The Mountain Collective Pass (Alta, Squawlpine, Jackson, Aspen) - Page 3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamesj 

 The lift tickets would be the least of your costs on a trip like that.

Well, yes, on any ski trip (unless you are driving/sharing gas and boarding for free), they are the lowest costs. This pass will cause some to spend $1000 to save $100, more or less. But every little bit helps, if this is something you already do (me), or have wanted to do. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesiredUsername 

 

Also consider that additional days at Squaw would be 50% off.    At that rate I'm thinking about 10-12 visits before it makes sense to get a season pass.  Yes/no?

If that is all you ski Squaw then yes.

Looks like we're going to do this. Two days each at Aspen and then Snowmass in January, and then I might drive to Alta and ski there 4-5 days.

$98 per day at Aspen and $90 at Snowmass normal window prices - Saves each $50 the first few days, Alta is what - $75 per day? Saves another $150 in Utah.

Sounds like a good deal to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwoof2 

Looks like we're going to do this. Two days each at Aspen and then Snowmass in January, and then I might drive to Alta and ski there 4-5 days. Sounds like a good deal to me.

Does this include 2 days at Aspen Mountain and 2 at Snowmass? I thought it was 2 between all aspen resorts.  

The rumor around here is that if this program is successful this year, Whistler and Snowbird might consider joining in.

I think the MCP is pretty creative idea and I salute the resorts that put it together.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by tromano 

 

Does this include 2 days at Aspen Mountain and 2 at Snowmass? I thought it was 2 between all aspen resorts.  

Yes, but you get half off for the other days, so might as well....

Oops -

I thought it was 2 days at Aspen then two days at Snowmass... Aren't Aspen and Snowmass two different resorts or are they owned by the same company?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Peters 

The rumor around here is that if this program is successful this year, Whistler and Snowbird might consider joining in.

 

I think the MCP is pretty creative idea and I salute the resorts that put it together.  

Phil and I were thinking the same thing.

Would be nice if Steamboat were included too. 

I am still thinking if I want to get this or not. I already have a snowbasin pass and Alta is a bit out of the way. I definitely see myself getting there early season and perhaps when family visits.

Jackson, I am not seeing my self up there this season, just too much going on at home for many weekends out of town.  Aspen and Tahoe are probably out as well unless something comes up for work. 

I guess that's a no. 

I put together this Ski Pass Matrix this weekend showing what the cost breakdown is per:

Mountain Collective vs Epic Pass vs Local Resort

I used $100 on avg in my chart as Aspen, Snowmass, JH & Squaw are all around that price now for a day pass.

- Jackson Hole has a sliding day pass price plan for early high & holiday & window vs web purchase

http://www.jacksonhole.com/plan-buy/tickets-passes/lift-tickets.html

- Aspen was over $100 per day ticket last season

- Squaw Valley hasn't released ticket prices, but I believe they were $98 last season (prior to being discounted to $49 for lack of snow)

- Alta will be the cheapest @ $75

What a great deal.  I hope everybody gets the Epic with a little Collective on the side.  For a little more $ First Tracks is available at Vail for 7am bull-wheel turns at Vail!!!

Just bought my MCP (shades of Master Control Program on TRON!).   End of line...........

I'll be able to bag JH and Alta twice, no problem.  The payback is already in there with just 2 trips apiece to those resorts.  I figured the 50% off at Jackson would just be gravy all season.  Looks like my old man ski group is planning on Steamboat this winter, so I think I'll take a 150 mile drive down to Aspen before or after that week of tree skiing.  So the Mountain Collective pass is having the desired effect, getting me to visit places I might not otherwise consider.

I've not seen this discussed, so here's what the MCP looks like.  It's not like a season pass with your face laminated to it; it's a piece of paper you print out at home with a barcode on it.  Rather like airline tickets in that respect.  You take it to each resort's season ticket office to get your free ticket.  I assume you keep the paper all winter.  Hopefully it doesn't become hopelessly soggy the first day out, although you can just reprint your emailed page again.  I forsee a little grunt work finding the season pass offices, and maybe standing in line a bit longer while they process your ticket.  There is no explaination about how to get the 50% tickets - not sure if you can accomplish that at the regular ticket offices.  I'll ask about that the first time I'm playing this e-ticket for ski fun.

Hey Spike, I was wondering how you would get your daily lift ticket. And yes, sometimes standing in the line at the season pass holder's ticket line can be time consuming and can kill an attempt to score first tracks. When I was a shop employee, I would have to go to the season pass holders window to receive my lift ticket and the lines could be long & slow (20-25min) unless you were one of the first in line.

Thanks for the update.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHoback 

And yes, sometimes standing in the line at the season pass holder's ticket line can be time consuming and can kill an attempt to score first tracks.

 

Thanks for the update.

I guess they don't trust the regular ticket booth employees - perhaps they don't all have barcode readers?  I know Jackson Hole reads your ticket at every lift with a barcode reader - thought it might be as easy as that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpikeDog 

 

I guess they don't trust the regular ticket booth employees - perhaps they don't all have barcode readers?  I know Jackson Hole reads your ticket at every lift with a barcode reader - thought it might be as easy as that.

At Jackson I think the line might be shorter or non-existant in the season pass office.  I don't think it would slow you down on a powder day.  That office at the JHMR is directly under The Tram and is easy to find.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpikeDog 

Just bought my MCP (shades of Master Control Program on TRON!).   End of line...........

 

I'll be able to bag JH and Alta twice, no problem.  The payback is already in there with just 2 trips apiece to those resorts.  I figured the 50% off at Jackson would just be gravy all season.  Looks like my old man ski group is planning on Steamboat this winter, so I think I'll take a 150 mile drive down to Aspen before or after that week of tree skiing.  So the Mountain Collective pass is having the desired effect, getting me to visit places I might not otherwise consider.

 

I've not seen this discussed, so here's what the MCP looks like.  It's not like a season pass with your face laminated to it; it's a piece of paper you print out at home with a barcode on it.  Rather like airline tickets in that respect.  You take it to each resort's season ticket office to get your free ticket.  I assume you keep the paper all winter.  Hopefully it doesn't become hopelessly soggy the first day out, although you can just reprint your emailed page again.  I forsee a little grunt work finding the season pass offices, and maybe standing in line a bit longer while they process your ticket.  There is no explaination about how to get the 50% tickets - not sure if you can accomplish that at the regular ticket offices.  I'll ask about that the first time I'm playing this e-ticket for ski fun.

Thanks for the update on how this works. 

When you get down to Aspen, you really need to check out Snowmass.  There is some amazing terrain there. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpikeDog 

 

I've not seen this discussed, so here's what the MCP looks like.  It's not like a season pass with your face laminated to it; it's a piece of paper you print out at home with a barcode on it.  Rather like airline tickets in that respect.  You take it to each resort's season ticket office to get your free ticket.  I assume you keep the paper all winter.  Hopefully it doesn't become hopelessly soggy the first day out, although you can just reprint your emailed page again.  I forsee a little grunt work finding the season pass offices, and maybe standing in line a bit longer while they process your ticket.  There is no explaination about how to get the 50% tickets - not sure if you can accomplish that at the regular ticket offices.  I'll ask about that the first time I'm playing this e-ticket for ski fun.

You exchange the barcoded paper for a RFID season pass the first visit. 
Then subsequently, it is direct to the lift, even the 50% tickets as long as it is linked to a CC.

Did you all notice that EpicSki is giving a Mountain Collective pass away?

http://www.epicski.com/t/114639/the-epicski-mountain-collective-rule-them-all-facebook-sweepstakes

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHREDHEAD 

 

You exchange the barcoded paper for a RFID season pass the first visit. 
Then subsequently, it is direct to the lift, even the 50% tickets as long as it is linked to a CC.

That's great then! I was tempted, but couldn't visit more than Alta this year for only a few days. So I'm "stuck" with my Tahoe Pass.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trekchick 

Thanks for the update on how this works. 

 

When you get down to Aspen, you really need to check out Snowmass.  There is some amazing terrain there. 

Well, I guess I'll have to check out Snowmass then.  Thanks!  And the other day - what's a suggestion?  Or would it take 2 days to scope out Snowmass?

The lodging deals (at Aspen, at least) are all early season specials that end Dec 20th.  Ah crap!  Hope that's not the extent of the deals?!?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpikeDog 

 

Well, I guess I'll have to check out Snowmass then.  Thanks!  And the other day - what's a suggestion?  Or would it take 2 days to scope out Snowmass?

 

The lodging deals (at Aspen, at least) are all early season specials that end Dec 20th.  Ah crap!  Hope that's not the extent of the deals?!?

I'd spend two days at Snowmass, exploring the Cirque, Hanging wall, Garrets Gultch.  My other fav of the Aspen mountains is Highlands, even more than Aspen Mountain.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trekchick 

I'd spend two days at Snowmass, exploring the Cirque, Hanging wall, Garrets Gultch.  My other fav of the Aspen mountains is Highlands, even more than Aspen Mountain.  

O-Tay!  But do I get to say I skied Aspen?  I wouldn't want to miss out on all the cougars.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpikeDog 

O-Tay!  But do I get to say I skied Aspen?  I wouldn't want to miss out on all the cougars.

Oooh Kay!

Actually there are some nice things about Aspen Mountain, like the shrines, and the bling. 

Oh, and Weems!  Weems is there. 

If your a single guy, I'd stay in town!  Check out the St. Moritz.

Snowmass is a great hill, but it would be a crime not to at least check out Aspen and Highlands.  You could easily do a half day at each, but I think you'd be better served by popping for an additional 50% off day.

Snowmass was the first resort I ever skied in Colorado and I love it.  I moved there right after college and lived there for three seasons.  But after I moved into town, I rarely go out there.

Aspen and Highlands are much more compact and much better for experts IMHO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHREDHEAD 

 

You exchange the barcoded paper for a RFID season pass the first visit. 
Then subsequently, it is direct to the lift, even the 50% tickets as long as it is linked to a CC.

Went to Alta yesterday for my first day on the MCP.  They looked my name up on the computer at the season pass office and went from there (apparently didn't even need my barcode paper).  I got an Alta RFID pass with my face on it (barely - maybe 17 pixels in a tiny corner).  I filled out a form with my credit card info on it (my fiscal sphincter always tightens up when I have to do this).  So now when I revisit Alta all I do is proceed to the lift.  Next time is free, then every other time it will automatically wack my credit card the first time I go through one of Alta's little RFID gates (guaranteed it will be the Collins lift every time).

Now on to Jackson Hole!  My barcode paper is still legible, although somewhat soggy from a day in my pants pocket. 

So do you need a new RFID pass at each resort, or does 1 cover all 4?

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEfree30 

So do you need a new RFID pass at each resort, or does 1 cover all 4?

I am guessing each place will handle their own tickets. I don't think JH uses RFID, either. Might have changed, but I seem to remember scanner people last season.

The RFID card from Alta is labeled "My Alta Card" and doesn't mention the MCP at all.  It does have a barcode, so it might work at other places (Jackson Hole uses barcode scanners).  But I've got a feeling I need to set up passes at each place.