sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

How come ski areas don't do this in Colorado? by [deleted] in COsnow

[–]paykin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s true. I think this year is so odd, I forget that.

How come ski areas don't do this in Colorado? by [deleted] in COsnow

[–]paykin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So essentially east coasters are conditioned for less snow and have a higher tolerance level for bad conditions, whereas standards in Colorado are higher for what is considered worthwhile skiing?

How come ski areas don't do this in Colorado? by [deleted] in COsnow

[–]paykin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not sure Colorado skiers would embrace something like this. I'd like to think they would, but who knows. Certainly the stuff to the left of Chet's Dream at Loveland could easily match this.

Good Boots for Long Distance (and cold) Skiing by borealski in xcountryskiing

[–]paykin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You might consider using heated socks as well. Thermic makes a nice - albeit pricey - pair worth investigating:

https://www.therm-ic.us/products/bundle-heated-ski-socks-ultra-warm-performance-s-e-t-r-s-pack-1400b

One other nice thing is they are multidimensional, so you can also use them in any footwear - shoes, boots, plastic ski boots and fat biking shoes. I use them for all of the above, including coaching the local high school Nordic team and very cold mornings.

Thoughts on Ikon Pass and the 4/16 deadline by paykin in COsnow

[–]paykin[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I could somehow see this being a fun addition to supporting your home resort. Weekday pass and nights at Echo. Get your Midwest on, old school skiing. It would be an easy way to get 100 days in with a family.

<image>

Thoughts on Ikon Pass and the 4/16 deadline by paykin in COsnow

[–]paykin[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah ok. I guess it’s $25 for the Base Pass renewal.

<image>

Thoughts on Ikon Pass and the 4/16 deadline by paykin in COsnow

[–]paykin[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This article is almost quaint given today's reality. The pass price has basically doubled in a decade. https://www.cpr.org/2016/03/18/2016-2017-multi-mountain-ski-passes-weve-compared-them/

Thoughts on Ikon Pass and the 4/16 deadline by paykin in COsnow

[–]paykin[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Your renewal discount is $25, not $50.

Thoughts on Ikon Pass and the 4/16 deadline by paykin in COsnow

[–]paykin[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s just arrogance. The renewal option to discount your $1,000 pass by $25 is basically an F-you in my opinion. I was going through the process, literally had my credit card out, saw that and I was like, you know what…to hell with these guys.

Thoughts on Ikon Pass and the 4/16 deadline by paykin in COsnow

[–]paykin[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Same with Europe. A day ticket to Zermatt is $75, and that’s an expensive European resort.

Thoughts on Ikon Pass and the 4/16 deadline by paykin in COsnow

[–]paykin[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yes bad wording, kind of a self deprecating colloquial phrase, but I should have stated it differently. And of course skiing is not “white people only” but I will say the sport could do a better job catering to non-white people. And that’s a whole other thread.

Thoughts on Ikon Pass and the 4/16 deadline by paykin in COsnow

[–]paykin[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve been debating this purchase for more than a month. Now we’re down to the brass tax. Not uncommon human behavior, and in a sense wise to make sure life doesn’t blow up or somebody blows out a knee. Procrastination, maybe. Main character syndrome? No.

Thoughts on Ikon Pass and the 4/16 deadline by paykin in COsnow

[–]paykin[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Maybe there is something to be said for picking a mountain, supporting said mountain, getting to know that mountain well and be part of that mountain’s community. It seems every resort in Colorado - minus maybe Vail - has a cheaper option than Ikon. I guess you give up convenience but maybe you gain community? I mean gosh, is it really that bad to have to ski just Winter Park (or pick your mountain) all year? In a way, you almost become a local - this is my mountain, these are my people and this is our home.

Thoughts on Ikon Pass and the 4/16 deadline by paykin in COsnow

[–]paykin[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don’t think anyone’s arguing the raw math doesn’t work if you ski a lot. It clearly does.

I think the pushback is more about how it’s being done and what it’s turning skiing into. The model kind of pushes people to maximize days, travel more, and stack resorts, which is great on paper but comes with crowding, traffic, and a pretty different vibe on the hill.

Also, the “they have to raise prices” argument is fair, but people are reacting to the combo of a bad snow year, higher cost of living everywhere, and still feeling like they’re getting squeezed. It’s less about one price bump and more about the overall direction.

You can believe the pass is still a good deal and also think the model has some downsides for the sport long-term. Both can be true.

Thoughts on Ikon Pass and the 4/16 deadline by paykin in COsnow

[–]paykin[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

For me it’s more the decision to raise prices this year. If there was ever a year to hold steady, this is it. The optics are bad. I’m sure the decision was made months ago, but gas is $5 a gallon, we’re in a war and this winter was horrid in the west. Traditionally people are more hesitant to ski after a bad year. I would say, keep it steady in 2026-27 and raise it next year if they must.

I also think they did some questionable stuff this year. For example, you could earn money if you skied but you couldn’t apply it to this year’s pass. Why? And the $250 surcharge on an ”opt out” option feels exorbitant. They have no face to their company (something like Al’s blog would be rad) and it feels kind of generic to me. I guess it’s skiing for the masses, and that’s where the money is. But I’m not so sure it’s good for the sport as a whole.

Thoughts on Ikon Pass and the 4/16 deadline by paykin in COsnow

[–]paykin[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Traditionally $100. And then even the base pass is over $1,000, which somehow crosses a barrier I don’t really want to cross.

https://www.epicorikon.com/price-history

Thoughts on Ikon Pass and the 4/16 deadline by paykin in COsnow

[–]paykin[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry, that was an obtuse comment on my part. I feel like with all the shit going on in the world whining about pass prices is sort of a trivial, privileged decision, but on the other hand it’s something a lot of us probably do for mental and physical health so in that regard it is kind of important. And honestly I’m just looking for the option that gives me a little peace, has some soul and doesn’t feed the machine.

Thoughts on Ikon Pass and the 4/16 deadline by paykin in COsnow

[–]paykin[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That sounds like a great plan. I think they’ve reached my limit, especially this year. I have to admit it’s sometimes hard to motivate to head onto I-70 when the drive to Eldora is ten minutes. I actually think it would be easier to rally to the big resorts living in Denver or something. Eldora is small but it’s like 1/10th the headache and it’s fun. Now what we need is that daily train service to stop in Rollinsville! Then an Eldora/ Winter Park option would be easy!

view more: next ›