Choosing a Season Pass

Investing in a season pass is always a good idea. However, season passes can be expensive, and you don't want to purchase a pass and then realize that you don't like the ski resort. Also, there are different types of season passes available. This guide will help you figure out what kind of season pass is right for you, and where you should buy a season pass at.

Purchasing a Season Pass: Which Ski Resort?

Ideally, you should purchase a season pass at your favorite ski resort. However, it's a good idea to ask yourself a few questions:

• Is the ski resort big enough for you? - If you buy a season pass, you will probably be spending most of your time at the resort (or, in some cases, the multiple resorts) that your pass is for. Because of this, you want to make sure that the resort has enough terrain to entertain and challenge you for the entire season.

• Is the ski resort close enough? - Most likely, you'll be skiing at the resort often. Unless you're planning on buying or renting a house or condo near the resort, purchasing a season pass for a resort that's near your house is a good idea. While you're probably willing to drive a few hours, you don't want to have to get up early and then get home very late to ski the entire day. So, consider the location of the resort.

• Does the ski resort provide lessons and other programs? - Ski lessons are essential to your skiing progress, and sometime during the season, you may want to explore new areas of the mountain. Check that lessons and other learning programs are available.

• Is the ski resort family oriented? - If you ski with your family, buying a season pass to a place that caters to advanced skiers may not be a good idea. Make sure that the ski resort has lessons and learning programs for the children, and perhaps day care if you want a day of solitary skiing.

• Do you have fun at the ski resort? - Is parking a pain? Are the lift lines always slow and long? Is the skiing just okay? Does the food taste horrible? While you may be able to cope with certain dilemmas for one or two days, lasting an entire season at a ski resort you don't really like can be a problem. So, make sure that you purchase a season pass at a ski resort that provides an enjoyable experience.

Read more on choosing a ski resort.

Purchasing a Season Pass: What Type?

Most ski resorts offer a variety of different passes. What type of pass you purchase is up to you, but it's generally pased on two things: how much you want to ski and how much you want to pay. Below there is a review of the type of passes most ski resorts offer.

• Full Season Pass - Allows you to ski every day and through the holiday seasons. Most ski resorts offer perks with this kind of pass, such as discounted lessons or discounted lift tickets.

• Non-Holiday Pass - Allows you to ski through the entire week, but you must pay normal holiday ticket rates during the holiday weeks.

• Midweek Pass - Allows you to ski through the week, yet you must pay weekend ticket rates on Saturday and Sunday. (Some Midweek passes exclude holiday seasons.)

• Senior, Junior, or Teen Pass - Some ski resorts provide discounted passes for senior skiers, or discounted passes for young skiers.

While the exact description of the season passes available vary between different ski resorts, the more days you can ski means a higher price for your pass. Before buying a pass, decide how much you will be skiing - you don't want to purchase a pass that you won't fully use. Try and consider your schedule during the winter, and whether or not you want to ski during the holidays. By thinking ahead and considering the details of the pass, you'll be able to get the best deal for your money.