Don't PASS 'em up

Next time someone gripes about $85 lift tickets, just remember: Colorado has the cheapest skiing in the world, as long as you take advantage of the deals.

Where else can locals buy a season pass for $399 that is good for not just one world-class mountain, but several? Sure, $399 may seem like a lot of coin, but consider what you pay in other states. A season pass at just one of the fabled moun-tains in Utah will run you about $1,000. Sun Valley, Idaho, costs almost $2,000.

Even spots that aren’t known for great skiing demand big bucks. A season pass to Vermont’s majestic Stowe Mountain Resort (think rain on ice) is $1,305. West Virginia’s Snowshoe Mountain costs $449. Michigan’s Boyne Mountain, with a vertical drop of 500 feet, will run you $775.

So thank the snow gods for the annual battle for Front Range skiers, fought by corporate giants Vail Resorts (Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone) and IntraWest (Copper Mountain, Winter Park and Steamboat), which keeps prices low.

You have to be smart, though, to save the most money. What kind of pass you should buy depends on what kind of skier you are. Here’s a guide to help you spend wisely.

KNOW WHEN IT SNOWS

It might not feel like winter yet, but powder days aren’t far away.

Snowalarm.com will send e-mails and cell phone alerts when your favorite mountains get dumped on.

If you ski with young learners . . .

Skip the season passes, and check out Ski Cooper. No point in going to the big mountain with small kids. An uncrowded place like Ski Cooper will seem big enough to them. Traffic on the road and on the hill is light. And no place beats this little Leadville mountain for value.

For kids: All-day lesson, lunch, rental $75

For mom and dad: Adult lift pass $39

- skicooper.com

Next-best bet:

If you’re diehard skiers, try Monarch. Kids younger than 6 get a free season pass when mom or dad buys one for $299. Kids 7 to 12 get one for $89. All-day kids lesson packages are $109.

- skimonarch.com

If you’re bored with your favorite mountain . . .

Start planning your road trip. Monarch has a cool new deal this year.

Buy a season pass (adults $299) and get all the skiing you want at this great mountain, plus an additional three days of skiing at each these mountains: Crested Butte, Loveland, Durango, Sunlight and Powderhorn in Colorado, and Angel Fire and Pajarito in New Mexico. You also get a day of unguided skiing at Silverton and half-price tickets at Utah’s Alta.

- skimonarch.com

If you don’t get out as much as you’d like . . .

Unless you ski more than 11 times a year, consider one or two four-packs. These locals-only deals allow you to hit the hill for $25 to $32 a day.

Copper Four Pass — $119

The best deal for Colorado Springs powder lovers — four non-transferable days on a great mountain with no need to drive most of I-70, good all year except the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Pick one up at Christy Sports.

Loveland’s 4Pak — $109

Good for four fully transferable days of skiing, no blackout dates, super cheap and can be ordered online (skiloveland.com). But be warned: Skiing Loveland means I-70 traffic.

Keystone and Arapahoe Basin 4-Pack — $129

Four days at Keystone and A-Basin, restricted during peak season and holidays. Purchase at REI or Colorado Ski & Golf.

If you just want to ski for free . . .

You can. Crested Butte has free skiing Nov. 25—Dec. 15. Just show up, grab a ticket, strap ’em on and go.

If you’re a serious powder hound . . .

It doesn’t get better than this. If you ski a ton (you have to ski at least 11 days this season to make this worthwhile), then pick from two lovely poisons.

The Summit Pass ($399 for adults) offers unlimited access to Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin with no restrictions, plus summer lift rides. For another $40, get the Colorado Pass, which has an additional 10 restricted days at Vail and Beaver Creek. Purchase at Colorado Ski & Golf and REI.

The Rocky Mountain Super Pass ($399 for adults) offers unlimited access to Copper Mountain and Winter Park. For $100 more, you can get six unrestricted days and free skiing every Friday afternoon at Steamboat. Purchase at local Christy Sports.

Which is the better deal? By the numbers, it’s the Summit Pass. You get more mountains, more acres, and more days per dollar. If you prefer Copper, you can’t go wrong with its Super Pass price.

If all your friends are killer skiers, but you’re still making wedgie turns . . .

If you’re determined to learn to rip it up, nothing beats Vail Resort’s Learn-to-Ski Pass. For $389, ($299 for ages 3-12) new skiers or boarders get three beginner lessons with rentals and lift tickets at Breckenridge or Keystone. After completing the third lesson, students receive a season pass for Arapahoe Basin, Keystone and Breckenridge. Passes can be purchased in person at Colorado Ski & Golf, 2454 Montebello Square Drive. Must be purchased by Nov. 11.

Second-best bet:

Loveland Three Class Pass. Same type of deal — for $246, first-timers get three lessons with rentals, and a season pass at the end, but it’s just for Loveland. Ask about the deal when you sign up for your first lesson.

- skiloveland.com/skischool/ 3_class_pass.aspx

If you still have no idea, but want to save money . . .

Get a free Gems card, which gives you $10-$15 off at most of Colorado’s small ski areas.

To sign up: Go to coloradoski.com/Resorts/Gems/GemsCard

If you like to roll with some bling . . .

And you like to ski everywhere, check out Colorado Ski Country USA’s Gold Pass. This $3,000 medallion is a fully transferrable season pass to every major resort in Colorado (and most of the minor ones).

- coloradoski.com

If you’re active military . . .

Keystone and Arapahoe Basin have the Liberty Pass for military personnel and reservists and their dependents. The unrestricted season pass is $169 for adults, $99 for children ages 5-12. Get it at REI, Colorado Ski & Golf, the Air Force Academy, Peterson and Schriever Air Force bases, Fort Carson and Keystone season pass offices.