Time's a wasting on season passes. The deals, such that they are, are coming to a close.

What to do?

It's time to decide on a season pass. What's it gonna be?
Carey Kish photo

We've been spoiled now for what, three years at least. But no more. Our great and powerful benefactor, the American Skiing Company, is kaput. Gone. Over. Done with.

No more all-season skiing at six New England resorts for $349 or $369 or even $399.

Nope. The party's over. Just when the going was getting so good, too.

Gone are the days of six mountains for $399!
Carey Kish photo

I don't know about you, but I was really getting to enjoy Attitash, especially the enormous amount of vertical you could get in in such a short amount of time on Bear Peak.

And those long weekend trips to Killington and Pico. Oh, the madness of the Big K, all that fine skiing amid the crowds of funny-speaking New Yorkers.

And quaint and creaky Pico, its long and winding trails, steep and challenging. And empty. The awesome Giant Killer lives!

Never mind skiing Sunday River and The Loaf at will, in any conditions. A run here, a beer there. It didn't matter. You had a pass. You skiied when it was good, you hung out in The Bag when it wasn't.

Can I just buy a season pass to The Bag?
Carey Kish photo

That kind of living was all new to this skier, not ever having been able to really afford those super-high-priced season passes of not too long ago.

Everything has changed now, though. So I ask again: What to do?

Stop your whining, you say.

I know, you're probably right.

But damn, it hurts losing such a good deal that allowed for so much skiing over such a variety of terrain and mountains for so little.

Made it easier to drop more cash in the mountain pubs, too. The Foggy Goggle, The Bag (the Cathedral of On-Mountain Beerage), Theo's, the Windowbreaker, the Long Trail Inn, Suds, Sunday River Brew Pub...

But I digress.

{sigh} {and more whining here}

It's time to get on the stick and buy a pass for the coming season. Or not.

If you've got a place to hang your hat at a particular mountain then maybe it's a no-brainer for you. Not so much for me and many other low-budget ski-types.

You're in the same boat too you say?

Well, let's take a look-see together on what's available for pass deals...

* Sunday River and Sugarloaf - The Maine Pass: For $799 (Gold Pass) you can get unlimited skiing at Maine's two premier mountains. For $499 (Silver Pass) you can ski all season less 12 blackout dates. The Silver is the closest deal to what we've been used too, except of course, it's $100 more and it's minus four other mountains. But who's counting??? Pass deals are available through October 15th.

* Saddleback - Unlimited skiing for $450. Not a bad deal for a big mountain that's really getting it's act together with a modern base lodge and new trails and equipment.

* Wildcat - Ski big vertical in the shadow of Mount Washington and the Presidential Range for $669 (price available until October 15th).

* Bretton Woods - Enjoy a mondo amount of excellent cruiser trails with awesome views for $749. Includes 2 free passes to Cannon to boot.

* Cannon Mountain - Bigtime challenging mountain skiing in at Franconia Notch for $630.

* Attitash/Bear Peak - Get the Granite Pass valid every day at Attitash and Crotched (a bump in southern NH) for $699. Or try the Classic Pass for $599 good only at Attitash with blackout dates. Attitash and Bear Peak combine for some of the best skiing in NH.

* Loon Mountain - Get three mountains in one, the most of any ski pass deal this season, with the Threedom Pass. Includes Loon, Waterville Valley and Cranmore.. All for $799. Or $699 with a handful of blackout days at Loon. Probably the best deal out there right now.

* Ski Maine Association - The Quad Pack gets you 59 vouchers to ski areas all across Maine, 4 each to the big popular areas. All for $550. Also a very good deal. Especially if you want to spread yourself out some, do some traveling and visit a host of new places.

So there you have it folks. Ski pass deals as they stand for the coming year. Not quite what we're used to, but hey, what can you do?!

I'm leaning hard on the Maine Pass, but it's time to quit leaning, decide and buy.

Speaking of, what will YOU do? You gonna buy a pass? Which one? Or will you just do day tix and travel about? Or maybe do more snowshoeing and cross- country skiing instead, and less downhill?

So what's it gonna be my skier pals? Pass or no pass?
Carey Kish photo