2011-12 Colorado Ski Season Pass Sales are ending.

New season pass sales for most Colorado ski resorts have ended.  If you are looking for a discount Epic Pass or Rocky Mountain Super Pass for the 2011-12 ski season, you’ll have to wait until next April to purchase one for the 2012-13 ski season.

Sales of 4 Passes and 4 Packs have also ended.  4 Packs are no longer available for Loveland Ski Area, Arapahoe Basin, Winter Park Resort, and Copper Mountain.

Specialty discount ski passes such as the 7-Day Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass, Summit Value Pass, Colorado Triple Play Pass, and the Aspen Classic Pass have all ended too.

If you’ve bought one of these passes in the past two years you may  able to renew it.  Renewal policies vary from resort to ski resort.

Time to start skiing, snowboarding, and skibiking.

© 2008-2011 G. Kunkel and Colorado, snowboards, and scooters. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and Colorado, snowboards, and scooters with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

I Ski With KBCO – Cheap Aspen/Snowmass Lift + Lodging Deal this weekend – Dec 16-18, 2011

It doesn’t get any cheaper than this for a lift ticket and lodging deal package for Aspen/Snowmass.  Get both for $97.30 person per night.   That’s a room for $48.65 and $48.65 for a lift ticket.  That’s unheard of!

Of course there are the usual terms and conditions.  A two night minimum stay is required and double occupancy.  You’ll need someone to spilt the gas bill with anyway.

Choose from one of six properties in Snowmass Village.  They include Wildwood Lodge, Timberline Condo’s, Snowmass Mountain Chalet, The Laurelwood, Stonebridge Inn, and Pokolodi Lodge.

Like 90% of Snowmass properties, these are all slopeslide and are ski-in /ski-out.  More on these properties at http://www.snowmassvillage.com/special.html  The Poko is very budget-friendly and right next to the Snowmass Mall.

The lift tickets are valid at all four Aspen/Snowmass ski resorts.  Snowmass allows skiing, snowboarding, and skibiking.  Snowmass has miles of wide open uncrowded trails.

Experts won’t be left out either.  Hang out on Snowmass steeps or head over to Ajax or Aspen Highlands.  Snowmass has a free shuttle bus system and free ski buses to Aspen during the day.  Once parked at your lodging it’s easier to take the buses than the car.

To get the special pricing, use the code KBCO when making your reservation.

More information is available at http://www.kbco.com/pages/iski-index.html

© 2008-2011 G. Kunkel and Colorado, snowboards, and scooters. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and Colorado, snowboards, and scooters with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Hey, There’s a Skibike Leash Manufacturer

And until December 18th, they are on sale!

Settles Bridge Supply House is selling a skibike specific leash on its website.  The leash is 36 inches long and comes with a wrist strap on one end.  It’s available in a variety of colors.  It can be viewed and ordered at http://www.settlesbridgesupplyhouse.com/36quot-skibike-leash-with-wrist-str36.html

When ordering use the promo code SBSH20 and get 20% off the listed price.

I ordered one yesterday morning.  I’ll try it out and then write up a review on it.

If you plan on skibiking in Colorado, plan on using a leash at most ski areas and resorts.  They are definitely mandatory at Arapahoe Basin.  They had seven skibikes drop from the lifts one season and they don’t want any repeats.  The lifties check to make sure every rider has a leash.

Skibike leashes will prevent bike drops and runaway skibikes (ones that are mounted with fat powder skis).   Skibikes with skinny skis will just fall over when riderless.

© 2008-2011 G. Kunkel and Colorado, snowboards, and scooters. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and Colorado, snowboards, and scooters with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Last Day to Buy Many 2011-12 Ski Season Passes in Colorado

Today is the last day to buy season passes for Winter Park Resort and Copper Mountain.  It’s also the last day to buy a 4 Pack to Copper Mountain and a 4 Pass to Winter Park Resort.  If you want to get the discount Triple Play Pass valid for Aspen/Snowmass, Steamboat Ski Resort, and Winter Park Resort, you’ll need to buy that today too.

Copper and Winter Park Passes can be purchased at their respective season pass offices or at select Front Range Christy Sport locations.  Renewals can be done online.  The Triple Play Pass can be purchased online as well.  There’s no limit on the number of Triple Play Passes one can purchase.

Some passes, especially the 4 Passes, may have Blackout Days.  Check to make sure they work with your riding days.

© 2008-2011 G. Kunkel and Colorado, snowboards, and scooters. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and Colorado, snowboards, and scooters with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Is Your First Name Jim? Get a free burger tomorrow at Red Robin

Just got an email from Red Robin.

If your first name is Jim, you can get a free Jim Beam bacon swiss burger tomorrow Dec 6, 2011 at Red Robin.  You’ll need to show some photo ID to prove your first name is Jim.  Middle names don’t count.  Jim, James, and Jimbo are all acceptable as first names.

The offer does not include fries, drink, or tip.  Remember to tip if service is good.  That includes ski and snowboard instructors when taking a lesson on the ski slopes.  Bad juju to stiff ski instructors out of tips when they’ve earned it.

There’s a Red Robin location in Boulder, Colorado.  The service is always great there and the ice tea is excellent.

Winter Park Resort Opens for the 2011-12 Ski Season tomorrow

Winter Park Resort was originally scheduled to open on November 16, 2011 for the 2011-12 ski season.   They got all excited by the people stopping by at the Ski Expo so they decided to open the ski resort early.  The resort officially opens for business on Saturday November 12, 2011.  I’ve never known this to happen.  Someone must have made a phone call to the Forest Service and got the permit changed.

From all reports, the snow is great and more terrain should open soon.  I’ll find out more tomorrow after a morning meeting, a free BBQ, and then heading over to the Winter Park base area.

Things must be super-fantastic with our friends over at Snowmass too.   They decided to open Saturday too.  Might need to buy more than one of those Colorado Triple Play Passes.  While not transferable, one can buy as many of those as you want or they have supplies of.

Skiers, snowboarders, and skibikers are all welcome at Winter Park Resort and at Snowmass.  While skibikers aren’t allowed in the terrain park at Winter Park, that isn’t the case over at Snowmass.

© 2008-2011 G. Kunkel and Colorado, snowboards, and scooters. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and Colorado, snowboards, and scooters with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

The Denver Ski Bus – New for the 2011-12 ski season

There’s a new way to carpool to Copper Mountain and Winter Park Resort from Boulder and Denver – the new Denver Ski Bus shuttle service.  It’s cheaper and more convenient than CMC Express, Home James, and Amtrak.  They run every Saturday and Sunday starting December 3, 2011 and reservations are now being accepted.

The new Denver Ski Bus starts from the CU Campus in Boulder and then travels to Christy Sports in Denver West.  Rentals can be arranged through Christy Sports with prior arrangement.  One bus then delivers skiers, snowboarders, and skibikers to Winter Park Resort while another takes skiers and snowboarders to Copper Mountain.  Skibikers are welcome to bring along their bike on the Winter Park bus.

Both buses leave the CU Campus in Boulder at 6 am and depart Denver West at 7 am.  Buses depart Winter Park Resort and Copper Mountain at 4:30 pm.

Amenities on both buses include Wifi, reclining seats, TV’s, DVD players, bathrooms, and plenty of overhead cargo space. Breakfast can be purchased onboard the bus.

Roundtrip fare for adults is $38 and children (11 and under) are $33 from Denver West.  Fares from Boulder are $42 for adults and $37 for children.

Reservations can be booked online.  Save 10% by entering the promo code DEN when booking.   The Denver Ski Bus website is http://denskibus.com/index.html

For more information visit the Denver Ski Bus website or call 303-648-4069.

© 2008-2011 G. Kunkel and Colorado, snowboards, and scooters. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and Colorado, snowboards, and scooters with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

The new Colorado Triple Play Pass for 2011-12 ski season

Move over Pow Pow Platter and a big hello to the Colorado Triple Play Pass.   Get two days at Aspen/Snowmass, Steamboat Ski Resort, and Winter Park Resort for only $299.  Kids passes are $249.  What a great discount ski pass!  That’s less than $50/day for a lift ticket for the best ski resorts in Colorado.

Skiers, snowboarders, and skibikers can now experience great steeps, legendary bumps, and champagne powder on the same ski pass.   Supplies are limited for this pass.

Blackout dates are 12.27-12.31.11. A 7-day advance purchase is necessary. Aspen/Snowmass Triple Play must be picked up at the ticket window. $5 refundable fee will be charged upon redemption at Aspen/Snowmass.

Kids 6 and under ski/ride free at Aspen/Snowmass. Kids 5 and under ski/ride free at Winter Park Resort and Steamboat Ski Resort. For details on purchasing pass insurance click here

Get more details and buy the pass at http://www.coloradotripleplay.com/

© 2008-2011 G. Kunkel and Colorado, snowboards, and scooters. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and Colorado, snowboards, and scooters with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

2011 Colorado Ski & Snowboard Expo

The best place to buy all the discount ski season passes and lift tickets to Colorado ski resorts is next weekend.  If you haven’t bought a pass yet, this is the place to be.  It will probably the last best chance for Front Rangers to score discount products to Telluride, Silverton,  Aspen/Snowmass, Crested Butte, and other distant ski resorts.  The discounts are going to start disappearing after this event.

The 20th Annual Colorado Ski & Snowboard Expo runs from November 4-6, 2011 at the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver.  Hours are noon to 10pm on Friday, 10am to 8pm on Saturday, and 10am to 6pm on Sunday.  All 26 Colorado resorts will be on site selling season passes and lift tickets. Attendees can also take advantage of discount gear prices and mountain lodging properties early-bird packages.

Admission is $12 for adults or $10 with a discount coupon available at any Colorado Ski & Golf store or purchased in advance at www.OnTheSnow.com. Kids 12 and under are free.

The Rocky Mountain Brew Fest debuts inside the Expo gates and for an additional fee of $25.  Beer lovers can indulge in three hours of sampling from seven local breweries including Breckenridge, Bristol and Odell as well as a selection of Bavarian imports from Paulaner HP USA.  Admission to the Brew Fest also requires an Expo ticket. A $30 combination ticket can be purchased online by using the promo code BREW. Tasting times are: Friday, Nov. 4 from 6-9 pm; Saturday, Nov. 5 from 1-4pm or from 5-8pm; and Sunday, Nov. 6 from 2-5pm.

Kids that want to try skiing for the first time can put on their first pair of boots and skis and slide down the Winter Park Kids Slope with experienced instructors to help. Kids will also be testing their balancing skills on the Gibbon Slackline, a narrow length of webbing a few inches above the ground for a tightrope experience designed to improve balance and build muscle.

The “Eliteam” Training Center, led by Olympian and downhill medalist Doug Lewis is back with an interactive, physical-fitness fun area where kids can race, train and challenge themselves on a special obstacle-laden training course. Also returning is the MBS Mountainboards Big Air Show where performers on specially adapted skateboards execute a series of high-energy acrobatics with plenty of flipping, spinning and rail sliding.

© 2008-2011 G. Kunkel and Colorado, snowboards, and scooters. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and Colorado, snowboards, and scooters with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Loveland Ski Area Opening Day for 2011-12 ski season is today.

Loveland Ski Area started spinning Chair 1 this morning.  The start of the Colorado ski season is well underway.

Loveland opened with an 18 inch base, Chair 1, 40 skiable acres, one WROD, and clear Colorado blue skies.   That said, they have twice as much terrain open as Arapahoe Basin.  Too bad they don’t allow skibikes or I’d be there.

Loveland season passes, 4 Packs, and Frequent User cards are still on sale.  Just visit the Season Pass Office at Loveland.  4 Packs are not available for sale at the Loveland Season Pass Office – order them online or by phone.  4 Packs cannot be picked up at the Loveland Ticket Office – only by mail – no express delivery mail available either.

Early season daily lift tickets are $47 for adults and $22 for children.

If you haven’t bought your ski season passes yet, better do it within the next month.  The lifts are spinning so that means the deals are going to start disappearing or the prices are going to start increasing after this weekend.

More information available at http://skiloveland.com/

© 2008-2011 G. Kunkel and Colorado, snowboards, and scooters. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and Colorado, snowboards, and scooters with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.