Before The First Flakes: Your ...

There's plenty to love about fall in Colorado… the aspens are changing, the temperatures are cooling, the kids are back in classes, and the mountains are putting on quite a show. But while we're certainly enjoying everything autumn has to offer, we've got our sights set on ski season.

And a little homework this autumn could pay off all winter. Exploring your options and booking ahead of time can save you money and smooth out your ski days. Here's what to know before you hit the slopes.

What kind of ski season do you want?

A handful of weekend trips… a family vacation over winter break… a season spent exploring as many mountains as possible… there are tons of ways to do Colorado winter.

Before buying a pass or booking a trip, think about how often you realistically plan to ski or snowboard, who's coming along, and what sort of experience you're after.

For frequent skiers (7ish days or more), a season pass can offer the best value. If you are just planning a few days on snow, a multi-day ticket pack or individual lift tickets might be best.

Families also have a few additional options through CSCUSA:

• The Ski Passport: Students in kindergarten through sixth grade can ski or snowboard four days at each of 19 participating resorts for $76. That's up to 76 days on snow, for $1 a day,
• Gems Teen Pass: Skiers and riders ages 12-17 receive two full days at each of 10 Gems resorts for $210

Don't wait until your ski day to shop for lift tickets

Here's one of the most useful things to know about ski season: the price of a lift ticket can depend on when you buy it, not just where you're skiing.

Many resorts use dynamic ticket pricing, meaning ticket prices vary by date and demand. Purchasing in advance often offers better prices than visiting the ticket window on the day of your visit.

And it pays to check out more than just the standard full-day ticket… a midweek visit, afternoon-only ticket, beginner-area pass, or multi-day package can shift the cost considerably.

We've already rounded up some options for skiing under $100, including one COMPLETELY FREE opportunity at Howelsen Hill and tickets under $99 every single day at Ski Cooper (plus tons more).

Give your gear some attention

It's no fun to discover your boots aren't feeling great on the morning of your first ski day.

Pull out your equipment before the season starts. Try on your boots, check the fit of your helmet, and take a look at your skis or snowboard. We recommend everyone get a pre-season wax and tune, and it's best to do it before the winter rush.

Another practical tip from our longtime partner Christy Sports: clean your base layers and gear! That means throwing the fleece and gaiter in the wash, airing out your mittens, and wiping down your boots. A lot of outerwear has special care instructions, and Christy Sports has specialized cleaning services for ski gear. They also offer seasonal ski and snowboard rentals, along with expert boot fitting and equipment services (tuning, waxing, mounting, etc.) at participating locations.

There's also an exciting new option for gear shopping this fall; Christy Sports is opening an outlet-concept store in Littleton featuring discounted winter gear, a dedicated pre-owned equipment section, a trade-in program, boot fitting, tuning, and rentals.

And for families purchasing a CSCUSA Ski Passport, remember that each Passport includes two free junior rentals from Christy Sports!

Pick your mountains, but keep an open mind

One of our favorite things about skiing in Colorado is that every mountain is so unique and offers a different experience.

Some days call for cliff drops or deep powder. Others might be spent introducing a first-timer to the sport or enjoying a few leisurely laps before heading into town for lunch.

Take a look at each resort's trail map, lesson programs, lodging, etc. before you decide where to go. And make sure you check out all the fun off the skis… hot springs, tubing hills, historic mountain towns, snowshoeing, scenic cat rides, the list goes on.

While families and beginners may want to prioritize dedicated learning areas and lesson packages, powder hounds might check out multi-mountain itineraries and unique offerings (like cat skiing, heli-skiing, or specific clinics).

Check out our member resorts for general information and a few insider tips.

Know before you go

Our best piece of advice: keep an eye on resort websites and social media for announcements, terrain updates, special opportunities/events, pricing news, and real-time conditions.

Before heading to the high country, check the weather, road conditions, and resort operating information. Colorado Ski Country USA's Snow Report is a great place to check for snowfall, surface conditions, and open lifts and terrain.

It is also a perfect time to brush up on Your Responsibility Code and the fundamentals of sharing the mountain as safely as possible.

We'll see you on the slopes!