Banff-area resorts added to Mountain Collective pass

Three ski resorts in the Banff, Alberta, area have been added to the Mountain Collective pass option for the 2014-15 ski season, the Aspen Skiing Co. announced Aug. 12.

The Mountain Collective pass includes two days of skiing and riding at seven destinations — AltaSnowbird, Aspen/Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Mammoth Mountain, Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows, Whistler Blackcomb and now Ski Banff, Lake Louise and Sunshine Village in Canada.

More importantly for Skico Premier Pass holders, however, is that they can get 50 percent off at participating Mountain Collective resorts without purchasing the additional pass.

“The Mountain Collective is building on its success as the fastest growing multi- resort pass in North America with the addition of a seventh destination: Ski Banff-Lake Louise-Sunshine,” said Christian Knapp, Skico vice president of marketing. “The Banff area is truly one of the most picturesque mountain destinations in the world offering an amazing town and three world-class resorts. This addition nicely complements the already incredible roster of Mountain Collective destinations, giving skiers and riders even more variety and value.”

The Mountain Collective pass is currently being offered for $389. For children 12 and under, it is $99. Mountain Collective passes can be purchased online at http://www.mountaincollective.com.

Skico also announced the prices of its season passes last week. Customers will pay between $30 and $50 more than last season for passes, The Aspen Times reported.

The super early deadline for the lowest prices is Sept. 12. The price of an unrestricted Premier Pass increased $50 to $1,699 for buyers who don’t work for a business that belongs to a local chamber of commerce. The chamber rate for a Premier Pass is $1,229 — an increase of $30 from last season.

Aspen Mountain and Snowmass will open Nov. 27. Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk will open Dec. 13.

For more information, visit http://www.aspensnowmass.com/seasonpass.