Winter Park, among other resorts, launches reserve pass — what does that mean for Steamboat?
Winter Park Resort/Courtesy photo
Winter Park Resort — the closest major resort to Denver — has launched its Winter Park Reserve Pass.
Purchasers will get all-day priority lift access, parking that is steps from the gondola and early access to the lifts at 8 a.m. on weekdays, and 8:30 a.m. on weekends before lifts open at 9 a.m.
Those who want to purchase the Reserve Pass will need to fork over $2,499, on top of lift passes or the Ikon Pass, and only a limited number are available. Like Winter Park and other Alterra resorts, Steamboat Ski Resort is on the Ikon Pass; but a Reserve Pass is unavailable at the Steamboat Resort.
“Steamboat is not on the list of resorts participating in the Reserve Pass,” said Steamboat Resort Communications Director Maren Franciosi.
Other Alterra resorts with similar offerings include Crystal Mountain, Washington; Sugarbush Resort in Vermont; Big Bear Mountain Resort in California; Schweitzer in Idaho; Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia; Solitude Mountain Resort in Utah; Mont Tremblant in Quebec; and Blue Mountain in Ontario.
Winter Park’s opening day was Oct. 31.
Quick backlash
One resort is already receiving backlash over the Reserve Pass offering. Crystal Mountain — who’s reserve pass costs $1,499 — is the subject of a change.org petition titled “Stop the Crystal Reserve pass at Crystal Mountain.”
“Implementing such a system threatens the community atmosphere and will pit skiers and boarders against each other,” wrote Rick Smith, the petition’s starter. “Skiing and snowboarding should be experiences that promote equality and shared enjoyment of the outdoors, regardless of one’s financial status.”
The petition goes on to ask Alterra to cancel the reserve pass and find other ways to enhance the mountain experience, “without segregating customers based on financial ability.”
As of Wednesday, the petition had registered 4,624 signatures.
It is not clear whether the reserve pass will be expanded for the 2026-2027 season.
Nick Slater is the Outdoors and Sports Reporter for the Steamboat Pilot. He can be reached at nslater@steamboatpilot.com or 224-830-2875.
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