Mountain Capital Partners rolls out $9 lift tickets at nine U.S. ski resorts

Mountain Capital Partners will sell $9 lift tickets across all nine of its U.S. ski resorts this winter as single-day prices at some ski areas climb near $400. The company is also pairing the discount with new lifts, expanded snowmaking and staggered opening dates starting Nov. 6.

Why it matters: - Mountain Capital Partners is using steep discounting to make skiing more accessible as lift-ticket prices at some U.S. resorts approach $400. - The $9 tickets cover all nine of MCP’s U.S. ski resorts across Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico and Oregon. - Select tickets also include $10 in resort credit for on-mountain stores and restaurants. - Kids 12 and younger ski free all season at every MCP resort through the Power Kids Pass, with no purchase required.

What happened: - MCP announced that tens of thousands of $9 lift tickets will go on sale for the winter season. - The company also announced scheduled opening dates for all nine U.S. resorts, starting Nov. 6 at Brian Head Resort in Utah. - Tickets are available through each resort’s website.

The details: - $9 ticket availability varies by resort and date because lift-ticket pricing is demand-based. - $9 tickets are on sale now at Purgatory, Arizona Snowbowl, Brian Head, Lee Canyon and Sipapu. - Tickets for Pajarito, Willamette Pass, Nordic Valley and Sandia Peak go on sale later this fall. - Prices and availability were current as of Oct. 5, 2026. - MCP said all nine U.S. resorts will have RFID lift access this winter. - MCP announced more than $37.5 million in capital improvements across its U.S. and South American resorts in 2026. - U.S. projects include new lifts, new terrain and expanded snowmaking.

Between the lines: - The $9 ticket push gives MCP a headline-grabbing value offer while it continues a broader capital campaign across its mountain portfolio. - The investments suggest MCP is trying to grow skier visits by pairing affordability with new terrain and more reliable snowmaking. - MCP is the third-largest U.S. ski resort company by number of resorts, which gives the promotion broad reach across multiple markets.

What's next: - Pajarito Mountain in New Mexico will operate seven days a week for the first time. - Pajarito’s $20 million snowmaking project includes a new pipeline from Los Alamos and 2,700% more water for snowmaking, with top-to-bottom coverage for the first time. - Purgatory Resort in Colorado will open Nov. 20 with the new Colorado Couloir triple chair, seven new trails and connectors, and about 40 acres of advanced and expert terrain. - Lee Canyon in Nevada will open Nov. 20 with a new quad chair, a new rope tow and a new beginner conveyor. - Brian Head Resort in Utah will open Nov. 6 after more than $2 million in upgrades, including a new snowmaking pipeline on Navajo Mountain. - Willamette Pass Resort in Oregon will open Dec. 11 after a $5 million snowmaking expansion that more than triples capacity. - Arizona Snowbowl will open Nov. 20 with a new beginner conveyor, four new tower snow guns and 92 acres of glading and forest health work. - Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort will open Nov. 20 for its first full season with Lift 3. - Nordic Valley will open Dec. 18 after snowmaking upgrades that include a new pond and water line. - Sandia Peak Ski Area will open Dec. 19 as work continues to return Chair 2 to service. - Opening dates remain weather permitting.

The bottom line: - MCP is pairing ultra-low-cost lift tickets with visible resort upgrades in a bid to stand out in a crowded and increasingly expensive ski market. - The full company announcement is available here.