The Question: Hi, I'm just out of college and I usually get a season pass with my school without having to really think about what kind to get. So I was wondering what type you would advise for me this year?

For this edition of Mountain Spy, our 007 Liz Eren got on the horn with 20 different ski areas on both sides of the border to ask about season pass pricing and options. Believe us, we root for success, and there were many, but, alas, a few resorts fell short. As always, we called a geographic mix of ski areas, as well as a mix of small, medium and large areas. Liz rates her experiences on a scale from one to ten with some commentary. Again, we were only able to fit 6 spy missions here, but check out the entire list of 20 at www.saminfo.com and click on "current issue."

Mountain 1: New York, Large Area
First contact: Automated machine, chose option 5 for pass sales
Answering phone: Young female, in a rush
SAM: Stated question
Staff: Well, ahh, we have full season which is $xxx and also adult non-holiday pass which is $xxx.
SAM: So those would both be seven days a week?
Staff: Uhh, yeah! (Easy on the ‘tude, just making sure.)
SAM: OK, thanks then.
Staff: You’re welcome. Bye.

** Because a spy is never satisfied, I did a little check up on their website. The woman did fail to mention promotional dates which would have saved me over a hundred dollars and a great day-ticket discount package. Hmmm…

Rating: 3
Comment: Lacking in detail and was quick to get off the phone. Could have put in a little more effort.


Mountain 2: Colorado, Medium Area
First contact: Automated Service, chose mountain Info.
Answering phone: Automated guy trying to sound cool. Thanked everyone for a great last season and listed some upcoming highlights, and then hung up. (Not cool!)
Called back: Chose manager option
Answering phone: Young guy. Sounded like he was pumped to talk to me and happy that I called. Big plus!
SAM: Stated question
Staff: Um, as far as right now, well, how much do you plan to ride?
SAM: Basically as much as I can. I work part time so during the week a bit but definitely on the weekends.
Staff: OK, a few things then would work for you. We have a mountain pass which is $xxx and it’s unlimited. There's also night-time passes and weekday passes. We also have a partnership with mountain X and mountain Y which is really great so our pass gives you the opportunity to ride on those mountains as well. Do you have the Internet?
SAM: Yeah, I do.
Staff: Perfect, then the best thing for you to do is go on our site at xxx.com and read through the details of the passes. That'll give you the best understanding to find what fits best for you, just because I'm more of an outside guy with this mountain than an inside guy, haha. So I would go online and do that and if you have any more questions don't be shy and just give us a call back.
SAM: Awesome, thanks so much, I'll do that.
Staff: No problem, take care.

Rating: 9
Comment: Felt like I was talking to someone who actually rode the mountain and treated me the exact way he'd want to be treated. I even got a feel for the mountain's personality through this guy, totally laid back and friendly. He was honest, led me to the site where he knew I'd get more out of my time than him attempting to explain it all. Good job dude.


Mountain 3: Southern Midwest, Day Area
First contact: Automated service, chose general info.
Automated woman listed every ticket price and offer under the sun, but never mentioned season passes! And then hung up. Grrr. Called back. Chose operator this time.
Answering phone: Older guy, sounded a little sleepy.
SAM: Stated question
Staff: Hmm, OK. Generally if you're coming more than say, a half a dozen times, the unlimited season pass probably is the least expensive way to go. That would be $xxx dollars. That way you can come any time and, um, uh yeah, use your pass.
SAM: All right then, is that that only option you have?
Staff: Um. . .the only other thing we have, or a couple options we have. . .we have a five-week pass that would be good for any five weeks, Monday through Sunday, for any five weeks during the season, except between Christmas and New Years. The two options for that is either one that's Monday through Thursday, or Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Saturday would have to be after 5 p.m. though.
SAM: OK, so you have the full-season or the 5-week options?
Staff: Yes, that would allow you to come once each week, if you come more than that you would have to buy a daily pass when you came. (Raise your hand if you're also getting confused...)
SAM: OK, so let me get this straight. I can get this 5-week pass but I can only come one time during the week, or the weekend, depending on which 5-week pass option I choose. If I come more than once during the week, I have to pay separately for that day?
Staff: Yes, that's right.
SAM: OK, then.
My spy instinct led me to the website to find out what the purpose of this deal was or even if it was a deal...
Results: This pass is an awesome deal—you can actually ski once a week all season long. There's also about three other pass options this guy failed to mention.

Rating: 4.5
Comment: Left out so much useful information that involved some great deals and got the one deal he explained wrong.


Mountain 4: Medium Area, Utah
First contact: Automated service, chose season passes. Transferred to another automated service, then hung up on! Called back. Chose operator option
Answering phone: Young girl, a little out of it.
SAM: Stated question
Staff: Well there are two options. One is that you buy an adult pass for yourself which is $xxx or you can buy a buddy pass which is $xxx for the pair and you can save money that way. Or… yeah. (Silence.)
SAM: All right, are those your only options?
Staff: Do you have a family? (Yes, I have 2.5 kids, a house in the burbs and a black lab, all of which I acquired as a college student.)
SAM: No, I don't.
Staff: Oooh, OK, yeeaah, then those are your only two options.
SAM: OK then, thanks.
Staff: Yeah OK, bye.

Rating: 2
Comment: Gave the basic options, but showed no interest in engaging me and I'm guessing she wasn't really listening. If she’s already this put out before the season starts, I can’t wait to call her after Christmas. And the hang up by the automated service was another bummer.


Mountain 5: Large Area, Alberta
First contact: Automated service, chose guest services
Answering phone: Young male, very friendly
SAM: Stated question
Staff: Um, OK. What sort of pass are you looking for? We have multiple options, one for our mountain with full time passes and then there's mid-week passes and then we have passes that combine our mountain and three others so...
SAM: Well yeah, I'm going to come out every chance I get, I'll have a part time job near your mountain so during the week a little and hopefully every weekend.
Staff: OK, so you'll be working in Snow City?
SAM: Yes
Staff: So right now we're in our fall sale period which runs until September 30. An adult pass which covers seven days a week is $xxx until our sale deadline. Our mid-week pass is $xxx until our deadline. Both of those prices will go up $xx dollars after September 30. Both of those also are unrestricted with holidays.
SAM: OK, so those are your two main season passes?
Staff: Well just at our mountain, yes. There's also the mega pass which covers us and three other mountains in the area. So you do always have those options.
SAM: OK, those all seem pretty good. Thanks
Staff: Oh you're welcome. Thanks for calling.

Rating: 8
Comment: This guy was super nice and took his time to answer my question—there was no rush to get me off the phone. I am taking off points for his question asking me which pass I wanted. The point of my call was to see what passes they offered. A question about my skiing habits would have worked better...and that’s where this next mountain shines.


Mountain 6: Massachusetts, Day Area
Hung up on at first by a machine. Oh no! You can hang up but you can never hide! Called back.
First contact: Young girl, had a “good mood” cup of coffee this morning.
SAM: Stated question
Staff: Well, are you working full time now or what is your schedule? (Awesome, finally someone asked!)
SAM: Right now I’m working part-time. I’m looking to work full time, but as of now I’m pretty flexible.
Staff: OK, well let me ask you this: so if you woke up in the morning would you be one to want to ride during the day and all day or would you rather want to ride in the afternoon and into night?
SAM: Um, yeah, I mean if I don’t have work that day I’d love to come ski all day as soon as I woke up, or if I got off work early I’d definitely want to come for the afternoon and the night. And definitely on the weekends.
Staff: OK, so the most economical decision for you would be the Super-Spectacular Glitter pass (its real name was actually that cool), which is valid from x a.m. to x p.m. with no black out days and is seven days a week. It’s $xxx right now. Our unlimited pass, which is $xxx, is for nights after x p.m. and all days on weekends.
SAM: Oh nice, is that all you have?
Staff: We do also offer a weekday pass which is Monday through Friday from 9 to 5 and right now its $xxx, but doesn’t include any holidays or breaks. So those holidays aren’t available with that pass but if you think your schedule allows you to come and ski around those school breaks that could also work well for you.
SAM: Yeah, that could be a good option, too.
Staff: Whatever you do decide though, my suggestion would be to purchase it before Halloween because after that our prices will go up by $xx dollars.
SAM: Oh, awesome to know. Thank you.
Staff: Anytime, good luck. Bye.

Rating: 9.5
Comment: The girl was nice, patient and cared about giving me my money’s worth. She took the half a second to figure out my skiing habits. Very nicely done. Minus .5 for the initial hang up.

Identity revealed: Nashoba Valley