Colorado Ski Resort Draws Criticism For New Pass That Grants Early Access To Chairlifts
Winter Park Resort is one of the most popular ski resorts in the country thanks to its ample snowfall, expansive terrain, and proximity to Denver, Colorado.
The resort is owned and operated by Alterra Mountain Company, the company behind the popular Ikon Pass.
Winter Park announced on September 7th, 2023 that they will offer an 'Early Up' pass add-on that grants skiers and snowboarders access to the mountain 30 minutes before the general public. Check out the social media post below:
Winter Park is offering these passes on a daily and seasonal basis. Daily passes are available to purchase more than 7 days in advance for $49 per day.
There will be an additional option for purchasing less than 7 days in advance, but the prices are not currently listed. Ikon Pass holders can add a seasonal early up pass for $599.
More details from Winter Park:
-Riders will have access to terrain serviced by the Super Gauge, Gondola, and Explorer lifts.*
-Lifts will open at 8:30 am on weekdays and 8:00 am on weekends.
-There are no blackout dates with Early Ups add-on.
-Early Ups is available as an add-on for all ages.
-Limited quantities available for season pass and daily add-on.
-Only intermediate and advanced terrain can be accessed during this time.
The announcement was met with an overwhelming wave of criticism from commenters:
"First chair should be earned, not bought."
"I will be throwing snowballs and every single person I see getting on the lift with an early ups pass."
"I hate this. So much."
"I've got my early ups already. It's called a split board 😎"
Winter Park certainly isn't the first ski resort to offer an early up option, but it's clear that many of their skiers aren't thrilled that it's coming to their mountain.
Paying for early access eliminates the time-honored tradition of waking up before sunrise to stake your claim in the lift line. These skiers aren't happy the tradition is fading away.
The comments weren't all negative, however:
"Mary Jaaaaaane wooooooooooooooo. can't wait!"
"Nice. Niiice. Nice Nice Nice ! ! !"
"Yyyaaass!! Can’t wait to shred WP!!!
Capitalism has played the ski industry like a fiddle since its inception, and this is no exception. Winter Park isn't the first resort to offer exclusive early access to their resort, and they certainly won't be the last.
It's the nature of the beast. Ski resorts need to continuously make more money, and charging more for early access is an easy way to do that.
I understand the concern from my fellow skiers who can't afford an early up pass. They're worried that the early-morning powder will be skied out before the masses even make it on a chairlift.
That's possible, but unlikely. Sun Valley has utilized early ups for years, and it hasn't dramatically changed the accessibility to powder.
Winter Park skiers might find relief in learning that the majority of people who shell out an extra $600 on their $1,000+ mega-pass aren't powder-crazed extreme skiers looking to score first turns on the mountain's best terrain.
Rather, in my experience, they're older skiers who want to ski perfect corduroy by themselves.
For those of you that are worried early ups will "ruin" Winter Park -- as now injured Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers once said -- R...E...L...A...X!
Let's see how it plays out before we start throwing fits.
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