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Powder skiing at Monarch Mountain with the ski area's powder cat program.
One planet, one pass is the new motto for Monarch Mountain after adding new ski areas in the Alps to its season pass partnership program
By Bob Berwyn
SUMMIT COUNTY —The appeal of sliding down snow-covered mountains has always transcended national borders and ideologies, and this winter, Monarch Mountain has taken that global culture to a whole new level by forging a season pass deal with several ski areas in Austria and Germany.
The four German areas added are in Chiemgau region, not far from Munich: Hochfelln, Kampenwand, Wendelstein and Oberaudorf. In Austria, the Monarch Pass will be honored at Hochkössen. All are part of the 5 Berge & Co. resort group, and all are similar to Monarch in that they are mid-sized ski areas with a lot of good terrain and a friendly family vibe, without the mega-hype and mega-prices that characterize large resorts worldwide.
Monarch now has 26 ski areas as season pass partners Passes are accepted at nine areas in Colorado, six in New Mexico and at areas in Utah, Wyoming, California, Michigan, Arizona, British Columbia, Germany and Austria. Most of the partners offer three days of skiing on a Monarch Pass, but details vary.
“We’re working on the southern hemisphere and China,” said Monarch marketing director Greg Ralph. The new partners in Germany and Austria came on board because of some personal connections between Monarch personnel and the owners of the Alpine areas, who have enjoyed Monarch’s cat skiing, Ralph said.
The nine Colorado partners are: Loveland, Durango, Telluride, Powderhorn, Sunlight, Sol Vista, Silverton and Ski Cooper.
In New Mexico six areas honor the Monarch Mountain season pass: Taos, Angel Fire, Red River, Pajarito, Sipapu and Ski Apache.
In Utah, Alta offers Monarch Mountain pass holders half-price tickets all season while Grand Targhee, Wyoming and Revelstoke, British Columbia offer free skiing/riding to Monarch Mountain season pass holders.
China Peak, California, Arizona Snowbowl and Indianhead, Michigan round out Monarch Mountain’s pass partner team for the 2011-12 season.
Click on the ad to visit the Monarch pass sales site.
Twenty-six ski areas all for one low price make the Monarch Mountain season pass one of the best values in North America. Season passes are on sale for $339.00 (Adult price, other prices are available on the website) through Nov. 6, 2011.
Most of Monarch Mountain’s pass partners offer three days of free lift tickets, but some offers vary. Details and pricing can be found at www.skimonarch.com or by calling 719.530.5105
Filed under: Colorado, recreation, Ski Resorts, skiing and riding, Summit County news Tagged: | Colorado, Colorado season pass deals, Monarch Mountain, Monarch season pass goes global, one pass one planet, season passes, skiing, Summit County News
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Powder's falling at Monarch!! Have you reserved your spot yet?
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$339 is really cheap for a season pass! Is that normal in the USA?
It varies geographically. About 10 years ago some of the biggest resorts launched a big season pass marketing effort and many resorts followed along. However, some of the resorts that are more isolated and not in a competitive market have much higher pass prices — Jackson Hole, for example.