Snow news is good news-at least for skiers and snowboarders.
Anticipation peaks as the days get colder, and with over a dozen top-rated resorts, Utah is the place to be. In the latest skier poll by SKI Magazine, five resorts in Utah made the top 10 on a "best snow" list among the nation's 700 ski resorts.
The five ranked resorts include: Alta (1), Powder Mountain (2), Snowbird (5), Solitude (6) and Brighton (9). But there is more than just the snow factor that makes a resort appealing as The Canyons Resort in Park City ranked 13th "best overall." A variety of runs, high-speed lifts, accessibility, and good hot chocolate are all part of the winter sport experience.
For some, dropping a few hundred on a season ski pass is a winter must-have. But will the nation's financial dilemma cramp business for the $6 billion dollar ski industry? The trade group Ski Utah said Utah resorts saw more than 4.25 million skier visits for the 2007-08 season which was up 4.3 percent over the previous season's 4.1 million skier visits. Industry leaders suggest past slumps like the '70s fuel crisis and post 9/11 terrorist attacks didn't appear to have a significant impact.
However, ski resorts are offering hot deals on vacation packages to compensate for higher gas prices and air fare to keep business up. As for the locals, a damper on the economic status doesn't seem to hold back those committed to the slopes.
Whether students hang out on the bunny slopes or are up for the more challenging terrain, campus representative Eric Godfrey can offer cheaper passes to The Canyons, Park City Resort, and Sundance for BYU students. These resorts do offer student discounts on season passes, but Godfrey says he can beat their prices. For example, if students buy a season pass from The Canyons ticket office, they've already passed the early-season sale which ended Oct. 15, so they'll pay $499. Get it from Godfrey and they'll only pay $365. How does it work?
"Resorts want more exposure so they offer better prices on campus," Godfrey said.
Though he only offers discounts to three of the thirteen Utah resorts, "These seem to be the favorites because of their great accessibility from Provo."
"Snowbird is nice, but you have to beat traffic and battle weather through Little Cottonwood Canyon," Godfrey said.
Contact him by phone or email to meet with him personally. You can pick up your pass from the resort your first trip of the season.
The deadline to contact Godfrey is October 31.
To pick up your pass, you need:
1. Yourself (You must personally sign a waiver)
2. Payment (Check or Card Info)
3. A printout of your school schedule for proof of enrollment
and for Park City passes only: A photocopy of your Student ID.
ERIC GODFREY CONTACT INFO(info box) phone: 801-628-0225 email: ericgodfrey@byu.net Visit his website at: byuskipasses.com for more information
Copyright Brigham Young University 29 Oct 2008
