SAM Magazine-Aspen, Colo., Aug. 31, 2009-With the economy weak and destination travel down, major resorts are rolling back season's pass prices, to levels not seen in up to a decade. And resorts everywhere are touting the value of their pass prices. Many of the deals require an early purchase in return for the deals and perks.

At Aspen/Snowmass, a new pass structure and lower prices roll back the costs to nearly the level of 2004-05. The price of the unlimited Premier Pass is $1,499, $270 below last year's (if bought before Sept. 18). Premier Passholders also get discounts of 20 percent discount on ski and snowboard tunes and 30 percent on premium/demo ski and snowboard rentals at Aspen/Snowmass Four-Mountain Sports and D&E Ski and Snowboard Shop, among others. In addition to lowering prices, Aspen/Snowmass has simplified its pass offerings, and increased the flexibility for purchasing with a pay-as-you-go option on the new Flex and Escape Passes (which are still more complex than you need to read here).

To boost pass sales, Whistler Blackcomb, site of the attendance-killing Winter Olympics in February, is rolling back prices by a decade. An early bird adult unlimited pass ($1,099) is available through October 12, 2009. In comparison, last year's early bird deal was $1,529. And this year, all pass prices include unlimited access to the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. A Bonus Pak ($429) available with the unlimited pass includes a $500 Whistler Blackcomb gift card and three adult lift tickets, valid any day during the season-a combined value of $734. One more incentive: the first 2,000 pass purchasers receive a pair of Olympic Victory Ceremony tickets.

But there's more! Additional season pass perks at Whistler Blackcomb include 20 percent off food and hot beverage purchases, two-for-one Fresh Tracks tickets, 20 percent off rentals, half-price Coca-Cola Tube Park tickets, bring-a-friend lift ticket offers, $100 off heli skiing, 20 percent off purchases in Whistler Blackcomb retail stores, $50 off ski and snowboard school, as well as summer discounts.

Pass deals are not limited to the marquee international resorts. Mt. Rose, Nev., is offering a deal and a sense of humor with its unrestricted season pass, nicknamed the Pink Slip, for $333 ($222 each for college students who buy in groups of three, as well as teens and seniors) when purchased on or before Oct 1. For those under thirteen or over 74, the Pink Slip is just $111. The Pink Slip comes loaded with discounts at the mountain and at local sport shops, recreation and entertainment venues, restaurants and other local businesses, and can be paid for in two installments.

At Mt. Hood Meadows, Ore., the group purchase plan for adults age 23 to 64, the 4x4, is $449 each when purchased on-line with a group of four. The 3x3 for ages 15 to 22 is $339 when purchased online in a group of three, and the 2x2 for ages 7 to 14 is $229. All these deals must be completed by Oct. 31. Individuals who purchcase MHM unlimited season passes online by Nov. 8 also get a deal: $499 for ages 23 to 64; $389 for ages 15 to 22; and $279 for ages 7 to 14.

Other deals from MHM: the unlimited Platinum season pass, which includes season ski check, season locker and reserved parking space, plus Nordic privileges at Meadows and Cooper Spur Nordic Center and a Cooper Spur season lift and tube pass. There's also a 10-time direct-to-lift pass for $349, a roughly 40 percent and 50 percent saving off the weekday and weekend rates, respectively.

Monarch Mountain, Colo., is adding value through reciprocal deals with 10 resorts in Colorado and three neighboring states. Grand Targhee, Wyo., is the latest to join the Monarch reciprocal list, which includes Loveland and Silverton, Colo., Alta (half-price tickets), and Angel Fire, N.M. "The perfect winter road trip would be to hit Targhee for a few days and stop by Alta on the way home," said Greg Ralph, Monarch's marketing director. "You could have a great season if you visited all the areas on the Monarch pass."

Back East, four New Hampshire resorts-Cannon, Waterville Valley, Bretton Woods and Cranmore-are also in a sharing mood. They are offering a 4 NH Season Pass ($289 through the November deadline) for collegians. Included perks in the four-area pass: bring a friend ($10 off on weekends and holidays, 50 percent off midweek at Waterville Valley and Cranmore), plus five days of skiing and riding at Northstar-at-Tahoe and Sierra-at-Tahoe for spring break, among others.

Minus Cannon, the New Hampshire group offers the Threedom Pass, now in its 11th year. A 2009-2010 Threedom Pass Anytime is $839 for ages 19 and over, $499 for teens (ages 13-18), and $449 for juniors (ages 6-12). A Limited Edition Pass ($739 for ages 19 and over, $439 for teens and $359 for juniors) is valid any day at Cranmore and Waterville Valley and blacks out the usual peak holidays at Bretton Woods. Threedom Pass perks include $10 off for friends and family on weekends and holidays, night skiing and riding at Cranmore and Bretton Woods, and special offers on Nordic skiing, resort lodging, and at sister resorts Northstar-at-Tahoe and Sierra-at-Tahoe. Prices on all Threedom passes will go up on Nov. 30. \

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