Contact CU Independent News Staff Writer Julia Spadaro at julia.spadaro@colorado.edu
COPPER
Pre-purchase lift tickets on the Snow Store before you get to Copper and you could save up to 53 percent! For more details, visit coppercolorado.com. The motto is a catchy one: “Everyone deserves a snow day. Get yours at Copper.” Updated at approximately 5:30 each morning, the Daily Mountain Ops Report featuring terrain & condition details can be found here.
ASPEN SNOWMASS
The X Games are coming! The X Games are coming! Students can ski or ride for $43 per day at Aspen Snowmass during X Games Aspen, Jan. 28-31, 2016, by purchasing a College X Pass. The College X Pass is valid for two days of skiing or riding during X Games Aspen for $86, with the extra option of loading up to two additional days onto the pass for $54 per day. This pass is good at all four mountains – Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk — and also includes a coupon for 35 percent off equipment rentals at Four Mountain Sports. The College X Pass is valid during X Games dates only, Jan. 28-31, 2016, and must be purchased by Jan. 27, 2016.
BRECKENRIDGE
Breckenridge is a very popular mountain among CU students with five peaks, four terrain parks, a 22-foot Superpipe and 11 bowls. www.breckenridge.com/deals has lodging packages throughout the season and there’s a cool new hostel in Breck — http://www.thebivvi.com/.
Ullr Fest celebrates its 53rd year through Saturday, Jan. 16. Don’t be surprised to see horned Viking hats adorning the heads of skiers and snowboarders, Ullympic competitors flinging frying pans for prizes, more than 12,000 Ullr enthusiasts filling the streets for the Ullr Parade and crazy float participants skiing off jumps on Main Street or gliding along town in a hot tub.
ARAPAHOE BASIN
A-Basin offers its Adult Elevation 3 Pass for $149 (regular adult full-day passes are $89, and ages 15-18 are regularly $74), and the pass provides three ski days at A Basin for the 2015-2016 season with no blackout dates. You can add extra ski days for $59 per day. Check out http://arapahoebasin.com/ABasin/tickets/multi-day-passes/default.aspx for more information. On Tuesday, Jan. 19, A-Basin has its final Rise and Shine Rando Series, an uphill challenge that starts in the Base Area at 10,780 feet and finishes near the Summit at 12,474 feet.
WINTER PARK
It’s all about the Mary Jane! In this case, Winter Park is celebrating the 40th birthday of Mary Jane with a day-long celebration on Saturday, Jan. 30 starting at Noon. Mary Jane’s Birthday Bash takes place at the base of the Mary Jane and it features tons of free swag, music and some food giveaways to add some flare to the ’70s-themed Celebration. Once the mountain closes, head to downtown Winter Park for a Mary Jane parade followed by a fireworks show. January is full of events, with live music at Derailer Bar every weekend to go along with food and drink specials.
If you still haven’t picked up a season pass, it’s not too late as the Winter Park College Pass is still available for $509, and the College Route 40 Pass, featuring unlimited days of skiing and riding at Winter Park and four days at Steamboat for $559. Each pass is discounted $90 from the regular adult price, a price that is exclusive to college students.
LOVELAND
This weekend Loveland Ski Area celebrates NSAA Safety Week to help educate skiers and riders about mountain safety. Ski Patrol will host beacon demos, and you can meet the Loveland Ski Patrol dogs. There will also be a Free Family Race Day on Saturday and Sunday where guests can race their friends and family on a NASTAR style race course. ON3P Skis will be on site at Loveland on Sunday, January 17 and guests can demo their latest line up of skis free of charge. Valid lift ticket, season pass and are ID required. Lift 9 is open and takes skiers and riders up to an elevation of 12,700 feet atop the Continental Divide. Adult lift tickets are $65 and kids’ (ages 6-14) tickets are $28.
KEYSTONE
One of closest mountains to CU, Keystone will be rocking with its Winter Bluegrass Weekend which features two nights of stacked concerts. This will be taking place Friday, Jan. 22 and Saturday, Jan. 23. During that same weekend is the Burton Mountain Festival. If you enjoy snowboarding, this is the place to be. It will include free gear demos, free riglet park lessons, and some solid après entertainment.
Writer’s Pick: Ullr Fest. One can never go wrong with thanking the god of winter for his gift of snow. A talent show, parade, bonfire, ice skating means that there is plenty to do off the slopes too. And with a sunny Saturday in the weather report, the weekend should be action-packed.
