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With fall and winter just around the corner, it is that time of year again. The time to get a season ski pass.

Once the snow starts falling, the prices for season passes have already been raised. To save some bucks, purchase one as soon as possible.

Here are five reasons why purchasing a ski pass is a necessity:

• Most students at DU will not have classes on Fridays, which gives an extra day to hit the slopes.
• Denver is around an hour and half from ten ski resorts.
• Buying a season pass can save you money. On average, the ski pass pays for itself when used more than six times.
• In recent seasons, Colorado mountains have hit with numerous powder days.
• Skiing and riding is fun!

With the exception of Arapahoe Basin, which has been known to have the earliest opening day in the nation, opening dates for 2009-10 season range from early to late November. Most ski resorts close in mid-April, but this year A-basin didn’t close down until June 7, providing the longest season out of all the Colorado resorts.

The anticipated opening days for this season are:

Late October- Arapahoe Basin

Nov. 6- Copper and Keystone

Nov. 12- Breckenridge

Nov. 18- Winter Park/Mary Jane

Nov. 20- Vail

Nov. 25- Beaver Creek and Steamboat

 

Lowdown on various ski pass options

Colorado Pass

Unlimited days at Arapahoe Basin, Keystone and Breckenridge plus 10 days at Vail/Beaver Creek.

$329 teens, ages 13-18

$439 adults, ages 19+

Epic Pass

Unlimited days at Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Vail, Beaver Creek and Heavenly (Lake Tahoe) with no blackout dates.

$599 adults, ages 13+

Rocky Mountain College Pass

Unlimited days at Winter Park/Mary Jane and Copper Mountain, six unrestricted days and free Friday afternoons at Steamboat.

$329 for full-time students with valid college ID and class schedule.

Rocky Mountain Super Pass

Unlimited days at Winter Park/Mary Jane and Copper Mountain.

$399 adults ages 18-69

Rocky Mountain Super Pass Plus

Unlimited days at Winter Park/Mary Jane and Copper Mountain, six unrestricted days and free Friday afternoons at Steamboat.

$ 439 adults ages 18-69

Rocky Mountain Ultimate Pass

Unlimited days at Winter Park/Mary Jane, Copper Mountain and Steamboat.

$1259 adults, ages 18-69

Summit Pass

Unlimited days at Arapahoe Basin, Keystone and Breckenridge.

$309 teens, ages 13-18

$399 adults, ages 19+

 

Where to buy online, in person

Summit, Colorado and Epic Pass are available online at www.snow.com.

Rocky Mountain Passes are available online at www.skicolorado.com.

The following retailers offer passes for purchase in person:

Colorado Ski and Golf

Arvada, Aurora, Littleton. Colorado Springs

Boulder Ski Deals

Boulder

REI

Denver Flagship, Boulder, Colorado Springs,

Fort Collins, Lakewood, Westminster, Englewood

Breeze Ski Rentals

Lakewood, Dumont/Downieville

The following retailer offers passes for sale in person:

Christy Sports

Boulder, Broomfield, Colorado Springs,

Denver, Englewood, Fort Collins, Greenwood Village, Lakewood, Littleton

*College pass must be purchased in person.