The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Purchase by April 3 and get this year’s rates
By Alissa Johnson
Crested Butte Mountain Resort launched a sale this week on 2016-2017 season ski passes. Between now and closing day on April 3, the Peak Pass and Peak Pass Plus passes are available at this year’s rates. After that, expect to see the rate increase in two phases: a pre-season rate and an in-season rate.
While spring sales are a fairly common practice in the ski industry, this is the first time the resort has offered one since lowering pass prices for the 2013-2014 ski season.
During the sale, the Adult Peak Pass starts at $629 and the Peak Pass Plus starts at $839, which includes additional benefits.
According to Erica Mueller, CBMR’s director of innovations and relations, the rate increase after April 3 is not being announced yet but pass holders shouldn’t expect a drastic increase.
“Our plan is to continue with a similar model as we have in the past few years,” Mueller said.
Last year, pass prices for the adult Peak Pass and the Peak Pass Plus increased about five precent. The spring sale is being offered as a way to give annual pass holders the opportunity to take advantage of this year’s rates while also being aware of rising operating costs.
In a press release, vice president of marketing and sales Scott Clarkson said, “We wanted to be able to offer our guests the 2015 rate on passes to encourage renewal and early commitment, but knew that with rising costs to operate the ski area each year it can be difficult to do. Offering a spring sale allows us to hold the price for a limited time period for our most loyal pass holders who would like to renew or purchase early to realize the most savings.”
Due to the timing of the sale, it’s too early to say exactly what perks pass holders will receive, but the resort is working with other resorts on reciprocity relationships for next season. Mueller expects to see some familiar resorts on the list and hopefully one or two new resorts as well.
What Mueller can say for sure is that next season comes with an extra week on the slopes—a total of 137 days, according to Mueller, because the season runs from November 24, 2016 through April 9, 2017.
To snag access to the lowest rates, purchase passes by April 3, 2016 at the following rates:
Peak Pass pricing:
Adults $629
70+ $419
Young Adult (13-17) $315
Child (7-12) $209
6 & Under FREE
College $519
Peak Pass Plus pricing:
Adults $839
70+ $629
Young Adult (13-17) $525
Child (7-12) $419
6 & Under $105
College $725
Prices do not include the four percent Mt. Crested Butte admissions tax or pass protection. And as for making the spring sale a regular offering, that remains to be seen.
“Next winter, we will evaluate to see if it makes sense to launch a spring pass sale,” Mueller said.
