Snow Zone

Snow falls on blooming rhododendrons Tuesday, April 27, 2010, in Saranac Lake, N.Y. A late-season storm is expected to dump up to a foot of snow across the hills and mountains of northern New York and Vermont before moving east into the rest of northern New England. (AP Photo/Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Lou Reuter)

If you’ve been thinking about buying a season pass for next ski/snowboard season, now’s the time to act quickly if you want to same money.

Why? Because the end of April is the time ski resorts end their discounted season pass rates. Waiting will mean paying hundreds of dollars more if you decide to buy your pass in October. For example, many of Okemo’s passes increase $200 if you buy them after Friday.

Here are details from some of Connecticut skiers’ and snowboarders’ favorite resorts in Vermont.

Killington in Vermont has a Thursday deadline for its discounted passes that range from $999 for an unlimited pass good any day to $329 for college students. The $399 midweek pass (with some blackout days) is a good option. The Beast also has a payment plan where you can pay in three installments. Details here.

Stratton’s season passes will also increase on Friday. By far the best deal is its Midweek Superpass good at Stratton, Okemo and Mount Sunapee for $310. For details check here.

Okemo’s deadline for discounted passes ends Friday. Best deal is the forementioned midweek $310 pass good at three areas. Details here.

Same deal for Mount Snow with a Friday deadline. Wait until mid-October and you’ll pay $300 more for a season pass. Best deals: a $399 midweek pass; $299 for seniors. Its Classic Season Pass, with 12 blackout dates, is $549. Mount Snow also has a three-payment plan. Details here.

You have until Monday to lock into Sugarbush‘s season pass deals. Best ones: $319 for college students, a $499 adult midweek pass and if you’re 80 or older and still ski (God bless you) you pay $139. Rates are lower if you just get a Mount Ellen pass.

Today, the only ski areas remaining opening is Sugarloaf in Maine with 24 trails. They plan to close Sunday. Jay Peak in Vermont will reopen Thursday and close this weekend.

Jay filed this report this morning … it’s not an April Fools joke: 

I expect single-day weekend passes to cost well  into the eighty-dollar range next season. So when deciding to buy a season pass, it’s just a matter of doing the math. How many times you plan to ski verses the cost a lift ticket. Often you break even after using the pass six times.

Yes, there is skiing and snowboarding in New England, but not for long. A total of 15 areas still have their lifts turning, but as you would expect terrain is limited, conditions variable and often times wet …  like today.

This dreary rain and warm weather pretty much sums up the state of ski conditions across the Northeast. The areas remaining open have very little terrain left. It’s come to the point where the only people skiing or snowboarding are locals who have season passes. Or in the above photo, the crew who works at the resort (this one at Mount Snow).

In fact, today is the last day for Okemo in Vermont. They had hoped to close on Sunday, but …

“No matter how hard the mountain operations staff works and the ski patrol marks the trails, the skiing and riding experience just isn’t what we would like,” said Okemo VP and General Manager Bruce Schmidt. “So the time has come. Many thanks to all our staff for their hard work as well as to our guests who have supported us all season long.”

This weekend others will follow. It’s been a good year, not especially snowy except for the huge snowfalls in January and February. Most ski areas are slightly below their average snowfall totals.

The season got off to a slow start, but the weather cooperated during the prime holiday weeks and most ski resorts made some money this year. One downside, it seemed especially windy this winter.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I’d rate this season a 7.5. Good, but not great.

Most people, including myself, have already packed it in for the season. I’m getting a “summer tune” on my boards, meaning they’ll be ready to go at the end of this year. There’s an extra layer of wax on the bottom that will prevent any moisture from seeping in. I still have to get my other gear/clothes together and properly store them.

So, here’s a rundown of major Vermont resorts closing this weekend:

STRATTON. On Saturday and Sunday $15 tickets for everyone; free for those who have the discount X2 cards, midweek or Sunday passholders. Today Stratton cancelled its pond skimming event and will be concentrating on “farming” its remaining snow, meaning pushing it over bare spots.

MOUNT SNOW: $25 lift tickets, live music, $3 beers and steep discounts in the ski shops.

Mount Snow disclaimer: “While we are looking forward to a great closing weekend we want everyone to know that with this weeks rain and warm temperatures we are losing snow at a rapid pace. The most coverage will be found on the North Face and at Carinthia. On the Main Face our groomers will have to “piece” together the few trails that will be open, notably Cascade/Canyon, Long John and Snowdance. Some other Main Face trails may be open but some walking will be required on them.”

Sugarbush, Stowe, Killington and Jay hopes to stay open longer than this weekend, but that could change.

Stowe reports today: “Skiing and riding today is for intermediate and advanced ability levels only, and some walking may be required depending on the route you take.”

Killington has lowered ticket prices to $42 for the remainder of the season. And they will give a free ticket to each kid 18 and under with each paying adult.

For most of us, the season has ended, but I’ll continue to post snowsports-related items as they develop over the next few months.

Always free to drop me an e-mail at jshay@ctpost.com