What do you all think about this?
Re-posted from The Denver Post
Vail and Beaver Creek ski areas will charge $108 for a single-day, walk-up lift ticket during the week after Christmas, passing the much anticipated $100 mark for the first time in resort-industry history. Breckenridge, which is also a Vail Resorts ski area, will charge $104 for a one-day pass bought at the ticket window. The prices, which start Dec. 26 and run through Jan. 1, are for what is typically the busiest week of the ski season. The walk-up lift-ticket price at Vail and Beaver Creek will drop to $102 on Jan. 2 and to $99 at Breckenridge. For the past few seasons, tickets at several of the most renowned resorts have reached within a few bucks of the proverbial C-note.
We looked up Monarch’s ticket prices (as pass holders, we had no idea). Monarch charges $108 —for two days, and today Vail received half as much snow. We know many of the folks who work at Monarch so we may be biased, but we believe it’s twice as friendly here. Maybe it’s also half as cool to ski Vail? The lifts ARE twice as fast at Vail, but this only allows for half as long a conversation, which is only a factor if you enjoy the person on your chair.
It’s too much to think about, and we’re tired from ripping pow. We need a double espresso (with half & half).
The other factor to consider is that while Vail may be 3 times as big (or more?), the crowds are exponentially larger. Go to Vail on a powder day and by noon it’s tracked out. It doesn’t matter how big they make it, they generally fill it with skiers. While a small, homey area like Monarch holds treasures all day long, and for days to come.
It’s a simple matter of quality over quantity. I’ll take quality any day, especially when it’s half the price!
Yeah, not to mention Parking, food, accessories (who can leave Vail without a Vail wife beater for $36). Four a family of four, you’re at four figures FOR A WEEKEND – FU! I suggest you invest in a beacon, some skins, a shovel, and go ski……. go ski Vail pass!
Yes Greg, let’s not forget Monarch’s restaurant/bar. The cozy atmosphere and the good, moderately priced food make it one of my top choices in the country for slopeside dining.
While I love Monarch more than any mountain in Colorado for tree skiing, it is absurd to compare it to Vail. Monarch is also a great place to learn to ski. However, this makes it unbearable on weekend days because its just that, 80% people learning to ski using a more than antiquated lift system. Have fun spending all day on the lifts. 20 minutes up and 4 minutes down.
Enjoy what we have. We are very lucky to have Monarch. Thank goodness that it survived the 80′s meltdown of small ski resorts. To compare it to elite skiing is ridiculous.
If you get to the back of Vail away from the crowds it is some of the best skiing in the world.