In celebration of Veteran’s Day, southern California's Mountain High Resort will offer a free Adult 8-Hour lift ticket to all Military personnel, active and retired, with proper ID. This offer is valid today only and cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion.
In Maine, Saddleback is offering any veteran or service member of the Wars in Iraq or Afghanistan (who served during January 2008 to the end of the 2009-10 ski season) a complimentary lift ticket. Saddleback's CEO and general manager, Warren Cook, announced the new program during a press conference held yesterday in the Augusta, Maine armory.
"Tomorrow is Veteran's Day, when we pause to honor all those who have served in the U.S. Military, so it is fitting that the Berry family and the staff at Saddleback Maine announce our programs that recognize the service of today's veterans and their families," Cook said Tuesday.
Saddleback's new Blue Star Family Pass is for families of service members who have been or will be deployed between January 2008 and the end of the 2009-10 ski season. Spouses of deployed service members can get a Saddleback lift ticket for $25 and their dependant children can ski for $20 a day. The Blue Star flag, also known as the Service Flag, began being hung in windows during World War I, with one blue star for each family member serving active duty.
"As a former Marine who served in Vietnam and father of a Marine who has been deployed five times, the Blue Star Family Pass is close to my heart," said Cook. "Having a loved one overseas can be hard and we hope to provide a more affordable way for the families of deployed service members to have some fun at Saddleback."
January 10, 2010 is Saddleback's Veteran's Day, when veterans and anyone in the Armed Forces can ski for free.
In Colorado, three ski resorts are making winter vacations on the slopes more accessible for active and retired military members with a specially priced Patriot Pass. The passes, introduced last year as one of the first military-specific season passes in the state, start at $219 for adults and $104 for their children, with an opportunity to add six days at Steamboat for $20 with the Patriot Pass Plus.
“Last year Winter Park, Copper Mountain and Steamboat teamed up to offer deep discounts for military members and their families with a product that had not been seen before in Colorado. The success of last year’s program, and the enthusiasm seen by military members who took advantage of the program, made it an easy decision for us to bring the pass back this year,” said Rob Perlman, vice president of sales and marketing for Winter Park Resort. “It’s a simple way for the ski resorts to honor the men, women and family members who protect and serve our country every day, and give them a fun and recreational outlet to reconnect with their friends and family.”
Patriot Passes provide unlimited skiing and riding at Winter Park/Mary Jane and Copper Mountain for the 2009-10 winter season, with the upgrade to the Patriot Pass Plus offering an additional six days at Steamboat and unlimited Friday afternoons after 12:30 p.m. Military members also receive ten $55 Friends and Family lift tickets to Winter Park and Copper Mountain, valid any time during the season.
“We can't wait to get on our favorite trails this winter,” said Major John Coyle from Colorado Springs. “The Patriot Pass makes skiing more affordable for members of the military and their families, and the proximity of the resorts to Denver and Colorado Springs is definitely a plus.”
Military members may purchase their special Patriot Passes at Colorado military base locations. Once purchased, the passes can be redeemed at the Pass Offices at either Copper Mountain or Winter Park at anytime during the season. All Patriot Passes require a Department of Defense Military ID card.
Also in Colorado, Vail Resorts offers its Liberty Pass to active, reservist military personnel and immediate dependents. It allows unlimited, unrestricted access to Keystone and Arapahoe Basin for the 2009-10 season for $189 for those 13 and up, and $109 for children ages 5-12. Purchasers must present a valid Military I.D. at the time of purchase. All immediate family members (husband, wife, and children) must present their valid military I.D.s as well.
Many other ski resorts offer reduced skiing, riding, lodging, lessons and more to members of the military, past and present. Interested military members and veterans should inquire at their local military base or check with their favorite resort.
