After years in which both snow and the economy have been iffy, skiers and boarders have been booking winter vacations later and later--or sometimes not at all. So, to lock in dollars early, resort companies are pushing preseason deals that tempt enthusiasts with access to multiple mountains for a single discounted price, as long as they buy when it's still waterskiing season.
The market's biggest player is Vail Resorts' Epic Pass, which grants unlimited skiing at 12 U.S. mountains (half of which are in Colorado) for $689. If that sounds pricey, consider that a single-day ticket runs as much as $129...