These days, buying a lift ticket is like taking a hand of cards and figuring out how best to play them. This season in Vermont ski areas you’ll find special ticket deals cards called Magic, X2, Points, Passport, Fanfare, Club and Express, to name just a few. Buy one of these cards and you’ll get discounts on lift tickets and possibly other merchandise and services. Of note is the Ski Vermont trade association’s sponsorship of free, introductory, learn-to-ski or ride packages at participating ski areas across the state, January 4-10. Visit skivermont.com in December for details. Here’s a snapshot of the best lift ticket deals currently being offered at Vermont alpine ski resorts:

ASCUTNEY MOUNTAIN RESORT

How does a Super Saver card get you? In exchange for sharing with $199, you get five adult ticket coupons to use during the season, except, of course, during the holiday weeks. Better yet are the Two for Tuesdays buy one get one free promotion and the $29 ticket for VT/NH residents on Sunday afternoon.

BOLTON VALLEY

Similar to Ascutney’s card scheme, again for $199, you receive five adult ticket coupons under The Great Skier and Rider Bailout program. Or, if you’re craving an early season deal, there’s the $14 Happy Holiday Lift ticket, available December 15-19.

BROMLEY MOUNTAIN

At the self-proclaimed Sun Mountain, you can purchase the $69 Sun Mountain Card and use it to get $10 off your own lift ticket, any day during the season. On Tuesdays (a perennial favorite bargain day) $44 buys a lift ticket with lunch served by a waitress. February 5th is a $15 Mommy Day Off, and ticket proceeds will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Fridays are Family Fridays: Each adult who purchases a $39 ticket can purchase up to three youth tickets for $12 each.

BURKE-MOUNTAIN

Sunday afternoon tickets are a bargain here at $18 for everyone. Vermont and Coos and Grafton County, NH residents can purchase tickets for $41 (non-holidays), Sunday through Friday.

COCHRAN SKI AREA

For less than $30, adults can ride the elevators during the day.

JAY PEAK
Unique to Jay is the $47 ticket fee for residents of Vermont and Clinton County, NY, any day of the season. For everyone else, the way to go is to purchase the $25 Passport Card. Show it at the box office and get your ticket for $49. Added bonus: With every fifth ticket purchased, the next one is on the house. The card is also valid for ten percent discounts throughout the resort.

KILLINGTON
Get the $26 Killington Express Card and save at least $10 on every ticket you buy for yourself. The good thing about the card is that it is linked to a credit card to allow direct access to the elevator, thus avoiding delays at the ticket offices. Vermont resident days will return, but had not been announced as of press time.

CANADA OF THE MAD RIVER

Guess what this place calls their card… Yeah, a Crazy Card. $129 in advance buys three transferable ticket coupons. If that doesn’t float your boards, consider the $3.50 ticket on Turn Back the Clock Day on January 30, or a $17 St. Patrick’s Day special. Free skiing for all kids is even better at the Town meeting day.

MAGIC MOUNTAIN

Sunday afternoon tickets are a good value here at $25 each, or there’s the $39 Magic Card, which lets you buy $10 off weekend tickets, or $25 Friday tickets. Please note that this season, Magic’s normal hours of operation will be Friday through Monday and holiday weeks.

MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE SNOW BOWL

No cards here, just great old-fashioned general value. Tickets are just $30 on weekdays, $44 on weekends, and since the cafe is geared toward college students, prices are really reasonable.

MOUNT SNOW

The best way to save on tickets here is with the $79 FANfare card, good for 50 percent weekdays and 25 percent weekend discounts.

OKEMO MOUNTAIN RESORT

A new twist here this year is that all $39 Wednesday and $35 Sunday morning VT/NH resident tickets must be purchased online 48 hours in advance. The first discount day for everyone is Food Drive Day on December 6 – bring three non-perishable items to buy a $30 ticket. On April 1, Food Drive Day is repeated, but elevator tickets are only $10. Okemo will introduce deals online as the season progresses, so check their website before you visit.

Smuggler’s Notch Resort

In general, it’s best to purchase lift tickets off-site at the Vermont Shaws grocery and sports stores listed on the resort’s website for $50 each. Other than that, there is a $15 discount offer on Business Mondays, for those who leave a business card at the ticket window. Most Fridays are Vermont Days for half price on tickets, lessons and rentals for residents. Non-holiday Thursdays mean $29 tickets for bona fide college students.

STOWE MOUNTAIN RESORT

If you don’t have a season pass, the best deal you’ll get here is with their $75 Stowe Points card, which allows you to purchase $59 lift tickets and offers discounts on the resort’s summer attractions. If you accumulate 450 points for purchases at the resort, you will be rewarded with a lift ticket or a round of golf (with cart).

STRATTON MOUNTAIN

You can’t go wrong with Stratton’s $69 X2 Card. You will immediately receive a complimentary lift ticket and the ability to purchase tickets on weekdays at a discount of $30 and on weekends at a discount of $20 off the regular rate. A new promotion here is Family Sunday 4-Pack: $99 buys lift tickets for two parents and two kids with free apres-ski pizza at the Grizzly Bar.

SUGARBUSH RESORT

His card is titled SugarDirect Card: $99 buys a ticket in advance, then 25 percent off tickets on weekdays and 20 percent off weekends. Spring for 10 tickets and the eleventh is in the house.

SUICIDE SIX

Tuesdays are two lift tickets for the price of one, with other discount days to be announced.