With ski season rapidly approaching, make sure you are in the know about the student deals offered by your local resorts here along the Wasatch Front.
Almost every ski resort from Ogden to Little Cottonwood Canyon has special prices on season passes for college students. This is an opportunity to get your mind off of linear inequalities or that lingering research paper and head into the hills to catch a little cool mountain breeze in your sail.
“I love to ski. It is my saving grace and I would have a hard time getting a pass if it weren’t for the student discount offered by Alta,” said avid skier and Salt Lake Community College student Greg Gavin.
If you’re in Utah for the winter—one of the premier ski and snowboard destinations of the world and home to the greatest snow on earth—you might as well be taking advantage of what the landscape and climate have to offer. Give those lungs a break from the smog-ridden inversion and get some exercise while enjoying the fruits of winter above 7,000 feet.
Although most of the earlier-bird special deadlines on season passes have already gone by, it is not too late to get a screaming deal. The Canyons seems to really embrace the poor college student by offering extra perks. Their “No Brainer” pass is available to people ages 18-24 or to college students and their spouses. If you are 25 or older and still enrolled in 6 or more credit hours you are still eligible for this bargain. The pass is $599.00 and will go up to $699.00 after October 15. If purchased through a representative at your campus it’s just a ridiculous $419.00.
According to the web site, extras include: a complimentary single day lift ticket, ability to purchase up to two buddy passes per day for $67.00 each, 50 percent discount on adult group lessons, 15 percent discount on all retail merchandise at Canyon Mountain Sports and One Sweet Ride, 15 percent discount on ski and snowboard rental at Canyon Mountain Rentals, 50 percent discount on gold level ski or board tune at Solid Edge Tuning and Repair, complimentary 8 oz. hot chocolate, coffee or tea at Red Pine or Sun Lodge and summer lift privileges on Red Pine Gondola (this does not include access to High Meadow or Short Cut lifts).
Snowbird offers an under-25 college pass for full time students. For tram and chairs a pass costs $699.00, while a chairs-only pass is $569.00. A student will need a valid school ID, proof of credit hours enrolled, and a tuition receipt for the current school year. Undergraduates must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours, while graduate students must be enrolled in at least 9 credit hours. The spouse of a full time student may also get this deal if a season pass has already been purchased by the student and a marriage certificiate is brought to pass pickup. For more details, call 801-938-2215.
According to its website, Alta has a “Utah College” pass for $599.00. Be sure to note that you must be enrolled in a Utah college throughout the 2011-12 ski season, with 9 credits for undergrads or graduate students. A student ID and class schedule or a letter from the registrar are required at the time of pass pickup.
Brighton offers a student/student spouse pass for $599.00, according to its website. Students will need a current student ID, a tuition receipt showing payment for current semester and a class schedule showing a minimum of 8 academic credit hours. A spouse pass is available after providing a marriage certificate and purchasing a student pass.
Park City Mountain Resort offers numerous options for whatever fits your needs. The resort offers anything from nights only, priced at $250.00, to a full season pass that includes nights, fast tracks (to skip lift lines) and parking for $1,090.00. According to its website, college students over 24 years old must provide proof of credits (12 undergrad or 8 graduate) to the Resort Services office in order to receive the college pass pricing.
Snowbasin’s “Young Adult” pass for 19-26 year olds is only $575.00. According to the website, this deal also includes six days of skiing at Sun Valley Resort in Idaho (Sun Valley tickets will be loaded onto season pass, with no blackout dates), 15 percent discount off winter repair in Grizzly Center Repair Shop, two 50 percent off buddy vouchers that can be used any time during 2011-12 season, and $5.00 discount off Tubing Hill 3-ride, 6-ride or unlimited ride tickets (note that this is not available for single rides, and must be purchased at Ticket Window or Season Pass Desk).
