Vail Resorts Epic Pass holders get snowed by Montana rustlers

While Colorado skiers keep watching the skies and the weather reports, hoping to see some of the white stuff, other states aren't sitting idly by on their snowboards. Montana's Big Sky, for example is trying to rustle Colorado skiers...by honoring the Epic Pass issued by Vail Resorts...

By Patricia Calhoun

January 4, 2012

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While Colorado skiers keep watching the skies and the weather reports, hoping to see some of the white stuff, other states aren't sitting idly by on their snowboards. Montana's Big Sky, for example is trying to rustle Colorado skiers...by honoring the Epic Pass issued by Vail Resorts.

The Epic Pass is issued by Vail Resorts and although it's good at any of the six resorts it owns, including Vail, Beaver Creek and Breckenridge, Big Sky isn't part of the package. But here's the announcement that was just sent to Epic Pass holders at Colorado College, under this note from a CC official who shall go nameless: "Anyone with an Epic Pass and an itch to ski some real snow should check out the offer below!"

Big Sky Resort Gives Free Skiing to Epic Pass Holders Biggest Skiing in America Shares Snow with Disappointed Colorado Powder Hounds

BIG SKY, MT -- Colorado ski conditions have been far less than epic this season. In Montana, that's not the case -- with several large snowstorms and 3,050 acres open so far this season, Big Sky Resort has the best ski conditions and most open acres in the Rocky Mountains. With such good Montana conditions contrasting with Colorado's distinct lack of snow, Big Sky Resort is spreading the love by inviting Epic Pass holders to ski for free throughout the month of January.

"Big Sky has about twice the open acreage that Vail and Breckenridge do right now, plus we've had some great powder," said Chad Jones, Big Sky Resort Public Relations Manager. "And with other Epic Pass resorts like Heavenly at under 200 acres, we decided to share the wealth. We're a skier's and rider's mountain, and no one should miss out on good snow just because they live in Colorado or California."

The home of the Biggest Skiing in America, Big Sky Resort is currently open with 3,050 skiable acres, 4,350 vertical feet, and 100% of lifts running. From rolling groomers to chutes off of the Lone Peak Tram and Big Sky's five new gladed runs, 131 out of Big Sky's 155 named runs are currently open.

This expansive open terrain combined with great conditions and holiday festivities drew skiers to hit the slopes in record numbers over the holidays this year. With an increase of nearly 15% in skier visits over same week in 2010, and an increase over the previous record season in 2007 as well, the 2011 holiday week proved to be a banner week for the Resort.

Epic Pass holders are now able to take advantage of these great conditions and join in the fun throughout January: Big Sky Resort will honor Epic Passes by allowing holders to ski free for the duration of their stay when they book lodging with Big Sky Central Reservations and ask for the Epic Package. Big Sky Resort will extend the Bring a Buddy Coupon to holders as well, allowing friends in their reservation without Epic Passes to ski for $74/day.

Big Sky Resort encourages all Rocky Mountain skiers to stop praying for snow, and just come find it. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport offers 35 direct flights to and from Denver and 14 to and from San Francisco each week, as well as direct flights to and from eight other cities and hubs. Visit bigskyresort.com/epic or call Big Sky Central Reservations at 1-800-548-4486 for more information.

See you soon, Coloradans!

Ow! What a snow job. See the bad news for yourself:

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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