Ski and Snowboard News, Deals, and Events

It's springtime in the Rockies.

The sun is out (usually), the corn is budding, and the ski and snowboard season is winding down.

What better time to think about next year?

Well, that's what they're doing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort where, until April 5, you can get your 2009-10 season pass at this year's prices (as an added bonus, you can use next season's pass for the remainder of this season).

The adult Platinum Pass, which provides unlimited skiing and snowboarding (i.e., no blackout dates) and is also good for summer lift service in 2009 and 2010, is selling for $899 during the Spring Pass Sale (the pass will retail for $949 if you wait until the summer to purchase it and $1,349 if you wait until September or later).

The adult Gold Pass, which has no blackout dates next winter, is going for $849 (compared to $899 and $1,274 if you dawdle).

The Bronze Pass option, which has the usual blackout dates, and other multi-day lift options that Crested Butte usually provides its customers, are not being offered during the Spring Pass Sale.

The Spring Pass Sale has one caveat: While looking as good as a sunny day in the Elk Mountains, it is only available online.