Skiers across Colorado and the United States will be happy to know that two of Colorado’s premiere ski resorts are now open for business.

Vail and Beaver Creek opened the slopes Friday (11-21-08) to skiers and snowboarders, but the opening is happening with some anxiety. Economic conditions in the U.S have resort operators coming up with creative ways of getting people to slopes and parting with some of their hard earned cash.

Operators of Vail and Beaver Creek have teamed up to create the Epic Pass, which gives pass holders unlimited access without date restrictions to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly Ski Resorts. Resort operators are hoping the pass, which costs 629-dollars, will attract skiers from the Denver area as well as around the country.

Resort operators believe this pass will take business away from competing resorts. Some skiers say the pass already has them changing their plans for which resorts they will spend their time at this season.