2021 - 2022 Far West Skier's Guide - 41

that was it. This year, it appears most events are returning, and are
back as in-person shows. (See the list on page 11.)
SIA had launched its in-person Snowbound Festivals (formerly
called Ski and Snowboard Expos) this November in the cities of Boston
and Denver. These events were intended to serve as the official kickoff
for winter and an opportunity to bring the entire industry and
winter outdoor community together to celebrate the coming season.
However, the Snowbound Festivals will be postponed until November,
2022. Nick Sargent, SIA President, made the announcement on September
8, stating that, " In reviewing the latest public health guidelines and
the most recent health and safety protocols, we felt that even with mask mandates
and proof of vaccine or a negative COVID test requirement, we could
not guarantee a completely risk-free environment for winter enthusiasts of all
ages... We thank the industry for their overwhelming support of the Snowbound
Festival concept and we know that this new premium consumer experience
will lead the way for the industry once the pandemic is under control. "
This is an example of how quickly the Ski Show Schedule might
change in the next several months.
The resorts have been investing time and financial resources to
improve the winter experience not only for the year ahead, but for decades
in the future. Steamboat Ski Resort, for example, is " Full Steam
Ahead " , with its $135 million investment on and around the mountain,
enhancing the Steamboat experience for all visitors. Work began this
summer and will continue until the summer of 2023. The project has
been an ambitious undertaking the likes of which the resort has never
seen. There are plans for an apres ski plaza, new restaurants and bars,
new lodging, and an ice rink. On the mountain, there will be new lifts
and new terrain that will make the resort the second largest in Colorado,
with the longest Gondola in North America. Steamboat has a
genuine western heritage, so the vision is " Welcome to the New West " , to
become one of the premier ski destinations in the world.
Aspen Snowmass celebrates 75 years of skiing and riding this
winter season. This historic milestone will celebrate the heritage and
history of skiing in Aspen, as well as, provide a look forward to the future
of skiing with a series of activities throughout the season. The season
will highlight how innovation in ski racing, sustainability, athletic
achievement, inclusion, art and other areas have led to future possibilities
in each of these areas.
You Still Need to Plan Ahead
There are some changes created by the pandemic that were actually
beneficial, and will undoubtedly remain in future resort operations.
Technology has greatly enhanced the skiing experience, allowing
resorts to take advance reservations to control crowds, and consumers
to save time by making advance reservations to avoid long lines for
food service, rental shops, and for lessons.
We asked last year if you were a free spirit - like to plan a ski trip
at the last moment - grab your gear and head to the mountains, stay
where you can find lodging, and purchase a lift ticket at the ticket window
at the resort the morning you plan to ski and board. We advised
that advanced planning was absolutely necessary last ski season, and
things haven't changed too much in this regard for the upcoming ski
season, either. Know what to expect at the resort before planning your
winter ski vacation, weekend or day trip.
The NSAA is continuing its " Ski Well, Be Well " program initiated
before last year's ski season. It is operational best practices, based on
scientific guidelines from experts, developed by an advisory group of
ski industry leaders. It includes guidelines that are precautions designed
to protect not only yourself, but others, both on and off the slopes. Tips
are given for a successful ski experience. A copy can be downloaded
from their website. (https://www.nsaa.org)
Plan ahead for your purchases of passes and lift tickets, and save
money! Discounts are available at the resorts if you plan ahead. Season
ticket holders will undoubtedly still be given priority access on
the hill, so if you haven't purchased a season pass yet, you might consider
doing it this year. Lift tickets will continue to be mainly advance
purchase only, which assists the resorts to avoid overcrowding. Walkup
windows still might not be available at the resort.
The Epic Pass prices were reduced 20% until September 6, and
a variety of passes were available, with skiing in up to 34 resorts, including
three in Australia. Epic Pass Rewards was launched last season,
where you can save up to 20% off food, lodging, lessons, rentals
and more, and this same program is being offered this year. The Ikon
Pass was offering a convenient new payment option with Affirm this
year. For a limited time, you could lock in an Ikon Pass for as low as
$0 down, and split the payments over 3, 6 or 12 months. The payment
plan was also available with local passes. There are 47 worldwide
destinations.
The Mountain Collective Pass is currently available for purchase.
This pass gives skiers or riders two days at 23 mountains located
in North America and international destinations (no blackout
days), unlimited 50% off of all single-day passes after that, and exclusive
lodging deals up to 25% off (blackout dates may apply). Pass
Rates are offered for an Adult, Teen and Child. The 2021-2022 passes
are valid in the southern hemisphere for the 2021 season and the
northern hemisphere from the fall of 2021 through the spring of 2022.
Starting September 7, 2021, guests traveling to Jackson Hole
Mountain Resort will be able to review pricing, check availability, and
purchase tickets with Lift Tickets and Lodging Deals. If you purchase
online you will receive a 10% discount on purchases made outside 14
days or more and a 5% discount for purchases made within 7-14 days.
Guests are incentivized to purchase online before their visit, by allowing
for pre-arrival ticket fulfillment, mailing and lodge delivery, with
the added convenience of direct-to-lift access. If capacity limits are
met for a specific day, tickets will no longer be available for purchase.
Big White Ski Resort in British Columbia will continue its
Touchless Day Tickets program. Tickets are only available online.
When purchasing an online day ticket, visitors will automatically save
25% off the retail price of the day. Day ticket pricing is adjusted for
mid-week, weekends, and peak periods. Tickets must be collected by
scanning a QR Code at one of the 15 pick-up ticket boxes located
around the resort.
At Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort you can Save Big on Big
Winter Fun because the resort is offering great deals on tickets, bundles
and lodging for a limited time. Savings are up to 40% (including holidays!)
on single and multi-day lift tickets with a 20% savings on single
day tickets and an additional 20% savings on multi-day tickets. If you
have an old lift ticket you can even reload an existing lift ticket card
when you make your purchase, and skip the trip to the lift ticket
counter upon arrival. The purchase deadline for this discount is November
15, 2021.
Whitefish Mountain Resort offers a Frequent Skier Card. For
those planning to ski more than a couple of days, you might as well
get yourself one. It offers discounted tickets every day of the season.
When you attach a credit card to your Frequent Skier Card, you have
the convenience, and safety, of being able to skip the ticket window
and go directly to the lifts. It can also be used to purchase food, beverages,
and retail items at all mountain owned restaurants and stores..
Far West Skier's Guide 2O21 - 2O22
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2021 - 2022 Far West Skier's Guide

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