November 23, 2020

Two choices: Door #1 – ski Vail for one day or Door #2 – ski 4 midweek days in Vermont for almost the same price. Yeah, yeah, we know some of you will say Vail conditions are bound to be better so it’s an unfair comparison. But let’s talk this through.

Yes, Vail conditions can be great, but we have had some of our best skiing in VT. We love those northeast glades, and, given powder conditions, we are as happy in the woods of Vertigo at Jay Peak as we are anywhere. With that in mind, we love the 4 day pass now being offered by Ski Vermont for $189. For that low price you get 4 one-day lift tickets with each to be used at a different Vermont ski area. Each person can order up to 2 passes, so that is 8 days of skiing for $378, and, while we aren’t math wizards, that comes out to under $50/day. And in a sign of the times, there is a COVID coverage policy that provides that if “an extended COVID-related closure prohibits the redemption of vouchers at participating ski areas” a holder can defer the unused portion of the pass to 2021-22. Clearly there is some vagueness in that standard, but let’s keep hoping these types of COVID policies prove unnecessary.

There is some fine print. It’s midweek only (new for this winter); it’s non transferable; only 2 passes per person are allowed; there are the predictable blackout dates; and the 4 days have to be at different areas. But grab that red wine and think of the possibilities. We love road trips, so you could start up north at Jay Peak and work your way down the spine of VT and hit Stowe, Mad River and Killington. Or start at Killington and move south to Okemo, Mt Snow and Stratton. You get the picture. We like it!

November 23, 2020

By Kevin Dennis
conSKIerge co-founder

Kevin Dennis is a life long ski bum with a 34 year legal career on the side. Now retired, he skis 80+ days a year. While he lives in Alta UT in the winters, he has traveled extensively through skiing and has skied almost every major resort in North America (and many you have never heard of). He continues to hit the road often throughout the western United States and Canada and trips over the last several years have included ventures in British Columbia, Montana and Colorado. Whether you want to know about the behemoths like Aspen or Squaw or are interested in the road less travelled (Lost Trail Powder Mountain in Montana or Whitewater in BC anyone?), Kevin has been there, has an opinion and you will most likely have to tell him to shut up after a half hour!