Step aside, Ikon and Epic. The best ski pass ever is coming to Colorado.

On Friday, Arapahoe Basin and Loveland Ski Area announced that they will partner up for the 2019-2020 ski season to release an all-new season pass: the Loveland Pass Pass.

Spokespersons for both ski areas said the partnership was built by skiers, for skiers.

“Over here at A-Basin, we’re just not a mega-pass destination,” said Director of Marketing Leigh Hierholzer. A-Basin, of course, decided to leave the Epic Pass following the 18-19 season, citing philosophical differences with Vail Resorts, overflowing parking lots, and too much traffic on the East Wall bootpack. “We are a skiers’ mountain, and we don’t want to squash the soul of skiing.”

Loveland’s Marketing and Communications Director John Sellers expressed similar sentiment in a call Friday, although we could barely hear him over the blustery wind atop the area’s Chair 9 lift.

Initial rundowns of pass benefits indicate that locals may get their money’s worth. Here are the benefits that have been confirmed:

“Forever free” parking in A-Basin parking lots plus half-price “Beach” parking. Access to VIP parking in the front of the Loveland parking lot. A TBD number of free lessons at Loveland Valley and the Molly Hogan Chair, plus free rentals for never-ever skiers. Free access to an annual Bloody Mary mix-off, plus a quota of free cocktails each week. (Before his phone cut out, Sellers did express his undying belief that Loveland’s Bloody Mary is superior). A free peak-to-peak connector shuttle over Loveland Pass. Access to “passholder-only” days at each mountain. A TBD number of ski days at other Colorado “Soul” resorts, possibly including Wolf Creek, Silverton, Monarch, and Powderhorn. A complementary Arapahoe Basin “The Legend” sweater for “early-bird” pass purchasers. A complementary Loveland-branded Hawaiian shirt for “early-bird” pass purchasers.

Hierholzer said, “As soul skiers ourselves, we can literally play Santa Claus as we build this pass.” She said resort officials from both mountains were exploring other benefits, including guided backcountry on Loveland Pass and free buddy passes (“Because 25% off a $200 lift ticket ain’t cuttin’ it,” according to an A-Basin lift operator who chose to remain anonymous).

Both resorts indicated that, rather than cram extra infrastructure into cramped basins to keep up with excessive skier visits, they would rather keep the ski experience centered on, well, skiing.

“Here at Open Snow, we could not be happier for the skiers of Colorado,” said Colorado snow forecaster and deity Joel Gratz. “Loveland and Arapahoe Basin epitomize the best of the state’s skiing. With this new group of passholders in mind, I promise to always underestimate storm totals for the Loveland Pass area.”

We at Powder7 share Joel’s stoke and look forward to the 2019-2020 ski season!

(Happy April Fool’s Day, skiers! Now get out there and make some turns—and be sure to spread some buzz about this dreamy idea…)

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