NY they do sell discounts to the Catskills.

 

[dlague]

Anytime, Anywhere deals at SkiNH! I cannot say I have ever done any of these, but you can save 20-30% in many cases here! The prices are not yet posted but will be soon.

http://www.skinh.com/deals/anytime-anywhere-lift-ticket-packages.aspx

 

[billski]

Once you add the fee to the discounted tickets and include the free day you end up saving $10.00 per trip.


Sent from my iPad using AlpineZone mobile app

Go with Liftopia instead, and have flexibility in case you can't use them by buying them closer to your ski dates.

 

[billski]

That Killington offer is a Killer deal. Those kmart-branded skis are a win-win - they get a lot of advertising. I just yesterday had a discussion with a potential newbie who noted that buying equipment was a potential deal-breaker in the decision to learn. I'll bet those Kmart ski binding automatically eject if you try skiing at any other area

 

[fahz]

Got the pack in the mail and looked over the passport book. Every deal is M-F and blacks out holidays for the tickets I looked at for the Northeast. It will be a challenge to use but I'm hoping the season starts early and we get hammered with snow!

After rereading the posts on here I realized maybe some more information might help those that have never heard of the Geigerrig promotion. This is the first year for me so I still have questions on how it will actually work when I go to the window but until it snows and my Geigerrig pack and Passport are used I don't have any advice. http://www.geigerrig.com/passport/index.html The link goes directly to the 6th edition Spartan Race High Adventure Passbook. I think last years sponsor was Skullcandy and had similar deals. The passbook comes with the purchase of certain Geigerrig Hydration packs - home page is here http://www.geigerrig.com/hydration-pack/. The Do's and Don'ts section http://www.geigerrig.com/passport/faq.html has a number restrictions etc one seems a littlle much like #3 that basically says you must drag the hydration pack and passport to the ticket window. Anyone ever have to do that? Or have more experience using the passport to ski at some of the venues?

I purchased mine with the Groupon I posted that has since expired occasionally they can be had for cheaper prices at places like The Clymb https://www.theclymb.com/preview & I think this site has had them in the past too LeftLane Sports http://www.leftlanesports.com it use to be GearBuzz.com. Both sites you have to join to shop. Otherwise more normal outlets for a retail price that is not as discounted.

 

[fahz]

How do you combine deals? The program's www site says...
"Passport holders need to be accompanied by an adult purchasing a full-price lift ticket or trail pass and each adult may bring up to two Passport holders. Passport coupons are not valid with any other offer or discount."

Ski Vermont's 5th grade passport! By far the best passport we have ever used. Three free junior lift tickets to all VT resorts. We used it last year and combined our deals with our son's passport and our per visit cost was awesome last year!

http://www.skivermont.com/events-and-deals/program-passport

 

[dlague]

How do you combine deals? The program's www site says...
"Passport holders need to be accompanied by an adult purchasing a full-price lift ticket or trail pass and each adult may bring up to two Passport holders. Passport coupons are not valid with any other offer or discount."

We combined his savings with deals that we had for ourselves - for example Jay Peak 2 fer for my wife and I and he would ski free from the passport which would get us at $23 per person. Another - Ride and Ski 2 fer at Sugarbush and he would ski free with the passport so $28 dollars for each of us.

 

[dlague]

Got the pack in the mail and looked over the passport book. Every deal is M-F and blacks out holidays for the tickets I looked at for the Northeast. It will be a challenge to use but I'm hoping the season starts early and we get hammered with snow!

This is very typical, most ski areas over the past couple of years have tightened the belt and deals are many time structure just as you mention M-F with blackouts. It is a safe play since 90% of us work during the week and cannot take advantage of it. I would love to hear the stats regarding midweek deals.

 

[jaytrem]

The 2014 Descente Passport resorts (Oh yeah, Iowa!!!)...

California - Big Bear Mountain Resort, China Peak, Homewood Mountain Resort
Idaho - Brundage Ski Resort
Iowa -Sundown Mountain
Maine -Shawnee Peak
Massachusetts - Nashoba Valley Ski Resort, Wachusett Mountain
Michigan - Boyne Mountain or Boyne Highlands, Pine Mountain, Shanty Creek,
Montana - Whitefish Mountain Resort
New Hampshire - Bretton Woods,
New York -Gore Mountain, Belleayre Winter Snow Park, Hunter Mountain, Whiteface Lake Placid
Pennsylvania - Hidden Valley Resort
Utah - The Canyons
Vermont -Pico Mountain
Washington - Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort
Wisconsin - Trollhaugen Ski Resort, Mount La Crosse
Canada - Big White British Columbia, Hockley Valley Resort Ontario, Banff Norquay Alberta, Silver Star British Columbia, Sun Peaks Resort British Columbia,

 

[RENO]

For people heading to California. $49 until Sept 1st. regularly $150...
http://www.snowbomb.com/the-snowbomb-platinum-pass/

 

[dlague]

Early-season turns at Killington two-for-one!

http://www.killington.com/winter/2for1/2for1-skimag