#affordable-season-pass

#affordable-season-pass

Guests with a valid 2025/2026 season pass can present their pass along with a valid photo ID at a ticket window or Guest Services desk to get a $39 lift ticket.

"As we wrap up the season, I want to thank our loyal guests who showed up smiling day in and day out to support their local hill. I also want to thank our dedicated staff whose immense efforts and pride in their work kept Eldora running all season long. We hope everyone comes to celebrate the season with us this weekend." - Andrew Gast, Eldora's president and general manager.

The 2025-26 winter saw extreme weather, with the eastern half experiencing consistent cold and heavy snowfall, while the western half endured record warmth and a lack of snowfall.

Thanks to the millions of baby boomers hitting retirement age, powder hounds in their 60s and 70s (and beyond) are an increasingly common sight on the slopes. In contrast to the popular stereotype of sun-seeking snowbirds, many older adults head straight to their favorite mountain each year when winter hits. But it turns out some ski resorts are better than others when it comes to catering to senior skiers' needs.

As The New York Times reported, the average cost of a single-day lift ticket in the U.S. hit an astonishing $250 in the 2024 season. And, again, that's the average. It's also only the cost of a ticket, so you'll still need to pay for food and drinks, lessons (if you need them), and a hotel if you plan to stay overnight.

Both avid and casual skiers know that winter requires preparation. If you want to ski as many days as possible, you must have a game plan. After all, skiing is an expensive sport, so budget is typically one of the top considerations. But before you book flights, hotels, and lift tickets, or decide if you want to invest in an Epic Pass or Ikon Pass, you'll need to identify which ski resorts you want to explore over the course of a few months.

Skiing and snowboarding have grown increasingly expensive over the past few decades. According to Unofficial Networks, a single day at Vail cost just $9 in 1972; last season, peak-day tickets reached $329-a staggering 3,600 percent increase. Much of that jump, the outlet notes, stems from industry consolidation, rising operating costs, dynamic pricing, and skiing's shift toward luxury. Still, new data from Casino.org shows there are a few resorts where hitting the slopes can still feel like a deal.

The Mountaineer Express lift is not the flashiest option, but it excels in delivering the most laps and vertical gain, making it a hidden gem for skiers.

Henry Crown was born as Henry Krinsky in Chicago in 1896 to Lithuanian immigrant parents. With just an eighth‑grade education, he and his brothers founded the Material Service Corporation in 1919, selling gravel, sand and building materials to the booming Midwest construction industry. By the late 1950s, Crown had used that business as a springboard into defense contracting, gaining controlling interest in General Dynamics in 1959.

Colorado's ski history is deep and rich. It includes the oldest ski area in the United States, predating anything on the East Coast or West, and includes the story of the 10th Mountain Division.

For Colorado skiers and snowboarders, the 2026/2027 Ikon Base Pass now provides unlimited access to Arapahoe Basin in addition to 5 days of skiing or snowboarding at Snowmass. Plus, Ikon Pass holders will no longer be required to make reservations at the four mountains of Aspen Snowmass.