At one time it seemed that Aspen and Vail / Beaver Creek had a rivalry, each trying to one-up the other on lift ticket prices as seasons alternated. This year was Aspen’s turn, with a price of $87, until Vail Resorts announced its rise in ticket prices this week. Now it seems, that the whole industry is facing a rivalry with the price of crude oil. Does skiing in Colorado everywhere cost this much?

• Copper Mountain:up to $79 one day, but steep discounts provided at 2+ day rates. Distance from Vail: 25 gorgeous driving minutes.
• Ski Cooper: $39! A great deal but many fewer on-mountain amenities. Ski where the 10th mountain division used to train, on the continental divide in some of the highest altitude. Distance from Vail/ BC – one careful hour or 35 bat-out-of-H*** minutes.
• Breckenridge: Up to $86 depending on the week of the year. Check their prices online. Distance from Vail: 45 minutes.
• Keystone: $79. Distance from Vail /BC – 50 minutes. Keystone has night skiing too, so this may be a good choice if you get a late start.
• A-Basin: Colorado’s first, and lowest! Only $58 and score a season pass for less than the price of five nights. This bald mountain on the continental divide is still “the Legend.”

I was really hoping to find you a deal, folks. Here’s what I would say: stay next to the mountain you want to ski- get an early start, and hit it hard. Take a couple of days off to enjoy some snowshoeing or ice climbing in East Vail. The cost of renting a car may outweigh the lower lift prices at other destinations, but we understand. Realistically, the prices have only gone up $10 or less, so just find a place to stay that makes that cost back for you. Places like Beaver Creek West that are close to the bus route but off the slopes make a great compromise. Again, sorry the ticket prices are so high! But we’d really love to see ya.