Killington Optimistic About New Pass

KILLINGTON, Vt. Aug. 11, 2004 – Local business owners in the Killington region are taking advantage of the buzz created by Killington’s new All For One season pass in hopes of seeing a greater number of guests in the region this winter and more business through their front door. The All For One season pass is available for purchase through Aug. 30 or while supplies last for as low as $349 per pass.

“There’s no question that there is loads of excitement and buzz about this pass,” said Laura Summers, owner of The Sunup Bakery on Killington Road. “The bakery tends to be like the office water cooler and you hear all the gossip as people come in to grab their morning coffee. If their chatter is any indication of how well this pass is selling, I’m going to have a booming business this season and I’m sure others will too.

The All For One pass is available for sale and is valid for the 2004-2005 season at Killington, Mount Snow/Haystack and Pico in Vermont, Sunday River and Sugarloaf/USA in Maine and Attitash in New Hampshire. The flagship passes are the $349 Bronze with 14 black-out days (primarily holidays) spread across the season, and the $599 Gold pass, which is unlimited, providing skiing and riding everyday of the season. A Super Senior Pass for $399 provides unlimited skiing for ages 70 and above.

In total, there are five different All For One passes available in limited quantities with varying price points and benefits attached to each. These prices are valid until Aug. 30, 2004 and following that, there will be incremental increases for each of the products available.

“We have seen some people who were on the fence about renting for the winter season go ahead and rent because of the deal on the All For One pass,” said Walter Findeisen, owner of ERA Mountain Real Estate.

Killington rental property owner Jim Blackman agrees. “I’m seeing people who were not planning on renting this season rethink their winter plans,” he said. “Local realtors are telling me that they are definitely seeing an upswing in new rental house clients. They are absolutely seeing new people coming into their offices.”

The All For One pass is modeled after the highly successful Sunday River and Attitash interchangeable season pass offered last season, which consumers heralded for its affordability and flexibility. Last season, skier visits at Sunday River and Attitash were up, during a season when most resorts in the East were down.

“We are building on its success, having learned a lot from it and about our guest’s skiing habits and usage,” said Chip Carey, senior vice president of sales and marketing for American Skiing Company, Killington’s parent company. “We have fine-tuned the number we will sell and adjusted blackout dates based on that research.”

For local businesses, the All For One pass also is another tool to help increase reservations for the upcoming season.

“Killington is the big draw and this pass will help me fill my beds,” said Ted Bridges, innkeeper at Cortina Inn and Resort. “I’m just getting ready to do a preseason email to my database about the pass that will hopefully drive some winter reservations. I think it’s going to be great.”

Interested skiers and snowboarders can call 800-88-PEAKS or visit killington.com to purchase their passes.