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Sunlight Mountain Resort pass expands partnership to Japan

John Stroud
Glenwood Springs Post Independent
Sunlight season pass holders will now have more international ski days included.
Glenwood Springs Post Independent File

Sunlight Mountain Resort, which gained national press attention last season with its “most expensive lift ticket” that included a pair of Meier skis or a snowboard for $700, is expanding its international focus for season pass holders.

In addition to a repeat of four free days at the Alp 2500 ski resort in the Spanish Pyrenees, the Glenwood Springs ski area will offer this year’s pass holders three free ski days at Kiroro ski area in Japan.

A season pass will also include free ski days at other resorts in Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington and Alaska.



Kiroro is located on Japan’s north island, 35 miles west of Sapporo and 67 miles from the New Chitose Airport, or an hour-and-a-half flight from Tokyo. The ski area averages 750 inches of snow each year and features 21 designated runs on 2,000 vertical feet, with an abundance of backcountry skiing.

“We’re excited to partner with Sunlight,” Scot Ennis, vice president of international partnerships for Kiroro, said in a formal announcement.




“We like the boldness illustrated with Sunlight’s Sunny $700 day ticket,” he said of the lift ticket and skis deal that also included a day pass to the Iron Mountain Hot Springs.

“Like Sunlight, Kiroro is also well-known for deep powder and great hot springs,” Ennis said.

On the domestic front, this year’s Sunlight season pass partnerships include three free days each at Eaglecrest in Alaska, Snow King in Wyoming and Mission Ridge in Washington state, and two days at Lookout Pass, Idaho.

Sunlight has also partnered with the advanced/expert-only Silverton Mountain in southern Colorado for one free unguided ski day during the spring season, and 30 percent off guided ski tours on Sundays in December and January, as well as the required safety equipment rentals.

Designated unguided ski days are limited to March 30 through April 1 and April 6 through 8. Guided ski days are subject to availability and reservations.

“Our goal is to continually deliver the best value while also opening up new skiing and riding opportunities for our pass holders,” Sunlight Marketing and Sales Director Troy Hawks said. “So we’re particularly excited about the new partnerships we’ve formed for the upcoming season as well as the continuation of our existing partnerships with like-minded Western ski areas that our season pass holders have been enjoying for many seasons.”

Sunlight season pass holders also will continue to enjoy discounts at local restaurants and shops.