More Bang for Your Buck

Air Date: Friday, August 27, 2004

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Time to Think Snow?

Right now you're probably not thinking about skiing or snowboarding, but experts say you should be! 7's Jonathan Hall shows us how you can get "More Bang for Your Buck" with summer ski deals.

Summer is in full swing. Time to head to the beach or hang by the pool, not time to think about hitting the slopes... or is it?

James Chung, Reach Advisors
"The buzz has definitely started."

That's right, winter may be a long way off, but experts say the ski deals now will give you more bang for your buck come winter.

James Chung, Reach Advisors
"This is the best year for ski deals ever!"

Karl Stone, Ski NH
"If you go five, six days, you've paid for it."

For example, if you want variety, the American Skiing Company is offering a season pass for only $349 good for unlimited skiing at all six of their eastern resorts, including Sunday River, Killington and Sugarloaf. Last year that same pass would have cost you over a $1,000.

Chip Carey, American Skiing Company
"It's good seven days a week, other than blackout dates. So you can go all the time."

And Booth Creek Resorts are offering what they call a Threedom Pass -- a Sunday through Thursday pass good at New Hampshire mountains Waterville, Loon and Cranmore for only $269.

Kathy Bennett, Threedom Pass
"You get more than just skiing with your pass. You can get discounts on lodging and restaurants."

But big resorts aren't the only ones with deals. Wauchusett Mountain in Massachusetts has a weekday pass for $199 and New Hampshire's Gunstock offers a discount card for frequent skiiers.

James Chung, Reach Advisors
"pay $99 once and it's 50 percent off the rest of the season."

Why all the bargains? The resorts need money up front.. To get ready for ski season.

James Chung, Reach Advisors
"They're thrilled to get the cash in the door now and to do that, they're willing to provide good deals to customers."

But these good deals won't last and like the nice summer weather will soon start to disappear.

Karl Stone, Ski NH
"Most will go away. You're going to start seeing them go away August 30th on."

So, this weekend before you hit the beach you might want to think snow...

James Chung, Reach Advisors
"There is probably a deal that makes skiing a lot cheaper for you."

Here are a few ski deals mentioned in our report:

American Skiing Company
All For One Pass - $349
Includes: Killington, Sunday River, Mount Snow, Sugarloaf, Attitash, Pico
Good 7 days a week - (except for blackout dates)
Deal Ends: August 30th

Booth Creek Resorts
Threedom Pass - $269
Includes: Waterville Valley, Loon, Cranmore
Good Sunday through Friday (except for blackout dates)
Deal Ends: 11/30

Gunstock Mountain
Skier Saver Card - $99
Good for 50% discount on price of Prime Time (all day) tickets and Night tickets

Ski NH
Bulk ticket packages good for all NH ski resorts.
You save: 35-50% off lift tickets
Bronze Pass - 32 tickets (transferable) $625
Deal Ends: 9/1

Wachusett Mountain
Century Pass - $199
Good Monday-Friday (Daytime) All Nights (4pm-10pm including weekends and holidays)
$10 off weekend or holiday
Deal Ends: 9/15

Here are a few other deals: