Seasonal Lift Ticket Deals

Taking a ski or snowboarding vacation in Colorado is super fun and something to look forward to. However, the expense is often a deterrent for many to join in on the fun; however, if you do some smart vacation planning, you’ll discover that you don’t have to break the bank to ski or ride in Colorado. Finding lift ticket deals, discount ski passes, and lodging can be broken down by seasonal demand. Check out our Colorado Ski Resorts Guide to compare resort features, specs, special services, and more.  

Preseason Lift Ticket and Ski Resort Deals

Anytime in November up to Christmas week is considered preseason at Colorado ski resorts. Lift ticket deals can be commonly found along with discounts on lodging. The downside is that often the resorts don’t have the entire skiable terrain open but that’s not always true, and you can get lucky too. If you happen to be there when a big storm rolls in, resorts frequently open up more terrain access without notice. Additionally, today’s modern snow-making machines combine with cold Colorado night temperatures to create the perfect conditions for powerful snow-making capabilities.  

The Holidays

Stepping off the plane in Colorado in late December is much like stepping into a snow globe with white-covered peaks and ski towns oozing holiday charm. Colorado’s resorts celebrate the holidays with many events and activities like Copper Mountain’s torchlight parade, Vail’s Holidaze celebration, Steamboat’s Cowboy Downhill, and it’s not uncommon to catch St. Nick himself making some turns down one of Colorado’s pristine snow-covered slopes. You can afford the expense of visiting Colorado’s world-class resorts during the holiday season; it will certainly dazzle you.  

January Lift Ticket Deals

Post-holiday is bargain time at Colorado’s resorts. Lift ticket deals can be found throughout Colorado Ski Country. January is considered a perfect time of year to learn to skiand is also considered value season in Colorado.  Prices for lift tickets come down and many lodging properties offer reduced rates during this mid-winter month.  Holiday crowds dissipate, but Colorado’s signature snow still lays thick over the Rockies.  January is also Colorado’s Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, which means resorts across the state have discounted lift tickets, vacation rentals, and lesson packages for beginners.  January is a great time to take advantage of all that Colorado Ski Country offers. Check out the most affordable places to ski and ride in Colorado on any given winter day and compare all of Colorado’s resorts via our Colorado Ski Resorts Guide.

Love to Ski in February

With February comes President’s Day and Valentine’s Day weekends. There is no better place to be on Valentine’s Day than Loveland Ski Area where couples are joined in matrimony and married couples renew their vows in a mass wedding at The Ptarmigan Roost Cabin, elevation 12,440 feet.

Spring Break in March

March is typically Colorado’s snowiest month.  Spring breakers from across the nation flock to Colorado to partake in fraternal festivities like Winter Park’s King of the Grommets, Crested Butte’s Skitown Breakdown, and Aspen/Snowmass Kick Aspen Big Air Contest.  Also in the spring, Copper Mountain hosts Colorado’s largest Easter Egg hunt, and skiers and riders have a chance to take a run with the Easter Bunny. Sometimes you can find group deals in March, but this is a pretty busy month on the slopes unless you vacation before or after the typical spring break dates.

End-of-Season Lift Ticket Deals

April is the time of year when a slew of end-of-season deals can be had on everything from lift tickets and lodging to lessons and lunch.  Resorts have very few lift lines, great spring snow conditions, and even more events like Copper Mountain’s Sunsation, Telluride’s Closing Day Pond Skim, Monarch Mountain’s annual Kayaks on Snow Boatercross, and Silverton’s Sisters in the Steeps.

Colorado’s ski season can be enjoyed well into June.  Arapahoe Basin rounds out the season with its Shakin’ at the Basin concert series, Festival of the Brewpubs and Memorial Weekend Beach Party.

Find Lift Ticket Deals with a Little Planning

If you’re excited to check out Colorado in the wintertime but your wallet is less enthusiastic. No problem, take some time to do a little planning. Check in with those places you really want to ski or ride and find out about their “off-season” deals. Here is a good place to start, check out this list of Colorado’s most affordable ski and ride resorts, and many of these resorts are close to Denver too. You might need to investigate a bit to find the best deals, but we are certain you will be pleasantly surprised.

by Kathleen Fitzsimmons