Steamboat Springs — Steamboat Ski Area season-pass holders will be able to add unlimited access to Copper Mountain and Winter Park for about $60 more next season.

Intrawest Colorado announced Thursday the creation of the "Rocky Mountain Ultimate Pass" available through Aug. 15 for $999. It gives the holder the freedom to ski all three mountains as often as they choose for a price that is $64 more than the early season price for an adult season pass at Steamboat in the 2006-07 season.

That translates into the steep bump runs of Mary Jane, Winter Park's Parsenn Bowl, the above-timberline terrain at Copper and Steamboat's tree skiing for one price.

Steamboat loyalists would still be able to purchase an individual Steamboat season pass for $949. Season passes and the Rocky Mountain Ultimate Pass go on sale April 5 and remain available at those prices through Aug. 15.

An individual season pass at Copper or Winter Park is $349, less than half the price of a Steamboat season pass. And, Intrawest offers the Rocky Mountain Super Pass, providing unlimited skiing at Copper and Winter Park for $379.

Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp. Vice President of Marketing Andy Wirth reiterated the company's position that bargain pass prices don't make economic sense in Steamboat because, unlike Copper and Winter Park, Steamboat cannot hope to attract day-skiers, negating any competitive advantage against other resorts.

There's additional enticement for Steamboat families to take advantage of the new pass option - for each ultimate pass purchased, they'll receive a child's (12 and younger) pass at no additional charge.

"That's a pretty powerful component," Wirth said.

Gary Ro dgers, senior vice president of Intrawest Colorado, observed that Copper, Steamboat and Winter Park all have "their own unique style and flavor." The ultimate pass is designed to allow the company's customers to sample all three mountains, he said.

Intrawest Colorado also is seeking to leverage the acquisition of Steamboat on March 1 with a new season pass product designed to appeal to the competitive market on Colorado's Front Range.

The Rocky Mountain Super Pass Plus would give skiers and snowboarders unlimited access to Winter Park and Copper Mountain plus six days to use at any time during the season at Steamboat. The Super Pass Plus also offers unlimited skiing or riding at Steamboat every Friday afternoon after 12:30 p.m.

Prices for the Super Pass Plus are: $479 adult, $359 teen, $229 children and adults age 70 and older.

Wirth said the allure of the free Friday afternoon skiing among Front Range skiers planning a long weekend in Steamboat should not be underestimated. The offer has been tested at Steamboat and is perceived as a bonus that stretches a weekend here, he said.

Wirth said he's optimistic the ultimate pass and the super pass plus will help Intrawest Colorado gain market share along the northern portion of the Front Range, in particular. Skiers and snowboarders in cities from Laramie, Wyo., to Fort Collins and the northern suburbs of Boulder are a distinct subset from the Denver metro area, he said.

"We have a strong penetration in those markets," Wirth said.

-To reach Tom Ross, call 871-4205 or e-mail tross@steamboatpilot.com