I’ve got another option for you in the lift ticket department if you’re not sure whether to plunk down a grand (or more) for a season pass this year or just purchase individual passes from say, Costco. Liftopia has teamed up with six major western ski areas to produce the Mountain Collective Pass. For $350 (before Nov. 19) you’ll get two lift tickets to each of four resorts- Squaw/Alpine, Jackson Hole, Alta and Aspen/Snowmass. After that, it’s 50 percent off, along with what they say will be “exclusive discounts on lodging”.

That’s eight ‘free’ tickets if you do a ton of ski traveling. And with the average lift ticket price hovering around $90, you’ll save a significant amount. But what if you’re not going to visit Wyoming, California, Colorado and Utah in a single season? If you’re doing a one-week vacay to just one of those places then the Collective doesn’t make financial sense. You’d spend $450 to ski six days at Alta this season but with the Collective it would cost you $500. But do one more trip someplace else? Now you’re talking.

Snowboarders, unfortunately, might struggle with the math because Alta doesn’t let you in but, come on, were you really going to ride all four states in one year? Alta’s Connie Marshall told ESPN.com, “Our most satisfying outcome will be the introduction of our unique skiers-only mountain to skiers who understand the attributes of the collective passions our four destinations share.” The Mountain Collective is of course meant to market those individual resorts to riders who might need an extra nudge to visit.

Liftopia will use their sales force and online technology to process the passes. “We’re providing our exclusive technology, ecommerce and marketing reach,” said Ryan Jones, Marketing Manager at Liftopia. And why those four resorts? “We worked with independently owned resorts and not those under corporate management. The resorts came together on their own and created this alliance because of their great reputation, and Liftopia then came onboard to work with them to sell the passes,” he said.

“From a business point of view, we feel it will help us to extend our reach beyond the normal channels an independent resort can initiate,” Jackson Hole’s Brand Director Anna Olson told ESPN.com.

Plus, if you don’t live in Colorado to reap the benefits of the epic Epic Pass, this looks to be the next big thing.

You’ll take your receipt to one of the ski areas to exchange for a season photo pass and your two free tickets. After that, you must present the photo pass to get your discounted tickets. The pass is non-transferable and does not roll over into next season.

Utah skiers stand to make out the best because Jackson Hole is a mere four and half hours away. Alta’s tickets are $75 this season and Jackson‘s are $99 so four lift tickets to those two resorts alone would cost $348 at the window.

The best candidate for the Mountain Collective Pass is someone who will ski one resort more than 10 times but less than 20. If you’re going to ski 25+ days at Alta, you’re better off buying a full season pass ($999 before 9/27/2012) because you also get the Collective Pass! Yep, anyone purchasing a full-tier season pass from any of those four resorts will get a Mountain Collective Pass.

Visit www.TheMountainCollective.com or call (800) 705-6286 for more information. The adult pass price is $349 while the junior pass (kids 12 and under) is $229 through Monday, Nov. 19, 2012. 

Story By Jill Adler

Photos by Ryan Freitas

Next time you plan a ski roadtrip from Cali to Salt Lake, factor in a day at Eagle Point. The Southern Utah ski resort 3.5 hours from SLC is offering free skiing and boarding to any California resident for the entire 2012/2013 season. In addition, any guest can ski free every Thursday in January. “What we have learned overwhelmingly from our guests during the first two seasons since reopening is that we have a truly exceptional mountain that people love to visit,” explained Shane Gadbaw, CEO and Co‐Owner of the resort. “We have spent millions to make the property and the service first class from the newly renovated Canyonside Lodge down to the friendly greeters in the parking lots. Our last remaining challenge is to massively increase awareness in the core markets of Las Vegas, southern California and Utah so people know that we have this new boutique resort with thrilling terrain, super friendly staff, gorgeous views and long‐lasting powder stashes.” Plus, it’s a phenomenal place to learn to ski. There are miles of easy, rolling beginner terrain.

There are no strings attached to nab the deal other than providing a name and email address.

The idea for the campaign was modeled on the Las Vegas “Free Days” campaign. “We can give lift access away for free yet still achieve a sufficient yield from our guests on food and beverage sales, rentals, instruction, retail or condo stays,” said Gadbaw.

“More importantly, the free admission spurs the first‐time visit. That is all we need because the vast majority of new guests fall in love with the place and go home to tell their friends and family.”

Eagle Point’s tentative opening day is Dec. 23, 2012 but will go to weekends only from January 10 till close in April 2013. They will also operate on Martin Luther King Day (Monday, January 21) and Presidents’ Day (Monday, February 18). That leaves Monday through Wednesday to covet the ski area for your private party. “We had our first group rent the resort for two days last year and they loved it. This year we expect more private group rentals especially from the casino industry in Las Vegas,” said Gadbaw. The resort can host turnkey private events for large groups of up to 500 people including snow sports, lodging, fine dining, conference space and transportation.

Eagle Point Resort is located 18 miles east of Beaver, Utah and a scenic 3.5 hour drive from Las Vegas or Salt Lake City. The resort features 600 skiable acres, over 40 named runs, 1500 vertical feet, 5 lifts, 2 transport snow cats, lodging, dining and endless backcountry terrain. For more information or group reservations, contact Shane Gadbaw at 855‐EAGLEPT or visit www.eaglepointresort.com or Facebook/EaglePointResort.