Posted for Nancy Yearout
RE/MAX Properties of the Summit, Breckenridge, Colorado
nyearout@colorado.net
http://www.realestate-breckenridge.net
Vail Resorts has jumped out to a commanding lead over Aspen Skiing Co. in the
single-day lift-ticket-pricing competition, which fascinates members of the
media to no end.
Vail Mountain recently started charging $129 as its
walk-up window rate, according to a reservationist with the company. Beaver
Creek charges the same price.
Vail's price climbed from $122 during the
Christmas and New Year's period.
Aspen has lagged behind Vail all season
in a category where it might not mind being second-best. Skico was charging $114
during the holidays but ramped up pricing to $117 for Presidents Day weekend.
Skico offers a $5 rebate to skiers and riders who turn in their plastic tickets
at the end of use.
Skico first topped the $100 barrier for a single-day
ticket in March 2011. The company set its price at $99 for the holidays that
season and declared that it wouldn't break the $100 barrier. The pricing
committee reconsidered later in the season and charged $104 in time for the busy
Presidents Day weekend.
Skico charged $108 during Christmas and New
Year's Day 2011, while Vail charged $116.
Skico officials have insisted
in the past that they set their prices without regard to Vail's pricing
strategy. There is no competition to be the most expensive resort, they
say.
Both companies try to promote multiday lift ticket purchases through
discounting. For example, Vail Resorts sells a four-day ticket for $384 right
now if it is purchased at least one week in advance. The price for a single-day
ticket is $106 at least one week ahead, according to the company's
website.
Skico's website says it is currently charging $396 for a
four-day ticket purchased at least one week in advance. That is $99 per day.
Skico also sells a two-day advance ticket for $202. No single-day advance
purchase is possible via its website.
— Aspen Times staff
report
The walk-up window price for a two-day lift ticket at Aspen is
$220, the company's website said.
All ticket prices are for adults.
Courtesy of the Summit Daily News and the Aspen Times.
