Info needed for snow skiing (Colorado Springs, Loveland: ski resort, sale, renting)

[lildreamer]

We will be spending our first winter in Colorado Springs this year. We are a family of four and would love to do some skiing and snowboarding. I would like to know of any deals. Should we get season passes? If so where and when? Do they offer multi park ski passes? Also we will all need equipment. Used is fine. Is ebay the best way? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

[SheridanL]

I'm not so sure about ebay for your equipment,...I mean, you really need to try things on. Sizes can vary tremendously and "fit" is everything..not to mention safety.

I think that Gart Brothers is no more (maybe someone can help on that one). They always had the Sniagrab (bargains spelled backwards) and one could get fantismo deals! Maybe another sporting store has taken that over?!

I would say getting multiple ski area passes would be a great idea. Especially since you don't know which area will be your favorite. I'm wondering about off season passes for sell. It might be a good time to buy them (this summer).
It will take a little while to get it all together and, winter has a tendency to sneak up on us real fast. Better get started!! BUT, don't forget to enjoy Colorado's fantastic summer!!!

[Fuzz]

If you have never skied/boarded before, go to Loveland. If you take three lessons, starting with a beginner lesson, you get a full season pass after your third lesson. Each lesson (including lift ticket + gear rental) costs about $70-$80. Not sure if any of the other resorts offer such a package.

If you're new to skiing, I'd suggest renting for a bit to figure out what you like. When you buy, the first thing you should buy are boots -- far more important than skis. And get them fitted by a good bootfitter (Jeff Bergeron at Norway Haus in Breckenridge is one of the best).

For skis, eBay can have some good deals, as well as craigslist. Another option is to hit up ski shops in the spring to buy their demo skis (not recommended for lower-end skis).

Regarding time to buy season passes (assuming you don't get the lesson package at LL). The best time to buy for next season was actually in the spring (this past March/April) -- you get the most benefits at the cheapest price. Passes then go off sale for summer, and coming back on sale in the fall with lesser benefits. In late fall/early winter, pass prices go up, until going off sale around December or something.

Another option is to buy 4-packs, which are on sale at the same time as passes. 4-packs usually run about $100 for 4 days of skiing.

[lildreamer]

Thanks for the replies! When I arrive next week I most definitely will be taking advantage of Colorado's summers. First stop is to get some good hiking shoes and then we are going to hit some trails. I am also looking forward in trying white water rafting.
Unfortunatly I missed the good time to buy ski passes I guess, but at least I will know for next season. For this year I guess I will have to wait for the fall. Do I go to websites to get the passes? Also which resorts near the Springs are recommended for a day trip?

[Amery523]

The closest resorts to Colorado Springs are about 2 hrs away, plus or minus 15 minutes. Loveland Ski Resort is 1 hr 45 minutes with no traffic. Arapahoe Basin (aka A-basin) is 2 hrs 10 minutes. Breckenridge is 2 hrs 20 mins. I have actually taken snowboarding lessons at both Loveland and A-basin. A-basin is nice for super beginners. They have an entire dedicated area with its own little lift and a conveyor belt, all day tickets are $12.00 for this area. (It's called the Molly Hogan area.) Can't beat that price for all day. Loveland has Chair 7, which is nice for beginners to advanced beginners, but the lift ticket is about $25 (Depends on when in the season you go.) If you can put up with 2 hrs 10 mins, A-basin offers the best deal for beginners. Plus the lesson I got there was scads better than Loveland's.

I know people have mentioned trying on things, but I got my entire snowboarding gear (as well as my 9 yr old daughter's) online. One year in the late spring I bought stuff at end-of-season clearance prices (or less!) through Ebay and some snowboarding gear websites, but I knew exactly what I needed. You need to know the size snowboard, size of the binding, size of the boots....and then I just hunted online. Everything fit me great! I will say I didn't have high expectations, but I was pleasantly surprised. My new Flow snowboard boots through Ebay were $10, Flow bindings through a discount snowboard gear website were $50, my snowboard was $69. Helmet was $10. Paid similar prices for my daughter's gear. It was fun hunting for bargains!

[Fuzz]

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[SheridanL]

Well, what about Gart Brothers? Are they still around??

[Fuzz]

Gart Sports is now Sports Authority. Not sure if they still run Sniagrab. Colorado Ski & Golf has T-Rex, also on the same weekend. In terms of quality, T-Rex is better than Sniagrab, which seems to have pretty low end stuff for the most part. Regardless, to get the best deals, you have to get there REALLY early. I recall for Sniagrab there used to be an invitation-only access to the stuff the evening before it opened for the public. Not sure if they still do it.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by lildreamer

Do I go to websites to get the passes?

They change the rules all the time. Previously it used to be that if you were a first-time passholder, you could register and pay for a pass online, but then had to go in to get your picture taken and get the pass. Most major sporting goods stores hold these pass days in the fall where you can get your picture taken and get your pass (or you can just go to the resort and do it).

I heard that for next season, you can do it all online (uploading a picture) and they'll mail you the pass, even if you're a first-timer.

If you're a returning passholder, you can renew online.

Here are some pass pages:
Vail Resorts (Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone, Breck, A-Basin)
Intrawest (Copper, Winter Park, Steamboat)

For passes to individual resorts (including Loveland), go to their specific websites.

[Brill]

It all depends how much you like to drive. I got a season pass that gave me unlimited access to Breckenridge, Abasin and Keystone and 10 passes to Vail and Beaver Creek for about $420. Considering a single day adult pass is $80/day, after I went 5 times I was skiing for free. I made the 2 hour drive there and back every Saturday. It's a bit exhausting, but was worth it everytime. I ended up skiing 16-17 days this year. If you get a season pass, make sure you plan to ski enough to get your moneys worth.