The Way I Ski It: Big Sky Resort's Blog

ANY SKI TOWN LOCAL knows spring skiing means one thing. And it’s not bluebird days, warm temps, or beers in the plaza.  OK, it means all that too.  But it also means this: Deals.

Jackets, goggles, skis, season passes – now’s the time to buy your gear for next season.  As long as you’re OK with wearing last season’s magenta instead of next season’s fuchsia on the slopes come November, planning ahead is totally worth it.

The Setup:

A whole ski setup with skis, boots, and bindings might cost you upwards of two grand come fall.  Right now at Big Sky Sports, you’ll get everything at under 1,000 bucks, no problem. Super bargain hunters might even pull of a package at under $700.

Skis:

Demos are an even better option.  Sure they’ve been skied, but you can get a super sick pair of Rossi Super 7s for $550 with bindings at the Big Sky Demo Center.  It’s a screamin' deal, considering those babies go retail for over $900 bucks without bindings.

Outerwear:

Outerwear can cost hundreds of dollars.  At Big Sky Sports this spring, jackets are 40% off, and Grizzly Outfitters and Gallatin Alpine Sports are having super end-of-season sales as well.  Now’s the time to pull the trigger on that pair of pink Patagonia pants you’ve been eyeing all winter – they’re almost half the price.

Season passes: 

Lots of locals score a pass by working for the Resort – it’s a benefit for full time seasonal employees.  But weekend warriors know to buy early – before April 30th – for 40% off.  Adult passes are on sale now for $799.

-  Greer

IT'S BACK.

For the third year running, Big Sky’s early season pass sale is discounting Adult Unlimited Gold Passes by 40%.

And Juniors ages 11-17 can save up to 60% when their 2012/13 pass is bought in conjunction with an Adult Gold Pass.

Prices include a $799 Adult Gold Pass, a $599 College Gold Pass, and a $299 Junior Gold Pass.

At the Biggest Skiing in America, that’s a screamin’ deal. Broken down, adults pay about 20 cents per skiable acre (there are 3,832 at Big Sky alone), around $5 per day if you ski every day of the season, and the break-even point for buying a pass is just 10 ski days.  For Juniors, the breakdown is even better.

The sale only goes through April 30th, but buying now gets you free skiing for the last two weeks of April 2012 as well.  That includes skiing during spring events like the annual Pond Skim on April 14th.

-  Greer