Special Edition: First SeniorsSkiing Ski Area Survey Results
Free Skiing, Deep Discounts For Senior Skiers Plus “Senior Friendly” Awards
Which areas are truly trying to accommodate 50-plus skiers? To find out, we surveyed 85 North American resorts. Several resorts stand out for giving senior skiers special attention and deals. They received the new SeniorsSkiing Skier Friendly Award. Those with the deepest discounts and best amenities received Gold awards. Those with better than average discounts received Silver Awards.
The survey had a 34 percent response and will be conducted annually. We hope that by asking the right questions for our readers, SeniorsSkiing.com will help drive greater recognition, discounts and amenities for senior snow sports enthusiasts.
SeniorsSkiing “Senior Friendly” Gold Awards
Of all respondents, six stand out with the best discounts and amenities.
- Whitefish Mountain Resort, MT — Free skiing for 70-plus skiers
- Hood Ski Bowl, OR — Free skiing for 71-plus skiers
- Ski Whitewater, BC — Free skiing for 75-plus skiers
- Alta, UT — Free skiing for 80-plus skiers
- Lake Louise, AB — $20 season pass for 80-plus skiers
- Waterville Valley, NH — Hosts Silver Streaks, the country’s longest running senior ski program. “We provide the structure and facilities; the members organize their own events,” explains Peter Sununu, Waterville spokesman. Members gather daily for coffee and pastries in a designated meeting area; enjoy mid-week NASTAR races, complimentary clinics, preferred parking, après-ski parties, awards banquets, other amenities.
Free skiing as a strategy to introduce the next generation
The percentage of all midweek senior skiers at resorts which offer free lift tickets for seniors is estimated to be about 50 percent. Mt. Hood Ski Bowl’s Hans Wipper explains the value of providing free skiing to the older customer, “We want to reward loyal skiers, and we want them to bring their extended families.”
SeniorsSkiing “Senior Friendly” Silver Award
These respondents had great discounts for seniors:
- Sutton, QUE — 55 percent off tickets Tuesdays, January – mid February.
- Okemo, VT — pre-December season pass purchase (includes Mt. Sunapee, Pico Peak, Killington, Crested Butte): 45 percent off for 65-plus; 70 percent off for 70-plus.
- Ski Butternut, MA — pre-December season pass purchase: $125 for 65-plus
- Sugarbush, VT — $199 for Mid-Week Boomer Pass for 65+ (was $99 before Sept 9).
Other Silver Awards went to:
- Alpine Meadows, CA
- Copper Mountain, CO
- Vail, CO
- Hunter Mountain, NY
- Windham Mountain, NY
- Deer Valley, UT
- Snow Basin, UT
- Snowbird, UT
- Red Mountain Resort, BC
- Whistler Blackcomb, BC
- Mont Tremblant, QUE
Takeaways: Lift ticket deals are out there, especially for the early-bird, pre-season buyer. So are discounts in restaurants, rentals and other amenities. Look and ask.
We also encourage ski area management to consider the business benefits of catering to the interests of the senior skier: increased mid-week traffic, younger “tag along” full paying clients, and a loyal and vocal clientele.
