The Skier’s Secret Calendar: Unlocking the Best Time to Find Colorado Ski Season Pass Deals
I still remember the sting of my first season skiing in Colorado. Not from a fall on an icy patch, but from the hit to my wallet. I waited until October, excited for the coming snow, and walked up to a ticket window to ask about a season pass. The price they quoted me made my eyes water. I ended up buying a 4-pack and rationing my ski days like they were golden tickets. I learned a valuable lesson that year: when it comes to skiing in Colorado, timing isn’t just important—it’s everything. Especially when you’re looking for the best time to find Colorado ski season pass deals.
Over the years, I’ve mastered the art of the ski pass purchase. It’s a seasonal rhythm, a game of patience and timing that can save you literally hundreds of dollars. That money is much better spent on a new pair of goggles or a celebratory drink at the lodge. So, let me share what I’ve learned and walk you through the calendar of a savvy Colorado skier.
The Golden Window: Why Spring is Your Secret Weapon
If you take only one piece of advice from me, let it be this: buy your ski pass for next winter in the spring. I know it sounds completely backward. The snow is melting, the sun is out, and you’re thinking about hiking, not powder days. But trust me, this is the absolute, undisputed champion of moments to buy. From roughly March through May, the major resorts and pass coalitions (like Epic and Ikon) release their products for the *next* season at the lowest prices you will see all year.
Why do they do this? It’s simple business. They want to lock in your commitment and their revenue long before the first snowflake flies. They reward your early loyalty with deep discounts. I bought my Ikon Pass last April and not only saved a significant amount compared to the fall price, but I also got to use it for spring skiing at Winter Park for the remainder of that current season. It felt like a total cheat code!
Here’s what to look for in the spring:
- Lowest Prices of the Year: This is not an exaggeration. The price you see in March or April is the floor. It will only go up from here.
- Renewal Discounts: If you’re a current pass holder, resorts will often give you an extra discount for renewing. It’s their way of saying thanks and keeping you in their family of resorts.
- Best Perks: Early buyers often get extra benefits. This could be bonus days at a partner resort, summer lift access, or, as I mentioned, the ability to ski the rest of the current spring season on next year’s pass.
- Payment Plans: To make the purchase easier, most companies offer a payment plan in the spring. You can often put down a small deposit (I’ve seen it as low as $50) and pay the rest off in installments over the summer. This makes a thousand-dollar purchase feel much more manageable.
This period truly is the best time to find Colorado ski season pass deals, and it’s when I get all my friends and family to pull the trigger. We make a little ceremony out of it, planning our dream ski trips for the following winter as we all click “buy.”
The Summer Holding Pattern: Still Good, But Not the Best
Okay, so you missed the spring window. Maybe you were busy, or you weren’t sure what your winter plans would be. Don’t panic! The summer months, from June through August, are still a decent time to buy. The absolute best prices are gone, but you can still find a deal that is substantially better than waiting until the fall.
Think of this as the second-best opportunity. The prices have likely gone through their first small increase, but they are far from their peak. I have a friend who always waits until his summer work schedule is finalized in July before buying his pass. He pays a little more than I do, but he still saves a ton compared to the in-season rates. The payment plans are usually still available, which is a great help.
The main takeaway for summer is that the urgency isn’t quite there, but procrastination will cost you. If you know you’re going to ski, just get it done. Every price jump from here on out will be more significant.
The Autumn Price Hike: Your Final Warning
Once September hits and there’s a crispness in the air, the ski resorts know they have you. The thought of snow is no longer a distant dream; it’s a real possibility. This is when you’ll see the most significant price increases. There are usually two major deadlines to watch out for:
- Labor Day: This is often the first major price-hike deadline of the fall. The marketing emails will start flooding your inbox with “Buy Now and Save!” messages. They aren’t kidding.
- Mid-November: As resorts get closer to their opening days, there is often a “last chance” deadline right before Thanksgiving. After this point, many passes either go off sale completely or jump to their full, final price.
If you find yourself in this window, the goal is to buy before the next deadline. Waiting even a week can cost you $50 or $100. I’ve been there, watching the price of an Epic Pass jump overnight because I got busy and forgot. It’s a painful feeling. This is the last call for anyone searching for the best time to find Colorado ski season pass deals before the season actually starts.
The Big Players in Colorado: Choosing Your Pass
Knowing *when* to buy is half the battle. Knowing *what* to buy is the other. In Colorado, you have a few main options, and your choice depends entirely on where you want to ski.
The Giants: Epic Pass vs. Ikon Pass
These two passes dominate the Colorado ski scene. They offer access to multiple world-class resorts on a single pass. My choice between them changes every few years based on where I think I’ll ski the most.
- The Epic Pass: Run by Vail Resorts, this pass is your key to places like Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Crested Butte. If you love the convenience and amenities of these large-scale resorts and want to ski Telluride, the Epic Pass is fantastic. They have different tiers, from the full pass with unlimited access to local passes with holiday restrictions.
- The Ikon Pass: Alterra Mountain Company’s answer to the Epic Pass, the Ikon Pass gives you access to a stellar lineup including Aspen Snowmass, Steamboat, Winter Park, Copper Mountain, and Arapahoe Basin. I love the variety of terrain and vibes across the Ikon resorts, from the classic Colorado feel of Steamboat to the challenging steeps of A-Basin.
For both of these, the strategy is the same: check their websites in March and buy before the first deadline in May.
The Local Favorites: Resort-Specific Passes
Maybe you don’t need access to a dozen resorts. Maybe you have one true love, a home mountain you plan to ski almost exclusively. If that’s you, a resort-specific pass is a phenomenal option.
- Loveland Season Pass: I have a huge soft spot for Loveland. It’s high-altitude, gets incredible snow, and has a wonderful old-school, no-frills vibe. Their season pass is one of the best values in the state.
- Monarch Mountain Pass: If you’re in southern Colorado, the Monarch Pass is a must. It gives you unlimited access to their fantastic natural snow and includes partner days at many other independent ski areas across the state and beyond.
- Sunlight Mountain Resort Pass: Located near Glenwood Springs, Sunlight offers a fun, family-friendly experience. Their “Sunny Pass” is an affordable way to get a full season of skiing in.
The timing for these local passes follows the same pattern: buy in the spring for the absolute best price. They are often much more affordable than the multi-resort passes, making them a great choice for dedicated locals.
My Final Pro-Tips for Securing Your Pass
After years of this annual ritual, I’ve picked up a few extra tricks. I hope they help you on your hunt for the best time to find Colorado ski season pass deals.
- Join Every Email List: Go to the websites of Epic, Ikon, and any local resort you’re interested in and sign up for their newsletters. You’ll be the first to know when passes go on sale and you’ll get reminders about every price deadline.
- Look for Special Discounts: Are you a college student? Active or retired military? Many resorts offer special discounts for these groups. It never hurts to check their websites for these specific deals.
- Renewing is Rewarding: If you’re a current passholder, the resorts want to keep you. Look for a renewal discount, which can shave an extra $50 to $100 off the early-bird price. It’s the cheapest price you will get.
Planning for next winter’s powder days is one of my favorite springtime activities. It builds the anticipation and locks in a season of mountain adventures. By thinking ahead, you’re not just saving a bunch of money—you’re guaranteeing your spot on the chairlift. I hope these tips help you score the perfect pass for a fantastic price. I’ll see you out there!