Bill Jennings: A resolution to ski more in the coming New Year
Given that last season was a bust, such a goal may seem absurdly easy. But like most New Year’s resolutions, this is easier said than done. Skiing and riding costs money, the ultimate limiting factor for most noble pursuits. To keep my resolution, I must find ways to stretch my skiing dollar. It’s a good thing I live in a region where mountains are still accessible to penny-pinching ski bums, frugal families and aspiring newbies.
The tony ski destinations you always hear about are getting ridiculously expensive for most people. A day ticket at Vail in Colorado is $175 this season. For a few dollars more, you can ski an entire season around here if you buy your pass during annual spring sales. If you didn’t commit to a season pass then, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy winter at a steep discount.
If you’ve been toying with the idea of learning to ski or ride in the New Year, Silver Mountain’s Flexible 5 Pak may push you from contemplation to action. For $199 plus tax, you get five lessons that include equipment and a lift ticket, anytime between Jan. 4 and March 18. As a graduation gift, you get a season pass for the rest of the season and the offer to save 50 percent on next season’s pass.
The EZ Ski and Ride Program is another great introduction to your new winter pastime, with packages ranging from $99 to $129, depending on your mountain of choice. The price includes three days of lift tickets, equipment rental and lessons. Learn more at skinwrockies.com.
In just three weekends, you could be hooked for life. Then you have to keep the ball in the air. If you can throw your chips in the pot with a few friends, the best deal still available is Mount Spokane’s Family Fun Pack. A $599 investment is good for 20 lift tickets anyone can use, anytime. That’s a 49 percent discount off the price of a single day ticket.
The Lookout Advantage Card is another good deal. For $69, your first ticket is free, the next three are $10 off and the fifth ticket is free. Should you be of a certain age, Lookout is the place to be for Boomer Fridays, when you can get a lift ticket for only $28 if you’re over 40.
If you can get away with an accomplice on Mondays or Tuesdays, plan on heading to 49 Degrees North. Before you go Monday, stop by a local Ace Hardware, get the washer you need to fix the annoying drip in your kitchen faucet and pick up a half-price lift ticket voucher. If Tuesday is better, visit the resort’s website and look for Twofer Tuesday. Download and print the voucher to get your twofer at the ticket window.
One of the best deals of the season can be had Jan. 8 when Silver Mountain celebrates its origins with “Jackass Day.” Legend has it that Noah Kellogg’s mule discovered the mother lode that became the Bunker Hill silver mine. When the resort opened above the Silver Valley town of Kellogg 48 years ago, it was named Jackass Ski Bowl in honor of Noah’s mule. Lift tickets in 1968 were $12, the going rate on Jackass Day.
Finally, if you drive a Toyota, all the local hills have a Toyota Free Ski Friday on their calendars. Registered owners of Toyota vehicles are eligible for a free lift ticket at a different mountain every week throughout February.
The deals that are available lead you on a grand tour to a variety of mountains with their own distinctive views, terrain and culture. Save money, and expand your horizons in 2016.
On the Slopes
Cold temperatures are keeping the snow in excellent condition. NOAA predicts sunny mountain weather through the holiday weekend.