Anyone who’s ever lived in a resort town knows that unrestricted season passes are also the most expensive and usually out of reach for the average shred. But, I’ve read the fine print and looked for the loopholes,  it looks like the new Epic Pass actually gives you “unrestricted and unlimited access” to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly, and Arapahoe Basin. That means no holiday black out dates, no limited days at the bigger resorts, no bullshit … and probably the longest season in North America. You’ve got everything: powder days in Vail’s back bowls, the Peak 8 parks at Breck, shred those misty tree runs at the Beav, night park riding at Keystone, early and late season at A-Basin. The addition of Heavenly is like a little bonus?even your shred vacation to escape Colorado for the sunshine state includes free riding.

It’s on sale for $579 until November 15, 2008. You can start your new life in Colorado by following this link: http://www.snow.com/epicpass/epic-pass-details.aspx

How good of a deal is this? Read it and weep: Jackson Hole ($1,970), Squaw ($1,889), and Stowe ($1,766). Ouch.

It’s one of the great battles of our time?the race between Loveland and A-Basin to be the first resort to open. This year it was a dead tie with both resorts opening yesterday. Unfortunately we were chained to our desks, but I found this sweet clip of Jeff Meyer and a local legend Nate Doggg. Colorado keeps it real doesn’t it?

Check this clip:

http://videocenter.denverpost.com/services/link/bcpid934052406/bctid1858922843

Do you think Nate Doggg was like, “That’s N-a-t-e D-o-g-g-g-g to the reporter?” Classic.